VIA producing a console? welcome DISCOVERCONSOLE

Heh ! I must be using a high-end console to post this message then.

DISCover® plays unmodified PC games.
DISCover® will play thousands of PC games at launch!
DISCover's patented technology makes it the only video game console able to play PC games

Console Specifications:
Each DISCover manufacturer will set its own features, but we promise that each DISCover PC Game Console will blow away the specs for current video game consoles

E3 2003: The Return of PC Gaming
"The PC is Back"

EXTREME TECH
"It's clear from what we saw at E3 that the PC is back as the leading gaming platform. "
Click to expand...

Yes, now a true repackaged x86 PC that VIA call it a console.
 
well, both companies have one common partner, but still it does not convince me 100% that VIA's upcoming console would be 100% surely based on DISCover standard... (or did I miss something??)

so let's wait and see. VIA has definately all the tech needed to spin their own console off the ground from scratch, though many would doubt it's possibilities. Still, it does not make impossible.

take a look of this list:
- VIA chipset based base platform
- old Cyrix guys working on with CPU (this time something else than just low end and low power consumption. no other limitations than it must fit on budget.)
- Realtek as Audio and networking partner.
- rest of stuff from several oem partners.

two conclusions:
- IMO, it's not impossible at all that VIA *could* (if they would wanted to) make their very own gaming console.
- Still, if it is based on DISCover tech, it's really hard to say how it will end. it depends on so many things. (it could be victory, but also a disaster.)
 
The discover stuff cant use the console business model, they are just selling low end user-friendly PCs ... lets hope the VIA news is a little more interesting.
 
HOLY ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just watched the tech Video. This thing is Freaking AWESOME!!! MY GOD!! This is the best console idea I have ever seen!!!.

http://www.discoverconsole.com/disc_video_WMv9.wmv

You NEED to watch this Video.

It has proprietary technology that Autoinstalls PC games for you when you drop them in. You dont have to click anything. then when you drop the game in later it autostarts just like a console game!!!

Thay also say that Alieware is Going to have a Version of the Console loaded to the Gills wiith a 3G processor and a 160GB harddrive.

This is the Coolest thing i have ever seen. There is no doubt i will be buying one.
 
Ummmm....so, it´s a PC in a box that can´t be upgraded that runs PC games? I´m not an expert, but wouldn´t that make it a "PC that lost its arms in Vietnam" sort of thing?
 
Hellbinder said:
It has proprietary technology that Autoinstalls PC games for you when you drop them in. You dont have to click anything. then when you drop the game in later it autostarts just like a console game!!!
Click to expand...

How does the software bypass CD-Key...hmm...*imagines the many pirating possibilities*

I love VIA products in general, but why get this if you can get a PC instead?
 
Hellbinder said:
HOLY ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just watched the tech Video. This thing is Freaking AWESOME!!! MY GOD!! This is the best console idea I have ever seen!!!.

http://www.discoverconsole.com/disc_video_WMv9.wmv

You NEED to watch this Video.

It has proprietary technology that Autoinstalls PC games for you when you drop them in. You dont have to click anything. then when you drop the game in later it autostarts just like a console game!!!

Thay also say that Alieware is Going to have a Version of the Console loaded to the Gills wiith a 3G processor and a 160GB harddrive.

This is the Coolest thing i have ever seen. There is no doubt i will be buying one.
Click to expand...

I really hope that was sarcasm cause that was one of the most pathetic "videos" I have seen in awhile to try and hype a new product. Just the idea of playing pc games on a crappy tv with a controller when 85% of all pc games play like ass on a controller. Plus we all know the game has to be installed somehow and 70% of games need cd keys the only difference here is now once we want to play the games we have to put the cd in and it will start like a "console" hurray something I never wanted!!!@

I dont know about the rest of you but I cant stand adding and removing cd's I just image all of my games put them on a shared linux directory and mount them over the network with daemon tools. Then I dont have to worry about my cd's being damaged and when I want to install a game it takes 1/4th the time.

This just seems like a bad idea all the way around in my opinion, the guys that thought up this "gem" should be taken out back and shot.

***Ofcourse all IMHO***
 
One thing it does look like it would be good for is a multimedia box :movies and music. I still dont see it being worth using for gaming especially with just a deltachrome powering the 3d side of things. If the price was low enough say $150 or so it would be worth picking up but I doubt the prices will come anywhere near that.

We all know the linux crowd will find away onto the platform and once that happens it could become a decent dedicated server for a cheap price...
 
vrecan said:
Hellbinder said:
HOLY ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just watched the tech Video. This thing is Freaking AWESOME!!! MY GOD!! This is the best console idea I have ever seen!!!.

http://www.discoverconsole.com/disc_video_WMv9.wmv

You NEED to watch this Video.

It has proprietary technology that Autoinstalls PC games for you when you drop them in. You dont have to click anything. then when you drop the game in later it autostarts just like a console game!!!

Thay also say that Alieware is Going to have a Version of the Console loaded to the Gills wiith a 3G processor and a 160GB harddrive.

This is the Coolest thing i have ever seen. There is no doubt i will be buying one.
Click to expand...

I really hope that was sarcasm cause that was one of the most pathetic "videos" I have seen in awhile to try and hype a new product. Just the idea of playing pc games on a crappy tv with a controller when 85% of all pc games play like ass on a controller. Plus we all know the game has to be installed somehow and 70% of games need cd keys the only difference here is now once we want to play the games we have to put the cd in and it will start like a "console" hurray something I never wanted!!!@

I dont know about the rest of you but I cant stand adding and removing cd's I just image all of my games put them on a shared linux directory and mount them over the network with daemon tools. Then I dont have to worry about my cd's being damaged and when I want to install a game it takes 1/4th the time.

This just seems like a bad idea all the way around in my opinion, the guys that thought up this "gem" should be taken out back and shot.

***Ofcourse all IMHO***
Click to expand...
I was serious...

It looks like a GOOD idea all the way around to me. It will give the average consumer a new avenue to experience PC games.
 
vrecan said:
One thing it does look like it would be good for is a multimedia box :movies and music. I still dont see it being worth using for gaming especially with just a deltachrome powering the 3d side of things. If the price was low enough say $150 or so it would be worth picking up but I doubt the prices will come anywhere near that.

We all know the linux crowd will find away onto the platform and once that happens it could become a decent dedicated server for a cheap price...
Click to expand...
Ok.. hold on...

Deltachrome is at least 2x more powerful than the Xbox GPU.

TV/Consoles play games at lower Resolutions like 800x600

The DEltachrome is a Full DX9 processor that is performing ok even on early drivers and has nice Quality.
 
Hellbinder said:
Ok.. hold on...

Deltachrome is at least 2x more powerful than the Xbox GPU.

TV/Consoles play games at lower Resolutions like 800x600

The DEltachrome is a Full DX9 processor that is performing ok even on early drivers and has nice Quality.
Click to expand...


Actually, it's max 640x480, unless they want to put and extensively support HDTV resolutions, which aint gonna happen if they want to stay mainstream.. Just thought i'd precise that...
 
I think people need to look at this less as a "console" per se, and more as a new type of standard for playing PC games. It seemed clearly apparent to me that the VIA solution was not the only one available for this technology, and so I don't think DISCover console should be looked at as "the VIA XBox". Hell, in the TV clip they mentioned that Alienware was planning on releasing a decked-out version of their own. Furthermore, I don't think this is limited to using gamepads, either. It just uses USB ports on the front, and it's a PC for christ's sake, so you can connect any damn peripheral to it you want. We also don't know for certain that the machines would *not* be upgradeable. To me it seems as though the machines are just SFF PC's with customized cases, without any special saudering or interfaces, and so I don't see why they'd be particularly difficult to upgrade. In fact, as is I'd say it probably easily destroys and trounces the PSX in terms of capabilities, at probably a better price per features ratio, (although without that key bullet point of playing PS2 games).

However, before I make any decision on whether or not I like this idea, I would like to know a few things:

1. How do they plan on dealing with copy protection?
2. How will they deal with patches and driver updates?
3. Will there be an option to run this in a "normal" mode, so you can do things like word processing, freeing up HD space, modifying configurations, etc?
4. Will there be an option to hook this up to my computer monitor or (if I were to have one) HDTV support?
5. And I think there were a couple more, but I've forgotten them already. I think those were the big ones. If I remember the rest I'll update it or post anew.
 
Problem is it's simply an ultra-small form factor PC with limitations. It could well appeal to people who want a quick and dirty alternative computer, but since the companies have to make a profit on the hardware you're not going to get ultra-cheap or amazing deals on them, at which point the question is "does it actually GIVE me overall advantages in comparison to getting a PC or upgrading my current one?"

The more ALIKE to a PC, the more people might consider it as an alternative, but the more like a PC it gets the more it would piss people off who don't want to deal with that sort of crap from a closed system. Can you easily load or run other software of it as you choose? Can you get affected by viruses or have to deal with Windows corruption and have to re-install or run clean-up packages? I certainly don't see how there's any way to get around driver updating or game patching or dealing with PC game issues of all sorts, so that'll be a part of your life.

There are a BILLION unknowns about these systems right now--not the least of which is "how good are the components?" You won't be able (or won't be allowed/encouraged at least, I'm sure it would be possible) to upgrade your system, so what warranty structure is there and how to go about fixing your system should something go out? These are using many shelf-bought parts after all, rather than being specifically constructed.

In the meanwhile, there are a ton of ways to hook your PC up to your TV, and those who want to set up their gaming like that have probably done so already. Most PC gamers do not by preference, whether it's because they'll be sitting behind a desk or table most of the time anyway (to use kbm/mouse and all their other peripherals), or because--likelier--they just prefer to use their monitors. (Most of which, I'm sure, offers a much sharper image than their televisions.)

Too many questions, not enough purpose. What, other than "cute," do these things qualify as being?
 
Do you know of any good SFF manufactures, then? I've actually been looking for awhile, and have had a hard time finding ones that don't rely on integrated graphics other than the shuttle systems, (which cost damn near as much for the case as the entire VIA discoverconsole), or that don't take up damn near as much space as a full-sized PC anyways. I'm looking at moving to China next year, and wanted to build a small desktop to take along with me. The DISCover console looked like it might be a cheap alternative to building my own, but if you have some other good suggestions on possible solutions I'd be interested in hearing them, (I'm also considering building a case out of an old nintendo, but I don't know if I have the skills or expertise to do that on my own).
 
...

The cost of an entry-level DISCover® console is projected to be between $299-$399.
Click to expand...
1. Costs too much.
2. Add $100 more and you can get a full blown desktop from Dell anyway.
3. Microsoft still gets a cut($70?) in XP license.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cyan
Play on your PC as if it was a console, on Linux, Windows, etc.
Replies
1
Views
1K
Cyan
Cyan
D
Video Game Console Cooling - A Hot Topic (pun kind of intended).
Replies
14
Views
3K
Shifty Geezer
Shifty Geezer
Rys
  • Sticky
Hello again
3 4 5
Replies
91
Views
13K
homerdog
homerdog
Rys
Reopening Architecture and Products + rules and guidelines changes
3 4 5
Replies
90
Views
17K
Shifty Geezer
Shifty Geezer
T
A nearly three week ban. Why?
2
Replies
36
Views
7K
digitalwanderer
digitalwanderer
Back
Top