NextComputing Expands PCI Express Options on Portable Computers

Designed for users who perform tasks such as real-time, high-definition 3D broadcast graphics from remote locations, enhanced PCI Express architecture reportedly creates more efficient data throughput.

The PCI Express enhancement reportedly enables industry integrators to benefit from both a dual-width PCI Express graphics card and a single-width PCI Express video capture card, a capability once reserved for larger, stationary systems. Systems configured with Intel processors also offer a triple PCI Express option, enabling the use of three single-width cards simultaneously.

NextComputing states that the new system was developed to meet the demands of users performing tasks like real-time, high-definition 3D broadcast graphics from remote locations. Using the PCI Express architecture for both the image-capture and image-generation components of these applications creates more efficient data throughput and a reduction in performance bottlenecks, according to the company.

Ultra high-end PCI Express graphics boards, such as the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600 by PNY Technologies, can be combined with the newest PCI Express video capture boards, such as Blackmagic Design's DeckLink HD Extreme or AJA Video's XENA 2Ke. These combinations also augment other applications in the industry, including uncompressed HD video capture and editing, film production and postproduction (digital dailies, color grading, and finishing), multidisplay digital projection, and on-set effects previsualization for feature films and television commercials.

Configurations of a NextDimension Evo and Evo HD include the following features: up to two dual-core AMD Opteron processors or two Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors, 16 GB RAM, more than 2 TB of storage, and internal DVD/RW. The integrated wide-screen display (1920x1200) allows native HD video playback, and both models support external monitors. PCI options include one dual-width PCIe slot and one single-width PCIe slot plus one factory access PCI-X 64 bit/100 MHz slot, or with Intel processors only, three single-width PCIe slots plus one factory access PCI-X/64 100 MHz slot.