L/H? WTF? Jag experts inside ;)

[MN12BIRD]

So guys I just got my Jaguar and I'm about to do a console review on my Youtube site as I always do.

 

Just a few things I need to know before I start.

 

What is the L H switch for on the back?? That makes no sense to me!

 

Is there any tips or reminders you guys have for me?

 

Can anyone clear up the 32bit/64 bit argument? I know it doesn't really mater but I would like some clarification as to what chip does what. I know TOM and Jerry are both 32 bit RISC processors but can only one do graphics and if one is doing graphics is the other the CPU? Or is there something else doing the main processing? The Motorolla 68000 is just a control chip is this like a bridge controller like say a north bridge (controlling communication with memory, video etc)

 

Any help would be awesome.

 

I want to do this thing justice!

 

Thanks,

 

Jake

[+remowilliams]

What is the L H switch for on the back?? That makes no sense to me!

L/H - Channel 2/3 selector for RF output.

 

Search the forum (or the internet that matter) if you want to read a bazillion posts about the 'bitness' of the Jaguar.

[+else]

L/H - Channel 2/3 selector for RF output.

 

Where: L = low channel (aka 2), H = high channel (aka 3)

[kevincal]

To make a long story short regarding the Jag's bitness...

 

Technically the Jaguar IS 64-bit... It is capable of 64-bit instructions. Maybe it's possible that it is the weakest 64-bit system in the known universe...BUT IT's STILL 64-bits!!! Kind of like... A 1990 Toyota Tercel has a 1.3 liter inline 4 engine that produces 80 horsepower, whereas a 2000 Honda S2000 has a 2.0 liter inline 4 that produces 260 horsepower. So the engines are both inline 4 cylinders, yet there is a HUGE difference in performance. Or better yet, imagine the Atari Jaguar as a weak 8 cylinder engine (64-bits) with 225 horsepower versus a Sony Playstation with a strong

4 cylinder engine (32-bits) with 260 horsepower.

 

Anyway... There are a lot of other factors as well. The Jaguar chipset is hard to work with and Atari did a bad job in helping developers to work with the Jag to get good performance out of it. Not to mention that Atari as a business drove a hard bargain with developers so nobody wanted to try to make any technically amazing, 64-bit games on the Jag, cus they weren't paid well. So what a lot of 3rd part Jag devs did was port 16-bit games to the Jag using solely the 68000 processor. This resulted in a bunch of 16-bit looking games for the Jag. Not because the Jag couldn't do any better, only because of why I outlined above.

 

However, the Jag does have many impressive games that showcase that indeed it is capable of Saturn, PS & N64 level 2d and 3d graphics. Battlesphere, Rayman, AvP, Doom, Wolf 3d, Iron Solder, Phase Zero, Missle Command 3d, Tempest 2000 & several others showcase this.

Edited September 19, 2008 by kevincal

[MN12BIRD]

Thanks, I'm working on the review now. I touched on the technical specs and said that basically the thing was just really hard to program for!

 

I'll post a link when its up.

 

In the meantime check out my page I have a prologue to the review touching on the beginnings of the industry and Atari just to set things up and then I have the unboxing of the Jag I received today.

 

www.youtube.com/mn12bird

 

Thanks again guys!

Edited September 19, 2008 by MN12BIRD

[viMaster]

Thanks, I'm working on the review now. I touched on the technical specs and said that basically the thing was just really hard to program for!

 

I'll post a link when its up.

 

In the meantime check out my page I have a prologue to the review touching on the beginnings of the industry and Atari just to set things up and then I have the unboxing of the Jag I received today.

 

www.youtube.com/mn12bird

 

Thanks again guys!

kevin gave a good explanation of the "bit" thing.

 

Gorf would be able to give you more technical details if you want. Just wait for him to respond or PM him if you'd like.

[Alison DeMeyer]

Can anyone clear up the 32bit/64 bit argument? I know it doesn't really mater but I would like some clarification as to what chip does what. I know TOM and Jerry are both 32 bit RISC processors but can only one do graphics and if one is doing graphics is the other the CPU? Or is there something else doing the main processing? The Motorolla 68000 is just a control chip is this like a bridge controller like say a north bridge (controlling communication with memory, video etc)

 

Any help would be awesome.

 

I want to do this thing justice!

 

Thanks,

 

Jake

 

 

Just read under the heading 'Atari Jaguar' here on the forum (that's all you need to know really):

 

Atari's last game console, the Atari Jaguar represented a huge leap in technology from previous offerings. Featuring a 64-bit architecture, the Jaguar had great potential, but its power was difficult to tap. Even then, many great games were released and the Jaguar has an avid fan base today.

Edited September 19, 2008 by Alison DeMeyer

[MN12BIRD]

Thanks again guys.

 

As I said my Review is done. Check it out.

 

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=o3YyFSg3W3k&feature=email

 

I think I did the system justice. I'll be doing the games I got with it next.

 

Let me know what ya think!

 

Jake

[kevincal]

Pretty good man. Did you know there is a Jag 6-button controller with shoulder buttons? It's called the Pro Controller.

[kevincal]

Can anyone clear up the 32bit/64 bit argument? I know it doesn't really mater but I would like some clarification as to what chip does what. I know TOM and Jerry are both 32 bit RISC processors but can only one do graphics and if one is doing graphics is the other the CPU? Or is there something else doing the main processing? The Motorolla 68000 is just a control chip is this like a bridge controller like say a north bridge (controlling communication with memory, video etc)

 

Any help would be awesome.

 

I want to do this thing justice!

 

Thanks,

 

Jake

 

 

Just read under the heading 'Atari Jaguar' here on the forum (that's all you need to know really):

 

Atari's last game console, the Atari Jaguar represented a huge leap in technology from previous offerings. Featuring a 64-bit architecture, the Jaguar had great potential, but its power was difficult to tap. Even then, many great games were released and the Jaguar has an avid fan base today.

 

Are you actually a female Atari Jaguar fan!? That's really cool if so, because I think there is probably something like 3 of you in all of the universe.

[BuddyBuddies]

Can anyone clear up the 32bit/64 bit argument? I know it doesn't really mater but I would like some clarification as to what chip does what. I know TOM and Jerry are both 32 bit RISC processors but can only one do graphics and if one is doing graphics is the other the CPU? Or is there something else doing the main processing? The Motorolla 68000 is just a control chip is this like a bridge controller like say a north bridge (controlling communication with memory, video etc)

 

Any help would be awesome.

 

I want to do this thing justice!

 

Thanks,

 

Jake

 

 

Just read under the heading 'Atari Jaguar' here on the forum (that's all you need to know really):

 

Atari's last game console, the Atari Jaguar represented a huge leap in technology from previous offerings. Featuring a 64-bit architecture, the Jaguar had great potential, but its power was difficult to tap. Even then, many great games were released and the Jaguar has an avid fan base today.

and our fan base is growing !