Motherboard manufacturer Zotac has revealed an exciting concept based on the PCoIP (PC-over-IP) technology. As the name implies it’s about transmit the features of a PC over the network and one version of the technology can be found with Samsung’s SyncMaster 930ND monitor. In Samsung’s the monitor is connected to the PC through a regular Ethernet cable, which is the only connection needed to control the PC. You can watch this demonstration video to see how it works, but Zotac has taken things to the next level.
By using a PCIe-based controller card in the host you can control all of the features of the computer not matter if it is wired or wireless networking. Zotac’s receiver box is connected in the other end and will reproduce everything from regular 2D at 2560×1600 resolution to games and High Definition media.
“The point here, we suppose, is to export any video, irrespective of how it’s produced, to a much smaller, quieter box that has connectivity options to hook up to a large screen in, say, the lounge. The system is agnostic of the video, so you could have a Core i7 machine with three-way SLI in the bedroom, and the video could be compressed and exported to another display in the home without moving the actual hardware. In effect, it replicates the PC without having it present.” – Hexus
The drawbacks of the systems include some input lag that will hurt those who are looking for some serious gaming, and that the system doesn’t support HDCP-protected material.
Zotac’s receiver box
The idea of locking your speed demon in the basement and only have a small receiver box in the living room with the exact same performance sounds like a very exciting future. Quite so efficient isn’t Zotac’s technology today, but it’s at least a very good start.
