Micro-Star International (MSI) has launched its latest X38 Diamond motherboard which is based on the Intel X38 Express chipset and DDR3.The motherboard supports a 1333MHz FSB and Intel's 45nm multi-core processors. It is also equipped with several overclocking design features such as TroubleShoot Poster and instant button to match the precise demands of users.The motherboard comes with dual-channel PWM (pulse width modulation) and MSI's Circu-Pipe cooling solution.In addition to these improvements, the motherboard also has some exclusive features including quad graphics slots, X-Fi Xtreme audio, MSI SkyTel VoIP and all Japan-made solid capacitors, the company highlighted. MSI X38 Diamond motherboard specification Item Detail Chipset Intel X38 Express Chipset CPU support Intel Core 2 Extreme, Quad, Duo Processors FSB support 1333/1066/800MHz Memory support Dual-channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 memory VGA support Four PCI Express x16 slots (two run x4 speed), with PCI Express 2.0 and ATI CrossFire support Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007MSI X38 Diamond motherboard Photo: Company
Leadtek Research launched its new digital TV card, the WinFast DTV1000 S, which has HDTV and AC3 support.The card supports the latest video and audio encoding format, and can record and capture digital video from digital TV, VCR, camcorder or LD/VCD/DVD players, noted the company.Powered up with the exclusive WinFast PVR2, digital TV card features technologies like DirectBurn, Time Shifting, Scheduled Power-up, Power on/off by Remote, and TwinView, added the company.Leadtek WinFast DTV1000 S digital TV cardPhoto: Company
Envision Peripherals (EPI) has expanded its line of LCD TVs with the introduction of two new 32-inch units at US$649.The Envision L32W661 offers high-resolution picture quality with a 16.9 aspect ratio (1366×768 pixels) and 1200:1 contrast ratio. An 8ms response time ensures smooth fast-action movement with virtually no ghosting, according to the company. The L32W661 has a 178-degree viewing angle.The Envision L32W661 features one PC input and two HDMI inputs, which simplify cabling and deliver all-digital audio and video. The connectivity allows simultaneous access to multiple digital multimedia content sources such as cable or satellite set-top boxes (STBs), DVR devices, Blu-ray players, game consoles or digital video cameras, highlighted EPI.Integrated with both an advanced ATSC receiver and a Clear QAM tuner, the Envision L32W661 is designed to receive over-the-air (OTA) high-definition broadcasts and decode digital cable transmissions without requiring a separate STB receiver. The L32W661 has a 178-degree viewing angle. The L32W661 comes complete with a multi-function remote, built-in 16W speakers and an all-digital SPDIF interface.Envision Peripherals released a new 32-inch LCD TVPhoto: Company
Benefiting from LCD panel support from Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), Chi Lin Technology, an affiliate of the Chi Mei Group, has successfully developed an high-end 5-megapixel resolution medical monitor and expects shipments of the product to reach over a thousand units each month in 2008.The newly developed 20-inch monitor, which has a resolution of 2048×2560, targets mostly the medical center niche market and has a projected price ranging from NT$700,000-800,000 (US$21,500-24,600).CMO currently has an 80% global market share for 5-megapixel display panels. With panel support from Chi Mei, Chi Lin has started shipping to major factories in Europe, the US, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Shipments to Asian countries currently number in the hundreds of units each month and the company expects to have a total worldwide monthly shipment of over 1,000 units in 2008.Chi Lin successfully develops 20-inch 5-megapixel medical monitorPhoto: Company
Axiomtek has introduced an EPIC form factor single board computer (SBC), the EP830, which supports Socket M Intel Core 2 Duo, Core Duo, and Core Solo processors with a 533/667MHz FSB. Powered by the mobile Intel 945GME plus ICH7M Express chipset, this embedded board offers improved graphics and increased I/O bandwidth and provides flexibility for a range of embedded applications like digital signage appliance (DSA), DVR, POS and gaming solution markets, said the company.The EP830 supports an onboard DVI-I interface as well as a 24-bit single- or dual-channel LVDS. Additionally, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports are connected from the PCI Express x1 bus for full speed 1000 Base-T networking connectivity. Support for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2, RAID and an EPIC Express interface, which offer security, data redundancy and high performance expansion, is also included. Finally, the board features two IEEE1394a ports, four USB 2.0 ports, eight Digital I/O, four COM ports and a CompactFlash slot for SSD storage devices. Axiomtek EP830 EPIC form factor motherboard specification Item Detail CPU support Socket M Intel Core 2 Duo/Core Duo/ Core Solo processor with 533/667MHz FSB Output DVI-I interface for both CRT and DVI external display devices Connector Four COM ports, four USB 2.0 ports and IEEE 1394a Chipsets Northbridge: Intel 945GME Southbridge: Intel ICH7M Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Axiomtek EP830 EPIC form factor motherboardPhoto: Company
Asustek Computer has introduced the PCI Express interface Xonar D2X and the USB interface Xonar U1 audio devices.The Asustek Xonar family of audio cards utilizes an Asustek exclusive technology – the new DS3D GX extension in the Xonar D2X driver; to provide full support for surround sound and hardware accelerated features by translating DirectX to the DS3D GX, according to the company. Other solutions like OpenAL require special installation and game support, while, DS3D GX does not, pointed out Asustek. Gamers can enjoy DirectX gaming with hardware enhanced surround sound and EAX effects automatically and immediately after installation, it added.The Xonar D2X also includes Acoustics Echo Cancellation (AEC) technology to improve online voice communication quality. AEC can eliminate up-to-40dB speaker echo return and suppress noises that would otherwise enter a user's microphone, according to Asustek.The Asustek Xonar D2X also features a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 118dB for both audio in and out – reaching the maximum limit of audio quality on most PC platforms, said Asustek. Unlike generic audio cards on the market that provide the highest SNR to only the front stereo outputs, the Xonar D2X is able to deliver 118dB quality audio for all 7.1 channels, the company highlighted.The Xonar U1 is an external USB audio device that improves the underachieving audio of notebooks and PCs by first eliminating electromagnetic interference (EMI) and noisy DC circuits inside the PC chassis. It then utilizes a high-quality DAC (digital to analog converter) to bring about "crisp, clear music or gaming audio in the original flavor" said Asustek. The Xonar U1 provides a large boost to PC gamers by supporting EAX and DirectSound hardware acceleration, noted the company.Asustek Xonar D2X PCI Express-based audio cardPhoto: Company
Leadtek Research has announced the launch of an entry-level graphics card, the WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI, with a low profile form factor, heatpipe design and built-in HDMI connector.Based on 80nm technology and powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8500 GT graphics processing unit (GPU), the WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI comes with 256MB DDR2 memory and a GPU/memory clock of 450/800MHz, noted the company.The WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI features Nvidia PureVideo HD, Lumenex Engine, GigaThread and HDCP support. With Dual-Link DVI-I output, it can support digital displays up to 2560×1600 resolutions at 32-bit and 60Hz, added the company. Leadtek WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI graphics card specification Item Detail Graphic Bus PCI Express GPU Nvidia GeForce 8500 GT GPU Clock 450MHz Memory Clock 800MHz Memory Size 256MB GDDR2 Memory Interface 128-bit Stream Processors 16 DirectX Support DirectX 10.0 Shader Model 4.0 Output Dual-link DVI-I, HDMI, SPDIF-in Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Leadtek WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI graphics cardPhoto: Company
Gateway recently introduced the Gateway 30-inch LCD monitor (XHD3000), the world's first "Quad HD" display, delivering more than four times the resolution of standard 720p high definition, claimed the company.The new monitor is ideal for the high-end gaming market, music and video production and editing, graphic and 3D design as well as offices running demanding media applications, said Gateway. The company is offering the new model at US$1,699.99.The 30-inch monitor features a resolution of 2560×1600 and uses the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processor. In addition, the new model's range of inputs include HDMI, single-link/dual-link DVI-D, VGA, component, s-video and composite interfaces.Additional features include a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, brightness of 400 cd/m2 and response time of 6ms with a viewing angle of 178-degrees both horizontally and vertically.Meanwhile, the new XHD3000 comes with a new four-device universal IR remote control that can be used to access not only the display, but also three additional devices, such as a Media Center PC, cable or satellite set-top box (STB)and DVD player. The included IR Blaster cable allows for remote transmission of IR controls directly from the XHD3000 via the universal remote as well as from other devices' remote controls to AV equipment behind cabinets, highlighted Gateway.High-definition picture-in-picture (PIP) functionality allows users to work on computer applications while simultaneously viewing programming from cable, satellite or other video sources at full HD resolutions, pointed out the company. Enhanced usability is delivered with the display's built-in, self-powered six-port USB 2.0 hub, which makes it easy and convenient to plug in a digital camera, digital music player, keyboard, mouse or USB flash drive, the company added.Gateway 30-inch new monitor Photo: Company
Asustek has released the P5E WS Professional and P5E3 WS Professional workstation motherboards with multiple high speed I/O interfaces including dual PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 and PCI-X slots.The multiple slot interfaces increase expansion choices and allow users to obtain high data transmission speeds, highlighted Asustek. PCIe 2.0 x16 offers double the bus bandwidth of PCIe, from 2.5Gb/s to 5.0Gb/s. The P5E workstation series also showcases PCI-X slots for more convenience on slot expansion, and is able to bring about full speeds for Gigabit Ethernet, SCSI RAID and other PCI-X devices, claimed Asustek.Asustek's Super Memspeed technology, found on the P5E3 WS Pro, enables users with the ability to achieve enhanced overclocking by providing precise overclocking options and calculating the most accurate FSB/DRAM frequency proportions to boost memory speeds up to 72% on DDR3 memory, according to the motherboard maker.The P5E workstation series also provides several integrated features like AI Slot Detector, AI Gear 2 and AI Nap. Asustek P5E series motherboard specification Model P5E WS Professional P5E3 WS Professional CPU Supports Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Pentium D, Pentium 4, Celeron and upcoming 45nm processors Chipset North Bridge: Intel X38 South Bridge: Intel ICH9R System Bus FSB 1333/1066/800MHz Memory Dual-channel DDR2 1200, 1066, 800 and 667MHz memory up to 8GB Dual-channel DDR3 1800, 1600, 1333, 1066 and 800MHz memory up to 8GB Audio RealTek ALC888, 8-channel Azalia Audio codec ADI 1988B, 8-channel Azalia Audio codec Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Asustek P5E series motherboard Photo: Company
Samsung Electronics America has announced the Samsung 940UX monitor, the first 19-inch flat-panel USB connected LCD monitor, claimed the company. The monitor supports UbiSync technology that allows multiple screens to connect via USB, rather than VGA, without the need for a graphics card or any special video hardware.Each 940UX features an onboard video card and embedded software driver allowing for automatic installation on any Windows XP PC, eliminating inconveniences such as purchasing additional graphic cards and downloading separate drivers, pointed out the company. The monitor is suitable for users who need to add a second or third monitor to a notebook or PC, particularly PCs that lack space for an extra graphics card.Users can add up to six 940UX monitors on one PC, providing up to 114-inches of desktop space increasing productivity by giving users the ability to have multiple windows open across multiple displays. For additional flexibility, the 940UX also features the traditional VGA (15-pin D-sub) and DVI connections.The 940UX is priced at US$379 manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). The monitor is currently available at a variety of retail outlets and through Samsung resellers and distribution channels.Samsung premieres 19-inch LCD monitor with UbiSync technologyPhoto: Company