Toronto, Ontario, 14 February 2000, MadOnion.com (formerly Futuremark
Corporation), the leading provider of PC performance and upgrade information,
today announced the release of Video2000. Developed in
co-operation with Faroudja, Inc. (NASDAQ: FDJA), Video2000 is the first and
only video benchmark that objectively measures the video quality, features and
performance of desktop video streams.
Video2000 enables users to evaluate the quality, feature set and performance of
the video-playback capabilities of their personal computer. With Video2000,
users gain the information needed to upgrade, make informed purchasing
decisions, and optimize the performance of their PCs for today's robust
multimedia applications.
"Faroudja, a world leader in high performance video processing technologies,
was the ideal partner, enabling MadOnion.com to deliver the industry's first
measurement tool for desktop video streaming," said Nathan Harley, Vice
President of Marketing, MadOnion.com. "The combination of MadOnion.com's
proven benchmark technology with Faroudja's extensive video processing
expertise has made the creation of this landmark benchmark possible."
"We applaud the achievement of MadOnion.com which directly supports our
continuing efforts to elevate the public's video quality consciousness," said Dr.
Nikhil Balram, Faroudja's Vice President of Advanced Technology.
"MadOnion.com's release of an objective measurement tool for PC video quality
will help manufacturers and consumers understand and appreciate the basic
building blocks of high quality video."
"We welcome Video2000 because in defining a benchmark for video, it helps to
increase the overall quality of video content delivered to consumers on the PC
platform," said Dave Marsh, technical evangelist for TV and Video, Microsoft
Corp. "This is particularly important as we start to see the PC architecture being
used in more video entertainment devices."
Video2000 features include: advanced image quality tests, graphics, bus and
memory performance tests, and CPU-performance tests. With all these tests built
in, Video2000 provides an excellent overview of a system's capabilities whether
the desired end-use is DVD-playback, video-conferencing or video editing.
Key Features of Video2000 include:
-Task-focused results for areas such as DVD, encoding & decoding MPEG2,
HDTV, Netmeeting and Home Theater
-Advanced image quality tests for analyzing the quality of video-playback in all
situations
-Thorough video subsystem performance analysis
A capability-check to evaluate the limitations and extra features the graphics
subsystem offers
-A real-world MPEG-2 encoding-test to assess the CPU-power available to
perform software-based video-compression, effects or other tasks.
-Video Decoder Quality Tests to enable the user to gain knowledge about the
accuracy and quality of the DVD-playback solution that is available on the
system
-Runs under the new DirectX7 and DirectShow
Video2000 was developed in co-operation with over 25 IT industry manufacturers
via MadOnion.com's beta program, in order to ensure the best possible testing
methodology and compatibility.
Pricing and Availability
Video2000 will be available for public download free of charge from
http://www.MadOnion.com at 4 p.m. PST on the 14th of February 2000. In
addition to the full and comprehensive benchmarking features in Video2000,
MadOnion.com will also release the enhanced commercial Professional version
of Video2000 for demanding benchmarking professionals, including a
Professional Result Browser tool with full Windows compatibility. Offering a local
result browser suitable for lab testing and corporate environments, the
Professional Version will be priced at $29.99 US.
About Faroudja, Inc.
Faroudja, Inc. (NASDAQ: FDJA) is a world leader in high performance video
processing technologies for markets requiring superior image quality solutions.
The company provides innovative products for the HDTV broadcast, home
theater, digital television, PC/TV convergence and digital display markets.
Faroudja's technologies are protected by more than 60 patents. Faroudja has
received numerous awards, including an Emmy award for Engineering
Development and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, presented in June 1998 to its
founder, Yves Faroudja.
About MadOnion.com
MadOnion.com, the leading provider of PC performance and upgrade
information. MadOnion.com's online benchmarks are powered by an Internet-
based engine that contains thousands of results, enabling users to compare their
performance with a global community. MadOnion.com's world-famous 3DMark
technology was first released in October 1998 and has become the global
standard for measuring 3D gaming performance with 10 million users worldwide.
MadOnion.com has offices in San Jose, Toronto and Helsinki.
3DMark(TM), Futuremark(TM), MadOnion.com(TM) are trademarks of MadOnion.com
formerly Futuremark Corporation, Ltd. MAX-FX Technology(TM) is a trademark of
Remedy Entertainment, Ltd. All other brands and names are property of their
respective owners.
For more information please refer to http://www.MadOnion.com or contact:
Nathan Harley Sarah Burns
Vice President, Marketing Senior Consultant
MadOnion.com High Road Communications
416-972-6275 416-368-8348
[email protected] [email protected]
