ATI accelerates playback on 9000, 9700

ATI is to bundle Real Networks's RealOne Player, an "optimized" version, no less, with upmarket 9000 and 9700 series graphics cards. At the same time the graphics chip maker is to promote the RealOne SuperPass broadband content subscription service with its cards.

The marketing deal, announced yesterday, was packaged alongside news that ATI and Real have tweaked their technology so that Real video playback and streaming are "optimized" (their phrase) for the RADEON 9000 and 9700 cards. This boils down to ATI supporting the accelerated playback feature of RealVideo 9.0 through the RealOne Player. ®

Real Networks press release