VIA Technologies has announced the new VIA vm7700 VESA mounted PC (vmpc) which turns a standard display panel into a fully functional PC for signage, kiosk and other intelligent display applications, providing space management, cost effectiveness and a flexible alternative to traditional panel PCs.The vmpc vm7700 leverages the industry-standard VESA 10×10cm mounting specification for simple attachment behind the customer's screen of choice, and offers considerable cost savings when upgrading or replacing screens, highlighted VIA. Through-chassis mounting allows the VIA vm7700 to be secured behind a flat screen display quickly, or firmly mounted on walls or under desks, while dual-view support extends display utility.Fanless configurations based on a 1.0GHz VIA C7 or 1.5GHz VIA Eden ULV processor and the ultra low power VIA CX700M2 system media processor enable the vm7700 to deliver a solution packed with rich multimedia features within a maximum power of only 12W and a 45-degrees Celsius thermal envelope.Housed within a durable, thin, black 26×180×298mm chassis, the vm7700 provides the solution for a wide spectrum of intelligent display applications, such as state-of-the-art casino gaming, home automation, information kiosks, timetable boards, advertising and more, as well as a discreet system for space-constrained locations, said VIA. VIA vm7700 VESA mounted PC specifications Item Detail Processor Onboard VIA C7 1.0GHz / VIA Eden ULV 1.5GHz Memory One DDR2 533MHz SO-DIMM supporting up to 1GB Graphics VIA UniChrome Pro 2 AGP graphics with MPEG2/4, WMV9 decoding acceleration Network Gigabit Ethernet, optional Wireless LAN 802.11b/g Storage One 2.5-inch HDD or DOM (disk on module) Audio Line-out, Line-in, Mic-in Video One DVI-D, one VGA, one S-Video and TV-Out (dual view) IO : Two PS/2 ports, one COM port, four USB 2.0 ports Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007VIA vm7700 VESA mounted PCPhoto: CompanyThe VIA vm7700 VESA mounted PC attaches to almost any standard displyPhoto: Company

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has developed 3D imaging technology which does not require stereoscopic glasses and is demonstrating a digital photo frame based on it at the Taitronics International Electronics Show which runs from October 9-13 in Taipei.The 3D imaging technology is based on a micro-redardation array and allows people to view a 3D image without the need of special stereoscopic glasses. The technology currently is limited by poor resolutions and cannot be viewed by multiple viewers from a variety of angles. ITRI expects to fully develop the technology within five years.A 3D digital photo frame developed by ITRIPhoto: Siu Han, Digitimes, October 2007

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