Intel Corp confirmed to Computergram yesterday that it is to bundle Zoran Corp’s DVD digital video disk software in with its Express graphics video board. But an Intel spokesperson hinted that there would be more to the bundle than just the graphics board and DVD software, which tallies with Intel’s intentions to drive the role of DVD in the marketplace. Bundling in software support for DVD would help Intel differentiate its product from other Intel i740-based boards offered by competitors such as Diamond Multimedia. The decoding of the DVD picture will take place in the CPU, with the Express board handling the front-end display of the DVD picture – Intel views this as a cost-effective solution, no expensive digital to analog DAC or MPEG 2 player – however, any potential buyer will require a least a 266MHz processor. The package – once it is actually announced – will be targeted at system manufacturers, system integrators and VARs.
