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First nano-ITX mobo arrives

Mar 19, 2004 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 4 views

VIA has launched its first motherboard featuring the tiny new nano-ITX form factor unveiled last September. The 4.7- x 4.7-inch (12 x 12cm) Epia N-series Mainboard boasts a fanless, x86-compatible href=”/NS7542683131.html” target=”new”>Eden-N processor, with available clock rates in excess of 1GHz. The Epia N-series targets smart digital media and mobile entertainment devices.

(Click for larger view of VIA Epia N Mainboard)

The Epia N's CN400 video chipset features an integrated S3 graphics core with 2D and 3D acceleration, as well as hardware support for MPEG-4/2 digital video playback on CRTs, and LCDs, standard TV, and HDTV.

The graphics system “steals” main system memory, and the shared memory architecture supports up to 1GB of DDR400/333/266 memory. A FastStream64 memory controller with Ultra V-Link interface supports throughputs up to 1GB/s to the VIA VT8237 South Bridge.

The onboard VT8237 South Bridge supports storage, multimedia, and network interfaces that include Serial ATA (SATA), UltraDMA IDE, USB 2.0, onboard LAN, and V-RAID, with support for multiple RAID configurations.

The board includes support for VIA's Vinyl Six-TRAC 6-channel audio, through three audio jacks in the I/O panel. It also supports a growing number of LVDS embedded LCD panels, and has a Mini-PCI slot for expandability.

Two PadLock random number generators (RNGs) provide high-quality entropy driving what VIA claims to be market leading AES encryption rates. The board employs PowerSaver 3.0 power management technology to help extend battery life for mobile devices.

Backpanel I/O connectors include:

  • 1 RJ-45 LAN port
  • 1 Serial port
  • 2 USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 VGA port
  • 1 RCA port (SPDIF or TV out)
  • 1 S-Video port
  • 3 Audio jacks: line-out, line-in and mic-in (Horizontal, Smart 5.1 Support)

Onboard I/O connectors include:

  • 1 USB connector for 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 LVDS/CAP connector
  • 1 CD audio-in connector
  • 1 FIR connector
  • 1 CIR connector (Switchable for KB/MS)
  • 1 Fan connector
  • Nano-ATX power connector
  • DOC reserved

Reference designs

VIA created five device reference designs to accompany the Epia N nano-ITX board to market. The designs include:

V-Silver digital media center — A low-power, quiet, and secure digital entertainment device for “tomorrow's living room.” Presented in partnership with Silver Stone.

V-Mapower portable digital center — A leather-covered device targeting mobile applications. Various colors and external designs. Presented in partnership with Mapower.

“World's thinnest digital media device” — This “digital media device” measures 3.5 centimeters high.

Personal portable media center — Intended for use as a gaming device, mp3 player, or VCD/DVD player.

“World's smallest 1G Fan-less Device” — No dimensions listed for this device, which features “leading heat-sink technology and case design.” Presented in partnership with Scythe and ADR.

Additional details and specifications can be found on online at VIA's Website.


 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.



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