Home Theater or Media Center PC's are making a play for our family rooms and Soyo is quite aware of this growing trend. Their new VIA P4M266A / 8235 chipset motherboard features the version M BIOS ("Direct ON"). This BIOS gives you access to multimedia functions without having to go through the whole boot up process. No operating system or software is needed. According to this review at ExtremeMhz, they were able to power on and use the system in 8 seconds. The motherboards on board embedded AC97 codec provides 6 channel audio.
| Soyo is the first motherboard manufacturer to introduce this new BIOS technology that allows complete multi-media playback without boot delay or the need for an operating system. Soyo claims it will load the menu in under 10 seconds. We timed it, and it took only 8 seconds to get to the main menu. When you boot the system for the first time, the main menu will appear and icons appear shortly after it automatically detects all compatible hardware. You have access to multi-media functions such as AUDIO/MP3 CD playback, VCD playback, DVD playback and TV Tuner support. Clicking on the PC button will load the operating system, if one is installed. The remote control can also be used to navigate the menu as well as all functions of the available players.
Our first tests were to see how well it would playback Audio & MP3 CD's. This worked flawlessly. No need to click an icon on the main menu. If you load a CD, it will automatically load the correct player and begin playback. Above the player is a bar style VU Meter. The player itself has all the typical features of a CD player including playback options such as repeat and shuffle. |
Before the couch potatoes among us get too excited, you do have to get up and touch a key on the keyboard in order to turn it on, the remote can only power off. The Soyo SY-P4VAL Version M will be available starting today, at a standalone price of $ 69. It will also be offered complete with a compatible TV tuner card, remote control and remote receiver for about 130 dollars US. More information on this board can be found on the SOYO website.
Source: ExtremeMhz
