

           How To Set Up And Use Hardware MPEG Decompression

        Terminator 64/Video With Hardware MPEG (Model T2212MEDO)
        Terminator 3D With Hardware MPEG (Models T2312MEDO/T2314MEDO)



Introduction
============

This document covers the installation of the Windows 95 and Windows 3.1
drivers that enable hardware-based MPEG decompression on Hercules
products which include this feature.  Note that this software will NOT
work on Hercules products which do not offer hardware MPEG
decompression.

Hardware MPEG decompression is performed by the TMPEG2000 MPEG-1
decompression module attached to your Terminator 64/Video or Terminator 3D.

What Does It Do?
================

The TMPEG2000 MPEG-1 decompression module performs the
processor-intensive work of decompressing MPEG-1 video clips and VideoCD
titles.  It can greatly improve the quality of MPEG playback, giving you
a smoother frame rate with fewer audio dropouts.  Since it's performing
most of the work involved in MPEG playback, it also frees up your
computer's CPU to perform other tasks.  So, if you like, you can run a
Windows application and watch an MPEG video clip at the same time.

There are four steps for setting up your MPEG decompression module: 

1.  If you're using Windows 95, you'll install the Microsoft DirectDraw
    and DirectVideo software we've provided.  If you're using Windows
    3.1, you'll install the runtime version of Video for Windows that
    we've provided.

2.  Next, you'll install the hardware MPEG driver.

3.  Next, you'll connect the MPEG decompression module's audio output to
    your sound card, speakers or stereo system

4.  Lastly, you'll play an MPEG file to verify that everything is
    installed correctly.


Step 1: Install The Microsoft Software
======================================

If you're using Windows 95:
---------------------------

The first step is to install Microsoft's DirectDraw and DirectVideo
software.  DirectDraw and DirectVideo make your system more compatible
with multimedia software and hardware add-ons.  You may already have
DirectX installed on your PC, but for best results, we recommend
installing the copy we've provided.

1.  Start Windows 95.

2.  Execute the \DIRECTX\SETUP.EXE program on the Hercules CD-ROM.

3.  The DirectX setup program will install a few files.  We recommend
    that you restart Windows 95 after the setup program has completed.

If you're using Windows 3.1:
----------------------------

1.  Start Windows 3.1.

2.  The next step will depend on which Hercules product you own.

If you own a...         Execute the following setup program...
---------------         --------------------------------------
Terminator 64/Video     \TERM\WIN31\T64VIDEO\VFW\SETUP.EXE
Terminator 3D           \TERM\WIN31\T64_3D\VFW\SETUP.EXE

3.  The Video for Windows setup program will install a few files, and
    then ask you if you'd like to restart Windows.  Select Yes.

Step 2: Install Our Hardware MPEG Driver
========================================

After Windows has restarted, you'll install the device driver that
allows Windows to recognize your MPEG decompression module.

If you're using Windows 95:
---------------------------

1.  The next step will depend on which Hercules product you own.

If you own a...         Execute the following setup program...
---------------         --------------------------------------
Terminator 64/Video     \TERM\WIN95\MPEG\T64VIDEO\SETUP.EXE
Terminator 3D           \TERM\WIN95\MPEG\T64_3D\SETUP.EXE

2.  The hardware MPEG setup program will install a few files, and then
    ask you if you'd like to restart your PC.  Again, select Yes.

If you're using Windows 3.1:
----------------------------

1.  The next step will depend on which Hercules product you own.

If you own a...         Execute the following setup program...
---------------         --------------------------------------
Terminator 64/Video     \TERM\WIN31\T64VIDEO\MPEG\SETUP.EXE
Terminator 3D           \TERM\WIN31\T64_3D\MPEG\SETUP.EXE

2.  The hardware MPEG setup program will install a few files, and then
    ask you if you'd like to restart your PC.  Again, select Yes.

Note: If you're using either version of Windows, installing our hardware
MPEG driver will override most software-based MPEG drivers, like the
XingMPEG software that you've also received with your new Hercules
product.  This is okay - now that you have hardware MPEG decompression,
you won't need to rely on software-based MPEG decompression any more -
but if you need to revert to software-based decompression, reinstalling
your software MPEG driver will override our hardware MPEG driver.  You
can switch back a nd forth between software and hardware MPEG
decompression by reinstalling the appropriate driver.


Step 3: Connect The MPEG Decompression Module's Audio Output
To Your Sound Card, Speakers or Stereo System
============================================================

Important: we recommend that you turn your PC off before taking this
step!

The audio portion of MPEG files comes from the MPEG decompression
module's audio jack.  This 1/8" audio jack is mounted on the bracket of
the multimedia or 3D accelerator and puts out a line-level stereo
signal. If you already have a sound card in your PC, you can use the
audio cable we've provided to route the output of the MPEG decompression
module through your sound card and to your speakers.  Insert one end of
the cable into the audio jack on the MPEG decompression module, and
insert the other end into the "line in" jack on the bracket of your
sound card. You may also attach a pair of amplified computer speakers to
the MPEG decompression module; the output may also be sent to a stereo
system with a suitable adapter cable (not included).

Step 4: Play An MPEG File
=========================

Next, you'll want to play one of your MPEG clips or VideoCDs to verify
that the module is working correctly.  If you don't have an MPEG file
and you've received your software on CD-ROM, you'll find some in the
\CLIPS\MPEG\ and the \XING\ directories.  Before playing an MPEG file
for the first time, we recommend that you turn down the volume control
on your speakers or amplifier, just in case the default volume is too
loud.  Once you're viewing the file, turn up the volume to an acceptable
level.

If you're using Windows 95:
---------------------------

The Video Player in our Hercules Entertainment Center(tm) multimedia
control center may be used to play MPEG files.  You'll find Hercules
Entertainment Center in the Hercules PowerTools folder.  Click on the
Video Player to turn it on, then click on the "file open" button.
Select "MpegVideo..." from the "List Files of Type" menu, and then
navigate to a directory that contains an MPEG clip. If you've routed the
audio output of the MPEG decompression module to the line in jack of
your sound card, you can use the Video Player's volume control to adjust
the output level.  Click on "Configure" in the Hercules Entertainment
Center bookshelf, and then select the "Video" tab.  Choose the option
marked "Volume buttons control sound from sound card's external line-in
jack." You can also play MPEG files with the Media Player that's
included with Windows 95.  If you chose to install the multimedia tools
when you installed Windows 95, you'll find it in
Programs/Accessories/Multimedia.  Select "MPEG..." from the "Device"
menu, then use File/Open and choose an MPEG file.  If you've routed the
audio output of the MPEG decompression module to the line in jack of
your sound card, you can adjust the playback volume with the Mixer in
Hercules Entertainment Center, or with the "Vo lume Co ntrol"
application in Programs/Accessories/Multimedia.

Please see Testing MPEG Playback, below, for more instructions.

If you're using Windows 3.1:
----------------------------

You can play MPEG files with Microsoft's Media Player application.  The
location of Media Player will vary depending on your Windows
installation, but you'll probably find it in the Accessories program
group.  Launch Media Player, select "MPEG.." from the "Device" menu,
then use File/Open and choose an MPEG file.  If you've routed the audio
output of the MPEG decompression module to the line in jack of your
sound card, you can use your sound card's mixer software to adjust the
playback volume.

Testing MPEG Playback    
=====================

Once the MPEG file is playing, try expanding it to full-screen (if
you're using the Video Player in Hercules Entertainment Center, you can
do this quickly by double-clicking on the video screen to turn it into a
window, then right-clicking on the window and selecting "full screen"
from the floating menu).  If everything's working correctly, you should
be able to view your MPEG file at full screen size without degradation
in audio quality or frame rate.  Additionally, your Hercules accelerator
is performing filtering and smoothing which improves image quality.

When you're operating your Terminator 64/Video or Terminator 3D at
the limits of its performance by running your display at one of the
higher resolutions, color palette sizes, or refresh rates, the
Terminator's ability to process the video stream from the MPEG
decompression module is reduced.  When this happens, you may see
distortion in the form of blocky pixels or "sparkles" on the video
playback window.  You can lessen this distortion by selecting a lower
refresh rate, running at a lower resolution, or with a smaller color
palette size.

If you encounter any problems, or if you have any questions, please
contact us.  We'll be glad to help you.


Known Limitations
=================

The following items are known limitations:

- The following modes are not available using hardware MPEG playback
  with the Terminator 3D from within Windows 95:

	1280x1024x8bpp
	1600x1200x8bpp
	1280x1024x16bpp
	1024x768x24bpp
	

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