Digital Trends

ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro

December 2nd, 2003 | by Jeff Fila

Installation and Setup
 

Although the All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro is still a single-slot AGP card, installation can be tricky depending on the type of case you have. We had no problems at all installing it in a full-tower case. However, installation in a Biostar iDeq 200v small-form-factor case was not as easy. We were able to get it in, but it took a lot of effort to make sure we didn't break anything. The coax connectors get in the way on an SFF design and we had to actually flex the corner of the board at one point. We were concerned that the strange angle we were using to slide the card in would damage the connectors or AGP slot, but luckily it didn't. 

If you are planning on making a Home Theater PC (HTPC) with the All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro, be aware that you are going to have to exert some extra force on the board and possibly have to modify something on a SFF case. 

The included driver CD runs installation of all of the software at once. This is a nice feature, but if you are one who likes to make sure you have the latest version of all software before you install the hardware, this can get tedious. The setup routine automatically installs the following:

• ATI HydraVision
• Gemstar GUIDE Plus+
• Catalyst Driver
• ATI Multimedia Center
• ATI Control Panel
• ATI DVD Decoder
• ATI Remote Wonder 

It can take quite a while to install all of this software, but the automated routine went through without a hitch. Once the install is complete and you have restarted your system, the ATI tray icon provides you with a link to all of the software. The “Launch Pad” automatically loads a toolbar on the right hand side of your screen by default. This allows you to access all of the features of the All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro with one click. Disabling the toolbar is as easy as clicking the close button. 

Another nice feature of the ATI software is the "UninstallAll" program. This program is an uninstall routine that will completely remove all of the ATI software on your system. This is great for driver upgrades or for when you are swapping out video cards. 

When you first use your TV tuner, you have to set up the channels. The software automatically scans your channels for you much like a TV or VCR setup would. When you initiate the GUIDE Plus+ software, it will name the channels for you based on your Zip or Postal Code. You have the option of renaming the channels if you wish.