No Bundle For You Sir! LeadTek probably hasn't got the budget for a fancy pants game bundle (what no Forsaken?) and to counter that fact, the box comes jam-packed with a 'multimedia' bundle. As well as the drivers (mentioned above), you get the following software on three CDs:
MPEG-2 (DVD) Player
- PowerDVD from Cyberlink
3D Web Authoring tool
- WEB 3D from Asymetrix
Virtual reality web browser Plug-in
- WIRL from Platinum
Authoring tool for VRML
- VRCreator from Platinum
Graphics & Animation Software
- 3D/FX from Asymetrix
Authoring Tool
- RealiMation STE (Demo) from Datapath
Internet Browser
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
Video Editing & Audio Clips Software
- Digital Video Producer from Asymetrix
Internet Video Playback Plug-in
- VDOLive Video Player from VDOnet
The only one that will probably be of any interest to you is the full version of Cyberlink's PowerDVD Software, which dishes out full support for DVD movies and more. Yes we know this isn't quite up to the same high-standards as a SIGMA Designs RealMagic Hollywood Plus MPEG II decoder but the video quality was still close to being exceptional. Need evidence? Yeah of course you do. We sat through and watched Blade, which is around 120 minutes long, and the whole movie played out with any glitches whatsoever. The only glitches were with the movie itself- but that's another story. Although the playback was solid, the only problem was that the software utilizes ALL (yes ALL) of your CPU, which isn't going to impress upon end-users that intend to dabble with multitasking. As great as the DVD software is, we can't but help wonder how much more time the average end-user will want/need to spend in front of his/hers PC. Playing games, answering Email and/or working might make your eyes pop out (not medically proven) when combined with a three hour long movie… Try a TV for the 'fullest' effect of course. But for those that have comfy chairs ($500 and up) the DVD option is more than a gimmick. It works.