MSI announces the MS-9A08

[electron]

While searching for a next generation media player for unrelated project, I ran into this extremely interesting announcement. MSI announced the MS-9A08 platform, which seems to be designed with home automation and home theaters in mind. The unit supports high performance Intel cpus such as the Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors. Video is powered by the Intel GM45 chipset which supports high end 3D performance.

It also offers 4 serial ports, 6 USB ports, dual Gigabit ethernet ports, HDMI and DVI. LogicSupply.com seems to have this unit in stock already, and the price ($448 for the barebone config) seems to be in line with other platforms with similar specs.

View the original announcement

 

[GraysonPeddie]

I know MSI as a computer manufacturer who sells computer parts and netbooks, but I've never heard of MSI for home automation. It's great to see a couple of serial ports, including two ethernet ports, which I could set this up as a home router; however, I'm more familiar with AMD instead of Intel when it comes to choosing computer parts.

If this unit is used for home automation and home theater combined in one device, it'd be cool to interoperate motorized curtains, home theater projector, home theater receiver, etc. with this device and perhaps put in LinuxMCE (Linux Media Center Edition) for home entertainment!

 

[elcano]

The spec says that it has SATA, but Im not sure if it is internal of external SATA, or E-SATA (different from external sata). Is that little port to the left of the DVI the (E-)SATA port?

And, by the way, I'm not sure that you will want to put a powerful Core2Duo processor insida that little box, as it will finish baking itself.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Yeah. It's like putting a Phenom II 920 inside that small computer case at stock speed and stock voltage.

Of course, I could undervolt and underclock the CPU in order to ensure stability and low power consumption.

 

[electron]

I prefer to put the mobile version of the c2d cpu's in boxes that size, works pretty well, and they are very fast.

 

[ctay]

The spec says that it has SATA, but Im not sure if it is internal of external SATA, or E-SATA (different from external sata). Is that little port to the left of the DVI the (E-)SATA port?

And, by the way, I'm not sure that you will want to put a powerful Core2Duo processor insida that little box, as it will finish baking itself.

I think that is the HDMI isn't it? Can you buy the mobile version of C2D's at like Newegg? Guess I never looked for them...

 

[electron]

Pretty sure that's just HDMI.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

It is. I don't know why they have DVI port in it. Some motherboards with AMD 780G chipsets have a VGA, HDMI, and DVI. It's okay for multi-monitor, but to me, that's just a waste of space and is pretty much useless.

If the device has only HDMI output and my HDTV has DVI input, I can go from HDMI to DVI using HDMI-to-DVI cable.

If the device has only DVI and my HDTV has HDMI input, that's no problem for me.

(On a side note, I might try to stick to the topic of anything that's home automation-related, unless this thread is in the Wiring Closet forum. )

By the way, it'd be nice if I could have this in a rackmount configuration just for a clean look in the front. That way, three serial ports and 2 USB ports can be in the back of the computer case (oh, and maybe two additional serial ports, too).

 

[electron]

Keep in mind that they are targeting industrial applications. DVI is useful, because it can be converted to VGA (so it's compatible with existing digital signage setups etc). Many mini-itx boxes (such as the AOpen platform) with DVI ports also come out with special cables which break out the DVI port into rca video/audio, svideo, and VGA, making it even more compatible.