NetbookTech

The proliferation of Intel-based (Intel Atom processor + Intel integrated chipset) netbooks has exposed one notable flaw – the inability for these systems to smoothly play back high definition video content. Play some 720p or 1080p content and see what happens to your system – not a lovely sight to behold. As a result, it’s not surprising to see VIA Technologies attempt to address this deficiency with the announcement of a new netbook oriented motherboard reference design – the Surfboard C855. Powering the C855 is a VIA C7-M ULV processor (which quite honestly is a bit of a yawner when compared to the Atom). However what makes the C855 tick when it comes to HD video playback is the new VIA VX855 unified IGP chipset/media system processor. We’re talkin hardware acceleration of video playback!

First off, here are the stated features of the Surfboard C855:

• VX855 is a power efficient integrated all-in-one chipset
• Provides playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video
• Support for internal display resolutions up to 1366 x 768
• Support for external display resolutions up to 1920 x 1440
• VIA Chrome9 HCM IGP for hardware acceleration of video playback including H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1, and WMV9
• Low power consumption

The reference design specs are as follows:

• 1.6GHz VIA C7-M ULV @ 800MHz FSB
• VIA VX855 Media System Processor
• Shared memory architecture – up to 512MB
• One SO-DIMM socket , Support DDRII 667/800, up to 2GB
• supports 2.5 inch SATA HDD or 1.8 inch PATA HDD via ZIF Connector
• VIA Vinyl VT1702S audio codec
• VIA Rhine VT6107 10/100Mb Ethernet
• 0.3 megapixel webcam support
• VIA VT6656, 802.11b/g

No word on when netbooks based on this reference mobo will come out.

If only we could have decent hardware acceleration on the Intel-based netbooks.

[Check it out]