I have a Panasonic 3DO, however I don't know too much about the console and the history. Was it an open standard like the CDI? How were multiple companies allowed to manufacture the consoles and what is the difference between them? Thanks in advance ^^;
The company 3DO developed the hardware, and then sold right to manufacture it to different companies. The companies that signed up to manufacture the 3DO were, Panasonic GoldStar Sanyo Samsung AT&T Out of these companies, only Panasonic, Goldstar, and Sanyo made 3DO systems. Of course, these companies had to pay royalties to 3DO for each system sold.
Were there any advantages to the different types of players for the system? Also did any have Digital Video built into them or did they all need expansions.
I guess I lucked out XD. I got the FZ-10 free last night but I had an FZ-1 when I was a kid... I think it was Star Control 2 that I was hooked on but I could be wrong.. the memories
Matsushita(panasonic) made two models: FZ -1 and FZ- 10. Goldstar made a model, and Sanyo made the TRY model. All 3do hardware was made to the same standard like the CD-i and the only benefit to having the Sanyo TRY as opposed to an FZ - 1 is that the TRY looks better.Please not that the Sanyo TRy model was only available in Japan. The 3do has some good software like Super Street Fighter 2 X Grand master challenge and Dr. Hauzer, and magnificent versions of madden and Road Rash for the time.I like the 3do and still play it fairly regularly.Well worth a place in anyone's collection for the few exclusives it had, but try to get the Sanyo TRY model.
other than being a japanese exclusive and cosmetics, does the TRY modle have any advantages over the FZ10 at all?
Interesting... does the 3DO have any sort of region lockout as well? I recall it being fairly popular in *ahem* love hotels in Japan.
As far as ive read it has no lock out, however the japanese 3do has a special japanese text chip which some japanese games use, but other then that its region free.
BTW, I'm pretty sure the FZ-10 does not have MPEG built in. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been much point in having a "AV Expansion" port on my Panasonic FZ-10 (or perhaps the M2?)
Here is the full list of hardware licences A: Here is a list of the companies that were 3DO hardware licensees: Licensee Product Notes -------- ------- ----- Panasonic = Home Console FZ-1/10 FZ-10 is more streamlined and was also cheaper to make(1) Panasonic M2 Accelerator Prototype/Cancelled(2) Sanyo Home Console Released in Japan(3) Samsung Home Console/w MPEG Cancelled(4) Goldstar Home Console Available in the US(5) Creative Labs PC Card PC card for IBM compatibles(6) Toshiba Portable Cancelled(7) AT&T Home Console Console plans cancelled(8) Scientific-Atlanta Set-top cablebox Interactive TV test for US West Cancelled? Atari Games Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) made are unknown Electronic Arts Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) made are unknown Amer. Laser Games Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) made are unknown -------------------------------- (1) The Panasonic FZ-1 has been released in the US, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, the UK, and Canada. The UK console is a PAL version. The FZ-10 is a new version of the FZ-1 available in Japan and the US. (2) For more information on the M2 Accelerator, see questions 1.12 and 3.15. (3) The Sanyo 3DO console is available only in Japan. (4) The Samsung 3DO console was set to include built-in MPEG decoding hardware. (5) The Goldstar 3DO console was released in the US and Korea at a MSRP of $399. Goldstar expanded distribution of the 3DO system by making it available through mass merchandisers and toy stores. (6) The Creative labs 3DO Blaster was released in the US and parts of Asia. For more information on the Creative labs PC card, see question 1.5. This card was discontinued. (7) Toshiba was interested in developing a car navigation system based around the 3DO architecture. Those plans have been scrapped. (8) The AT&T 3DO was previously planned, and would have optionally included a modem for networked games and communication. Their 3DO console plans have been cancelled, along with their 3DO voicespan modem. (AT&T has decided to leave the videogames market completely). ---------------------------
iirc, the FZ-1 had the mpeg decoder in it. The FZ-10 was the reduced cost version that came out later.
For the record, the Sanyo TRY system still hits about $50-$100 on Yahoo! Japan, and if you ever find a 3DOBlaster (by Creative) for a decent price, you're damned lucky. I've only found one on eBay and it went for well over $350.00 a year or so ago. I have a Goldstar that I repaired (the lens wasn't on track) and use from time to time. Good little machine.
THREE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS?????!?!?!?! I already told the story a hundred times, but it comes down to me passing up a brand new 3DO blaster for 12 euros, 6 years ago or so :smt030 :smt030 :smt030
Worse than that, chances are you wouldn't even be able to use the thing with modern computers. :/ I've been looking for years to find one at a sane price, but no dice.
