Windows DreamScene

Overview
Windows DreamScene
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseFebruary 13, 2007
Operating systemWindows Vista Ultimate
TypeAnimated desktop wallpaper
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteWindows Dreamscene at the Wayback Machine (archived 10/18/2009)

Windows DreamScene is a utility that allows videos and .gif and other optimized animations to be used as desktop wallpapers. It is one of the Windows Ultimate Extras for Windows Vista.[1] Prior to its official announcement, DreamScene was rumored to be in creation under the names Motion Desktop and Borealis.[1][2] After several months of testing, the final version was released on September 25, 2007.[3]

Rendered content included with DreamScene (such as an animated realization of the Windows Aurora background) was produced by Stardock,[3] while photographic content was provided by the Discovery Channel.[4][5] Third-party video content in MPEG or WMV format may also be used.[6] In addition, AVI files can be played by altering the file extension.[7] Additionally, in partnership with Dell, Microsoft released a separate DreamScene alongside its Product Red version of the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista.[8]

One of the purported advantages of DreamScene over previous methods of desktop animation is that it makes use of the GPU for display instead of the CPU, leaving the latter free to perform user tasks.[4] To what extent this is achieved is not specified. When a full-screen program is run, such as a game or any window that is maximized, the video will automatically stop since the video will not be seen; this means it uses less GPU and CPU. The video can also be stopped manually. Content encoders need to strive for a balance between compression and file size; decompression requires the CPU, but larger files take up more memory and may cause the disk to be accessed more frequently.

Running a video in the background would have a significant impact on the battery life of mobile computers, whether or not it were rendered by the GPU, so DreamScene may display a static background when a computer is running on batteries.[6] The software relies heavily on the Desktop Window Manager (or DWM, part of Windows Aero).

In Windows 7, DreamScene was replaced by a "Desktop Slideshow" feature which produces slideshow background wallpapers, but does not support videos. However, it can still be enabled via third-party tools. In Windows 8, DreamScene was removed entirely, and has not returned to newer versions of Windows (7, 8, 10).

Alternatives to Windows DreamScene

Stardock offers a chargeable add-on for Windows DreamScene, called DeskScapes. This software allows the implementation of dynamic wallpapers (".dream" files). They have released a new version (3.5), which makes the program compatible with non-Ultimate editions of Vista and newer versions of Windows (7, 8, 10).[9]

Wallpaper Engine is a chargeable software that replaces the desktop background with a wide selection of default and user made animated backgrounds. while also providing a complete tool set for user generated wallpapers. The software features its own Rendering engine which enables 2D video, 3D models, and even Interactive elements that respond to mouse cursor movement or keystrokes.[10]

See also

References
  1. Zadegan, Bryant (2006-10-08). "Animated desktop wallpapers to come via the name of "Motion Desktop"". Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  2. Foley, Mary Jo (2007-01-07). "Microsoft lifts the curtain on Vista Ultimate Extras". Archived from the original on 2007-01-17. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  3. Goffe, Barry (2007-09-25). "Windows DreamScene released!". Archived from the original on 2007-10-02. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  4. Wardell, Brad (2007-01-07). "Windows DreamScene - Animated Wallpaper for an Ultimate Extra". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  5. Zheng, Long (2007-01-08). "DreamScene, Deskscapes & Ultimate Extras". Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  6. "Extras: Windows DreamScene". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. Archived from the original on 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  7. LK (2008-01-01). "Trick for Vista DreamScene to Support and Play DivX and XviD AVI, RMVB or Other Video Formats". Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  8. Thurrott, Paul (2010-10-06). "Dell and Microsoft Join (RED)". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  9. "DeskScapes 2.0 is coming". Stardock. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  10. "Wallpaper Engine on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
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