First results of the integration of the board to the T7 chassis are proving extra-ordinary.

Thermally the 945G is producing much more heat than the CPU (as expected). If just the CPU heat is drawn from the system to the T7 cooler and supporting heat sink shell, it remains cold, very cold.  But the 945G also needs to be cooled too.  If the 945G + the CPU’s heat is drawn to the T7 cooling system, then the CPU is heated slightly by the 945G.

The above is a very safe basis for the Atom powered board to be deployed in numerous applications in the T7 chassis.  With benchmarking results due soon, we are expecting some rather interesting feedback from this technology.  Certainly ’smart’ thin clients, ‘mixed mode’ thin clients (fat PC performance, with thin client power consumption), 2nd PC (home) use, office PC applications, mobile applications, entertainment uses…. 

CrystalMARK 2004R3 results

(ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit, FPU - Floating Point Unit, MEM - Memory)

The VAIO reference has been included to indicate what you would expect from today’s a typical ‘performance’ system.

Tranquil labs are now testing the new Intel ATOM CPU based mini-itx board (D945GCL - D202 - Little Falls)

The 1.6GHz model (64 bit ready, with HT enabled) is proving, at first glance to be everything and more than we expected.

Over the coming days our findings will be published.  Initially we have been amazed with the core CPU performance, coupled with the almost zero power consumption (approx 2W).  The system under test has a Intel 945G chipset, which unfortunately was supplied with a fan/heat sink on the north bridge - suggesting heat generation, and upon initial investigations, this chip did need that cooling.  What a shame such a brilliant low powered CPU has been coupled with what appears to be a (relatively)power hungry NB chip. 

The power consumption of the ’system’ is lower (approx 6W) than the earlier D201GLY2 (Celeron CPU + SiS chipset) - so it’s a step in the right direction.  More comprehensive data to follow.

Later today I hope to publish some pictures of the tiny CPU on the test unit we have. 
(my camera data lead is at home !) - Camera lead located - here are the pictures - see below - the CPU is tiny !

The board - in all it’s glory !
(incl. the standard Intel 4 way CPU power plug - so un-necessary)

Tranquil expect to be shipping systems based on this powerful, yet low power platform later in May 2008.  Watch out for some interesting, efficient and affordable systems.

Just a quick note to say that postings will be a little thin for a while.  My youngest son (17) was in a serious car crash (rear passenger) on Sunday AM.  Some better news today, he came out of Intensive Care Unit on Monday afternoon.    He had to have surgery on his large and small intestines, and suffered 2 crushed lumbar (on lower spine) - so not very good.

James, very popular with his family and especially with his (female) friends, climbed out of the car rear window, which crashed into a stone wall, before falling 15′ into a stream below.  He and 3 other people were all admitted to local hospitals.  Two of his friends are in similar condition to James, but the driver (in Preston hospital) was more severely hurt, and as far as I know is still in Intensive Care there.  Sue and I, and all of James family and friends hope his friend, the driver, pulls through OK.

Here he is - in his favourite place, the football pitch !

I’ll let you all know how James gets on, over the coming weeks.

April 22nd  - GOOD NEWS - James leaves hospital.  Seems much better after only one week.  He is going to have to take care of his back - whilst it recovers - so no sport for a while

Thanks to every one for their kind wishes, prayers and support over the last few weeks - much appreciated.

For many years now (or so it feels), I’ve been using an amazing, free and low overhead utility ‘Foldershare’.  Microsoft bought ByteTaxi in 2005, the owners of Foldershare - a neat little application that had been out there since 2002.

In essence it’s a service that is installed on each PC that you may want to ’share folders’ with other PCs you own, or need access to.  Of course installing Foldershare onto a Windows Home Server suddenly opens up opportunities of remotely backing up and syncronsing files / folders with distant PCs.  The files / folders are also accessible via any web browser, just to make things really easy.

It’s all secure, no data is stored on ‘unknown PCs’, it’s free, and runs just like it should.  Microsoft now are using some of the ’services’ in certain LIVE products, and Foldershare now seems to have had a facelift, with more of a Microsoft LIVE look to it.

You can get it from here.  

Install it on your Home Server, using Remote Desktop Connection, or one of the Home Server Add-Ins (ie Program Launcher).  Then install it on any number of other PCs - and start ’sync’ing’ - only small catch, there are some limits to the number of files in each library, but you can have numerous libraries too.

Notes

• You can transfer files that don’t exceed 2GB. You can also create up to ten libraries, each of which can contain up to 10,000 files.
• FolderShare beta installs a system file called .fslockfile in the folder that contains your library. This system file is necessary to run FolderShare beta.
• FolderShare beta doesn’t work with mapped network drives.

Enjoy !

Tranquil announce they will be utilising the forthcoming Intel Atom CPU’s in products from Q2 2008.

What is Atom…..

45nm - ultra low power, 1.87GHz (soon to be DuoCore !)

Watch this space.

What is Atom ?

Intel Announces Intel® Atom™ Brand for New Family of Low-Power Processors

Intel’s Smallest Processor Built Using World’s Smallest Transistors Designed for New Internet Devices, Low-Cost PCs

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 2, 2008 – The Intel® Atom™ processor will be the name for a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers arriving later this year. Together, these new market segments represent a significant new opportunity to grow the overall market for Intel silicon, using the Intel Atom processor as the foundation. The company also announced the Intel® Centrino® Atom™ processor technology brand for MID platforms, consisting of multiple chips that enable the best Internet experience in a pocketable device.The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new microarchitecture designed specifically for small devices and low power, while maintaining the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo instruction set compatibility consumers are accustomed to when using a standard PC and the Internet. The design also includes support for multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness. All of this on a chip that measures less than 25 mm², making it Intel’s smallest and lowest power processor yet.¹ Up to 11 Intel Atom processor die — the tiny slivers of silicon packed with 47 million transistors each — would fit in an area the size of an American penny.

These new chips, previously codenamed Silverthorne and Diamondville, will be manufactured on Intel’s industry-leading 45nm process with hi-k metal gate technology. The chips have a thermal design power (TDP) specification in 0.6-2.5 watt range and scale to 1.8GHz speeds depending on customer need. By comparison, today’s mainstream mobile Core 2 Duo processors have a TDP in the 35-watt range.

TRANQUIL PC UPDATE (15th April)
The new Intel ‘Atom CPU’ board has been promised to be delivered today, sadly it hasn’t turned up.  The labs are all ready to start working on the board as soon as it arrives.
We will be testing the board for Power Consumption, Benchmarking, Stability (under load) and specific Server / Desktop applications.

We hope to post some of our findings over the coming days.

TRANQUIL PC UPDATE (16th April)

After brief meeting with Intel, it looks like the product ranger may be extremely exciting over the next few months / years.  We hope that this brave step by Intel will encourage the innovation of low energy appliances, not just ‘netbooks’.  Tranquil PC have already got a substantial market share of low energy ‘embedded’ appliances, and plan to adopt the forthcoming ‘Atom’ CPUs into many existing and new projects. Thanks Chrissie, for your valuable input today.  What does ‘Atom’ look like … (see below) - the N270 will be used in numerous new Tranquil PC products.

We have been asked by many of you to ’see’ what the Set Top Box interface looks like.

We’ve created a .pdf of a few of the more interesting screen shots - click here (1MB .pdf)

drop us a line at mone@tranquilpc.co.uk - if you have any questions

The M one Home Media Server.

A compact, simple solution for all of your home media requirements.

We’ve put up this page, to answer all of your queries, keep an eye on it.

To ask your question now - just drop us a line to mone@tranquilpc.co.uk

Below are your questions - and our replies :

QUESTION : how does the set top box connect to the home server and if the home server has 4 tuners, why does it need to connect to a set top box?

ANSWER : The STBs connect to the Server via 10/100 LAN.  The Server is designed to service multiple STBs, not function as a Media Center.  There are 4x tuners, to ensure up to 4x rooms can enjoy live TV, or a mixture of Live TV, recording of Live TV and playback of TV recordings.

QUESTION :  can I upgrade my T2-WHS-A3 to a M one server ?

ANSWER : Yes, Tranquil are offering an upgrade path - please drop us a line directly - just quoting you name, and requesting an upgrade to mone@tranquilpc.co.uk . You should receive a reply within 48 hours.

QUESTION :  Do I need both the media server and the set top box?

ANSWER :  The media server is a headless device, with no user interface.  The Set Top Box is a ‘client’ allowing control, and interaction with the server.  There is a PC application, that functions like the STB, but a PC is not ’sofa’ friendly as the STB.

QUESTION : What is the power consumption of the solution? 

ANSWER : A twin HDD Server, fully operational consumes approx. 48-55W.  An operational STB consumes approx. 9W

QUESTION : How many tuners are there, can I view one Freeview channel whilst recording another?

ANSWER : The are 4 independent high quality Digital TV tuners. They are not low cost, poor performance USB style tuner, they are state of the art devices. 
Each tuner can provide either a Live feed, or Record a feed.  Ie - 2x STBs can be watching different channels, whilst another 2x channels are being recorded.

QUESTION : Will the HD Set Top Box work with the WHS-A3 I bought from you ?

ANSWER : Yes, it will.  You will have to purchase a ’server’ licence to allow the STB to control and interact with the T2-WHS-A3.  As your T2-WHS-A3 does not have tuners, you will not be able to use the TV services, but music, pictures, DVDs, weather, online videos etc will all be available.

QUESTION : What about language support? Are the STB’s adjustable in another language?

ANSWER : Yes, STBs have ENGLISH, SPANISH, GERMAN, FRENCH and ITALIAN support

QUESTION : are the STBs SAGEtv set top boxes ?

ANSWER : Yes.  We have tested numerous solutions, and to date, the SAGETV STB and the SAGE Server have won in every way.  Power efficiency, silence, reliability and usability - we’re pleased to have had the extensive support of SageTV staff over the last 4 months.

QUESTION : Is the SAGETV EPG supported in the UK, or do I have to subscribe to TVTV type services ?

ANSWER : During the setup process, you should select ‘do not use subscriber services’.  This way the EPG data that is used is the data transmitted with the TV data.  It is free, it works perfectly.

QUESTION :  I’m getting duplication of EPG data, ie 2x BBC1, 2x BBC2 etc. Although I have multiple tuners, I only want to see one EPG data source.

ANSWER : During the setup process, for the second and subsequent tuner selection (s) - make sure you select ‘current EPG’ guide.  Then use the EPG from the 1st tuner that was setup.  This way, only one EPG line will be shown in each channel guide.

Finally the M one gets finishing touches.

The from Tranquil – your media, your life

Digital media is all around us. Music, images, video and television.

It was not so long ago when this entire media was stored on physical items (expect live TV). But over the last decade or so, the digital media format has not gently worked its way into our lives, it has overwhelmed us. MP3 players, iPods, digital TV, still cameras, camcorders, CDs, DVDs, online content – it’s not just for the privileged few either – it’s affordable, it’s here and it’s in your life.

With this huge amount of digital information in our lives has come its own problems - storing it, protecting it, retrieving it, and sharing it. The computer has been the general tool for managing our digital information, but a PC is not so good for enjoying the content from the sofa. The arrival of Media Center products over the last few years has gone some way to making our lives a little easier. The problem with most Media Center products has been cost, reliability, and connectivity as well as user acceptance.

Tranquil have been researching the possibility of a single ‘One Box’ solution to become the centre of the digital home. The requirements for the appliance, now known as M one (Media one), were to deliver a simple, effective, affordable, and reliable solution to store, protect and share digital media including desktop PC files and also to become the central hub for digital TV services.

This appliance, M one, had to ensure delivery of multi room digital TV entertainment, through low cost, low power consumption, easy to connect set top boxes (STBs):

· Live TV with time shifting (TV pause)

· Playback of recorded TV shows

· Auto recording of favourite TV shows

· Easy to use TV program guide

· Playback of DVD files held on the central server

· Playback of downloaded video / audio material

· Playback of music files

· Browsing of picture albums

· Online media content incl HD video

Additionally internet access to the system would prove beneficial:

· Internet control of the system

· Internet access / playback of all media

– it’s here

The central M one server based on the established Tranquil T2 fan less, low energy server chassis - hosts four digital TV tuners and high capacity storage low energy hard disks. The TV server application runs under the Windows Home Server operating system, which additionally provides computer backup services etc. The server can be located anywhere in the home that has power, network and TV antenna points.

The Set Top Boxes (STBs), managed by remote control handsets, ensure complete control and access to your whole media system. With connectivity to match today’s TVs and audio systems, setup of the STBs is easy. Video connections via HDMI, Component HD, Composite video or Svideo – Audio connections via HDMI audio, Optical SPDIF and analog audio – All ensure that every TV should be catered for. The Ethernet connection and power input complete the STB connectivity.

Support

The connection and setup of the system is very easy, but for complete peace of mind customers can call upon the M one RISS. As part of the purchase, every customer can call upon the M one Remote Installation Support Service (RISS) to assist in the initial setup.

Shipping

The M one system will be available to order from late March 2008, and will be shipping early / mid April 2008.

Pricing

The M one system pricing will be available from 24^th March 2008.

More info - learn more - contact us now mone@tranquilpc.co.uk

Media one (M one) is going on sale over this Easter weekend.

What is it - better question is what is it not ?

• Want / need a Home Server ?
• Want / need a Media Server ?
• Want / need a TV recorder ?

The “M one” from Tranquil
combined with low cost HD
Set Top Boxes -

• Watch live DVB-T television
• Playback recorded TV programs
• Setup TV recording schedule
• Electronic Program Guide
• Listen to your music collection
• View your picture albums
• Watch DVD files
• Watch downloaded videos
• Watch online videos (incl HD)

With 4x DVB-T digital TV tuners built in, you can enjoy simultaneous multi-channel viewing / recording.  With up to 2000GB of internal storage, and optional external storage you should never run out of entertainment content.

The HD Set Top Boxes, simply and silently control and stream media content from the low energy M one device to your television.  The M one box can be located anywhere that provides a wired network + TV antenna + mains power.

your media
your life

You know in excess of 55% of the sales of our Home Servers (as far as we know) are actually in use, protecting and supporting small businesses !

Of course larger offices will no doubt be using other Microsoft Server OS, but for small business, it seems WHS is a real winner !!

Some useful facts……

· In the UK there are 1.7M businesses with under 10 employees.
· 98% of all business do not carry out a daily data backup.
· 55% of file backups that are carried out are incomplete.
· 55% of data backup restore processes fail.

· By the 7th day of a major data loss, companies experience a 25% loss in overall income. By the 25^th day it is 40%.   For modern businesses with IT based systems, the effects are losses are more aggressive.
· 43% of companies that experience a severe data loss and that have no data backup plan in place never re-open.
· Even those companies that try to recover could be out of business within 2 years of major data loss,
according to a study by the National Archives and Records Administration

All worrying stuff really, and data often used by PC backup software companies to sell their products.

But why sell the ‘fear factor’ alone – a Tranquil WHS based server, offers not just ‘security’ but a whole lot more !

We’ve put together a small ‘learn more’ web page,  simply showing how the Tranquil server, can and should be used in any one of those potential 1.7M small business !

Any feedback, most welcomed.

Here’s the link :   www.tranquilpc.co.uk/data_server.htm