ASUS V9560 Video Suite, Continued

Instead of the standard VGA-out with DVI and adapter for the second monitor, the V9560 hits the ground running with two DVI-outs (two DVI->VGA adapters). The upside of this is that, if you invest in an extra Silicon Image Panel Link Transmitter chip (Sil164C Silicon Image ), one of the two DVI-outs can handle DVI display with resolutions as high as UXGA (1600x1200).

The V9560 Video Suite offers not only TV-out but also TV-in (Philips SAA7114H Encoder Chip). You connect the device with a large plastic adapter that fits both composite and S-VHS cables. With its 1.5 m long cable and included sticker, attaching the adapter to your desk is a breeze. Unfortunately, though, ASUS doesn't ship the card with video connector cables. The video-capturing software for the card is the ASUS Digital VCR, which supports TV playback and recording as well as time-shifting. There is a scheduler that allows you to pre-program when you want certain programs recorded. This feature won't get you too far, though, without a TV tuner. The recorded television programs can be edited and cut using PowerDirector 2.5 from Cyberlink.

The software bundle contains several other tools: ASUS Tweak (overclocking), ASUS SmartDoctor (hardware monitoring), ASUS Video Security, Digital VCR and ASUS Live Update. Add to that Medi@Show SE 2.0 (slideshow creator) from Cyberlink, the ASUS DVD XP v4.0 player software and VR Aquarium (DigiFish ).

The game bundle contains the recent titles "Morrowind - The Elder Scrolls III" (2002), "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six - Rogue Spear - Black Thorn" (2001) and "Worms Blast" (2002). There are also demos of "IL2 Sturmovik" and "Battle Realms."