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Dolby Digital Live support comes back to life
A good host of features makes the N4L-VM DH a good starter home theater board

ASUS has announced the availability of its N4L-VM DH -- a micro-ATX motherboard that packs a myriad of new features not available on other motherboards even twice its cost. ASUS positions the N4L-VM DH as the definitive motherboard for the home theater enthusiast. At a glance, the new board delivers some spectacular specifications:
  • Intel 945GM chipset with ICH7-M DH
  • Dual-channel DDR2 667MHz support
  • Intel Gigabit LAN
  • Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics
  • Realtek ALC 882M audio codec
  • 2x SATA with RAID 0, 1
  • 2x SATA2 with RAID 0, 1
  • 1x external SATA
The N4L-VM DH is certified for Intel's Viiv technology, but surprisingly, doesn't seem to be able to deliver quite enough to be a true media PC. With the integrated GMA 950 graphics, the board is unable to decode high definition H.264 in hardware, which should be on the list of any new PC with a focus on home theater experiences. However, those who are concerned with audio will be happy to know that the N4L-VM DH supports Dolby Digital Live, which allows the motherboard to output a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. This has been a highly requested feature ever since NVIDIA first launched its SoundStorm enabled nForce chipset several years ago. The board uses a Realtek ALC 882M codec for audio duties, which is able to output an impressive 192kHz/24-bit signal on all 8 channels (analog).

ASUS says:

Even with the compact size, the Intel Viiv-ready and Windows MCE-compatible N4L-VM DH comes with robust multimedia features. The TV Out connector embedded on the motherboard provides a gateway to view memorable digital media on big screen such as LCD TV, while the ALC 882M 8-CH high definition audio with S/PDIF Out completes the experience for overall audible pleasure with Dolby Master Studio. Additionally, with the purchase of ASUS R-DVI-ADD2 card, DVI output is made available for the finest viewing solution.

Supporting both Core Solo and Core Duo processors, as well as the latest memory technology, audio technology, the N4L-VM DH may be the right product for those looking to start a good home theater PC. For those who are looking for more serious video performance, one of the recent PCI Express products from ATI or NVIDIA will have to be used. Those who are content with the onboard graphics can purchase ASUS' R-DVI-ADD2 board, which will provide DVI output for full digital output.

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Needs a Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro HDMI...
By UNCjigga on 3/26/2006 5:54:20 PM , Rating: 2
I believe Sapphire makes a Radeon X1600 Pro card with HDMI output. I'm not sure if it comes with a half-height mounting bracket (needed for most HTPC cases) but in pictures it looks like a half-height card.

As long as Asus kept an SPDIF-out header on the motherboard (very likely) then all you need to do is slap in the video card, hook it up via SPDIF and you've got a fully-functional HDMI-out with real HDCP/Vista DRM support and Dolby Digital Live. Integrated graphics be damned!




RE: Needs a Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro HDMI...
By UNCjigga on 3/26/2006 6:03:36 PM , Rating: 2
NM, Sapphire's site shows pics of the card with a half-height bracket: http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/pro ductfiles/145ima...
Looks like this will be the combo to beat.

So will this mobo support Conroe too? Would be nice having a future upgrade path.


RE: Needs a Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro HDMI...
By LCC2286 on 3/26/2006 6:22:12 PM , Rating: 4
Haha Intel and upgrade path.....yeah right they seem to push out a new chipset for every new processor...besides I think the Core cpus use S479.


RE: Needs a Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro HDMI...
By Matty P on 3/27/2006 8:55:05 AM , Rating: 2
I seem to remember that the S479 / 945 combo is supposed to be in line for merom support... Correct me if thats been changed!


By Johnmcl7 on 3/28/2006 5:34:57 AM , Rating: 2
As far as I'm aware it's still the case that merom will be compatible with the current Yonah socket and chipset.

I've heard less about Conroe but believe it's going to use LGA775 or similar.

John


No DVI, no thanks
By oepapel on 3/27/2006 10:04:55 AM , Rating: 2
This is supposed to be a Home Theatre motherboard, yet there is no DVI connector. They include the worst possible connector (Standard Video out) and VGA (which most consumer TV's don't support). They could replace both with a DVI connector. At least there would be a digital video out option. An optional cable or breakout box could support those still stuck in analog.

How did this MB get a VIIV certification again? Is it just a rubber stamp marketing sticker or does it mean anything?




RE: No DVI, no thanks
By Homerboy on 3/27/2006 10:15:47 AM , Rating: 2
woulnd't you replace the on-board gfx with your own PCIE card anyways?


RE: No DVI, no thanks
By Alphafox78 on 3/27/2006 10:19:56 AM , Rating: 2
LOL, I was going to say why in the heck would anyone use a video out for an LCD TV?!??!


RE: No DVI, no thanks
By masteroffm on 3/27/2006 12:09:42 PM , Rating: 3
that is not video out, it is a coaxial SPDIF out


...
By shabby on 3/26/2006 10:23:04 PM , Rating: 2
Which socket is that, 478?




RE: ...
By FrozenCanadian on 3/27/2006 1:31:59 AM , Rating: 2
I believe its 479. Anyhoo I'll as nice as it is I'll never own intel graphics every again its just too bad to even consider.


RE: ...
By bim27142 on 3/27/2006 5:46:30 AM , Rating: 2
yeah, it looks like socket 478... 478 or 479 on a 945 chipset????


RE: ...
By Johnmcl7 on 3/28/2006 5:32:37 AM , Rating: 2
It's the new socket 479, same number of pins as the last pentium-m socket but with a slightly different pinout to make the two incompatible as Core Duo needs the 945 chipset.

John


Heatsink mount
By KorruptioN on 3/26/2006 6:52:15 PM , Rating: 2
Those look like the loops that most Intel board owners are familiar with. They're known for being ripped out of their sockets...




RE: Heatsink mount
By arswihart on 3/26/2006 8:47:08 PM , Rating: 2
now if someone would come out with a nice microatx case that works well and doesn't look like a geek box


RE: Heatsink mount
By oepapel on 3/27/2006 10:06:10 AM , Rating: 2
I've got 2 words for you: Mac Mini


so what
By sprockkets on 3/26/2006 4:00:04 PM , Rating: 1
Intel's uATX 945G board is also DD Live certified too.




RE: so what
By TheDarkness on 3/27/2006 4:09:18 AM , Rating: 2
I enjoyed reading this article. Keep up the great work all

---
http://www.wirah.com


RE: so what
By Googer on 3/28/2006 6:17:31 AM , Rating: 2
Any word on pricing yet?


socket 479 & ADD2
By masteroffm on 3/27/2006 12:08:21 PM , Rating: 2
that is a socket 479 on the motherboard, has to be to be VIIV compliant, a socket 478 desktop processor would not be. and as far as DVI, it would be easy to drop an ADD2 card in to give you DVI out. you can usually pick them up for about $30




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