VIA CX700 - First Single-Chip System Media Processor for the Embedded Market

VIA's first single-chip IGP solution, the VIA CX700 System Media Processor integrates all the cutting-edge features of a modern chipset's North and South bridges, including rich video graphics, HD audio, and DDR2 and SATA II support, into a single, compact and highly power-efficient package.

The VIA CX700 exemplifies VIA's design philosophy of reducing the size of the platform in order to enable ever smaller, cooler and lighter systems. In the VIA CX700, VIA has integrated all the key functionality of both the North and South bridges of a regular VIA chipset into a single chip package exactly the same size as a North bridge, i.e. 37.5mm x 37.5mm, representing a saving of over 34% in board real estate. This represents a major breakthrough for the embedded industry where ultra compactness is essential, and will have significant benefit for embedded boards such as PC/104 and VIA EPIA mainboards.

Complementing the power-efficient VIA C7 and fanless VIA Eden processors it supports, the VIA CX700 is based on a highly sophisticated power efficient architecture that enables such rich integration into a compact package with a maximum power envelope of just 3.5 watts. A number of key power management technologies are incorporated that monitor activity and dynamically control power according to system load requirements.

Targeted for key embedded applications such as Point of Sales (POS) equipment, industrial PCs (IPC) and ultra compact, low power desktop systems such as thin clients, the VIA CX700 has been designed from the ground up to deliver excellent performance, features and power efficiency. The reduction in board space and operating power requirements together with the extensive multimedia, memory, connectivity and display flexibility provides embedded customers with the ideal chipset to take their ultra compact systems to the next stage.

The VIA CX700 utilizes the VIA UniChrome™ Pro Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) ensuring optimal performance for all multimedia, entertainment, and productivity applications. With an internal data flow equivalent to the latest AGP 8X graphics cards, a 200MHz 2D/3D graphics engine and features dedicated 128-bit data paths for pixel data flow and texture/command access.

The VIA UniChrome Pro IGP graphics core also features the Chromotion™ video engine raising the bar for digital entertainment support on PC systems. The Chromotion™ video engine employs a multi-faceted approach to displaying multimedia content, implementing a number of advanced tools at every stage of video processing. These include integrated MPEG-2 decoding, for flawless digital video playback with ultra-low CPU-utilization, and advanced rendering tools such as Adaptive De-Interlacing and Video Deblocking, which ensure clearer playback of digital content on all display devices.

Features of the VIA CX700 System Media Processor

Benefits of VIA CX700

VIA UniChrome™ Pro Graphics Core
With an internal data flow equivalent to what is available to the latest AGP 8X graphics cards, VIA UniChrome Pro has a separate 128-bit data path between the North Bridge for pixel data flow and texture/command access. Separate 128-bit 2D and 3D graphics engines ensure optimal performance for all multimedia, entertainment, and productivity applications.

Flawless Digital Media Playback
VIA UniChrome Pro includes native support for the most popular digital video and audio formats through hardware MPEG-2 playback and acclaimed VIA Vinyl HD Audio suite, supporting up to eight high definition channels delivering a richer all-around digital media experience.

Multiple Display Configurations
Flexibility is extended to display technologies, with the VIA CX700 integrating a multi-configuration LVDS/DVI transmitter, a popular feature for embedded systems.

Advanced Memory Controller
VIA's renouned memory controller technology has been incorporated into the VIA CX700, with support for both DDR400 and the high-bandwidth DDR2 533 memory up to 2GB with ECC capability, and 32-bit as well as 64-bit system memory to extend performance, design and cost flexibility to developers.

VIA Advanced Connectivity
The VIA CX700 offers broad connectivity with support for SATA, SATA II and PATA drives, two COM and six USB2.0 ports, and four PCI slots, allowing for considerable flexibility in board configuration. Additionally, developers can also integrate support for ISA through an ITE PCI bridge chip, combining legacy ISA connectivity with high bandwidth DDR2 memort support for more powerful embedded systems.

Unified VIA Hyperion Pro Drivers
VIA's unified approach to drivers has been established for eight generations of chipsets, allowing end users to benefit from seamless hardware and software compatibility.

Block Diagram

Key Features

» 533MB/sec Front Side Bus
» Supports up to 2GB DDR2 533/400MHz or DDR400/333/266MHz SDRAM
» Integrated VIA UniChrome Pro Graphics
» Chromotion™ video engine
» MPEG-2 Decoder
» Video De-blocking
» Adaptive De-Interlace
» DuoView+™
» Optimized Unified memory Architecture (UMA)
» 200MHz Graphics Engine Clock with separated 128-bit data paths
» 128-bit 2D and 3D Graphics engine
» Multi-configuration LVDS/DVI transmitter
» Support for VIA Vinyl HD Audio
» Serial ATA support for up to 2 devices
» Parallel ATA133/100/66 support for up to 2 devices
» Support for up to 6 USB 2.0 ports

Resources

	VIA CX700 press release
	VIA CX700 image kit