NET TOOB

NET TOOB -- NET TOOB is the Real Deal when it comes to viewing digital videos over the 'net. Although NET TOOB specializes in MPEG and MPEG-1 files, QuickTime for Windows (MOV), Video for Windows (AVI), and FLC/FLI videos can also be viewed so long as you first grab the necessary (and free) drivers off the NET TOOB Info Page. NET TOOB is perhaps the first digital video viewer of its kind -- nothing else on the 'net allows playback of so many file types and without the need for additional hardware. NET TOOB automatically sets itself up as a web browser helper application in order to enable automatic video playback from Netscape, Spry AirMosaic, and a few other browsers. Although the entire file must fist be downloaded before playback, the quality of both audio and video is amazing. Even more impressive, the folks at Duplexx Software (creators of NET TOOB) are working hard on an update that will support real time audio and video playback...over the 'net! Features in NET TOOB are pleasingly abundant: adjustable video window sizes (1/8, 1/4 or even full screen playback), small files (thanks to MPEG-1 compression), video compression ratio averages of 200 to 1 and audio compression ratio averages of 15 to 1, MPEG-1 playback at 15 frames per second, and playback of synchronized and interleaved audio/video. There is even a video screen saver that you can use to play your favorite videos. Unfortunately, you can only play one video at a time -- i.e. currently, there is no video slideshow capability with NET TOOB. At only $14.95, NET TOOB is one of the easiest recommendations to make for a winsock app, and when real time audio and video capabilities are implemented there's no doubt that NET TOOB will be a five-star app. Pros: Excellent multimedia viewer, audio and video at high frame rates; many file types supported Cons: Lacks real time A/V support, needs multimedia slideshow capability New: No obvious New features in this release Version Reviewed: 2.51 Date of Review: 5/29/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud