Review: VIA EPIA M9000

It's pretty easy to sum things up performance wise. Avoid high bitrate video that isn't in MPEG-2 format and you'll be fine. It can do pretty much anything else without fuss. The only sticking point was high bitrate DivX playback, something it just couldn't manage due to lack of processing muscle.

As an audio streaming solution it's excellent. As a DVD deck it would be suitable too, along with simple server applications. VIA target it as a media based solution however and the feature set agrees with that so it almost seems a waste to let it stream audio all day. It was meant to playback video as a primary function and it's 75% there, hopefully a new EPIA with the new C3-2 will be better.

As it stands, only the small size and up and coming range of case solutions for the Mini-ITX format stop me from disregarding it completely. You can pop the EPIA in a funky rage of cases that fit right in with existing home audio and cinema kit without looking completely out of place. Not being able to upgrade the processor to any upcoming C3-2 solution hampers it however, even if size is on its side.

It's a nearly there product for me, not quite ready for the main use I can see many people having for it. However I'm sure VIA will get there with its new processor and a new range of EPIA products in due course.

Ultimately the form factor is a hindrance since you can't upgrade it and there's no AGP slot meaning a Shuttle type system is more appealing, to this reviewer at least.

A frustrating product to review since it gets most things right but the crucial factor for me just couldn't be fulfilled, not in this incarnation. I await a C3-2 equipped EPIA with open arms, Mini-ITX is very appealing, I just need it to do a bit more.

Overall, good features, good presentation and suitable for most tasks, just slightly let down in terms of processing power.

Pro's

Mini-ITX form factor
Presentation and bundle
MPEG-2 DVD playback performance and quality

Con's

Poor performance with high bitrate video
Quite expensive being the top line model

Score



Thanks

Axalia for the sample