New Atari Console that Ataribox?

[x=usr(1536)]

I suppose this is neither here nor there, but it's very weird to have four USB ports, with none of them next to each other. Usually when you have multiple ports, at least some get grouped off into twos.

 

Let's see... What else has four USB ports, an Ethernet port, a slot for an SD card, HDMI output, and a power jack?

 

 

Nah. That couldn't be it... But if you just needed to power a single LED and had to come up with a way to do that using only +5V over USB, you could make far worse choices. Granted, there are also less-involved ways of doing that - but every relevant port on the RasPi could easily be broken out to the connectors on the back of the case, which would allow for some limited demonstration of functionality if push came to shove.

 

And now I shall put this away, partly because it lacks speakers:

 

Edited March 21, 2018 by x=usr(1536)

[thetick1]

This is SO lame. I mean seriously for a running retrobox all they had to do is install retropie on a raspberry pie and change the menu a bit to hide the origin of the software and slap on some Atari logos ? Hardware wise after installing a raspberry pie just solder in the lights! Though to match the physical USB locations would need have to solder in the spread out USB connectors and would not even need to attach more than one... as only one would be needed for the joystick. I could have put a quickly tested demo like this together using the Ataribox shell in a few hours.

 

Unless they demo it working tomorrow AND show the circuitry they are just being deceitful by advertising April order date.

Edited March 21, 2018 by thetick1

[CPUWIZ]

being deceitful by advertising April order date.

 

They aren't, they called for an announcement about pre-orders in April.

 

*I am making an announcement now, that in September, there will be an announcement on when and how to obtain AA tinfoil hats.

 

 

 

 

* No guarantee given.

[+Nathan Strum]

Unless they demo it working tomorrow AND show the circuitry they are just being deceitful by advertising April order date.

 

To be clear, they didn't announce there would be an April order date, but that they would be announcing when they would announce the order date, sometime in April:

 

The company also marks this important milestone by sharing the Atari VCS, Classic Joystick and Modern Controller prototypes with press at this week’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, with the objective to reveal the exclusive pre-order date for the Atari VCS during the month of April 2018.

And they only state that's their objective. Not that they'll actually commit to doing it.

[+Nathan Strum]

Typed just a little too slow...

[x=usr(1536)]

 

They aren't, they called for an announcement about pre-orders in April.

 

*I am making an announcement now, that in September, there will be an announcement on when and how to obtain AA tinfoil hats.

 

 

 

 

* No guarantee given.

 

I am totally ready to throw money at the IndieKickFundTreon for this product and/or service, can't wait to wear! #atariagelifeyolo

[Flojomojo]

Raspberry Pi isn't the only cheap single-board computer that would fit in that case, and we already know it's going to use AMD bits. My guess it resembles one of these cheap Ryzen things.

 

https://www.newegg.com/AMD-Motherboards/SubCategory/ID-22/

[x=usr(1536)]

Raspberry Pi isn't the only cheap single-board computer that would fit in that case, and we already know it's going to use AMD bits. My guess it resembles one of these cheap Ryzen things.

 

https://www.newegg.com/AMD-Motherboards/SubCategory/ID-22/

 

True. There are definitely other options; I just went with the lowest-hanging currants.

[thetick1]

Raspberry Pi isn't the only cheap single-board computer that would fit in that case, and we already know it's going to use AMD bits. My guess it resembles one of these cheap Ryzen things.

 

https://www.newegg.com/AMD-Motherboards/SubCategory/ID-22/

 

Ah so true as they could just use the Linux / retropie code for these though they may need to download/recompile Linux drivers and rebuild retropie from code....easier (low hanging fruit) to use a base raspberry Linux and base retropie as you only need to change the menu graphics and add the Atari logo everywhere! Plus the raspberry pie is cheaper half the cost of AMD's new Ryzen SBCs.

 

From the little we get from press releases the "real" finished design is very likely intended to be one of these Ryzen SBCs. Actually for anyone that bored, checking which Ryzen SBC board matches the locations of ports on the Atari VCS would likely be the intended design for the final product.

 

Anyone find Ryzen Single Board Computers as ATX boards would be too big?

http://linuxgizmos.com/module-reveals-new-amd-ryzen-embedded-v1000-soc/

Edited March 22, 2018 by thetick1

[The Historian]

easier (low hanging fruit) to use a base raspberry Linux and base retropie as you only need to change the menu graphics and add the Atari logo everywhere!

 

Retropie license prohibits commercial use.

 

 

The image we provide is Raspbian Lite with RetroPie pre-installed. Much of the software included in the RetroPie image have non-commercial licences. Because of this selling a pre-installed RetroPie image is not legal – this includes “giving away” a pre-installed RetroPie with your commercial product. Including copyrighted games with RetroPie is also not allowed.

Edited March 22, 2018 by The Historian

[thetick1]

 

Retropie license prohibits commercial use.

 

Of course it does. I'm proposing the least effort "hidden" demo done without any morals. It's only prohibited if caught as there're retropie based business popping up and shutting down in complete violation of the commercial licensing! We are dealing with a sleazy Gameband CEO here on a very tight timing window and extremely low budget.

 

We already know AMD is the chip partner so likely the finished product is a Ryzen-Vega Single Board Computer like one proposed picture shown below:

 

Edited March 22, 2018 by thetick1

[x=usr(1536)]

 

Retropie license prohibits commercial use.

 

 

Yep. But just call it a 'technology demonstrator', only use it to demonstrate a 'prototype' in a hotel room with no resale involved, and you're golden!

 

Dammit, I keep reaching for the tinfoil hat even though it has no speakers. Silly of me, really, because from what we've been led to believe, there has been no 'technology demonstrator' shown to the press or public.

[redsteakraw]

Atari VCS, or how to hijack nostalgia, exploit you and kill all good will the brand still has. Seriously, without specs or gameplay or a coherent plan this only barely better than the Coleco Chameleon. I feel bad for any dolt dumb enough to back their campaign.

[redsteakraw]

On retropie and non commercial clauses, it is probably because some of the emulators bundled have noncomercial clauses. A company could probably get around that by not shipping with said emulators and giving an option to download and install them. Any UI around retroArch could be used so using retroPIE isn't necessary. Lakka is using an XMB style UI and works just as well.

[+Nathan Strum]

Yeah, I'd expect some refactoring those ports. That RJ45 floating in the middle is just wrong.

 

To me it's like they just tried to match the render as much as possible.

 

 

More to the point - it wouldn't be cost effective to have ports offset like that in a production unit.

[Flojomojo]

So what's with the four bright white lights in front?

[The Historian]

So what's with the four bright white lights in front?

 

They would identify connected controllers, wired or bluetooth.

[Flojomojo]

Is that speculation, or knowledge?

 

Why are they /all/ on in every sample we have seen? Surely that could be an onscreen indicator instead. I know I don't appreciate LEDs glaring at me. I put stickers over my set-top boxes that do that.

[CPUWIZ]

 

They would identify connected controllers, wired or bluetooth.

 

Why?

[+Nathan Strum]

 

Assuming it's hooked up to a TV.

 

Haven't seen any pics of that yet.

Sure you have, you just forgot, because it's been four months with nothing but tacos in between.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/266480-new-atari-console-that-ataribox/page-100?do=findComment&comment=3891664

 

I stand by my previous statement.

[Osgeld]

On retropie and non commercial clauses, it is probably because some of the emulators bundled have noncomercial clauses. A company could probably get around that by not shipping with said emulators and giving an option to download and install them. Any UI around retroArch could be used so using retroPIE isn't necessary. Lakka is using an XMB style UI and works just as well.

 

while there are obligations with debian, emulation station, retro arch and all the emulators getting all that setup and working like they have it is a royal pain in the ass, and they do not want people selling the work they did for it

 

After spending days more or less fighting with everything on a netbook inside an icade I can understand, course its a limited understanding since their x86 directions don't work worth a flying flip

[The Historian]

Is that speculation, or knowledge?

Mostly speculation, especially for Bluetooth.

 

 

Why?

I don't know. The XBox 360 did something similar, and with the connects in the back of the unit it would let know know if something was plugged in or not. Plus it's really simple from a tech point of view. Look at all the light up PCs (alienware, razor) and peripherals that hardware companies make; what's a few soft lights on the front of the box?

[CPUWIZ]

I dunno, I hold a controller in my hand, if it works, it is connected.

[Osgeld]

I dont mind the lights, but if they are reflecting off the table like in all the marketing photo's I would be getting the electrical tape out, I personally hate bright lights especially directly below the tv, subtle indicators, ya fine, bright enough to glow off the surface its sitting on not a fan

[+Stephen]

 

I doubt he will. I also doubt anyone who speculates that Tempest 4000 will be an "Atari VCS Launch Title."

 

This is from http://www.yakyak.org/viewtopic.php?p=1675943#p1675943

yakly goodness.png

Hey - I don't think I've ran into you over there, been on that board forever! I am user #11 but shown as #8 on the list. Guess some people over the years have been deleted