This is about trying to understand the changes that happened to NEC - Hudson's 32-bit console effort. The Tetsujin project (Ironman) was started around late 1990 and shown publicly in 1992, but the final PC-FX system that came out at the end of 1994 was significantly different.
originally, the Tetsujin ~ Ironman was to be a system that was capable of at least basic 3D graphics -- perhaps not quite as strong as those of the Playstation, but more than what the PC-FX had, which is basicly none.
Yes, the Tetsujin ~ Ironman board is the same thing that's in the rumors section of the pcenginefx.com website, and some of the graphics shown (both prerendered and realtime) are also the same.
a translated page I found ..yeah I know the translation is far from perfect, but...
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Promising beginnings...
The "board' presented in 1992: let us note that the logos of pad NEC were changed into Hudson.
Extremely Nipponese success of the range PC-Engine , a console 8-bits surpuissante, Hudson Soft launches out at the end of 1990 in the development of a technology 32-bits. Approximately 2 years later, we are then in May 1992, a first prototype is introduced: It is here only about a "board' (together of components laid out on a chart). Composed of a central microprocessor HuC62320 (32-bits RISC, 10 Mips) and assisted by 5 coprocessors (management of the sound, input/output, pallet of colors, sprites and effects special like compression/decompression of the images), the in-house unit developed by Hudson terrace already the competition represented then by the consoles 16-bits and other computers. This level of design, the peripheral of storage (cartridge, CD-Rom...) and the manufacturer are not finalized yet. The project, then named Tetsujin (iron man), made strong impression in the specialized press. A probable marketing is announced for January or June 1994...
One of the graphic demonstrations consists in choosing, between these 4 tètes, a face starting and a face of arrival. The machine is then given the responsability to transform choice 1 into choice 2 through a whole series of incredibly fluid animations. Very impressive (it appears).
Quality of image, speed of posting, handling and animation of the objects 3d surfaces full: with these demonstrations, Hudson strikes a great blow.
Diagram of architecture of the Tetsujin project.
...
with the radical changesAt the beginning of 1994, new revelation: The Tetsujin project was moulted in project FX. A manufacturer is now announced. It acts, obviously, of the indéboulonnable NEC, partner of Hudson since the PC-Engine via its branch NEC HE (NEC Home Entertainment).
Contrary to the plan initially envisaged, the microprocessor is not any more HuC62320 but a NEC V810 definitely more powerful. This change, of appearance pain-killer, seals the destiny of the machine partly: The 3d is abandoned with the profit of the handling of video images in real time. But why thus such a transformation will you say to me?
Here the kind of images whose the magazines at that time satisfied us: They were supposed to show us the power of the architecture of the machine. With the passing, the joke can appear amusing. I deliver to you the comments of this great moment of journalism:
1) "this photograph illustrates well the possibilities of transparency offered by Alpha Channel (
) of the FX"
2) "the shot-them-up on the FX go décoiffer"
These photographs illustrate the plays Lords Of Thunder FX and Super Star Soldier FX, 2 engines which will unfortunately never be marketed.
Several factors are to be taken into account. The first: the raising of prices of the components managing the 3d Those proposed and developed by Hudson are being maintaining much more expensive. The second: Some of the design features of future Saturn de Sega start to circulate in the medium and cool our 2 small drainage canals somewhat (particularly those concerning the treatment of the 3d mappée). To finish: Semi-official advertisement by Sony of its arrival on the market of the consoles.
It too is for NEC which forces Hudson to re-examine its copy. The engineers of the Nipponese tandem are now pressed by the duet Sega/Sony.
By giving up the 3d, large problem is solved: Saving of time and saving in money. For the remainder of architecture, Hudson inflates the capacities of some of its components and NEC grafts a video system allowing a management bitmap except par. This change of orientation makes it possible cause a drop in drastiquement the cost of the future console. Result, Hudson and NEC ambitionnent to market the 32-bits the least expensive of the market. To finish, compatibility between the plays PC-Engine and those of the FX are unfortunately not on the agenda. Appointment in a few months...
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end of articlehmmm....
well, it
seems the PC-FX specs were increased in some areas, such as the CPU and the video system for displaying smooth animation, but the 3D graphics sub-system was cut out.
now, it is possible that the PC-FX of 1994 contains all of the co-processors of the 1992 prototype board -- perhaps the 1992 prototype did not contain the planned 3D chipset ?
some years after the 'FX launched, there were rumors of a PowerVR graphics card upgrade -- if that had ever become a reality, of course it would've boosted the 3D graphics capabilities of the 3D-less 'FX well beyond what the original 3D-capable Tetsujin could've offered.
Topic: Changes from the Tetsujin system to the final PC-FX (Read 1416 times)
