AOpen Introduces New Top Motherboard - i975Xa-YDG

SMSC Introduces First USB Sharing Hub

Plextor Introduces Portable Hard Drives

PQI To Sell 8GB Hi-Speed CF Card

AOpen Introduces New Top Motherboard - i975Xa-YDG

AOpen introduced the digital entertainment / gaming motherboard - i975Xa-YDG.

The novelty comes bundled with a remote controller that allows you to command your media files without mouse or sitting in front of your computer or perform overclocking (with 1MHz step increments on the FSB).

The motherboard supports SATA II and has 4 such ports onboard and one port at its rear panel. Also, i975Xa-YDG features Azalia 7.1-channel codec and SPDIF interface.

Speaking of processors, AOpen i975Xa-YDG supports Socket 479 667MHz FSB Intel Core Duo/Core Solo CPUs. At that, it works with DDR2-667MHz memory and has two PCI Express x16 slots for ATI Crossfire.

Since the board is also intended for gamers, it supports an overclocking technology - AOpen COO (Code of Overclock). And the newly designed clock generator allows a 1MHz step increment on the FSB.

i975Xa-YDG key features:

• AOpen COO Technology
• Supports 667MHz FSB Intel Core Duo/Solo Socket 479 CPU
• Supports dual-channel DDR2-667
• Gigabit LAN
• 7.1 Channel Azalia sound
• 2 x PCI Express x16, ATI Crossfire
• External Hot Plug SATA II, 4 x SATA II on-board, RAID
• ATA133 IDE
• IEEE 1394 function
• USB 2.0 Interface
• IR Remote Control and Receiver
• 1MHz Stepping CPU Overclocking

Source: AOpen

SMSC Introduces First USB Sharing Hub

To date, manufacturers of PCs, consumer electronics and even industrial systems products have taken advantage of the connectivity provided by the industry standard Universal Serial Bus (USB). But consumers wanting to share those connected peripheral devices between two discrete platforms have had to resort to using networking solutions or cables they had to unplug and re-attach, as well as installing software. With SMSC's USB MultiSwitch Hub, USB devices can now be shared easily and inexpensively.

The USB MultiSwitch (part number USB2524) allows users to connect and share USB peripherals between two discrete platforms. The following are but a few of the examples demonstrating the range and versatility of device sharing that SMSC’s USB MultiSwitch makes possible:

• A laptop can share all the devices connected to a desktop system
• A game console can share all the devices of a Macintosh or Windows PC
• A set-top box and digital television can share devices within an entertainment center.
• Embedded systems can shift internal USB devices between different Systems-on-Chips (SOCs)

To take a common example, a user brings a laptop home and connects to a wired or wireless hub enabled by the USB MultiSwitch. The user can then selectively share the printer, an MP3 device and scanner, or any USB peripheral device connected to the hub between a laptop and desktop system without the need for software, configuring or rebooting, thanks to the USB MultiSwitch.

The SMSC 4-port USB MultiSwitch acts as two independently controllable USB2.0 hubs in a single package with the ability to electronically reassign and reconfigure any of its four downstream ports to either of its two upstream USB ports. This allows two USB hosts to share peripherals and to dynamically reconfigure them. Users can switch a peripheral from one host to the other on-the-fly and the peripheral will automatically detach from one host and attach to the other.

Any configuration of the downstream ports is possible except simultaneous connection to both upstream ports. The SMSC 4-Port USB MultiSwitch is fully compliant with the USB2.0 Specification and will attach to either or both upstream USB hosts as a Full-Speed or Full/Hi-Speed Hub. The four downstream hub ports support Low-Speed, Full-Speed and Hi-Speed (if operating as a Hi-Speed hub) downstream devices on all of the enabled downstream ports.

Key features:

• USB 2.0 compatible hub with two upstream host port connections.
• Electronic configuration and port assignment via three switching modes.
• Allows two USB hosts to share devices and dynamically assign host ownership.
• Multiple LED modes to help maximize design flexibility.
• Enhanced configuration options available through serial I2C EEPROM or SMBus slave port.
• On-board 24MHz crystal driver.
• Internal PLL for 480MHz USB 2.0 sampling.
• Internal 1.8V linear voltage regulator.
• Integrated USB termination with pull-up and pull-down resistors.
• Internal short circuit protection on USB differential signal pins.

Samples of the USB MultiSwitch are available now with production quantities available in third quarter of 2006. Pricing will be $3.75 per unit (U.S. list price) in OEM quantities.

Source: SMSC

Plextor Introduces Portable Hard Drives

Plextor announced the immediate availability of the PX-SP family of shockproof, portable hard disk drives. The external drives are available in two capacities – 80 GB (PX-SP08U) and 120 GB (PX-SP12U). Novelties measure 3.33 x 0.74 x 5.51 inches (W/H/D) and weigh less than 8 ounces.

PX-SP Series come with a specially designed silicon jacket bumper that helps prevent the unit from crashing if accidentally dropped. Compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh personal computers, the PX-SP features a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port interface for a maximum data transmission speed of 480 Mbps. Plextor's retail package comes with everything a user needs to get started, including a portable external hard drive, silicon jacket bumper, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable, and quick start guide.

Plextor PX-SP series drives will ship to distributors in North and South America in May 2006. The PX-SP08U, with 80 GB capacity, has an MSRP of $169. The PX-SP12U, with 120 GB capacity, has an MSRP of $260.00. All retail packages include two-year full parts and labor warranty and unlimited toll-free technical support.

Source: Plextor

PQI To Sell 8GB Hi-Speed CF Card

PQI Japan will start selling their 8GB Hi-Speed card, aimed at high end dSLRs and digital video cameras, during the middle of this month. Of course, listed as open price in Japan, but most electronics retailers expect it to sell for about ¥80,000 (~$680). Data transfer speed is 15MB/sec.

Source: Akibalive

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