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23 October 2009

AMD's 785G Chipset with IGP Radeon HD 4200 Graphics

AMD 785G Chipset


While not as sexy as writing GPU at the high end with hundreds of stream processors, a billion transistors or more, and the GDDR5 memory last Blazing fast integrated graphics solutions are what the power of the majority of PCs in use today. According to the latest figures from industry research firm Jon Peddie Research, Intel compared to controls by 50% of the market for graphics cards together in spite of the absence of a discrete graphics card of their own to sell public instead of by all the graphics has come from programming of integrated graphics chipsets.



Each month, Intel usually tens of millions of G45, G43, G41, GMA X4500 and GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipsets to customers around the world. The IGP (integrated graphics processors) are then sold at $ 300 and $ 400 desktops and laptops found from computer manufacturers like HP and Dell.

AMD wants the most from this action. Seeing the huge volumes of IGP Intel moves each month, who can blame them? When they bought ATI back in 2006, they cited the fusion of CPU and GPU as a key to the purchase, but in the short term, they also expressed the hope that ATI chipsets and the PGI would score new design wins with OEMs wary of buying processors from one source and PGI another (usually NVIDIA), and possibly help to take some share from Intel.

Unfortunately for AMD, despite a good range of products, things have not quite panned as originally planned.

Intel has actually been first to market with an IGP that supported DirectX 10 graphics. Their series of chipsets Bearlake G3X beat AMD to the punch by several months, scoring design wins AMD had hoped, despite the fact that DX10 offers first AMD 780G chipset, delivered the best 3D graphics performance than that of Intel G35.

780G chipset is remarkable for its time. Thank you to a die shrink, ATI was essentially able to integrate their existing RV620 GPU found in their Radeon 3450/3470 value and put it in the 780G chipset itself. ATI has had to strike the clock speeds up a bit to fit within their power / thermal balance, but otherwise, it is basically the same GPU.

Hybrid Graphics has been the factor that has really put on the map 780G though. Like ATI's CrossFire technology, Hybrid Graphics, you could pair a discrete graphics card Radeon 3450 integrated graphics with heart in the IGP to increase by nearly 2X performance in games. It was the first mutli-GPU technology has been found in an IGP of any manufacturer (NVIDIA followed with their own solutions later).

Now ATI and AMD are back with a successor to 780g. Internally known as 785G, the world outside AMD will market it as the Radeon HD 4200 and 785G chipset with Radeon HD 4200 graphics. The Radeon HD 4200 suggests that this classification is a new game based on a derivative RV7xx heart Radeon 4000, but this designation implies 785G chipset is improving gradually over the platform 780g. Which one is it? Let's find out!

785G Chipset Features

This is latest chipset ATI Radeon 3000 is a serial product, as the name implies 785G or is it part of the series Radeon 4000? It's a bit of both, but we would certainly call it an extension of the architecture 780G instead of a part RV7xx news.

Basically the graphics architecture of the heart itself is quite similar to the Radeon GPU found in graphics 780G 3200. You have the same 40 stream processors with 4 texture units and 4 ROPs as the 780G, the same ability to send up to 512 MB of system RAM, and the same clock speed of 500 MHz core.



This is probably a disappointment for those of you who expected a real successor next-generation architecture based RV7xx success of ATI. The Radeon HD 4350 to sport eg twice the stream processors - 80 - with eight texture units and 4 ROPs. With the 785G chipset based on the same manufacturing process 55 nm as 780G, ATI could not put a price affordable the 4350's 242 million transistors within their transistor budget for 785G.

As such, 785G Hybrid Graphics support is limited to the Radeon 3400 Series, like its predecessor, the 780G.

Hybrid Graphics will not be a selling point this time though. Found Radeon 3400 is increasingly difficult. Newegg for example, that three lists Radeon 3450 boards in stock right now, and two of them are more expensive than the Radeon 4350. Not that it would still matter, as a Radeon HD 4350 graphics card will run faster than the 780G + Radeon 3450 Graphics hybrid combination. Radeon 4350 cards start for only $ 3 more than the cheapest 3450 card on Newegg.

We ran with the banks of the 785G integrated graphics and discrete Radeon 4350 graphics card marks for this product so you can see how the two graphics solutions Fare against each other.

ATI has added some new ingredients to the 785G IGP that are not found in 780G though. For starters, the chip now fully supports DirectX 10.1, while the 780G is limited to supporting DirectX 10.0. DirectX 10.1 is a very gradual improvement over DirectX 10 though, and considering that the income-generating projects are not graphics processing power to run DX10 titles anyway it is probably more a function of Control for OEM brand than anything else.



More notable additions ATI integrated chipset 785G HDMI 1.3 Support (780G was limited to HDMI 1.2) and RV7xx features like support for hardware video transcoding on the GPU rather than CPU Stream uses ATI and ATI Unified Video Decoder 2 (UVD 2), these two features were introduced with the 4000 series GPU Radeon last year. 785G can also multi-channel LPCM audio output over HDMI as well.

AMD has confirmed that the multi-channel LPCM audio over HDMI is not supported by 785G, 780G, 785G chipset, as is limited to 2 channels only.

If you remember, UVD 2 includes support for hardware accelerated image in the image to watch Blu-ray and video enhancement features such as dynamic contrast, HD Color Enhancer (including flesh and the brilliance of tone colors) and post-processing effects such as noise reduction, deinterlacing and HD with the HD, which is only supported when dynamic contrast is turned off.

So essentially with 785G could say that the merger with ATI's graphics power of RV620 with the video capabilities of the RV730. This description is not entirely true, but it gives you a quick overview of the performance of the IGP differs from previous issues ATI. The Southern Bridge again unchanged, with series SB7xx AMD chips supported. This is the same chip already used on current platforms 7-series.

15 October 2009

PC Buyer’s Guide - Intel Entry level for Gaming $500

Our entry level PC is designed for the gamer on a tight budget. This system will play most modern games on high settings with 2xAA/8xAF and some at up to 4xAA/16xAF.

Intel Entry-level Gaming PC
$500
GPU:
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850
$99.99
CPU:
Intel Pentium E6300
$87.99
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-UD3L
$79.99
RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2-800
$46.99
Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB
$49.99
Optical Drive:
Samsung 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA
$24.99
Case:
NZXT Beta Series CS-NT-BETA-B
$49.99
Power Supply:
hec Orion XPOWER585 585W
$34.99
CPU Cooler:
Masscool 8WA741
$22.99
Grand Total:
$497.91
Prices Sourced from Newegg


We’re sticking with the Radeon 4850 for our Intel budget setup for all the reasons outlined on the previous page. Intel CPUs are a little pricier than AMD’s though, so we had to step down from a Core 2 Duo processor to Intel’s Pentium E6300 CPU.

The E6300 is based on Intel’s dual-core 45-nm Wolfdale core and runs at 2.8GHz with 2MB of L3 cache and 1066MHz FSB. Like all Core 2 processors, the chip OCs like mad, but as we observed in our recent Phenom II/Athlon II article, performance takes a hit in comparison to the Core 2 Duo E7000 series due to the small L2 cache.

While we linked to the fully boxed Intel processor with heatsink/fan, the stock cooler Intel provides is junk. Throw it away and replace it with a nice cooler like the unit we mentioned from Masscool. Your processor will thank you.

For the motherboard we opted for Gigabyte’s GA-EP43-UD3L. We actually debated between this board and ASUS’ P5QL, but opted for the Gigabyte board due to its larger North Bridge cooling and Ultra Durable 3 features. The ASUS board is priced identically with somewhat similar features, so this was a close decision. The power supply is a tough call. We decided to highlight a different PSU than the Cooler Master used in the AMD build, honestly we trust the Cooler Master brand more, but if you’re willing to try an unknown brand, the hec PSU would be an interesting choice. Based on the user reviews, it’s biggest issue seems to be units that arrive DOA. Here we should also mention that name brand companies like OCZ offer 600W and 700W PSUs that sell for $50 after mail-in rebate. Honestly this is the route we would go if it were our money, but we also needed to stick to our $500 budget as closely as possible and we aren’t factoring mail-in rebates as some users just don’t like them.

Alternatives



Besides the aforementioned alternatives on the motherboard and power supply, if you’re willing to splurge the Core 2 Duo E7400 delivers better performance than the Pentium E6300, only it will set you back about $120.

PC Buyer’s Guide - AMD Entry level for Gaming $500

Our entry level PC is designed for the gamer on a tight budget. This system will play most modern games on high settings with 2xAA/8xAF and some at up to 4xAA/16xAF.

AMD Entry-level for Gaming PC
$500
GPU:
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850
$99.99
CPU:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition
$99.99
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
$79.99
RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 Dual-Channel Kit
$64.99
Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB
$49.99
Optical Drive:
Samsung 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA
$24.99
Case:
NZXT Beta Series CS-NT-BETA-B
$49.99
Power Supply:
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-460-PMSR-A3
$34.99
Grand Total:
$504.92
Prices Sourced from Newegg



As always when spec’ing out our upgrade builds, we start with the GPU we want to go with followed closely by the CPU, and then build the rest of the system around those two core components until everything works within the intended budget.

Right from the get go we knew we wanted to opt for ATI’s Radeon 4850 GPU. Launched over a year ago, the Radeon 4850 is a tremendous performer that can handle most games at high quality settings, even with antialiasing and anisotropic filtering enabled. We prefer the Radeon 4850 over the GeForce GTS 250 at this time due to its lower price tag and better performance under 8xAA. Yes, in older games you can crank the AA all the way up to 8xMSAA and the 4850 still delivers very playable performance. This is particularly feasible at the 1600x1200 (or 1680x1050) resolution our entry level PC would be gaming at. We chose the ASUS card in particular because of its low price, dual DVIs, and dual-slot cooler. If you’re willing to deal with mail-in rebates, MSI’s R4850-2D512-OC would be our top choice. It’s factory OC’ed, and has beefier 4+1 phase power, along with MSI’s seaweed blade fan.

As an added bonus, it’s actually slightly cheaper than the ASUS card after rebate: $89.99.

The next component, AMD’s Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition was another no-brainer. As its name implies, the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is based on the exact same 45-nm Deneb core AMD uses in their latest Phenom II processors. The only difference is AMD activates two processing cores, leaving two cores disabled. Because it’s based on the same core as AMD’s other Phenom II parts, the same key architecture features carry over unchanged. The chip features 64KB of L1 cache per core for data and instructions (256KB L1 total) and 512KB of L2 cache per core for a grand total of 1MB of L2 cache active on the processor. The L3 cache carries over unchanged, with the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition sporting 6MB of L3 cache shared amongst the processors two cores.

AMD clocks the chip at 3.1GHz, with the chip featuring a 15.5x multiplier. Keep in mind that as a Black Edition CPU, the multiplier is unlocked and can be adjusted to whatever setting you wish when OC’ing.

For the motherboard, we chose the Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P. We reviewed this motherboard a few weeks ago and found it delivered solid performance with a robust BIOS and good feature set.

G.SKILL’s DDR3-1333 memory kit is the cheapest available on Newegg right now. G.SKILL also offers DDR3-1600 memory modules that are priced similarly, but we opted for the 1333MHz modules due to their lower latency.

NZXT’s Beta case is pretty popular among enthusiasts on a budget right now. The case boasts a perfect score on Newegg and has room for up to four 120mm case fans. It’s also offered with a $10 mail-in rebate right now, bringing the total price down to $39.99 if you don’t mind waiting for your rebate check to arrive.

To go alongside the Beta case, we chose a slightly less powerful PSU from Cooler Master due to its better power ratings on the 3.3V and 5V rails. Note that ATI officially recommends a minimum of a 450W PSU for the 4850, so we’re just getting by in this regard, but again, the 460W Cooler Master actually has better specs than comparably-priced 500W PSUs. We acknowledge that this is one of the key weaknesses of our system, so if you can afford to spend a little more on this component, we’d highly recommend it. A 600W PSU would be a good starting point.

Alternatives

In terms of the CPU and GPU, we wouldn’t recommend any other alternatives at this price point. However, as we mentioned you could save a little money by opting for the MSI 4850 card if you’re willing to deal with rebates.

Another big area you could save a little money on is switching from the AM3 platform we used, and reverting down to AM2+. Gigabyte’ GA-MA770-UD3 is actually $5 cheaper than the GA-MA770T. You’d also be able to save on the DDR2 memory. G.SKILL offers 4GB DDR2-800 kits for as low as $46.99.

In exchange, you could then opt for a more powerful PSU or get a good CPU cooler.

We actually debated long and hard about making this AM2+ setup the primary $500 AMD build, but ultimately opted for the newer AM3 platform. As DDR3 prices continue to fall, the AM2+ platform will be phased out. We figured we may as well go ahead and get on the boat.

2009 PC Buyer’s Guide for Better Solution

Both AMD and Intel have introduced a slew of new processors, while the GPU wars between ATI and NVIDIA intensified with the introduction of the Radeon 4890 and NVIDIA's counter: the GeForce GTX 275 GPU.

In more recent weeks, ATI has also cut prices on their Radeon 4800 line of GPUs in an effort to take share away from NVIDIA. The move also helps them unload old inventory ahead of the introduction of the first DirectX 11 GPUs in the next 2-3 months. Unwilling to concede anything to the competition, NVIDIA countered ATI with price reductions of their own shortly thereafter. The tit-for-tat battle between both IHVs shows no signs of slowing even as we head into the summer doldrums.

As a result of these developments, the insanely low prices hardware enthusiasts have enjoyed as a result of the economic downturn have only gotten lower. Remember the days when gamers longed for the return of the $300 high-end graphics card? Today you can find Radeon HD 4890 and GeForce GTX 275 boards selling for less than $200 after mail-in rebate.

On the CPU side, prices on Intel’s Core 2 Duo E8600 have remained flat, but the introduction of the Core 2 Quad Q8400 and Core 2 Duo E7400 have made things interesting for the Intel enthusiast on a budget. And AMD’s Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is the best CPU on the market right now if you’ve only got $100 to spend on a new processor.

Things are going to get even more interesting when Intel rolls out their new Lynnfield processors, which will reportedly take place in early September.

Not everyone can wait for Lynnfield and the arrival of the first DirectX 11 GPUs however. Some of you have to make a decision before the middle of August, when it’s time to go back to campus for school. With this in mind, we’ve prepared a fresh new summer upgrade guide for you. This new guide also includes some of the feedback we received from Yoshi, and as a result, we’ll now be including AMD and Intel builds.

Before we get started though, a few quick pointers. As always when building a new computer, the first question you have to ask yourself (besides price) is what you intend to do with the computer. A gaming PC has very different needs than a home theater PC, or a PC that will primarily be used for surfing the web.

Since we’re a gaming-oriented site, our focus will obviously be on gaming PCs. Every gaming PC needs a good graphics card. It’s also important that you pair it with a competent CPU. You don’t want to blow too much of your budget on any one component; especially when it comes to components that won’t affect your frame rate or compromise the stability/reliability of the system. Therefore if you’re on a tight budget, you may have to skimp a little on parts like the case, or settle for a smaller hard drive capacity.

An even better solution would be to recycle as many parts as you can from your current system so that you can splurge on better components for your upgrade: if forgoing a new case gives you the money to step up to a Radeon 4890 or GeForce GTX 275, by all means do it.

As always with these upgrade guides, our prices are coming from Newegg, which is one of the most popular etailers online among enthusiasts right now. To keep things simple, we’re also going to be taking prices before mail-in rebate.

07 October 2009

Lexmark First Touchscreen Laser Printer


Lexmark on Tuesday introduced what it's calling the industry's first monochrome laser printer equipped with a touchscreen, the T656dne. Thanks to the 7-inch color LCD, users can access applications such as forms and favorites or eco-settings to save energy. The interface also provides a variety of settings, such as languages, along with controls for changing the background into, for example, a company logo. The printer has a built-in 80GB hard drive that is able to support preloaded software applications.

Print speed is rated at up to 55 letter-sized pages per minute. It also has the ability for duplex printing (both sides of a page), with speeds at this setting dropping to 37ppm. Maximum print resolution is specified as 1200dpi. The printer is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. The T656dne has an internal card slot, USB 2.0 connection and a gigabit Ethernet port. A front- and rear-mounted USB port lets users hook up accessories.

The T656dne should be available shortly, priced at $1,999.

03 October 2009

Farnell - Compact lightweight low-power GSM/GPRS module


Mipot's MTM-120 is a small lightweight and low power consumption GSM/GPRS module - now available from Farnell. It enables digital communications services on GSM/GPRS networks for machine-to-machine or user to machine wireless applications.

The kit contains the MTM-120 GSM/GPRS data module, mother board, power supply, external antenna with MMCX antenna cable adapter, earpiece with microphone, USB serial adapter and a 9-pin serial cable.

LPRS - New low-power wireless module offers long-range capability


LPRS, one of Europe's leading suppliers of short-range wireless solutions has announced availability of the latest series of wireless modules from Circuit Design. The MU-2-R is an embedded low-power radio modem for transmission of serial data and operates at 434MHz. The new MU-2-R is just 36mm x 26mm x 8mm making it almost half the size of the existing MU-1-R

The MU-2-R wireless module is controlled by simple dedicated commands leaving the user free to concentrate on developing the transmitting and receiving programs for their system. For communication protocols the MU-2-R has a standard protocol and an error correction protocol, which performs error correction on the receiver side. The error correction protocol uses Reed-Solomon code that has strong error correction ability even in environments prone to burst errors. This ensures the user can configure highly reliable systems compared to conventional radio modems.

Transmitting and receiving data and issuing commands employ a UART interface with a single-chip CPU. In addition the module may be controlled via the COM port (RS232C format) of a computer, minimising development times. The MU-2-R is designed to reduce design difficulties involving high frequency components, allowing the user to embed it in their system with peace of mind.

A battery-operated 10mW MU-2-R covers a range of 600 metres or more. If the application requires greater range, the MU-2-R can be used as a relay station without any additional components. For long range applications up to 10 relay stations may be used, making it possible to gather data from and control equipment in remote locations.

Peter Cubbage, sales director, LPRS, said: "The new Circuit Design MU-2-R wireless modules are a welcome addition to our product range and will be particularly useful for security and control systems where low power consumption is required and long data transmission distances are involved. We have a great deal of experience with Circuit Design products and can offer application advice and design support to any of our customers who wish to use this advanced wireless module."

The Reed-Solomon code (RS code) is one of several FEC block codes; it has strong error correction ability and the characteristic of correcting data errors caused by burst noise. Reed-Solomon codes are used in compact disks, satellite communications, and digital TV broadcasting. The MU-2 uses Reed-Solomon code for FEC, which reduces errors occurring due to burst noise and/or noise at low received signal level, and it improves the receive sensitivity of the equipment by more than 5dB

Standard features of the new Circuit Design MU-2-R include R&TTE compliance, low voltage and low consumption current (ideal for battery operated applications), 1:1, 1:N, and N:N systems can be built by flexibly setting link parameters, local access to the status of radio waves and field noise at the target station and source station, standby mode to save the power of systems, field status can be checked in real time using RSSI information in the packet data, a function to lower the output power (antenna power) from 10mW to 1mW is provided for effective use of radio waves. Selectable RF power between 1mW and 10mW allows the user to limit the communication area so that several networks do not interfere with each other.

Typical applications for the new Circuit Design MU-2-R include, serial data transmission, energy monitoring, data monitoring devices, hand-held terminals, barcode reader, housing equipment control, telecontrol, warning systems, remote control for construction machinery, display devices, motor control, lifters, remote control of fire alarm equipment, telemetry, security systems, water level monitors for rivers etc., says the company.

25 September 2009

Looking for more Linux and open source apps in your life

Last week extravaganza Technology Association Annual Wireless, CTIA in Las Vegas, home of the top manufacturers of gadgets shared their latest and best products in the mobility.

While the child has recently anointed poster for Open Mobile Devices, Google Android, was virtually nowhere to be found on the show, the event will feature wall exhibition of more than 1,200 companies wall. And here and there, you can find pockets of two devices, you run applications or open source or Linux open-vendor environments Souce courting developers. We might also consider some of the highlights:

Palm ago

Palm agoPalm Pre-party software creates a lot of buzz and a lot of excitement with their legacy emulator. Some of the included software is not yet proven Fandango movie ticket and app, SprintTV and Google Maps. Pandora Internet Radio "is a blessing to every music lover. A fast launcher is located in each front of the screen to reveal the young players without interrupting the current task. Another, Nascar, took a strong season as a NASCAR videos, alloy wheels, profiles and rankings, and much more.

Perhaps the most interesting for owners of older Palm software running cost is webOS OS Garnet in emulation software. It runs as a separate application and allows drag and drop installation / usage. Palm provides a key for a simple upgrade to the latest pre snazzier.

The Pre Palm announced earlier this year at CES, the characteristics of a Linux-based webOS, 3.1-inch multi-touch screen of 320 × 480 pixel resolution and a QWERTY keyboard. It is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 8 GB and a 3-megapixel camera.

Wistron Pursebook

Wistron PursebookWistron presented their proof of concept Pursebook running the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. This cute little netbook is running a customized version of Linux with fat ThunderSoft software for office tasks, communication and web-indulgence.

Yes, this paragraph is not the words "Pursebook" Snapdragon "and" Thundersoft. "You're welcome.

Observer status of the keyboard is the first generation instead chiclet-style keyboard used in some models of the current netbook, but overall the unit was easy to use. Others said it has enough energy, enough graphics are very nice, and 8 hours battery life. Prices should start at 299 USD and should be available this year.

NVIDIA Tegra

NVIDIA TegraNVIDIA on the hand, all show-in-one Tegra chip for mobile devices. Tegra, an ARM-based components that are 1080p video output and capable of showing up to 1680 x 1050th It will also be able to IDE drives.

NVIDIA has equipped an HP Mini 1000 cases with a computer-on-a-chip system, used to demonstrate the potential of the Tegra. Its prototype with Windows CE, but NVIDIA also has its own interface, which has been described as something between Android and Mac OS X appearance. Tegra can also support Windows Mobile and Android, and while there was no mention of Linux in particular, a spokeswoman said Tegra technology is very flexible and can easily be used with other platforms. NVIDIA hopes to bring the new chipset market sometime this year at a reasonable price to $ 99 machines.

Nokia E71x


Nokia E71xAnother small smartphone that has created some interest was the AT & T exclusive Nokia E71x. Like the Nokia E71 is the E71x a very light weight of just 4.5 grams and comes with a 320 x 240 QVGA display, full QWERTY keyboard, 8GB of storage and broadband 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Mark Louison, President, Nokia Inc., said: "The Frugal E71x a multimedia computer for a lot of people are employed, the Internet-on-the-go capabilities in the palm of the hand like."

This thin Nokia comes with an upgrade to Symbian S60 Feature Pack 2 (which apps a "mobile flaunt option in all applications has) and some services from AT & T AT & T Music, AT & T Mail and AT & T Navigator . He even has support for Quickoffice. The best is probably the new reduced price of $ 100 after rebate. Should be AT & T Nokia E71x be available in the coming weeks.



Samsung Mondi

Samsung MondiSamsung Telecommunications has to compete the first mobile Internet device, this year presented with the netbook form factor. The main features include WiMAX, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Its touch screen is 4.3 inches with a QWERTY keyboard and optical mouse. It comes with 4 GB of storage, a 3-megapixel camera, TV out and HDMI.

The Mondi with Opera 9.5 for Internet access. The device should have not been announced this summer are available, although the price ranges.

Speaking of opera, they were on site and the transfer of your current browser Opera Mobile 9.7. Opera comes with turbo, which uses a compression algorithm to surf faster, and enjoy support for Ajax and Flash sites such as Facebook and YouTube.com. Best of all, it passes the Acid 3 test.

Motorola Evoke QA6

Motorola Evoke QA6One of the most anticipated most was the Motorola Evoke QA6 are fully exposed, it is as "a social unit disposed charged" because of its full HTML browser, messaging and IM-style. It has a touch screen 2.8-inch touch-screen QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera and AGPS.

The Motorola OS is a customized version of Linux with the widget interface cumbersome. It comes with mobile widgets for MySpace, YouTube, Follow Me Quick Weather Picasa and Google, RSS Reader, Mobile, and USA Today. In addition, the QA4 the first phone that virtualization can run on multiple operating systems. This is done with the help of micro-hypervisor kernel Open Kernel Labs, is based on two integrated applications concurrently running operating systems. That means you can to a variant of Linux, if they so wish.

The Motorola Evoke QA4 should be available this year, but announced no pricing information.

Mozilla Fennec

Mozilla FennecFinally, Mozilla was on hand to demonstrate its new mobile browser, codenamed Fennec. The final version of Fennec, now simply as Firefox, numerous performance improvements like TraceMonkey JavaScript engine contains, in order to increase the speed of the rendering page. Plug-in support was also added to enable video playback on popular websites. Other features include download, password, and add-ons manager, Integrated web search and pop-up blocker.

The minimalist interface is designed to enter the height of the border, as we travel around the web through their imaginative use of technologies such as Smart Bookmarks Bar Integration and history, "tabbed browsing" is used, and miniatures. The second major objective of Firefox Mobile is on the interaction of the user tools to minimize the screen to devote the entire space of the display of Web content. User Tools to disappear on the page, but returning to the widescreen display. Firefox is now available for Maemo (the Nokia N810), Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Other Maemo platforms, Windows Mobile and Symbian versions will follow shortly.

15 September 2009

Samba Multiple Unspecified Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities

Description:

The Samba team disclosed that, prior to v2.2.8a, there exist multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities. No other information is available.

References:

Solution:

Upgrade to Samba v2.2.8a

Download and apply the upgrade from: http://hostopia.samba.org/samba/ftp/stable/samba-2.2.8a.tar.gz


Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

Microsoft Security Bulletins for June 2009

Contrary to speculations in the security community, last month's single security bulletin appears to have been an aberration rather than a sign that the patch burden for Microsoft products is diminishing. The 10 bulletins released in June are more in line with the historical number of monthly vulnerabilities. Six of them describe vulnerabilities affecting core Windows components, one affecting Internet Explorer and three affecting Microsoft Office.

It is notable that four of the ten security bulletins address publicly disclosed vulnerabilities: one in Internet Explorer, one in RPC, two in the Windows kernel and one in IIS. Microsoft's response time for last month's zero-day IIS vulnerability was faster than expected, but the DirectShow QuickTime parser vulnerability that became public on May 28 remains unpatched.

Tas Giakouminakis from Rapid7 said that "We've seen the patch window for Microsoft vulnerabilities shrink to the point where vulnerabilities are being exploited on the day the patches are released or even prior to that."

The active directory vulnerability (MS09-018) had the potential to be devastating for enterprise environments because it affects domain controllers, but fortunately it is ranked critical only for Windows 2000 systems. On Windows Server 2003 the vulnerability leads only to a denial of service.

Of more concern are the print spooler vulnerabilities in MS09-022. One of these is a critical remote code execution on Windows 2000, while the other two allow authenticated users to elevate their privileges on all versions of Windows.

Tas Giakouminakis from Rapid7 said that "The large number of vulnerabilities to be patched in June shows that attackers are not slowing down and the opportunities for them to infiltrate customer networks are increasing. The never-ending stream of Microsoft security bulletins highlights the need for proper patch cycle management and intrusion detection policies in all enterprises."

Samba TRANS2_OPEN Buffer Overflow

Description:

There exists a buffer overflow vulnerability in certain versions of Samba that can be exploited if a remote attacker sends an overly long file name to the TRANS2_OPEN call. Successful exploitation yields root privileges.

References:

Solution:

Upgrade to Samba v2.2.8a

Download and apply the upgrade from: http://hostopia.samba.org/samba/ftp/stable/samba-2.2.8a.tar.gz


Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

Microsoft PowerPoint Vulnerabilities

This week's Patch Tuesday is focused on PowerPoint vulnerabilities. Since PowerPoint files are frequently exchanged across organizational boundaries and are not blocked by most email gateways, this vector has been used extensively for targeted attacks in the past. At this point all customers should we well aware that attackers have been able to apply highly effective targeted fuzzing to the PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office file formats. Rapid7 expects that we’ll see more vulnerabilities in those products in the future.

Microsoft Office vulnerabilities present a unique threat to organizations because they provide a way for attackers to easily breech the perimeter firewall to gain access to internal systems through email and to spread throughout the enterprise using network shares, internal email or collaboration systems like Microsoft SharePoint and Lotus Notes. A single email with a malicious PowerPoint attachment could be enough to compromise the desktops of enough critical personnel to cripple even a large enterprise.

We believe that a defense in depth approach is crucial to protecting enterprises from these attacks. The Microsoft Office Isolated Conversion Environment (MOICE), combined with system protections such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) reduce the risk of successful exploitation. Outbound firewalls, limited user accounts and network segmentation are also highly recommended best practices.

The MS09-017 security bulletin released today includes a fix for 14 new vulnerabilities. It is interesting that most of them were reported to Microsoft by researchers working through the iDefense and TippingPoint vulnerability acquisition programs, rather than researchers working directly with the vendor. We believe that this is another example of the increased value of vulnerabilities and the amount of effort required to find them. The large number of vulnerabilities in PowerPoint is not that surprising, considering the immense attack surface and poor code quality of the legacy file format parsers in Microsoft Office. Unfortunately for most organizations there are few alternatives to exchanging Microsoft Office with untrusted parties over email. Even PDF, which for years has been considered more secure than the Office file formats, has proven to be riddled with vulnerabilities that attackers are actively exploiting.

The only good news is that so far we have seen very few vulnerabilities in the new XML based file formats introduced in Office 2007, which means that the measures Microsoft has taken in recent years to increase code quality and security are bearing fruit. Organizations that can afford to make a complete break with the legacy products and file formats will have a better security posture than those still supporting them.

At least one of the vulnerabilities fixed in this bulletin was a public zero day vulnerability described in the 969136 security advisory from Microsoft (dated April 2, 2009). This vulnerability was discovered in the wild and has been used in limited targeted attacks, but widespread exploitation is not currently being observed. It is however likely that this vulnerability would become known to a larger number of attackers in the days after the Microsoft patch is released. Customers who are at risk of targeted attacks are advised to apply this patch promptly, but in most organizations the update can be applied within the regular patch lifecycle.

These new vulnerabilities fit a common pattern many organizations fail to recognize. For example, Adobe has been the hot target lately due to well-publicized Reader vulnerabilities that hackers have exploited, both in limited targeted attacks and in mass exploitation for building botnets. As administrators continue to be on the lookout for new issues and rush to patch Adobe flaws, hackers will now revert back to "old" attacks vectors that are not receiving as much attention, like PowerPoint and other Office vulnerabilities. The false sense of security around "old" threats is put to use all the time by hackers, and this see saw approach keeps them one step ahead of organizations.

Samba Share Restriction Bypass

Description:

Certain versions of Samba do not correctly filter pathname requests from clients. As a result, a specially-crafted request can be made to access potentially sensitive objects outside of the designated share directory.

References:

Solution:

Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

Downadup Internet Worm

Rapid7 warned of a sophisticated new Internet worm that threatens to steal personal and financial information from infected PCs. Within the previous two weeks the worm, Downadup (also known as "Conflicker" and "Kido") struck an estimated nine million machines worldwide. Fortunately, mitigation is easy.

Downadup takes advantage of a flaw in a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) within Windows Server. Using a rare out-of-cycle patch, Microsoft addressed this flaw in October 2008 by issuing Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 and warned then that a similar RPC flaw back in 2003 had been used to produce the Blaster worm.

According to a SANS Internet Storm Center Diary entry on January 15, 2009, Downadup uses multiple vectors to infect PCs. Windows PCs not patched in October are especially vulnerable. However, new Downadup variants include the ability to crack administrator passwords and directly infect corporate PCs via network shares. Finally, Downadup can also infect removable drives, such as USB or external hard drives.

Once a Windows system is infected, Downadup attempts to download malicious software. What makes Downadup different is that it randomly generates up to 250 random URLs each day, with only one of those URLs being active. The active or "control" server is then used to download the malicious programming although for what purpose remains unclear.

The best protection is to install the MS08-067 patch if you haven't already done so, and to also change your administrator passwords immediately.

If your computer is already infected, most antivirus products and even Microsoft's free Malicious Software Removal Tool should be able to remove Downadup.

Samba nmbd Mailslot Packet Denial of Service Vulnerability

Description:

Certain versions of Samba contain a flawed implementation of the process_logon_packet function in the nmbd daemon. As a result, an unauthenticated attacker can craft a corrupt SAM_UAS_CHANGE request that causes the nmbd daemon to crash. Note that in order for exploitation to be successful, domain logons must be enabled in the configuration file ("domain logons = yes" in smb.conf).

References:

Solution:

Upgrade to Samba 3.0.7



Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

Microsoft rates MS09-001 as critical

Although there is only one Security Bulletin on this first Patch Tuesday of the New Year, it should not be dismissed. The patch issued today, MS09-001, resolves several privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol, a protocol used for sharing files, printers, serial ports, and other communications.

Microsoft rates MS09-001 as critical, its highest rating, for users running Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, and moderate, its second highest rating, for users running Windows Vista and Server 2008. Installation of the patch will require a system restart.

There are three specific vulnerabilities addressed in today's bulletin. Microsoft says these flaws are unlikely to produce exploitable code because the first two (CVE-2008-4834 and CVE-2008-4835) only allow for one fixed value (zero) to be written and controlling what data is overwritten will also be difficult. The third vulnerability (CVE-2008-4114) affects all Windows systems and allows for a Denial of Service attack. It is because of the DoS threat that Microsoft recommends high priority updating of all SMB servers and Domain Controllers. Non-critical systems and those systems where SMB is blocked via a firewall could be considered less of a priority.

MS09-001 replaces the SMB patch MS08-063 issued last October

CIFS Minimum Password Length Policy Allows Password Brute Forcing

Description:

The minimum password length on the CIFS/Samba server is too low. This is a security risk. If the account policy does not enforce a reasonable minimum password length, an attacker will stand a much better chance of guessing or brute forcing users' passwords. Enforcing a higher minimum password length will limit the effectiveness of any brute forcing attempts.

The default password length is typically set to 0, which allows empty passwords. Most policies recommend setting the minimum to 6 or more characters.

Solution:

Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Basic Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Basic N Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Premium Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business N Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Starter Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Datacenter Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, HPC Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Web Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Storage Edition, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008
Set the minimum password length
  1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Select "Administrative Tools"
  3. To change the domain-wide lockout policy, select "Domain Security Policy" (or "Domain Controller Security Policy" if the computer is a Domain Controller). Otherwise, to change the policy for this computer only, select "Local Security Policy."
  4. Expand the "Account Policies" folder and select "Password Policy".
  5. Set the Minimum Password Length. This setting enforces a minimum length for new or changed passwords. A value of 6 or higher is recommended.
  6. Note that this policy does not affect existing passwords. It will only take effect when an existing user changes his password.
Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows XP Home, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
Set the minimum password length

  1. Open the "Performance and Maintenance" control panel.
  2. Select "Administrative Tools".
  3. To change the domain-wide lockout policy, select "Domain Security Policy" (or "Domain Controller Security Policy" if the computer is a Domain Controller). Otherwise, to change the policy for this computer only, select "Local Security Policy."
  4. Expand the "Account Policies" folder and select "Password Policy".
  5. Set the Minimum Password Length. This setting enforces a minimum length for new or changed passwords. A value of 6 or higher is recommended.
  6. Note that this policy does not affect existing passwords. It will only take effect when an existing user changes his password.

Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Set the minimum password length
  1. Open the "Administrative Tools" control panel.
  2. To change the domain-wide lockout policy, select "Domain Security Policy" (or "Domain Controller Security Policy" if the computer is a Domain Controller). Otherwise, to change the policy for this computer only, select "Local Security Policy."
  3. Expand the "Account Policies" folder and select "Password Policy".
  4. Set the Minimum Password Length. This setting enforces a minimum length for new or changed passwords. A value of 6 or higher is recommended.
  5. Note that this policy does not affect existing passwords. It will only take effect when an existing user changes his password.

Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows NT Workstation, Microsoft Windows NT Server, Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition, Microsoft Windows NT Server, Terminal Server Edition
Set the minimum password length
  1. Click on the "Start" button from the Task Bar
  2. Select "Programs"
  3. Select "Administrative Tools"
  4. To change the domain-wide lockout policy, select "User Manager for Domains". Otherwise, to change the policy for this computer only, select "User Manager".
  5. From the "Policies" menu, select "Account..."
  6. Set the Minimum Password Length. This setting enforces a minimum length for new or changed passwords. A value of 6 or higher is recommended.
  7. Note that this policy does not affect existing passwords. It will only take effect when an existing user changes his password.

IBM OS/400
Set the minimum password length

OS/400 V4R2 and later include a feature called NetServer which provides Windows compatibile file and printer sharing. Early versions of NetServer relied on the underlying OS/400 user authentication system. However, starting with V5R1 and V5R2, NetServer can be integrated into your Windows Domain or Active Directory via Kerberos, NetBIOS, or LDAP. This integration allows the NetServer to inherit the domain's account lockout policies. Refer to the NetServer documentation for more information.


Samba
Set the minimum password length

The Samba server uses the host operating system's authentication mechanism to control access. If you want to integrate Samba into your NT4 domain or Win2k Active Directory, you can use Samba 2.2.2 or later with winbind to achieve "single sign-on". However, integrating Samba with LDAP/Kerberos/Active Directory is not a trivial task and should only be undertaken with caution.



Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

Higher risk of SSL attacks for those relying on MD5 signed certificates

Summary

January 9, 2009 - Recently, a group of international security researchers demonstrated successful attacks against the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) used to issue security certificates to Web sites when the signatures are generated with the MD5 hash function.

As a service to our customers, is providing a summary of the vulnerability as well as steps for remediation.

Happily, the vulnerability is simple to identify and easy to remediate.

What is this attack?

HTTPS Web sites send their security certificates to inbound browsers to allow them to validate the identity of the sites to which they are connected. A security certificate contains the Web site’s host name and its public key, and is cryptographically signed by a Certification Authority (CA). Browsers are also configured to trust a list of predefined authorities, each of which is represented by a self-signed certificate. A browser uses these trusted authorities to verify the digital signature of a Web site’s certificate, and can thus avoid phishing attacks.

In this particular attack, the researchers successfully created a valid intermediate CA certificate signed by a trusted authority. They then used it to generate arbitrary valid Web site certificates, allowing them to impersonate HTTPS Web sites, monitor or tamper with data sent to such Web sites, etc. This attack can affect any application using X.509 certificates signed using the popular MD5 mechanism. The hack was to prepare, using techniques to find MD5 collisions, one fake intermediate certificate that would be recognized as having been issued by the real CA (Verisign in this case).

The attack works as follows:
  • The attacker creates a rogue CA using vulnerabilities in MD5.
  • The attacker creates a valid HTTPS certificate for the target Web site.
  • The attacker uses this secure certificate to gain trusted status in mainstream browsers.
  • The attacker executes any number of browser-based attacks to gain sensitive data from end-users.

In practical terms, this means that someone in possession of such a rogue CA can launch what is known as a man-in-the-middle attack and gain access to your bank account by having you log on through their attack tool and recording your user ID and password! Other attacks could include directly tampering with data sent to secure Web sites and executing practically undetectable phishing attacks.

Summary remediation steps

In this situation, the best solution is to eliminate all MD5-based certificates. The summary steps to do so are outlined below.

Protect Web applications:
  • Identify any certificate or certificate chain using MD5. In particular, check for TLS/SSL server or client certificates. Rapid7 NeXpose scans for this vulnerability.
  • Migrate affected certificates from MD5 to SHA-1 or SHA-2.

Samba Print Change Denial Of Service Vulnerability

Description:

Certain versions of Samba are vulnerable to a denial of service if out-of-sequence print change notify requests are receieved. Successful exploitation crashes the Samba daemon.

References:


Solution:

Information on these pages is summary information extracted from the NeXpose Vulnerabilty Assessment system. Full details are provided within the NeXpose product for licensed users.

09 September 2009

INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 5, 4, 3, 900 Series Chipsets

The Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility installs INF files that inform the Windows* operating system how to configure the chipset for specific functionality such as AGP, USB, Core PCI, and ISAPNP services.

**Note**
Intel® Chipset Device Software is the new name for the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility; this name will be seen when running the installation package.

**Important**
The Intel Chipset Device Software provides functionality for AGP and USB, not drivers for AGP or USB. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS UTILITY IF YOUR DEVICE MANUFACTURER IS RECOMMENDING IT TO CORRECT AN "AGP DRIVER," "AGP GART," OR "USB DRIVER" ISSUE; IT WILL NOT CORRECT YOUR ISSUE.


Multi language: infinst911autol.exe Download
Ver:9.1.1.1019 Date:9/7/2009 Size:2735 (KB) Time @56Kbps:6.33 min

OS:Windows 2000*, Windows 7 RC1, 32-bit*, Windows 7 RC1, 64-bit*, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition*, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition*, Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition*, Windows Server 2003*, Windows Server 2008*, Windows Vista 32*, Windows Vista 64*, Windows Vista*, Windows XP Home Edition*, Windows XP Media Center Edition*, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition*, Windows XP Professional*

Schroff - Power Search facility simplifies subrack selection

Schroff - Power Search facility simplifies subrack selectionElectronics packaging specialist Schroff has introduced a Power Search facility on its website to simplify the task of selecting products from its comprehensive range of europacPRO subracks.

Through a step-by-step process of choosing the appropriate options for parameters such as height, width, depth, shielding and backplane compatibility, users are presented with the part number and details of a subrack to meet their exact requirements.

A pop-up line diagram of the subrack can be instantly viewed by moving the cursor over a 'drawing' icon, and full technical information can be accessed by clicking on the part number. Featuring a robust aluminium construction, the europacPRO subracks can be supplied in kit form from stock or fully assembled by Schroff's expert technicians in only five working days. Even with modifications such as special sizes or custom printing and painting, fully assembled subracks are despatched in just 10 working days.

The subracks are 84HP wide and can be specified with heights of 3U or 6U and depths from 175 to 475mm. A comprehensive range of accessories is also available, including card guides, front panels, divider plates and handles, says the company.

Gefran - Ethernet/IPT added to compact four-channel temperature control range

Gefran - Ethernet/IPT added to compact four-channel temperature control rangeGefran has added Ethernet/IP communications to its GFX4 and GFXTERM04 multi-channel temperature controllers. The full-featured GFX4 family adds Ethernet/IP to a choice of several fieldbus communication options and the four-loop temperature controller is available in PID control only or fully-integrated versions complete with relays, current transformers and fuses - offering control panel space-saving and reduced installation timescales.

The Din-rail, panel mounted range measures just 25mm x147mm x 160mm and features configurable universal inputs, manual tuning or auto-tuning functions and advanced diagnostics with all interfacing via pluggable connectors. Aimed at demanding process automation applications such as plastic extrusion, injection moulding, thermoforming, wrapping and welding, the Ethernet/IP option allows expansion for up to 16 temperature zones by daisy-chaining Ethernet for up to four GFX4 controllers. The GFX4 also supports a master/slave configuration, helping to reduce network wiring.

Ethernet/IP set-up is simplified with pre-configured GFX4 message blocks that are imported into the Rockwell RSLogix program. Multiple diagnostic functions include 'loop break alarm' and 'heater break alarm' where alarm conditions such as broken probes, lack of load voltage and even partial load failure may be monitored and immediately identified with relay alarms and LED indicators.

The GXF4 is also available with many other fieldbus communication options including RS485 Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet , CanOpen and Ethernet (Modbus over TCP/IP or GDnet), with protocols for direct connection to PLCs, HMIs and Industrial PCs without further CONVERTERs, says the company.

Austriamicrosystems - Optimal motion sensing solution for angle position systems

Austriamicrosystems - Optimal motion sensing solution for angle position systems
Based on patented stacked-die technology, a new dual-die automotive magnetic rotary encoder IC , the AS5215, has been unveiled by Austriamicrosystems. The device targets challenging safety applications such as electronic power steering systems.

"Micro controlled systems are increasingly used in automotive position sensing applications. In most of these systems, the microcontroller capacity is only partly used. The AS5215 has been specifically developed to provide a position sensing solution which leverages on this fact, and allows our customers to design the most cost efficient systems", said Andreas Pfingstl, product manager automotive encoders, Austriamicrosystems. "The AS5215 can be easily implemented in existing system architectures, providing high reliable contactless angle measurements, without a need to replace or modify proven electronic control units."

The amplitude of the output signal is programmable via sensitivity and gain settings. Due to its selectable output mode signals - raw, inverted or DC-referenced - the AS5215 can fit a variety of conventional motion sensing systems which require measurement redundancy for safety reasons.

Based on the company's patented stacked-die solution, the dual-die AS5215 provides 'excellent' phase matching and very low sensitivity drift over the full ambient temperature range of -40C to +150C. The AS5215 is available in a small TSSOP 14 package and operates at 5V supply. A single die rotary encoder IC version, AS5115, in a SSOP 16 package, will be available in October 2009, says the company.

Texas Instruments (TI) - Processors and analog technologies help simplify building management

As homes and businesses become more complex, there is a growing need to simplify building automation and management by eliminating the clutter of multiple control devices. In response to this, Texas Instruments (TI) has announced that its OMAP technology powers AMX’s automation and control panels.

The Modero ViewPoint touch panels (MVP-5000 series), Modero wall / flush-mount touch panels (NXD-500i and NXD-430 series) and the Metreau Entry Communicator devices are sleek, single-system automation panels that seamlessly manage electronics, lighting, temperature, video / audio conferences, Internet and more for homes, theatre systems, hotel rooms, meeting and conference rooms, classrooms or restaurants. TI’s OMAP processor provides advanced processing performance and extended battery life for crisp, life-like video and graphics for these latest products

The ARM and digital signal processor (DSP) processing architecture offered by the OMAP device enables AMX to deliver advanced graphical user interfaces (GUIs) so consumers can navigate on-screen functions with multiple windows, monitor remote security cameras and control audio and video equipment at the same time. Additionally, the multi-core design of the OMAP processor simultaneously supports numerous functions, such as video encoding / decoding and playback, 2D/3D graphics and audio. This gives AMX the edge in designing multi-functional touch panels with exceptional system EFFICIENCY to instantly run applications without compromising performance. With several power modes from full-powered to processor shutdown, the Modero ViewPoint touch panels for instance, take advantage of the sophisticated power management framework to yield greater energy savings by turning off unused peripherals based on the user’s activity and modes of operation.

“We are dedicated to developing flexible, compact and innovative solutions that allow consumers to easily automate their entire home or corporate environment from managing audio and video equipment, changing the thermostat, checking who is at the front door to making a phone call with just a single touch of a button,” said Robert Noble, chief technology officer, AMX. “By working with TI, we are able to address customer’s growing demands for products featuring the latest, cutting-edge technologies that are easy to operate to ultimately simplify their lives.” AMX leverages a complete system-level solution from TI, ranging from the OMAP applications processor to a full complement of analog ICs, including power management, interface, audio, touch screen control and logic devices. The combined solutions pave the way for AMX’s signature ultra-light, ergonomic designs to integrate the fastest video processing, intuitive GUIs with photo-realistic graphics and low power consumption levels on a single platform, says the company.

Farnell - Configurable power management unit integrates two Dc-DC converters

Farnell - Configurable power management unit integrates two Dc-DC convertersThe National Semiconductors LM26484 multi-function, configurable power management unit is now available from Farnell.

The device integrates two 2A Step-Down DC/DC converters, one LDO Controller, POR (Power On Reset) circuit, and thermal overload protection circuitry. All regulator output voltages are externally adjustable. The LDO controller is a low-voltage NMOS voltage regulator. The LM26484 is offered in a 5mm x 4mm x 0.8mm LLP-24 pin package, says the company.

Toshiba - Integrated constant current drivers provide responsive LED brightness

A new family of integrated constant-current LED drivers has been introduced by Toshiba Electronics Europe (TEE). They provide very high levels of ESD protection while significantly reducing component count and board space in applications built around multiple LEDs.

Ideal for panel displays, devices in the TB62747 LED driver family feature 16 driver outputs with the ability to deliver constant currents of between 1.5mA to 45mA. ESD protection in accordance with Man Machine (MM) and Human Body (HB) models is ±500V and ±4000V respectively.

The drivers 'guarantee' a maximum current accuracy between outputs and between different devices of ±1.5%. This ensures constant brightness in designs built around large number of LEDs. The high number of integrated outputs, coupled with the ability to adjust the current through the use of a single, external resistor, significantly reduces the number of components needed to drive LED array applications.

All TB62747 drivers operate with a supply voltage of between 3.3V and 5V and deliver output voltages up to 26V. Internally the devices are based around 16 channels of shift registers, latches, AND gates and the constant current outputs. Control data format is serial-in, parallel-out. The devices are fully BiCMOS-compatible and can accommodate 3.3V and 5V input signals. A power-on-reset (POR) facility is also available.

The TB62747 drivers deliver fast output current response (tWOE(L) = 100ns min) and, when cascaded, support serial data transfer rates of 25MHz. Package options are 1mm pitch SSOP-24 (TB62747AFG), 0.65mm pitch SSOP-24 (TB62747AFNG) and 0.64mm pitch QSOP24 (TB62747AFNAG and TB62747BFNAG). All of the drivers will operate between -40C and 85C, says the company.

06 September 2009

AMD Release Packs 6-Core Opteron

AMD Opteron

Advanced Micro Devices has released a version of the 6-Core low-power Opteron processor in time for VMworld virtualization key that opens Monday.

The 6-Core AMD Opteron EE consume 40 watts and is designed for 2P servers, one of the most popular in the area of virtualized servers. The chip costs $ 989 and will begin shipping on Monday.

Maintaining the thermal envelope identical to the previous generation of chips, the Opteron 2419 EE 1.8GHz, compared to 2.0 GHz clock speed of the "Generation Opteron Shanghai. AMD claims that the third EA 2419 provides better performance than the EA 2377, four core chip whose nuclei have been clocked at 2.3GHz, who also ran against a 40-watt thermal envelope.

The new 6-core chip also contains the AMD-V virtualization technology, including AMD mechanisms power management P. VMworld, the show managed by the virtualization company VMware.

AMD also said that energy for a fully populated 42U rack would be 9.2 kilowatts using 6-core Opteron 2425 SE, item 55-W. The replacement of these chips with EE 2419, would require 7.5 kilowatts, or about 18 percent energy savings.

According to IDC data cited by Brent Kerby, a product manager for the chip, about 82 percent of the cloud and Web servers use only about half the processing power available at a given moment. "With more cores, you have more space for moments ... Web pips strikes a fair amount of support, if you want, "said Kerby. "The region most affected, energy consumption, set in the power range of 40 watts, and even above the threshold of power."

The bottom line? More power in a rack (or compute density) while maintaining low power range of 40 watts, Kerby said.

The new Opteron chip also uses DDR-2 memory, which AMD claims will save approximately $ 1,000 per server, as opposed to DDR-3 more expensive memory.

Holographic Projections at Near Real-Time Speeds

If the emergence of 3D glasses in the local cinemas are an indication, we all want a little more, ahem, our depth of experience film. Unfortunately, the style of glasses are not exactly suitable for an immersive experience. What would be really cool animated holograms. Although holograms are not the easiest things in the world, it is possible to make a 3D computer model and data necessary to calculate a hologram that can be used to project a 3D image from one generation to screen. Given the fact that the animation is now largely computer-generated anyway, where are my holographic animated films?

One problem seems to be efficient rendering. A recent article appeared in Optics Express, although an enormous speed holographic display this shows the difficulty of the problem. The basic animation is now within reach of modern rendering farms, unfortunately, who have no power left on important issues, such as shadows, lighting and shadows (much more character and plot ).

As usual, we take a step backwards in this case to see how a real hologram is made. Take the light of a laser, split into two beams. Shine a light on the object you want from a hologram, and then let it hit a landslide photographic paper. The other beam goes directly on photographic paper. Accordingly, the photographic paper records the interference between two beams instead of an image of the object.

The reason this is useful is that of the laser light is coherent in space and time, and only one interference pattern is recorded, rather than the average of millions of such models.

(For those who care about the details: if we have a piece by the laser beam, the electric field are two places in this part stuck in their relationship with each other. Even if we know that the electric field at a point in time and space, while the temporal coherence means that we know how it will change over time in this space. This type of consistency is why we have a single interference pattern. )

To project the image, the process is reversed. Half of the laser light reflected by the interference pattern, then recombined with a beam that has not changed. The combined beam is then projected to the viewer using a lens system. Viewers can see the 3D object, instead of the interference pattern.

Thus, a holographic computer sounds pretty simple: just restart the interference pattern. But there is a gotcha. For example, if you cut an image into two, get two partial images. Cutting a hologram in half, however, results in two pictures full of less quality information on each pixel encodes the whole image. And therein lies the difficulty: to show a hologram calculated intensity of each pixel are calculated from the interference pattern, not only the local contribution to the subject.

This can not be so difficult? Well, Japanese scientists have created a graphics card, called Horn-6, which can make for you. It consists of four Xilinx field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), each about 7 million gates and a little memory (less than 1 MB). Each FPGA is connected to 256 MB of DDR RAM, then fifth, smaller FPGA is used to manage the PCI bus.

These FPGA divide the surface of an LCD screen 1920 x 1080 and calculates the intensity of each pixel using an algorithm for ray-tracing the footsteps of the phase of the phase of light, the interference must be calculated. In a beautiful piece of technology, as the block size that each FPGA can handle (eg, limited local storage) is completed in a little less time it takes for the next block to retrieve from memory. This allows researchers to load FPGA almost constantly maintaining data prefetching.

When the record is complete, the resulting interference pattern can be displayed on an LCD. This model can then be projected with a laser to create a hologram that is 1m in one dimension (the document does not say which, if I suspect that the diagonal) and has five degrees angle of vision.

Of course, gamers among us want the framerate. Well, it will Blow Your Socks Off: A peak performance of 0.08fps (full size). But if we dig deep and Shell, for the model fully clothed, the yield increases. To do this, stabbed your computer as many cards in your PCI slots. Researchers have shown a four-board that had 0.25fps up. A distributed system of four computers, each with four plates, clocks full 1.0fps. Awesome stuff.

It helps to put that into perspective by comparing the rendering times with different hardware. Unfortunately, researchers do not have a very good job here. I suspect they could not use the GPU standard, because they are limited in how they can be programmed (but I'm no expert, so this would be a mistake). So instead they used the CPU-time rendering.

Even then they could have done better, because these figures compared to a Intel P4 clocked at 3.4 GHz, which is not exactly cutting edge equipment. However, a single image are displayed in 1 hours, 16 minutes and 14 seconds by a P4, so it's probably not as much their card is still faster than current equipment.

The PDF is freely available and contains a number of films.