company says.

(Click here for a larger view of the AIS Smart Module Display)

AIS does not list the screen resolution of its Smart Module Display, but says it comes in a 42-inch configuration and will also soon be offered in 32-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch versions. The 42-inch version has a 500-nit brightness rating, a bezel just 18mm wide -- making for easier construction of "video walls" -- and an ambient light sensor for adjusting brightness automatically, the company says.

As the company explains, the Smart Module Display is extensible via modules that measure 10.53 x 6.02 x 1.59 inches (267.5 x 153 x 40.5mm), and slide into the left side of the screen, as shown at the top of our story. Available modules, which receive 12VDC power from the display directly, include two that merely load images from onboard CompactFlash storage -- making the unit essentially a giant digital picture frame -- plus a third that is designed to relay VGA and audio signals via CAT5 networking cables.

However, AIS also offers two modules, the SM1A and SMD200, which run Windows XP Embedded via onboard Intel Atom N270 processors. The devices accept up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM and have the usual 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge.


The SM1A and SMD200
(Click either image to enlarge)
AIS lists identical hardware specifications for the SM1A and SMD200, which also look the same, but the former is positioned as a PC, while the latter is termed a power-saving "flash network player." We're guessing the SM1A may include an internal hard disk drive, connected via an SATA port, whereas the SMD200 uses solid-state storage, added using the ExpressCard/54 slot that's also part of the mix.

Both devices are said to have a front-panel gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 ports, a serial port, and a DVI-D connector that allows adding external displays with resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels. Meanwhile, there are internal pin headers for line-level audio output and two additional RS232 ports, according to AIS.

Features and specifications listed by AIS for the Smart Module Display and SM1A/SMD200 modules:

• Processor -- Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz
  
• Memory -- Up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM slot
  
• Storage -- n/s, but includes SATA port and ExpressCard/54 slot
  
• Display -- 42-inch display with 500-nit brightness rating and ambient light sensor
  
• Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x USB 2.0
    
  • 3 x RS232 (one external, two via pin headers)
    
  • DVI-D
    
  • SATA port
• Expansion -- ExpressCard/54 slot
  
• Operating temperature -- 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
  
• Dimensions -- n/s for display overall; modules measure 10.53 x 6.02 x 1.59 inches (267.5 x 153 x 40.5mm)

Availability

AIS did not release pricing or availability for its Smart Module Display, but says the devices are sampling now. More information on the SM1A and SMD200 can be found on the company's website, here and here, respectively.

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