Intel “Santa Rosa” to Feature HD Decoder, DirectX 10

Intel’s “Santa Rosa” notebook platform will get a built in high-definition hardware decoder for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray playback support in the second half of this year, Intel mobile graphics spokesperson Mike Choi says.

“Intel’s decision to use a dedicated decoder chip will let the company keep costs down. Instead of relying on a more expensive discrete GPU to do the decoding, Intel can ship next-generation DVD support with its IGP (integrated graphics processor) products,” Ars Technica reports.

Intel’s representative also told Ars Technica that chip maker is currently evaluating Direct X10 support in its mobile line, and that “mostly likely that will be in the first half of 2008 in the mainstream platform.”

Choi also announced that by the end of the year Intel plans to release driver updates for Windows XP and Windows Vista, that will enable hardware transform and lighting and Shader Model 3.0. The beta version of this graphics driver will be released in next few days reportedly.

Engadget | Ars Technica