Is it really fair to call it a clone, though? If that's the case, then any PC running an emulator is also a clone. The whole thing seems like it's cheating.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Printable View
Is it really fair to call it a clone, though? If that's the case, then any PC running an emulator is also a clone. The whole thing seems like it's cheating.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Technically emulators are still clones of hardware written in software but I know what you mean. It's an emulator box. The only thing about it that's cloned in hardware are the pin connectors.
It does seem like cheating, but that's what AtGames has been using on all their God-awful Geniclones. While it's a different sort of software emulation (Titan ARM core running a Genesis emulator instead of an unknown chipset running multiple emulators under Android), that's still considered a clone. I consider the RetroN5 a clone since it's a specialized console whose sole purpose is to play NES/Famicom, Super NES/Super Famicom, Genesis/MegaDrive, Master System, GameBoy, GameBoy Color and GameBoy Advance games. A *true* clone would be something like the Super Retro Trio which uses reverse-engineered hardware, be it on-a-chip designs (NOAC and GOAC) or full discrete chipsets (Super NES 3-chip chipset and all the accompanying RAM plus the video encoder required).Quote:
Originally Posted by zetastrike
What could also be considered a clone is a system that has nothing but an FPGA on it. This is what I would consider "simulation" as when you program an FPGA, you're essentially writing a bitstream to an external EEPROM which reconfigures the FPGA according to your compiled Verilog or VHDL code. You're using a hardware description language (that's what Verilog and VHDL are) to reconfigure the FPGA to behave like a certain chip or a certain group of chips. One such clone would be the 1ChipMSX that's based around the Altera Cyclone FPGA. It's not reverse-engineered hardware and it's not an emulator, this is an FPGA, a general-purpose reprogrammable IC, configured to simulate all the hardware you would commonly find on an MSX2 computer.
For all intents and purposes, an FPGA is basically a mask fabricated chip that is "reprogrammable" at an "end user" level, by that I mean you make the FPGA act - at a hardware level - like a regular reverse engineered single chip clone and the end user could easily be someone selling such an FPGA clone, not the person who buys and uses it. Chip fabrication is extremely expensive, thus the FPGA is very useful. FPGA consoles count as real clones too.
I too do not consider "clones" like what AtGames makes and the RetroN5 to be real clones. They could easily run some other kind of software if you're so inclined. For example, there is a hardware reset button on the RetroN5 that takes the user to a linux-type command line screen. You could easily hack the RetroN5 to run regular Android and do whatever you want with it too. This is completely impossible on true single chip clones, for the same reason it can't be done on original licensed hardware, they are too weak.
Anyone interested in getting one, I ordered one from ThinkGeek a few days ago at regular price minus $10 coupon from retailmenot.
EXACTLY!Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpingRyle
I'm interested but not at anything over a hundred bucks. I was pretty much on the fence when that was the price which is the reason I hadn't pre-ordered. Now I'll just wait for a deal when they're more readily available.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandplasma
I enjoy both for different reasons. I like playing around with new ways to interface with old technology while still having the original consoles when I need the authentic feel.Quote:
Originally Posted by segafan1989
Mysteriously arrived at my doorstep today (at $83 some odd dollars as good ol' Amazon honored the preorder price)... lotsa fun thus far. Has played nearly everything I've thrown at it (official carts; I haven't messed around with the one or two multicarts and repros I have); it looks and sounds really good. The old lady and I are having fun with it.
FM sound w/ the PBC. At least on R-Type. I tried Space Harrier first, and that did not have FM sound, but I don't recall if Harrier has both tracks or not.
This has really exposed my main weakness; I need a new stereo receiver that was made sometime in the last few years. Time to retire my big, beautiful Sony surround sound receiver to the game room and get something a little more modern (that can accommodate hdmi).
Diggin' it so far and will tell you guys if anything out of the ordinary crops up.
I got mine the other day also. I have been having tons of fun messing around with it. So far it works great. I have tried most all systems but SMS games. I don't have the converter. =(
Overall all the games I have thrown at it work.
I also tried some reproductions I have including Trouble Shooter 2, Musha, Starfox 2, Terranigma and Crusader of Centy "this one is nice since the copy I have does not save but it does Retron 5". It recognized all of the games as original games except for Star Fox 2. I am assuming that is because is was never a released game.
I would not say it is as good as playing on a CRT and an actual system but it is great to play on flat screen and have it look great. If you have a media computer set up on your TV there is no need for this but it is cool putting you carts in it. Seems like you are actually playing them even if it emulated.
The best part of play on the Retron is the GBA games. It works much better then the GBA player on Gamecube.
Consider the Super Retro Advance if you want to play them on a CRT though. It is a superb GBA clone with awesome 240p full screen scaling.Quote:
Originally Posted by ace3093
I have the Super Retro Advance also. It does work very good. Image quality is great but the sound is not that great really. If the sound on the GC GBA player and the image quality of the Super Retro Advance were together it would be perfect. Overall the Retron5 is best for GBA I just wish the Retron5 had S-video out.
:)Quote:
Originally Posted by ace3093
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums...NES-AD-Adapter
With those the SRA will sound better than the gamecube GB player.
Here are some demos: https://docs.google.com/uc?export=do...0Mm11WEU&pli=1
The AD adapter is the same thing, but those fixes were done with a v1.0 board. I just received a v 1.3 board. Will soon be looking into the differences and if the fixes are still needed.
I too have been using mine and no problems thus far. I try to stay away from the save states unless absolutely necessary (for games that don't save like Sonic 1). Love the ability to add scanlines.
You guys who own RetroN5s are all using them on an LCD/LED/etc. modern flat-panel display, right? I would be very interested to see the RetroN5 running on an HDMI-capable CRT HDTV and compare that side-by-side to an LCD/LED/whatever other modern TV. If nobody does it, I will.
Also, for anyone who has a Power Base Converter and owns the following Master System games:
-After Burner
-R-Type
-Galaxy Force
-Thunder Blade
-Bomber Raid
-OutRun
-Double Dragon
-Global Defense
-Altered Beast
-Space Harrier 3D
-Zaxxon 3D
Can you check if the RetroN5 gives you an option to switch between FM and PSG sound? It seems the RetroN5 defaults to FM sound, but I would be curious to know if you can switch between FM and PSG sound.
Default as far as I can tell. A way to switch would be PERFECT.