On Wed, 21 Jun 2000, Sander van Nunen wrote:
> The only way to make the new MSX a success is to produce a machine that
> is cheap, uses advanced hardware, and is somehow compatible with -say-
> directX (dreamcast, PC, MS X-Box) so that games easely could be ported
> from other platforms, has a DVD player, so that people will buy the
> system sooner because they know that if no software is produced for the
> system, they still can use it as a dvd player, has a build in mpeg layer
> III decompressor chip (another reason for people to take a change and buy
> the system)
It would be easier to write an MSX emulator for PS2 or DC. Or for Dolphin
or X-Box, when they are released.
PS2 can already play DVD movies. Adding such a feature to the new MSX would
only make it more expensive. MSX itself doesn't need DVD.
And don't forget that selling the console hardware is not profitable.
Consoles are sold at cost level, sometimes even below cost. Companies like
Sony make money on the licenses they sell to game publishers. If you make a
machine that is compatible with an existing console, you won't get license
fees and you'll be competing with under-priced hardware.
I don't think new MSX should be targeted at the masses. They are quite
happy with PC, Mac and consoles. New MSX would be a niche market, hopefully
a niche that is large enough to make it commercially feasible.
Using programmable ICs as components (like ESE does), it's not necessary to
build a production line for the new MSX ICs. This decreases the initial
investment, so there is a smaller risk for Panasonic.
> Panasonic is making DVD players today, it won't be much of a problem for
> them to produce a DVD player with a mpeg layer III decompression and
> compression chip, with -let's say a 100Mhz z380 when this chip comes-, a
> advanced VDP, a good audio chip, a bios and operating system so that you
> can use the system as an advanced MSX(3?) compatible device and
> interfaces and connectors to plug in a monitor and keyboard and other
> hardware devices.
Even the announced 33MHz Z380 was never made. I don't think there will ever
be a 100MHz Z380.
The easiest way to get an extremely fast Z80 compatible CPU would be to ask
Transmeta to develop a Crusoe with Z80 code morphing...
Bye,
Maarten
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