ViewSonic says it used this week's Digital Signage Expo 2011 in Las Vegas to unveil fifteen products in all, including "e-posters" that include built-in RISC-based media players. On the x86 side of the aisle, the company's new offering is the NMP-640, which uses a dual-core Intel Atom D525, Nvidia's Ion 2 GPU (graphics processing unit), and an embedded Windows 7 operating system.

ViewSonic's NMP-640
(Click to enlarge)

According to Nvidia, its Ion 2 supports DirectX 10, offers resolutions up to 2560 x 1600 pixels, provides 1080p HD video playback, and delivers HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, and dual-link DVI video outputs. ViewSonic doesn't cite maximum resolution for the NMP-640, but does say the device offers smooth 1080p video streaming via either HDMI or VGA ports.

Easily capable of delivering detailed still images as well, the NMP-640 has stereo audio output via a 3.5mm jack, a microphone input, a gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 2.0 ports, and an eSATA connector that doubles as a fifth USB port, says ViewSonic. The device also includes a memory card reader (SD/SDHC/Memory Stick/MS Pro), the company adds.

Ports on ViewSonic's NMP-640
(Click to enlarge)

While the "network media player" tag implies delivery of content via a LAN, the NMP-640 has ample local storage in the form of a 320GB, 2400rpm hard disk drive. The device -- readily mountable on the back of a monitor, since it is just one inch thick -- includes 2GB of DDR3 memory, according to ViewSonic.

Features and specifications listed by ViewSonic for the NMP-640 include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom D525 clocked at 1.8GHz
• Chipset -- ICH8M (presumed)
• Memory -- 2GB of DDR3 memory
• Storage -- 320GB hard disk drive (2.5-inch, 5400rpm)
• Expansion -- memory card reader (SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro)
• Networking -- gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
• VGA
• HDMI
• 4 x USB 2.0
• 1 x eSATA/USB
• audio -- mic in and line out
• Power -- via external AC adapter; consumption n/s
• Operating range -- 32 to 104 deg. F
• Dimensions -- 7.4 x 5.9 x 1.0 inches

Further information

According to ViewSonic, the NMP-640 will be available this month for approximately $800. More information may be found on the NMP-640 product page.

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