Digital Trends

ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro

December 2nd, 2003 | by Jeff Fila

Introduction

Just like it's Radeon 9600 Pro video card sibling, the 9600 All-In-Wonder Pro features 128MB of DDR memory and is fully DirectX 9 compatible.

The All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro features a few distinct differences from ATI's other All-In-Wonder offerings. This is the first All-In-Wonder to come with an FM radio tuner. It also features dual VGA outputs.

What's In The Box
 

The retail box includes an impressive array of accessories and software. Included in the package are:

Hardware:

• All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro graphics card
• ATI Remote Wonder radio frequency USB remote control (batteries are included)
• A/V Input block (with S-Video, analog video, and left and right audio)
• A/V Output dongle (with 2 VGA outputs, S-Video, composite video, S/PDIF coax digital audio, and a stereo audio mini-plug)
• 6-foot S-Video cable
• 6-foot composite video cable
  

Software:

Setup and Driver CD:

• ATI Catalyst Driver
• ATI Multimedia Center
• Gemstar GUIDE Plus+
• ATI HydraVision
• ATI Control Panel
• ATI DVD Decoder
• ATI Remote Wonder
• RealOne Player
• Muvee autoProducer
• Divx Player 2
   

Pinnacle Studio 8 CD (ATI enhanced version)

Other:

• Coupon for Remote Wonder II upgrade
• Coupon for free retail version of Half-Life 2
• Setup guide and user's guide
   

Curiously missing from the retail box is an FM antenna. If you want to use the FM tuner you must purchase an FM antenna with a coax connector separately. We were able to get one for $9.99 at a local Radio Shack that performed somewhat adequately (more on that later).

Also missing is a DVI output. If you have a digital monitor, you must purchase a converter to hook up to one of the two VGA connectors.

ATI had originally intended to include the Remote Wonder II in the retail box; however, it was not ready for prime time when the All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro began shipping. Instead, they include the older version of the Remote Wonder and a coupon for a “free” upgrade to the Remote Wonder II. The consumer just has to pay for shipping. We think that was a noble thing for ATI to do.

ATI scores a big bonus with gamers by adding a coupon for a free copy of Half-Life 2. The game, one of the most anticipated in gaming history, won't be out until at least April of 2004, but at a projected retail of $49.99, that's a nice addition.