VIA’s new device offers a small – yet resistive – touch screen, and it is powered by a VIA Eden ULV 1.6 GHz / C7 1.0 GHz processor. According to VIA, the product offers multiple IO ports (including USB and COM ports), and its light weight and highly-compatible API makes it a dynamic module that could be installed in various systems. Moreover, the combination of heavy steel and aluminum gives it strength and durability.

 

In addition to the aforementioned systems that could benefit from the VIPRO VP7710, it might also be suitable for other uses such as production process control, terminal information systems, entertainment management systems and car park automation systems. Basically, every kiosk-like system could utilize it. Its features include a front panel resistant to water and dust, anti-shock design and a CF socket. Its graphics adapter is an integrated VIA UniChrome ProII 3D/2D AGP, with MPEG-2/4 and WMV9 video decoding acceleration. Furthermore, in order to give the VIPRO connectivity options, support for Gigabit Ethernet was added, and there is an option to add support for Wireless LAN 802.11b/g as well.

 

In order to enable dual independent displays, VIA installed an external VGA port, and to enhance audio quality, high definition audio ports were included, so users could have the option to embed multimedia applications. Storage is based on its internal Compact Flash socket and a 2.5" internal HDD drive bay.

 

The market VIA VIPRO is aiming towards is the human-machine interface (HMI) industrial applications. Daniel Wu, Vice President, VIA Embedded, VIA Technologies, Inc. said: "The VIA VIPRO is the first in a series of cost-effective, intelligent touch screen panel displays from VIA; intuitive information delivery has quickly become a necessity for today's modern kiosk and vending machines. The VIA VIPRO addresses the need for a flexible and reliable solution."

 

TFOT has also covered VIA's DIY Micro-PC, an ultra small “do it yourself” desktop, and VIA's EPIA PX5000EG Pico-ITX board which has the world’s lowest power CPU. Other related TFOT stories include Portwell's PCS-8230 Car PC, which utilizes Intel’s new Atom processor, and the Phoenix Processor, a low-power microchip which uses 30,000 times less power in sleep mode and 10 times less in active mode than similar chips currently on the market.

 

For more information on the VIA VIPRO VP7710 Panel PC, see VIA’s website.