Via Technologies is sampling a pair of nano-ITX motherboards that target space-constrained embedded systems where heavy media processing is needed. The 4.7 x 4.7-inch boards use Via's C7 processor, clocked at 1.5GHz or 1.2GHz, along with Via's CX700M2 single-chip core logic.

The new Epia NX-series boards offer very little in the way of PC-style I/O connectors — just a single back-panel Ethernet port. Thus, they appear to be aimed squarely at the higher-margin embedded board market, rather than at consumer or hobbyist markets — which have traditionally been served by Via's mini-ITX form-factor boards.

That said, Via in January shipped an Epia EX mini-ITX board that appears to be virtually identical, functionally, to the new NX nano-ITX board, except for its larger (6.7 x 6.7-inch) size and wealth of physical PC- and consumer electronics-style I/O connectors. The larger, and more easily interfaced Epia EX probably makes more sense for building a Myth-TV box or the like.

The NX15000 and NX12000 nano-ITX boards are powered, respectively, by 1.5GHz and 1.2GHz C7 processors. The C7 was billed as a Pentium M Killer when it was unveiled in May of 2005, largely on the strength of its lower power requirements, which were further lowered 10 months later when Via brought out ultra-low voltage versions. Via has also delivered a C7-D desktop chip that clocks up to 1.8GHz, and is billed as a major energy saver compared to Intel and AMD desktop chips.

Both of the new nano-ITX boards use Via's CX700M2 integrated northbridge/southbridge, the newest “single-chip chipset” in the company's CX700 line, introduced last April. The CX700M2 apparently succeeds the CX700M, which launched last September.

The CX700M2 features built-in hardware decoders for popular multimedia formats, and it also supports Via's external, ASIC-based encoders for standard high-definition television formats. The chipset integrates Via's UniChrome Pro II 2D/3D graphics core, “Vinyl” multi-channel HD audio, and hardware decoders for MPEG-2/-4 and WMV9 video.

Additional touted features and specifications of the NX15000EG and NX12000EG include:

• Via C7 1.5GHz NanoBGA2 or Via Fanless Eden 1.2GHz NanoBGA2
• Chipset: Via CX700M2 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset
• System Memory:
  • 1 x DDR2 533 SODIMM socket
  • Up to 1GB memory size
• VGA:
  • Integrated Via UniChrome Pro II 3D/2D AGP graphics with MPEG-2/4 and WMV9 decoding acceleration
• Expansion: mini-PCI slot
• Storage interfaces:
  • 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 connector (Secondary 2.0mm 44-pin header)
  • 2 x SATA connectors
• 10/100 Ethernet (Via VT6107)
• Optional gigabit Ethernet controller (Via VT6122)
• Onboard Audio (Via VT1708A)
• Integrated HDTV encoder
• Back Panel I/O:
  • 1 RJ-45 LAN port
• Onboard I/O Connectors
  • 1 x USB connector for 6 additional USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 x LPC connector
  • 1 x LVDS connector
  • 1 x DVO connector to support 2nd LVDS panel (an add-on card is required)
  • 1 x TV out connector for Composite, S-Video and Component (YPbPr)
  • 1 x Video connector for VGA output, CCIR656/601 video input and SMBus
  • 1 x Audio connector for line-out, line-in, mic-in and S/PDIF out
  • 1 x PS2 keyboard/mouse connector
  • 2 x Fan connectors for CPU and system fans
  • 1 x Nano-ITX power connector
• Award BIOS, 4/8Mbit flash memory
• Wake-on-LAN, Keyboard-Power-on, Timer-Power-on
• System power management
• AC power failure recovery
• Operating Temperatur 0 – 50 degrees Celsius

Daniel Wu, assistant VP, stated, “Better multimedia within increasingly smaller, slimmer packages defined the design of this latest generation Nano-ITX mainboard. The EPIA NX will help [enable] quieter, more space-saving, and reliable embedded systems, further promoting the adoption of the x86 platform in everyday systems.”

Via shipped its first nano-ITX board in March of 2004 as a follow-up to its earlier mini-ITX board specification. Nano-ITX boards measure 4.7 x 4.7-inches (12 x 12cm), while mini-ITX boards measure 6.7-inches square (17 x 17cm). Via also recently unveiled a pico-ITX form-factor (shown at right), which measures 3.9 x 2.8 inches (10 x 7.2 cm).

Availability

The Via EPIA NX-Series nano-ITX motherbaord is available now for developers, and
will be available through authorized distributors shortly, Via says. Pricing was not disclosed.

 
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