Is this the same APEX that makes crap tv's?

I wonder if it will take more time for the game system to break down after use as opposed to their dvd players and tvs...

man, you are further gone into that full frame thing than I thought

http://www.gamespot.com/all/news/news_6086185.html










Spot On: The ApeXtreme PC Game Console


Apex, Via, and Digital Interactive Systems' new device promises to bring a console's simplicity to PC games. The question is: Can it?

PC gamers pride themselves on their technical prowess. But every once in a while, when grappling with uncooperative drivers or inexplicable crashes, some may catch themselves giving their PS2 or Xbox an envious glance. Then there's the console jockeys--a proud, callous-thumbed bunch to be sure, but not above a bit of jealousy when it comes to their PC cousins' massive and varied game library.

Anyone who could translate a console's ease-of-use to PC games might make a fortune. Now, it looks like someone may have done just that. Tomorrow at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, DVD manufacturer Apex, chipmaker VIA, and software company Digital Interactive Systems will unveil the ApeXtreme Personal Game Console, a device that can play CDs, DVDs. MP3s and PC games.

Nominated for this year's CES Innovation Award, the ApeXtreme feels like a scaled-back version of the Sony PSX, minus the personal video recording. The system will run at 1.4GHz and use a variety of VIA hardware, including the CN400 processor, the DirectX 9.0c-compatible S3 DeltaChrome graphics chipset, and a Vinyl Audio Dolby 5.1 sound card. It will feature a standard 40GB hard drive, six USB ports, Ethernet, and 56.6kps modem. The console will also support a variety of media inputs and formats, including DVI, SPDIF, RCA, S-video, and HDTV-compatible component video. It will also support DVD+/-R/RW and progressive scan DVD playback.

However, what is unique about the ApeXtreme is its purported ability to let users play PC games like they were console titles. Over an embedded version of Windows XP, the machine will run Digital Interactive Systems' DISCover "Drop and Play" engine, a software system that will allow gamers to slip in a PC game and play it almost immediately. More importantly, the DISCover makers' claim their engine will automatically install patches and "major mods" for the 2,000 games that the ApeXtreme is pre-programmed to recognize. "It will happen automatically, similar to TiVo or Replay TV," said Digital Interactive Systems vice president of operations Loren Kaiser in an interview with GameSpot. "We're trying to take some of the pains out of playing PC games." (For more on the DISCover engine, read GameSpot's interview with Kaiser.)

Although the ApeXtreme won't support any non-game or media programs, its functionality--combined with its $399 price point ($299 for a lower-end model)--sound almost too good to be true. Indeed, many analysts are waiting to see if the console can deliver on its large promises. "Considering the difficulties that are often associated with PC gaming, I'm a bit skeptical that it is as easy to use as it is being described," IDC game analyst Schelley Olhava told GameSpot. Then there's the question of whether PC gamers would even want to move into the living room. "We've found that the console gamer is not the same as the PC gamer," said Olhava. "The behavioral patterns of how you play a PC game versus a console game are quite striking."

However, Olhava admits the appeal of the ApeXtreme is undeniable--if it works. “[It] may find an audience among PC gamers looking for a unique and new type of game experience," she said. "Historically serious gamers have shown a willingness to try new technologies, and if happy with the experience, [they] will gladly spread the word among the mainstream gamer audience." Soon, gamers can find out for themselves--the first ApeXtremes are scheduled to hit stores at the end of March.

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot [POSTED: 01/07/04 02:48 PM]


Chris

Well.. the "EXTEREME" thing has officially closed any interest I would have EVER had in this.

Extreme

It clearly is the Apex Treme

I like the use of Treme or "T" for short. I hope they hire Mr. T to do the commercials.

Doesn't Treme mean 90 day warranty which of course highlights the quality aspect of this new system

It will be interesting to see how this does. I don't think I would buy one, but if it works 100%, even 90% I could see it being very popular.

Hmm.. thinking.. this could be pretty cool for emulation..

i don't think its a bad idea. i probably won't get one, but its not a bad idea.

You know, I didn't even think of that. Would be a terrific idea if this thing works halfway decent.

No way am I paying $400 for an Apex, especially when I hesitate buying one of their $30 DVD players.

Isn't $400 bucks a bit much for emulation?

Depends on who you ask.. some people have probably spent WAY more than that on emulation related stuff. I know back in the day (like, 99?) I upgraded my PC only to be able to run emulators better. Some people have invested in flash cartridges, backup units, building cabinets, seperate PCs, etc. all for the same general purpose.

Myself.. I used to use emulation to enjoy SNES, but now I have a backup unit so I've left zSNES in the distant past. (In fact, I'm waiting to get out of work to go play English Tales of Phantasia on my big screen!).

I know. I've never understood it personally, as you can buy classic system and games pretty cheap (some rare games excepted).

I wholeheartedly agree. For me it was being able to play games that never came out here in the US, and most of all, fan translations. I refuse to use my copier to play games I can walk into Gamestop and buy, or get on eBay; as you said most of them are pretty cheap.

They should come out with a game based on the movie Ape-X. they could ship it with the unit.


gcribbs: email me if you end up getting those xbox games and have some to sell.
off topic due to other thread being closed.

Oh Noes, Phantom has some competition!

Pretty cheap considering it can run 10s of consoles and different arcade configurations. I've been considering buying a laptop to slot into my HT as a dedicated emulation machine (and the portability will then be handy when I need it elsewhere). Add a few ps2 controllers + usb adaptors and you're set.

Considering most emulators offer features like save state and ability to enter codes, along with improved graphic modes that make games look better than they ever did on the original platform (add in the fact you're probably hooking your video up via a component connection compared to rf or composite on most of the older consoles) and you're on a win win situation. That's not even factoring in the benefit of not having to have 10 consoles and possibly an arcade cabinet lying around.

I don't know if the apex can do all the above, anyway I'd rather have a standard pc myself that I can configure how I like it.

Ouch

Good point.

will do

Never thought of using it as an emulator although I think I would rather stick to a PC I built so I would trust it would last.

This does sound like a very good idea (and I'm suprised that no one thought of it before Apex), but the pice point is way too high for essentially a DVD player/ game console.

Sorry if I'm dense here but what does everyone mean when they talk about using it as an emulator?

Emulators make one piece of hardware act as another. Most emulators you will hear about are programs for PC that allow you to play old arcade and console games, though it could be anything! I have an emulator for Dreamcast and Gameboy Advance that allows me to play old NES games on them.

OK, well how can you program this thing? As I understand it, it's not a device you program but rather a video game player where you put in the program and start playing. Isn't that right?

No, essentially it's a PC that hooks up to your TV.

Actually, I'm not sure about that.

The Screen Savers did a report from the CES floor that seem to indicate you put the game in and it started playing. No "Windows" desktop or anything like that. So I'm not sure how it could be used as an emulator, unless it's somehow modded or the emulator/roms could run off a CD.

Also, I believe the output for PC-to-TV is 800x600, right? I think that's what my arcade machine does. And I've played some PC games (Return to Castle Wolfenstein, for example) on my MAME cabinet, which outputs to a TV, and it looks really good.

So this thing might actually be pretty cool. A bit pricey for me though, I'd just build a low-end machine and deal with a windows desktop and front-end.