Author Topic: What is your primary gaming machine? (Read 1341 times)

PC Gaijin · « **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2005, 09:01:52 PM »

I use a Turbografx-CD combo. I've had the Turbografx-16 for almost 16 years, and the CD attachment for 15 years. Both still work perfectly fine, although I would like to find some way to clean the HuCard port. Heck, the Turbo-CD was actually my very first CD player

. I used to listen to music CDs on that thing, something I never did with subsequent consoles.

Never had a Duo, and while I have a PC Engine/CD-ROM suitcase setup, I seldom use it since I don't play JP HuCards very often (and I just play JP CDs in my Turbo). I also have a TurboExpress, but again I don't play it too often.

Speaking of durability, what's the longest your save games have lasted? I believe the CD unit uses a capacitor for the saves, and while the manual says something like you should turn the unit on every 2 (or was it 4?) weeks to charge it, I had my Turbo-CD in storage for over seven years and when I plugged it in my old Ys saves were still there

.

Keranu · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2005, 09:07:41 PM »

Turbo Duo for me because it's the only system I got out of the bunch so far. I'd love to get a PCE+CD and Turbo Grafx 16+CD myself. I can see where Steve is coming from about the Turbo CD and I think I would agree with him if I had the chance to use one. The LED track display sounds pretty rad!

zborgerd · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2005, 12:59:50 AM »

Quote from: "PC Gaijin"

Speaking of durability, what's the longest your save games have lasted? I believe the CD unit uses a capacitor for the saves, and while the manual says something like you should turn the unit on every 2 (or was it 4?) weeks to charge it, I had my Turbo-CD in storage for over seven years and when I plugged it in my old Ys saves were still there .

Wow. I've never had it last more than a few weeks at best. I remember when I found out the hard way by not playing my TG16 for a while. I lost several saves. I still need to buy a Tennoke bank, just in case.

It would appear that memory is indeed backed up by RAM that's charged with a capacitor. It was probably the least expensive method at the time, but certainly the least reliable.

nodtveidt · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2005, 02:24:28 AM »

The Saturn used the smartest method of battery backup...a replaceable, common battery (the same battery used for CMOS data in modern PCs). The capacitor idea isn't half bad (batteries lose charge life over time but capacitors don't) but it's not quite as reliable as a battery, that's very true.

zborgerd · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2005, 04:58:12 AM »

Quote from: "nodtveidt"

The Saturn used the smartest method of battery backup...a replaceable, common battery (the same battery used for CMOS data in modern PCs). The capacitor idea isn't half bad (batteries lose charge life over time but capacitors don't) but it's not quite as reliable as a battery, that's very true.

I think that flash memory is the best option in most cases. No moving parts, no batteries, and you usually get thousands of saves out of it. That's why most consoles (since the PSX) have been using it.

nodtveidt · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2005, 05:18:44 AM »

Flash memory is certainly the most viable method today but keep in mind that back then, it was quite expensive, and keeping costs low was a priority (nowadays they dont give a shit since people buy it all up like penny candy anyways). Sega made a backup cart for the Sega CD but if memory serves, it was battery-powered as well.

esteban · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2005, 06:10:17 AM »

Quote from: "Keranu"

I can see where Steve is coming from about the Turbo CD and I think I would agree with him if I had the chance to use one. The LED track display sounds pretty rad!

Plus, you have all the basic buttons for music CD's available, so you don't need to turn on the tv and use the GUI.

A few times, when I was a kid, I've even popped out the CD deck and used it as a standalone CD player. It was big and clunky, even by 1990 standards, but it was very kool to have a LED display on a "portable" cd player (ok, you had to keep it plugged in).

Yes, I'm the person who continues to use an old-ass TI calculator because it has a LED display.

I've always wanted to have a *working* vintage LED watch. My dad had one, but by the time he gave it to me, it was broken. Or maybe it simply needed a new battery. Damn, I wish I kept that.

Keranu · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2005, 09:54:05 AM »

Hahaha, LED displays kick ass.

dj898 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2005, 12:49:58 PM »

Quote from: "nodtveidt"

Flash memory is certainly the most viable method today but keep in mind that back then, it was quite expensive, and keeping costs low was a priority (nowadays they dont give a shit since people buy it all up like penny candy anyways). Sega made a backup cart for the Sega CD but if memory serves, it was battery-powered as well.

anyone remember mid 80s Fujitsu FM-8 with its funky bubble memory? o_O
man I'd love to have it but at that time I couldn't afford - it was already superseded and was getting rare even then - so had to settle with FM-NEW7... still think it was way ahead of its time since haven't seen anyone toyed with bubble memory since...

one of these days I might pick up FM-8 just for sentimental value...

zborgerd · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2005, 04:30:41 PM »

Quote from: "stevek666"

Yes, I'm the person who continues to use an old-ass TI calculator because it has a LED display.

I've always wanted to have a *working* vintage LED watch. My dad had one, but by the time he gave it to me, it was broken. Or maybe it simply needed a new battery. Damn, I wish I kept that.

My grandfather gave me one of those old calculators with the red LED display. The thing literally *got warm* after being on for a few minutes. Heh. Don't know what ever happened to it.

PC Gaijin · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2005, 06:55:52 AM »

Quote from: "dj898"

anyone remember mid 80s Fujitsu FM-8 with its funky bubble memory? o_O
man I'd love to have it but at that time I couldn't afford - it was already superseded and was getting rare even then - so had to settle with FM-NEW7... still think it was way ahead of its time since haven't seen anyone toyed with bubble memory since...

I wasn't aware of the FM-8, but I do remember the hoopla over bubble memory. It was supposed to be the next big thing around the early 80s. Density and speed were always problems with bubble memory though, which is probably why it never took off.

After reading your post I did a little research on the FM-8 -- interesting machine! The details of the main CPU/graphics CPU, sharing memory between the two, halting one while the other accessed memory, etc. all reminded me very much of the Atari 8-bit home computer design. I really do miss the "old" home computer scene, it was an exciting time with lots of fascinating designs.

dj898 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2005, 01:47:14 PM »

I still have my FM-NEW7 though haven't taken out of its box more than 17 years! o_O

being a fool I gave away my NEC PC-88SRmkII and Panasonic MSX2+ when I moved... and then there's PC-8001 that I used for my MicroMouse project...

yea I miss those 80s pasocom scene... it was a lot more fun imho... and no pesky M$ in sight... yet :p

akamichi · « **Reply #27 on:** June 17, 2005, 01:26:32 AM »

I've been using my briefcase system since '88. I thought it looked so cool (and expensive!) when I first saw it in the local toy store. Lately, I've been using a cheap and beat up Duo-R. It's starting to exhibit some of the typical Duo issues. Right now the briefcase is packed up somewhere. Probably haven't turned it on in 2 or 3 years now.

Just to add my 2 cents to the retro PC sub-topic here...
Amiga rules!

Michael Helgeson · « **Reply #28 on:** June 17, 2005, 08:39:18 AM »

I use both my systems,a briefcase combo with white Pc-Engine,and a Super Cd-rom 2 drive with CoreGrafx.I use the Arcade Card Pro on both units.

D-Lite · « **Reply #29 on:** June 17, 2005, 10:04:38 AM »

Quote from: "Michael Helgeson"

I use both my systems,a briefcase combo with white Pc-Engine,and a Super Cd-rom 2 drive with CoreGrafx.I use the Arcade Card Pro on both units.

Just curious as to why you use both actively since they have the same capability. ?