This section defines the general requirements for I/O devices. Additional requirements are defined in the sections titled "Graphics Adapter and Monitor for Entertainment PC 97" and "Storage and Related Peripherals for Entertainment PC 97" later in this chapter.
12. Keyboard connection and keyboard
| Required |
Recommended: USB or wireless connection.
In addition to recommended implementations, a PS/2-style port can be included. For complete requirements for keyboard ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Note For living-room PC design, a wireless connection is strongly recommended.
13. Pointing device connection and pointing device
| Required |
Recommended: USB or wireless connection.
In addition to the recommended implementations, a PS/2-style port can also be included, but is not the recommended solution for Entertainment PC 97. For complete requirements for mouse ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Note For living-room PC design, this requirement can be satisfied by using a remote control pointing device, or by using a wireless keyboard that includes a connector to enable a standard mouse to be attached. The ability for users to attach a standard two-button mouse is strongly encouraged, although the device itself does not need to be included with the PC.
14. USB game pad or joystick
| Required |
This device must support the USB Human Input Device class specification and its driver must support Microsoft DirectInput. For more information about requirements for USB peripherals, see the "USB" chapter in Part 3 of this guide. For more information about the requirements for input devices, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Note For living-room PC design, a wireless connection is strongly recommended to allow greater freedom of movement and location for game players.
15. Remote control pointing device
| Recommended |
To enhance the appliance experience, especially on PCs designed for use in the living room, a wireless (infrared or radio-frequency) remote-control pointing device should be included with Entertainment PC systems. The device must provide at least the following functions and buttons:
Some optional controls that might be included are the following:
16. All pointing devices work simultaneously
| Required |
All pointing devices implemented in the system must have drivers that support Microsoft DirectInput. All pointing devices must also be able to provide input correctly at the same time. This means that the pointing devices must not use competing protocols and that no pointing device is automatically disabled when another pointing device is in use. This also applies to game input devices, in order to enable multi-player gaming.
For more information, see the "Input Components" and "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapters in Part 4 of this guide.
17. Legacy serial and parallel ports meet PC 97 requirements, if present
| Required |
Any standard parallel or serial ports included in the Entertainment PC 97 system must meet the requirements defined in the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
18. Support for installing the operating system
| Required |
For Entertainment PC 97, this requirement is met using the required DVD device, as described later in this chapter.
19. Audio support meets PC 97 Advanced audio requirements
| Required |
The PC 97 Advanced audio requirements are defined in the "Audio Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide. This includes requirements for audio hardware capabilities and quality, plus external connections.
Note Audio is a key differentiating feature of Entertainment PC 97 designs vs. Basic PC 97 designs. Audio fidelity and functions must be significantly better — that is, on par with consumer electronics stereos. Positional 3-D audio and connection to home theater systems using IEEE 1394 enable more realistic game and video experiences. One opportunity for achieving this is to implement the audio subsystem as an external digital-to-analog converter attached to a secondary IEEE 1394 port on the rear of the PC. This isolates the analog audio stream from the RF noise of internal PC components while enabling easy connection to either legacy analog or new Plug and Play-compatible digital stereo components.
20. Data/fax/voice modem capabilities, 28.8 Kbps minimum
| Required |
Recommended: ISDN or cable modem for high-speed communications. For information about requirements for ISDN and cable modems, see the "Network Communications" chapter in Part 4 of this guide. For more information about modem requirements, see the "Modems" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
For the Entertainment PC 97 system, the modem must have telephone answering machine features compatible with Unimodem/V. The modem must also have the following feature:
The following voice and adaptive connection technologies are recommended:
For a USB modem, the device must meet the related USB device class specifications. For information, see the "USB" chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
A system with a POTS-based video conferencing solution must supply an
H.324 – compatible modem. ISDN-based video conferencing solutions should be H.320 – compatible.
21. Digital broadcast satellite subsystem
| Optional |
If this capability is included in the Entertainment PC 97, the implementation must include a digital broadcast satellite network card, SMART card, and drivers for the Windows operating system, in compliance with the Microsoft Broadcast PC specification.