Tul, a Taiwan-based provider of ATI-based graphic cards, on August 24 introduced its PowerColor X1950 XTX and CrossFire graphic cards that support HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection).The two ATI Radeon X1950-based graphics cards deliver 512MB of GDDR4 with a bandwidth of 64GB per second, much faster than previous GDDR3 memory while consuming 30% less power, according to the company. The new PowerColor X1950 family provides an improved cooler for quieter cooling unit and lower temperatures. In addition, both cards support DirectX 9.0c, Open GL 2.0 and Shader Model 3.0. Tul PowerColor X1950 graphics card family Item X1950 CrossFire X1950XTX 512MB Memory and bus width 512MB GDDR4/ 256bit Core frequency 650MHz Memory speed 1000MHz X2 Output DVI/ VHDCI/ HDTV Dual DVI/ VIVO/ HDTV Interface PCIe x16 Pixel pipelines 48 DirectX support 9.0 TV connector S-Video Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, August 2006

Sony on August 22 introduced its HDR-UX1 and HDR-SR1, two AVCHD (advanced video codec high definition) Handycam series DV (digital video) camcorders, in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$47,900 (US$1,465)and NT$49,900 (US$1,526), respectively, according to Taiwan Marketing Company under Sony Taiwan. The HDR-UX1 will be available on September 13 while the HDR-SR1 will hit shelves on October 4, noted Taiwan Marketing.AVCHD is a new high-definition recording format for video camera recorders jointly developed by Panasonic and Sony. Based on MPEG-4 and AVC/H.264 compression technology, AVCHD can record 1080i (interlace scan) and 720p (progress scan) signals onto hard disk drives (HDDs), DVD discs as well as SD and Memory Stick cards, Sony Taiwan indicated. There will be demand for an estimated 110,000-120,000 DV camcorders in the Taiwan market this year, and Sony expects to maintain a 60% market share in sales volume, according to Taiwan Marketing general manager Hiroyuki Oda. Main specifications of HDR-UX1 and HDR-SR1 DV camcorders Item HDR-UX1 HDR-SR1 Screen 3.5-inch 211,000-pixel LCD touch panel Image sensor 1/3-inch 2.1-megapixel CMOS Storage media 8cm DVD discs in the formats of -R, -RW, +RW, +R DL (single-sided double-layer) 30GB HDD Zoom 10x optical, 80x digital Actual resolution Still image 1.991 megapixels for 4:3 (aspect ratio), 1.493 megapixels for 16:9 Video 1.076 megapixels for 4:3, 1.434 megapixels for 16:9 Source: Sony Taiwan, compiled by DigiTimes.com, August 2006 The Sony HDR-UX1 8cm-DVD camcorderPhoto: CompanyThe Sony HDR-SR1 HDD camcorderPhoto: Company

Acer has announced the availability in Taiwan of its Ferrari 1005, a 12.1-inch dual-core notebook based on the AMD Turion 64 X2 CPU, with a price tag of NT$67,900 (US$2,070).Currently available notebooks in the Taiwan market that target the high-end segment are priced higher than Acer's 12-inch Ferrari model, including the Sony VAIO AR18 Blu-ray, the Fujitsu Q2010, the ASUS Lamborghini VX-1 and Toshiba's Tecra M5. Taiwan market: Major high-end notebooks Item Sony VAIO AR18 Blu-ray Fujitsu Q2010 Toshiba Tecra M5 Acer Ferrari 1005 ASUS Lamborghini VX1 CPU Intel T2600, 2.16GHz Intel U1400, 1.2GHz Intel T2500, 2GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL60, 2GHz Intel T2500, 2GHz Chipset Intel 945GM Intel 945GMS Intel 945GMS ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 Intel 945GMS DDR2 memory 1GB 1GB 1GB 1GB 2GB HDD 160GB SATA, 5400rpm 80GB ultra ATA-100 80GB SATA, 7200rpm 120GB SATA, 5400rpm 160GB SATA, 5400rpm Graphics core Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 NA Nvidia Quadro, 256MB ATI Radeon X300 Nvidia GeForce Go 7400, 512MB Display 17-inch widescreen 12.1-inch widescreen 14-inch SXGA+ 12.1-inch widescreen 15-inch widescreen Weight (kg) 1.69 1 2.37 1.7 2.39 Suggested prices NT$149,800 NT$138,000 NT$89,800 NT$67,900 NT$108,800 Source: Company websites, compiled by DigiTimes, August 2006Acer Ferrari 1000-series notebookSource: CompanyASUS Lamborghini VX1Source: Company

Thermaltake recently launched its Cyclo (CL-R0023) modular memory cooler that can cool four sticks of RAM all at once.The design of the Cyclo was inspired by a cyclist slicing through wind, stated the company. The two sets of 40mm fans increases the cooling capacity of the heatsinks without increasing the noise of the computer system, stated Thermaltake. The Cyclo can be installed on either side of the memory modules, depending on the preference of the user, noted the company, adding that the two ends of the unit are designed ergonomically so that the installation can be convenient and trouble-free.The Cyclo will be available worldwide in mid-August with a suggested retail price of US$9, according to the company. Cyclo specifications Item Detail Compatibility DDR, DDR2 RAM Dimension 214(l)x47(w)x69(h)mm Fan number 2 LED light Blue Rated voltage 2V Rated current 0.25A Power input 3W Fan speed 4500±10% RPM Max. air flow 9.3 CFM Max. air pressure 1.94 mm H2O Life time 30,000 hours Connector 4pin male/female Weight 58g Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes.com, July 2006Thermaltake's Cyclo memory coolerPhoto: Company

Thermaltake on July 28 introduced its Muse N0001LN NAS-(Network Attached Storage-) RAID drive storage system. The storage system has an Intel IOP 80219 processing unit, along with 256MB of DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB, plus a 160W built-in power supply, according to the company, which added that the unit supports up to four 3.5" drive bays for SATA hard drives.The Muse NAS-RAID when connected to through a hub can be used as an enterprise file sharing server or as a storage center for all kinds of multimedia files and data, said Thermaltake.The Muse NAS-RAID supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD, said the company, adding that the system supports high-volume traffic, hot-plugging, and an active warning system.The system will be available worldwide in mid-September with a suggested retail price of US$596, according to the company. Thermaltake's NAS-RAID N0001LN specifications Item Details Form Factor/ Color Tower/ Silver Network support Microsoft Windows/ Linux/ Unix Network transport TCP/IP Network file protocol CIFS/ NFS/ HTTP/ FTP Network interface Gigabit Intel 82541 Support industry standards NTP/ DHCP/ IP security/ DNS Interface RJ45 LAN 100/1000Mbps Hardware monitor item Temperature sensor/ Power management Processor Intel IOP 80219 400MHz SATA controller Intel SATA controller Regular system memory 256MB DDR SDRAM Max. system memory 512MB DDR SDRAM Flash memory 8MB Max. HDD Bay / Type 4 x SATA HDDs Power supply 100~120 / 200 ~ 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz, 160W Remote control RS232 Dimension L290 x W 185 x H 240mm Weight 6.1kg Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes.com, July 2006 Themaltake's NAS-RAID drive storage systemPhoto: Company

Thermaltake Technology recently announced its Muse OTB2.5 a 2.5" eSATA and USB enclosure that comes with the company's One-Touch Backup function.The Muse OTB2.5 has both a USB and eSATA interface with a eSATA transfer speed reaching as high as 3Gbps. The USB2.0 interface is hot-pluggable and backwards compatible with USB1.1, allowing users to travel around the world without having to worry about incompatibility issues, according to the company. The Muse OTB2.5 includes Thermaltake's exclusive "T-backup" software. As long as the backup folder has been set up, anyone can back up data with the touch of a fingertip or schedule regular backups, said the company. The design of the enclosure was improved over previous models by increasing durability, reducing vibrations and revamping the chipset, according to Thermaltake, adding that LED indicator lights lets the user know the status of data transfers. The Muse OTB2.5 has a suggested retail price of US$58 and will be available worldwide in mid-September, according to the company.Thermaltake's Muse OTB2.5 a 2.5" eSATA and USB enclosurePhoto: Company

Albatron on July 21 launched its AGP7600GS graphics card, which boasts an Nvidia 7600GS core, for AGP- (accelerated graphics port-) capable motherboards. The new AGP core from Nvidia employs 90-nanometer (90nm) process technology that consumes less power and heat and allows more room for faster core frequencies, Albatron said. Compared to its predecessor, the 6600GT, Albatron's AGP7600GS boasts a 25% performance increase despite its lower core and memory frequencies, the card manufacturer claims.On July 20, Nvidia launched an AGP version of its 7600 GS graphics processing unit (GPU), which features the same specifications as the PCI Express versions. Prices of 7600 GS AGP cards are between US$160-$200, depending on card manufacturers, technology news website TG Daily cited Nvidia as reporting.According to Albatron, the AGP7600GS, based on an AGP 8x interface, has a frequency of 400MHz and contains 12 pipelines. It supports 256MB of 700MHz GDDR2 memory with a 128-bit memory bus. The AGP7600GS boasts an improved fan/heat sink that is quieter than previous generations, said the company. In addition, the new AGP card fully supports Microsoft DirectX 9.0c, OpenGL 2.0, Shader Model 3.0, Intellisample 4.0 and is Windows Vista ready, as well as pushing the limits of wide-screen and high-resolution display with a Dual-Link DVI connector and Nvidia's Xtreme-HD technology, which supports resolutions of up to 2560x1600.The Albatron AGP7600GSSource: Company

Gigabyte Communications on July 19 unveiled its gSmart i128 PDA mobile phone, powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU2 Push Email technology, to the global market. The multi-lingual mobile phone, features multi-lingual Internet browsing and Windows Mobile document viewing in 98 countries worldwide, according to the company, adding that the handset has a built-in 2.1-megapixel camera and an analog TV roaming with retractable antennae. The gSmart i128 is now available in Thailand and will be launched in other countries soon, noted the company.The Gigabyte gSmart i128 may assist business travelers by offering efficient and speedy mobile Internet access via Wi-Fi or GPRS, stated the company, adding that Powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU2.3 Push Email technology, the gSmart i128 can access real time e-mail, schedules, and tasks. Business travelers can stay productive using Mobile Office programs, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, said the company.Gigabyte Communications was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gigabyte Technology in 2004, with headquarters and a R&D center in Taiwan.The Gigabyte gSmart i128 handsetSource: Company

Taiwan-based home appliance maker Sampo has released a lineup of four GK-series mobile phones, with a price range of NT$5,990-8,800 (US$182-268), for the Taiwan market. The company forecasts its handset division will generate NT$300 million (US$9.1 million) in sales this year, up more than 200% from 2005.Overall, Sampo anticipates its revenues will reach NT$2 billion in 2006, up 33.3% on year. Major specifications of Sampo's new GK-series mobile phones Item GK-805 GK-306 GK-803 GK-305 Dimension 101x45.5x17.5mm 72x42x17.5mm 110x46x10.5mm 90.5x36x16mm Weight 86g 62g 65g 62g Built-in camera 1.3-megapixel NA Wireless connectivity WAP 2.0, GPRS class 10 WAP 1.2.1, GPRS class 12 WAP 2.0, GPRS class 10 NA Other features MP3 music and MP4 video formats, supports video recording MP3 music player and 3D stereo sound effects, MP4 video format Magnesium alloy chassis, video recording MP3 music player, FM radio and Hi-Fi 3D headset Photo Suggested retail price NT$5,990 NT$8,800 NT$8,800 NT$6,990 Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, July 2006

VIA Technologies recently announced its VIA VX700 chipset for Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) devices.VIA said its VX700 solution, together with the C7-M/ULV processor, promises a smaller form factor for computing devices with reduced power consumption and enhanced functionality. The company said its UMPC solution could reduce mobile form factors size by up to 40% with low power and longer battery life.VIA VX700 is expected to be available in volume quantities later in the third quarter of 2006 and pricing is available upon request, the company stated.DualCor Technologies, which adopted the VIA solutions in its cPC, values the small size and enhanced battery life that VIA offers.DualCor adopts VIA's solutions in its cPCSource: DualCor Key features of VX700 chipset Item Detail Processor Support VIA C7-M and VIA C7-M ULV processors Front Side Bus (FSB) 533/400MHz Memory support DDR2-533/400/333 or DDR-400/333 Memory density (max.) 4 GB Graphics core VIA UniChrome Pro Hardware Video Acceleration MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9 HD HDTV support Yes LVDS/DVI transmitter Yes Dual monitor support Yes Video de-blocking Yes Hardware display rotation Yes High definition audio Yes USB 2.0 connectivity 6 ports PCI devices/slots 4 slots Serial ATA 2 x SATA 150 devices or 2 x SATA II devices IDE 1 EIDE channel up to 2 devices Source: VIA. The VIA IGP VX700 chipsetSource: VIA