Cards on ATI X800Pro: Hightech Information System joins others
Sony VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1: an iPod rival?
I-O DATA announces DVR-ABN8W DVD+R9 drive
Cards on ATI X800Pro: Hightech Information System joins others
Hightech Information System announced two graphics cards on ATI X800Pro GPU at once: HIS Excalibur X800 Pro 256MB and HIS Excalibur X800 Pro IceQ II 256MB.
The former seems to be the basic model and has the following features:
- 475MHz ATI RADEON X800 PRO GPU
- 256MB GDDR3, 900MHz, 256-bit
- AGP 8x/4x
- 2 x 10-bit/channel 400MHz RAMDAC
- 15-pin D-Sub, S-Video, DVI-I
- SMARTSHADER HD, SMOOTHVISION HD, HYPER Z HD, 3Dc
- Models available: 80PP-1T-2AM — Radeon x800PRO 256MB DDR TV & DVI (PAL) and 80PN-2T-2AM — Radeon x800PRO 256MB DDR TV & DVI (NTSC)
The only difference of Excalibur X800 Pro IceQ II from the former model is the IceQII cooling system that, according to the press release, reduces in-case temperature by another 11°s;.
Sony VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1: an iPod rival?
It seems Sony decided to press iPod aside — the company released its VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1 portable player that has a 20GB HDD and supports MP3, WMV, WAV (and proprietary ATRAC3).
The first difference is a 2.2" LCD with QVGA+ resolution (320x256 pixels) vs. iPod´s 2" 160x128 display. The second is standalone operation time that, according to the press release is 20 hours given the battery is full. The third-generation iPods (M8976J/A, M9244J/A, M9245J/A) can work for only 8 hours (10, according to the press release).
As for size, VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1 is slightly bigger than Apple´s 20GB product (63.3x17.2x115.2mm vs. 60.9x15.7x104mm) and is heavier by 37g (195g vs. 158g). One of novelty´s key innovation is G-sense controls that implies "drawing" special signs.
The only unclear thing is which markets VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1 is going to compete with iPod in. According to the press release, the player will go on sale in Japan next month (with MSRP of $475), but no shipments or pricing information regarding North America or Europe is disclosed (475 äîëëàðîâ). This makes any planned competition with iPod look more like a dream. ;) Especially considering that VGF-AP1 features USB2.0 and cradle, while iPod features IEEE1394 and USB2.0.
I-O DATA announces DVR-ABN8W DVD+R9 drive
Japanese I-O DATA announced its new DVD recorder supporting dual-layer DVD+R9 (DVD+R DL in the original press release) — DVR-ABN8W. As you know, there are also Sony DRU-700A and Lite-On SOHW-832S that support this media.
The drive provides 8x DVD+R and 2.4x DVD+R9 burn speed. According to the company, it takes 42m51s to burn 8,313 MB.
The drive is expected to go on sale for ¥21,000 ($183) and over.
Source: PC Watch
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