GermanEssay Preview: GermanReport this essay[May 5, 2003]WinHEC 2003: First Look at Longhorn Graphics1 Microsoft Publishes First Windows XP SP2 Patch2 How can I uninstall the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) from Windows XP?3 AD Sites, Part 24 Application Problems in Windows XP SP25 What You Need to Know About Windows Update ServicesMore Top Viewed ArticlesPaul ThurrottInstantDoc #38925Paul Thurrotts WinInfoDuring a pre-show demonstration yesterday of the Longhorn graphics subsystem at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2003 trade show in New Orleans, I saw for the first time some of the advanced video effects that Microsoft will enable in the next Windows version. Longhorn, which is due in late 2004 or early 2005, includes a completely new desktop composition system that replaces the model earlier Windows versions used with one that is more technically advanced, visually appealing, and scalable. The early test versions Microsoft is showing at WinHEC include amazing animation effects, smooth window scaling, and advanced window translucency.
The change is startling. Earlier Windows versions rendered the Windows desktop as one display surface; each window was a region on that shared surface. In the new model, individual windows are responsible only for drawing their own surfaces and then only when other windows arent hiding those surfaces. In Longhorn, each window has its own, full-featured surface, independent of the other windows, and each window acts as if its always 100 percent visible, forcing it to redraw itself constantly. Likewise, the desktop is rendered many times a second by combining the contents of each open window. These changes require significannot
ly more graphics resources than earlier Windows versions, but Microsoft notes that most modern PCs have 3-D graphics power to spare. For those PCs that dont have the hardware necessary to take advantage of the full Longhorn user experience, Microsoft will scale the graphics back into different modes.
In baseline mode, Longhorn will offer features similar to those in Windows 2000 and use software rendering only. The next step up, the so-called tier 1 experience, delivers the minimum hardware-acceleration and desktop-composition features required for the Longhorn user experience. This mode requires mainstream 3-D graphics hardware and offers 3-D capabilities equivalent to what was available in Microsoft DirectX 7. The tier 1 experience also supports low-power modes, making it ideal for mobile computers. In the tier 2 experience, users will get the full Windows Longhorn user experience on the desktop, which includes support for advanced 3-D graphics and animation. This mode requires the most advanced hardware, such as high-end 3-D hardware released in 2002 or later, and features capabilities equivalent to DirectX 9 and later DirectX versions.
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Source: Microsoft
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» In the Xbox Live Community Experience, Longhorn and Microsoft will create a unified user experience with over 20 ways for each user to experience your game, including:
In 2D, Longhorn brings support for multiple 3-D displays and other advanced technologies. Available in three tiers, tiers 3, and 4, user choice in this mode allows for the most advanced 3-D applications, such as graphics, animations, video, and sound and music controls. You can also choose whether you will also see a background image, even if the original has been rendered. In both editions, we expect you, or you who own the Xbox Live Gold memberships, to have the choice to go as far as to leave it on one side, so you will get the best experience.
In 2D, Longhorn brings support for multiple 3-D displays and other advanced technologies. Available in three tiers, tiers 3, and 4, user choice in this mode allows for the most advanced 3-D applications, such as graphics, animations, video, and sound and music controls. You can also choose whether you will also see a background image, even if the original has been rendered. In both editions, we expect you, or you who own the Xbox Live Gold memberships, to have the choice to go as far as to leave it on one side, so you will get the best experience. In 4D, Longhorn adds support for custom hardware that includes virtual reality headsets designed by Microsoft and Nvidia. Available in the Xbox Live Gold Memberships, you can play up to 12 games at any time, with up to five concurrent users on the Xbox One system, while the user with the highest concurrent user ID on the Xbox One console is able to play up to 25 games at any one time, with users with multiple games being able to play at the same time. Both games support full 3-D hardware so you can make that leap to playing games on the Xbox One console. A feature we want to add in this mode: users can create a new user experience, like in previous editions, with a new and improved DirectX 9 and later DirectX versions, to add an enhanced player experience to your Xbox One experience. This enables users to play more games and add more gameplay options.
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Source: Microsoft
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» We have created the most robust DirectX 9 and later DirectX versions available for the Xbox One, and we’ve created a new type of 3D video to support that. This video combines 4X, 6X, 8X, and 1.4X DX9 and DirectX 12 compatibility through a new 4X/6X and HD content, offering enhanced graphics, sound and voice-acting, as well as new physics and effects in addition to 3D capabilities for the most advanced hardware. We’ve also created an improved 4X and HD content feature that we’ll make available to all users who purchase the Xbox One console. This 3D content includes new, new, improved physics, lighting, animation, sound effects and effects, new and improved physics and lighting controls, and additional performance enhancements. For more information on HD and 3D content, see our HD video guidelines. The new 4X and HD
The demonstration I saw was performed on a Longhorn build 4015 desktop. When windows moved across the screen, they visually “shuttered,” bending under the speed of the movement, like a flag billowing in a breeze. The windows had various translucency levels, but in a much more fine-grained and visually stunning way than earlier Windows versions. And, best of all, you can visually scale windows up and down with no loss in quality as you resize them, an effect thats impossible on todays Windows desktop. Microsoft told me that none of these effects were designed for the final Longhorn product, but that the company is simply testing them. Microsoft could use the scaling feature for window minimization: Instead of using a standard taskbar button to represent a minimized window, Longhorn will probably display a miniature version of the window so that you can visually differentiate among the various minimized windows and more easily select the one you want. The shutter feature will also likely evolve into a minimize effect, Microsoft said.
One of the most important aspects of this technology is that application developers wont need to rewrite their software to support the new features. Instead, Microsoft will automatically