NVIDIA Corp. launched the company's first integrated graphics processor (IGP) core-logic solution for notebooks. Comprised of the NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 graphics processing unit (GPU) and the NVIDIA nForce Go 430 media and communications processor (MCP), the new mobile IGP solution is the first with hardware accelerated H.264 high-definition (HD) video playback.
According to Dean McCarron at Mercury Research, the mobile integrated market has grown 77% over the last year, from 8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 and 14.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. "The addition of this new integrated mobile core-logic solution complements our existing notebook GPUs, giving us top-to-bottom solutions for a wide range of notebook form factors," said Manoj Gujral, gm of the professional MCP group at NVIDIA. "This will help expand our presence in the growing integrated mobile market."
The new mobile IGP is the first with a high-performance graphics core that:
* Accelerates HD MPEG-2, VC1 and H.264 video playback on a notebook* Supports Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 for realistic 3D effects* Is designed to work with the new Microsoft Windows Vista operating system
The HD playback is made possible by NVIDIA Pure Video technology, a hardware acceleration engine that enables smooth playback of HD video with minimal CPU overhead and long playback times while running on battery power. NVIDIA PureVideo technology also brings advanced video features to notebook PCs, including advanced de-interlacing, inverse telecine and high-quality scaling, enabling consumers to watch high-definition videos and DVDs with the highest level of visual quality and performance.
"We have combined our desktop platform solutions and mobile discrete graphics technologies to create an integrated solution that shatters the stereotype that IGP solutions deliver substandard video and graphics performance," said Bill Henry, director of mobile product management at NVIDIA. "Our new integrated solution brings HD video playback and realistic 3D effects to a wide range of notebook segments, from value notebooks to thin and light multimedia machines."
By offering this highly integrated solution, NVIDIA is now providing OEMs and system builders a foundation for designing notebooks with additional emphasis placed on lowering overall power consumption, extending battery life and enabling the introduction of mobile platforms in unique, smaller form-factors.
"AMD Turion 64 mobile technology is designed to deliver AMD64 performance in thinner and lighter notebooks with long battery life, enhanced security, and compatibility with the latest graphics technologies," said Chris Cloran, vp, mobile division, AMD's Microprocessor Solutions Sector. "NVIDIA demonstrated great ability in developing a chipset solution with outstanding video quality and while achieving battery life goals. This innovation makes AMD Turion 64 and NVIDIA nForce based notebooks an excellent choice for a wide variety of notebook customers."
The first notebooks based on GeForce Go 6100 and NVIDIA nForce Go 430 are now available from European system builders Evesham, Rover and Wortmann. Other notebook OEMs and system builders worldwide are expected to release retail products based on the NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 and nForce Go 430 in the coming months.
NVIDIA Corp. (www.nvidia.com) is the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies. The company creates products for computing, consumer electronics and mobile devices. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has offices throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
