Well, if there could be ethernet ports, an online service wouldn't be out of the question. Most platforms have Linux, Linux has online, HDD and USB support. Have a Linux OS, custom frontend, support for USB thumb drives and HDDs, optional internal drive, and a unified online service (like Xbox Live, possibly using BitTorrent) to download apps, games etc. And since there are USB keyboards and mice, development could happen on the system itself.
I think you've just blown your budget. While I don't wish to curb your enthusiasm, there is only so far you can go by winging it. If you don't set yourself achievable goals then you'll get bored or run out of money. The hard part with designing a console isn't about whether it has ethernet or not. You currently have nothing, no design, no experience, nothing. There are plenty of hobby projects out there where people have designed systems for fun, the minimig off the top of my head is one of the few that has shown any real progress. It's pretty expensive to make as a one off though. You're going to have to start learning how to build this stuff today, if you're planning on seeing any results before 2010. Alternatively you're going to have to find someone who can and is willing to do this for you. However anyone who can do this will probably not be interested in hearing about all the cool things people want added, because they'll know whats achievable in a reasonable amount of time. smf
While one thinks slightly deeper, it also becomes clear that there's already a system that runs unsigned code, supports Linux and BSD already, has a large homebrew community and does it all well: the Dreamcast. It can do 3D as well as 2D, there's networking support and tons of stuff to build ontop of. Of course it has it's shortcomings though, namely: CD only, no DVD Only 16MB RAM Stock 56kb modem Wired controllers but the last 2 of those could be fixed if someone with enough technical knowledge is willing to implement it. Although it's good to dream, sometimes what's best is already there, unless I'm horribly wrong?
nowadays using a DVD over a CD drive makes no difference, also RAM could be easily fitted up to 256MB or 512 with very little cost, and we wouldn't need superfast costy modules. having that much RAM on a VERY lightweight OS like a micro Linux would allow homebrew devs to fit most of the game if not all of it in the RAM... so that it would run lightlingly fast and with no loading times. that would help in emulation too and preserve the optical drive. also the x86 idea shouldn't be placed that much aside... also i think that there are some VIA "all in one chips" that are quite chip, small and maybe x86 compatible. for what concerns ext connection i think ethernet+usb would allow a vast degree of periferals and developing options. no memory cards or such for saves thanks to pendrives... from pendrives or optical storage you could load app, music and videos. ethernet for streaming "a la xbox mediacenter" for saying so. everything could be achieved in reasonable prices.
Guys, it's no powerhouse, but you CAN buy 2D console right now for about $150. Check out http://www.xgamestation.com/ I don't it'll be seeing ports of Metal Slug soon though! EDIT It looks like there's a more powerfull model called the Hydra
While that system there is a lot of money for what looks essentially like a NES (graphics wise), there is a link on that site which was very interesting. http://www.xgamestation.com/embedded_design.php
it's really interesting! anyway, what they built sucks so much that i wouldn't get my hopes too much up... unless such a price comes with incredible gain from their side (and that might easily be). in such a case of a machine aimed at homebrewers and open source one might think of getting out at the cost. anyway we were talking of a machine able at least to display neo geo/snes like quality at the very least... i'm still thinking that price-wise the good 'ol x86 offers far more and better
If we can find a way of getting a x86 board with embedded RAM and CPU made to our specifications, yeah, x86 is king.
Yup, but for a system to be a system, it has to be 100% unified, and not just be a PC. By having embedded , pernament components and a custom BIOS and OS, it could be a real system, a la PS2, not just a PC with a fancy operating system, which anyone can do.
I've been reading up on the LinuxBIOS, and it looks like it has some potential. Although I doubt it can contain an entire boot menu for a console, it can load up a Linux based console or an OS within seconds (either on embedded flash memory or a hard drive). I don't know about the size of an OS, but if it only has to be for one platform, with one type of CPU, video output and other hardware, and no extra apps, I bet it could be quite compact.
well there are ways in getting compact OS inflate. Non-vital parts of an OS can be decompressed upon demand in RAM. This pretty much could include visual menus etc. Then again, you d need to store and run the unzipper on boot - unless you had a hardware decompression chip solution ^_^ make the chip's decompression routine dependant on an encryption key and anyone who dumps the ROM can't do much with it ^_^
I've been a lurker at this site for some time now, but I just had to post. Damn guys, I'd take a serious look at the GP2X if I were you. Sounds like almost everything you want, it can do. Creating your own console from scratch is pretty hardcore. Maybe you'd rather make your own for the fun of it. Or maybe you just enjoy talking about different ideas in a public forum. Either way, good luck!
Welcome, and thanks :110: Well there's a lot of fun in trying to make something yourself, plus you can create something you've always wanted, and fix all the things you dislike about other designs.
hmmmm if "we" make an embedded X86 console thingy, then I would think, that a FreeDOS, and a linux dual boot would fit right in. Since there are C (and an arseload of other programming languages) compilers to both platforms. Well, I would buy the shit, if it became a reality. Even though I know jack shite about programming. Heck I would do the advertisement for it instead
Hmmm what about the sound ? would that be one of those onboard sound cards, that are quite good ? Or would it be something obscure ? And I think the joystick ports should be the "amiga/NES/C64" 9pins / holes ports(not the USB part, but the shining metal sucker you see on the big black thing), and then maybe even have two USB ports to other stuff (I don´t know what, but perhaps other joysticks" etc?)
