(Editor's Note: Mediadome is now off to a new start—the company has recast itself as a niche tech vendor [3D-to-html Web display]. A "proof of concept" music player-Web browser plug-in is available for download.)

Even assuming the subjects covered (San Francisco New Year's Eve and the movie Turbulence, so far) match your definition of entertainment—and that's a big if—what is there to set this site apart from the many others covering live events and popular entertainment? Not a great deal, except perhaps its potential as an eventual showcase for Intel's MMX multimedia chip.

Given the stature of CNET and Intel, Mediadome is disappointing in both content and execution. We would have expected something more interesting from CNET in particular, which has been on quite a roll lately. As for performance, the site has chosen to employ programs and plug-ins that most users won't have on their computers—these need to be downloaded. And even after this is done, the results are uneven. The VivoActive player used for the Turbulence clips is impressive, but the site has intermittent problems with RealAudio delivery and with the massive (2.4 MB) "Viscape" program required to play the 3D game.

Mediadome intends to offer a new "Webisode" every two weeks, so there is ample opportunity for improvement. For those who are interested, there is a free newsletter available by e-mail.

(Reviewed January 19, 1997)