DRDRAM?
Uploaded 04.23.99
Article By Alien

Direct Rambus (DRDRAM), a technology developed and licensed by the Rambus Corporation, will be used with Intel microprocessors beginning in 1999. High-speed RAM is expected to accelerate the growth of visually intensive interfaces such as 3-D, interactive games, and streaming multimedia. Rambus is intended to replace the current main memory technology of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Much faster data transfer rates from attached devices such as videocams using Firewire and the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) make it important to reduce the bottleneck in getting data into the computer, staging it in RAM, and moving it throught the microprocessor and to the display or other output devices.
Direct Rambus (DRDRAM) provides a two-byte (16 bit) bus rather than DRAM's 8-bit bus. At a RAM speed of 800 megahertz (800 million cycles per second), the peak data transfer rate is 1.6 billion bytes per second. Direct Rambus uses pipelining to move data from RAM to cache memory levels that are closer to the microprocessor or display. Up to eight operations may be underway at the same time.
(Since the P2K has 2 channels, thats why it comes to 3.2 gigs instead of 1.6, and it should be able to have 16 operations going on in memory at once)

DVD: The Universal Format
Uploaded 11.11.98
Article By Robbie

The Digital Video Disc, or DVD, first made it's appearance in 1996, and from that point, it has caused quite a turning point in the media industry. DVD has the chance to become something bigger than anything... a universal format.

What I mean by universal format, is that DVD's would be used everywhere in the media industry. It would be used in the music industry, the movie industry as well as the video game industry. DVD's will also be used in the computer industry as well. By 2005, DVD will become the most widely used format ever created.


The Movies..
Already, the movie industry is being hit hard by the DVD. Soon, the VHS tape format will be replaced by DVD. DVD has the ability to create a better home theatre experience than ever. VHS simply doesn't compare to what DVD can do.

Most DVD movies produce a better picture. In addition, most feature sound-enhancing extras such as AC-3 and DTS systems. These features create an amazing experience.


The Music Industry..
The Music Industry has currently been unaffected by the appearance of DVD, but that will change soon. DVD's will replace the Compact Disc and the Cassette and allow more tracks to be created on one disc. The sound, of course, will be highly improved.

In addition, since DVD's are writable, you will be able to record your favorite songs on them, unlike the standard CD.


DVD-ROM's..
DVD's will also have an impact on PC's. DVD's will replace the CD and developers will use DVD's to create electronic encyclopedia's, and other educational and interactive programs.

Video Games..
When systems such as the Playstation 2 come out, the DVD will have a major impact on them. DVD games will have more space within them, allowing for bigger and better games. Things such as Full Motion Video (FMV) scenes will be improved.

A Third Generation?
The fact is that DVD will not be utilizing much until the third generation of DVD's appears on the market. These discs will allow for writability and will improve on some of the existing qualities of the disc.