Jetway NC63-330-LF

For our review today we've had a look at the Jetway NC63-330-LF motherboard. Based on an Intel Atom dual-core processor running at 1.6 GHz and the possibility to run up to 4 GB of ram we get the opportunity to output HD quality video over the HDMI interface to our HD ready TV.

While not giving us full 1080p resolution we can still watch 720p and DVDs with ease. The NC63 is definitely made for the HTPC market, at least for the middle segment and does its job very well. It also gives you the opportunity to replace your old DVD player with a computer system that does the job just as good if not better with extra features such as web-browsing and web-TV.

Complement this board with an IR remote, and-or a wireless keyboard, and you can easily control your computer 10 feet away from your TV.

If you're after HD 1080p resolutions and Blu-ray videos you might want to take a look at another solution. Either a standalone regular Blu-ray player or wait just a bit longer until someone like Jetway comes out with an even more powerful product.

So what score will the NC63-330-LF receive?
Well for high resolution video it's not very good, but for DVD and 720p HD video content it works very well. With HDMI connectivity directly onboard and expandability with mini-pci for use with for example a WiFi or DVB card this motherboard will definitely find its place in the hands of friends to the HTPC scene.

Stream movies over your home network will also work great so if you already have a server, or planning to build a server, at home full with movies and need a client near your TV, this will certainly be a perfect solution.

Advantages

• Small, Mini-ITX, 17 by 17cm
• Onboard Intel Atom 330 cpu
• HDMI interface
• DVD and 720p HD content runs excellent
• Quiet
• 4 SATA ports
• Up to 4GB DDR2

Disadvantages

• Not powerful enough for 1080p HD content