First ETX 3.0 Computer-on-Module with VIA CN896 Chipset

By DE Editors

Kontron‘s (Eching, Germany) ETX 3.0 conforming ETX-CN8 Computer-on-Modules with the VIA C7 (1.5 GHz) or VIA Eden processors (500 MHz) are now available with the Windows Vista-ready VIA CN896 chipset.

The new Kontron ETX 3.0 Computer-on-Module impresses with its low-power consumption design without compromising on excellent 3D graphics performance in addition to planned long-term availability. This makes the Kontron ETX-CN8 Computer-on-Module ideal for large volume applications that require an optimal price/performance ratio for energy efficient 3D dual graphics with support for DirectX9 and Windows Vista. The Kontron ETX-CN8 Computer-on-Module supports up to 2GB of fast DDR2 RAM, two quick RAID-capable SATA II interfaces (300MBps), USB 2.0 and all the other standard ETX 3.0 interfaces. With a power consumption of only 10.5 W at full load (with the VIA Eden processor), the ETX-CN will match the needs of applications such as those in the areas of infotainment, gaming, medical technology and HMI / thin clients for automation.

The new Kontron ETX-CN8 is currently the only ETX 3.0 Computer-on-Module on the market based on the new VIA CN896 northbridge with integrated VIA Chrome9 HC graphics processor, says the company. The new processor module offers flowing DirectX 9.0 3D graphics with multitexturing and trilinear filtering for impressive 3D graphics quality on Windows Vista.

With up to 128MB of integrated graphics memory the new Kontron ETX-CN8 module supports dual screen operation with resolutions up to WUXGA (1920 x 1440) via VGA and UXGA (1600 x 1200) via DVI/LVDS with 18/24 bit including TV-out up to HDTV and hardware accelerated MPEG-2 video decoding. There is also audio support for multimedia applications in accordance with the AC97 standard and the ETX 3.0 Specification.

The new Kontron ETX-CN8 Computer-on-Module (COM) supports Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 9x, CE and Embedded as well as Linux.

For details, go to Kontron.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.