Synchrotech adds slightly better MicroU2E-MV USB ExpressCard adapter

Not exactly a huge

upgrade, but that MicroU2E from last year has been revved to support 1.5v ExpressCards -- and with more volts comes more supported devices. It's still about fifty bones, should you need one for your MacBook (Air) or whatever other ExpressCardless machine you've got kicking around.

Fostex G2000: New High-End speakers

Fostex Japan will release new High-End Magnesium Speakers at the end of July, the G2000. The speakers feature two 200mm bass driver, 100mm mid driver and 25mm tweeter.

Otherwise, our G2000 provides a frequency response of 30Hz-35,000Hz, sound pressure sensitivity of 90dB/mW, a maximum permissible input of 150W and an impedance of 4?.

Asus launches World's Most Intelligent Graphics Card

Asus has introduced the world's most intelligent graphics card with the Asus ROG (Republic of Gamers) EN9600GT MATRIX/HTDI/512M. Much like a sci-fi movie where the protagonists can do just about anything, the ROG MATRIX Series will allow gamers to unleash the true power of graphics cards. This cutting-edge piece of hardware is equipped with the Asus Super Hybrid Engine for automatic detection and adjustments of voltage, clock setting, and fan speeds to achieve the ultimate in performance or maximum energy saving.

Press Release after the Jump

The Asus ROG Matrix Series is able to provide total hardware control and unleashes the true power of the graphics card – all the while reducing unnecessary power consumption. By combining three powerful features: Super Hybrid Engine, Hybrid Cooler and iTracker, 26% performance boosts in 3D mode can be achieved; while 26% less power consumption and 0dB cooling can also be guaranteed under the 2D mode.

Taipei, Taiwan, June 26, 2008 – ASUS, producer of top quality graphic solutions, has today introduced the world's most intelligent graphics card with the ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) EN9600GT MATRIX/HTDI/512M. Much like a sci-fi movie where the protagonists can do just about anything, the ROG MATRIX Series will allow gamers to unleash the true power of graphics cards. This cutting-edge piece of hardware is equipped with the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine for automatic detection and adjustments of voltage, clock setting, and fan speeds to achieve the ultimate in performance or maximum energy saving. Additionally, the Hybrid Cooler technology offers extreme or silent cooling according to gamer needs; while iTracker provides 5 scenario GUI modes for easy user selection for their preferred usage.

The Key to Gamers' Unfulfilled Needs

The ROG is committed to deliver the most innovative and ultimate performance PC solutions for enhanced usage experiences for power users and gamers. The ASUS ROG Matrix Series is able to provide total hardware control and unleashes the true power of the graphics card – all the while reducing unnecessary power consumption. By combining three powerful features: Super Hybrid Engine, Hybrid Cooler and iTracker, 26% performance boosts in 3D mode can be achieved; while 26% less power consumption and 0dB cooling can also be guaranteed under the 2D mode.

Auto Hardware Detection and Adjustments with Intelligent Super Hybrid Engine

The new Super Hybrid Engine technology showcases its intelligence through a two-fold process. It first gathers detailed information regarding the GPU loading and temperature, memory and power IC; and then calculates an optimized solution for the best performances. All this happens in real time, without the need for users to tinker with settings – providing automatic multi-level GPU and memory voltage adjustments for the ultimate graphical performance or maximum energy savings.

Hybrid Cooler for Auto-managed Proactive Cooling

The leading and intelligent thermal innovation Hybrid Cooler draws its inspiration from Hybrid cars of the same namesake. With a revolutionary combination of the fan and heatsink solutions on one card, the Hybrid Cooler targets guaranteed performance with power savings in mind. When required, the fan and heatsink will work together for optimum cooling, while the fan is automatically controlled according to advanced GPU loading detection–providing users with more proactive cooling and power savings in the event of lower graphics utilization–much like real Hybrid cars.

iTracker Offers Easy User Selection for the Most Suitable Usage

The iTracker provides 4 default profiles for entry-level gamers: Optimized Mode, Gaming Mode, Power Saving Mode, and Default mode. Built-in with the Super Hybrid Engine technology, it also displays real-time graphics card information that includes the GPU/shader/memory clock, GPU/memory voltage, GPU loading, GPU/memory/power IC/ambient temperature, and fan speed. In addition, the 5th profile – the User Defined Mode, allows timely adjustments that include GPU/shader/memory clock, GPU/memory voltage, and fan speeds to suit different individual requirements.

Up to 26% Faster in 3D Mode

With the ASUS ROG EN9600GT MATRIX/HTDI/512M in 3D mode, gamers can expect GPU and memory voltage boosts from 1.15V up to 1.34V and from 2V up to 2.01V respectively. Erstwhile, the GPU, shader and memory clock performances are boosted from 650MHz up to 800MHz, from 1625MHz up to 2000MHz, and from 900MHz up to 1100MHz respectively. Such unprecedented performance upgrades helps elevate the ROG EN9600GT MATRIX's 3DMark Vantage Extreme Mode score from 1320 to 1662 – an astonishing 26% improvement in speed when compared to any other reference designed board*. Gamers can now feel the adrenaline rush of superb gaming performance only with the ASUS ROG EN9600GT MATRIX/HTDI/512M.

Up to 26% Power Saved & 0dB in 2D Mode

When in 2D modes, less power consumption is required, and the ASUS ROG EN9600GT MATRIX/HTDI/512M reduces GPU and memory voltages from 1.15V up to 0.9V and from 2V up to 1.772V respectively for energy savings and 0dB cooling. Besides this, the Auto Phase Switch technology is utilized to optimize the power supplied by the power phase for maximum power efficiency. Such unprecedented voltage reduction; plus the Auto Phase Switch technology, lowers the ROG EN9600GT MATRIX's power consumption from 25.54W to 18.82W – an astonishing 26% in savings when compared to any other reference designed board**. Additionally, under 2D modes with Hybrid Cooler, fans will no longer be needed to dissipate heat away – therefore allowing users to enjoy absolute 0dB cooling for comfortable computing environments.

Asus Hybrid TV Card supports Digital and Analog TV on the PC Simultaneously!

The new Asus PCI-express TV card Asus My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid supports both digital (DVBT) and analog (PAL/ NTSC) TV programs. Asus PCI-Express Hybrid TV Card is embedded with a hardware MPEG2 encoder that dramatically reduces CPU loading for high-quality video outputs. The Asus My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid is also equipped with an array of versatile utilities that lets users enjoy all-in-one multimedia entertainment on the PC.

Press Release after the Jump

Asus My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid can even utilize the Asus VideoSecurity Online technology to build a home monitoring/security system. With the Asus My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid to provide a total solution for home theater entertainment, users can easily turn PCs into a multimedia entertainment centers.

Taipei, Taiwan, June 26, 2008 – Catering to users who want to watch and record digital or analog TV on their PCs, ASUS, producer of top-notch multimedia solutions, today introduced the new PCI-express TV card, ASUS My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid, which supports both digital (DVBT) and analog (PAL/ NTSC) TV programs. Furthermore, it is embedded with an hardware MPEG2 encoder that dramatically reduces CPU loading – helping guarantee high-quality video outputs. The ASUS My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid is also equipped with an array of versatile utilities that lets users enjoy all-in-one multimedia entertainment on the PC.

High Quality Digital and Analog TV

The ASUS My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid is a combination of an Analog and Digital TV receiver. With this nifty piece of hardware, users will be able to watch and record high-quality digital (DVBT) or analog (PAL/NTSC) TV programs on their PCs. Adopting the brand-new PCI Express x1 interface, transmission speeds of up to 500 MB/s (faster than the PCI bus of 133MB/s) can be achieved – an improvement of almost 3 times over conventional technology. Additionally, the My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid comes embedded with a built-in advanced hardware noise reduction technology and a hardware MPEG2 encoder, which remarkably reduces the CPU loading and guarantees high-quality video output. Therefore, users can even surf the Internet and watch TV programs at the same time – without any lagging, for the best video quality.

User-friendly Multimedia Entertainment

Whether users want to watch digital or analog TV programs, make scheduled recordings, edit and make their own movies, burn DVD or VCDs, listen to FM and MP3 music, sort video and photographs, this card can do it all and satisfy all of their needs. The ASUS My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid can even utilize the ASUS VideoSecurity Online technology to build a home monitoring/security system. With the ASUS My Cinema-PE6300Hybrid to provide a total solution for home theater entertainment, users can easily turn PCs into a multimedia entertainment centers.

Instant TV Experiences with Full Function Remote Controller

This full function remote controller offers users instant access to watching TV, recording, and channel surfing into their hands. Users will never again miss a moment of their favorite TV programs anymore! They can even “pause” the live TV program and continue watching it after any interruptions.