VIA today announced the launch of the VIA VN896 digital media mobile IGP chipset, certified Vista Basic-ready by Microsoft.

The VIA VN896 chipset features the VIA Chrome9 HC integrated graphics processor (IGP) featuring a DirectX 9.0 3D accelerator for high performance and a 2D accelerator for productivity applications. The 3D graphics engine of the VN896 chipset offers simultaneous usage of single-pass multitexturing and single-cycle trilinear filtering, providing high image quality without performance loss.

Also integrated is the latest generation Chromotion video display engine, featuring advanced video processing, including acceleration for MPEG-2 decoding, and picture enhancement through adaptive de-interlacing technology and video deblocking, all executed in hardware to offset the processor workload. The VIA VN896 also features versatile LCD panel, CRT and TV-out support, to as high as 1080i high definition, while separate display engines enable two outputs to display at the same time, with different information at different resolutions, pixel depths and refresh rates.

By passing the Microsoft Windows Vista 32bit/64bit Basic logo tests, customers can integrate the VIA VN896 PCI Express chipset into their products with the assuredness of digitally signed drivers and trouble-free installation of Microsoft Windows Vista, including Ultimate, Enterprise, Business, Home Premium and Home Basic editions.

About the VN896 Digital Media IGP Chipset
With FSB of 800/667/533/400 MHz, the VIA VN896 digital media IGP chipset supports VIA C7-M mobile processors as well as Intel Pentium M/Core Solo/Core Duo/Core2 Duo super scalar processors. It includes two high bandwidth PCI Express ports, including one 16-lane PCI Express and one single lane port. Memory options include support for DDR2 667/533/400 or DDR 400/333 with a maximum of 4GB. The V-Link interface connects either the VT8237A/VT8237R Plus South Bridge.