NVIDIA Offers Video In/Video Out With Remote Control

Don't get up, just grab the remote. NVIDIA's new Personal Cinema is the latest in a stream of PC/TV convergence devices. You'll have to decide for yourself whether you want to have both your computer and television in the living room, but apparently many industry pundits think that you should. At least this device lets you recline in your comfy chair while manipulating ones and zeros. Personal Cinema tries to blend video functionality, DVD playback, and 3D graphics technology in one package. NVIDIA Personal Cinema allows users to watch, record, and control live TV, watch DVDs, and use the PC to create personal home movies. It also has several "TiVO-like" features, such as the ability to pause live TV, replay scenes, skip over a commercial, or automatically program the PC to record future shows or movies. Consisting of an NVIDIA based graphics board, a video-in/video-out module, a TV Tuner, a breakout box that connects to the PC via a single nine pin cable, and a multifunction remote for controlling all TV and DVD playback features, NVIDIA Personal Cinema should keep you gazing at one screen or another all day long. It will be available in the fall of this year and from VisionTek and Compro Technology.