MPEG-FAQ 4.0:

Amiga CD32

[ Ha, a game-console with MPEG-support, a bit crazy, but the best things ]
[ get pushed by nig-nag <grin>                                           ]

From: George Sanderson <G.Sanderson@ais.gu.edu.au>

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 94 12:28:31 +1000

You may want to add to your MPEG FAQ that the Amiga CD32 game console is
able to play both standard MPEG VideoCDs and the CD-I specific VideoCDs,
with the addition of the MPEG card which is available now.

As far as I know, the recommended retail price just for the CD32 in the USA
is US$399 but it is selling below that now (US$376).  In Australia, it is
selling for AUS$594.  It has been released in Europe in late 1993 and
is selling very well (120,000+ units sold as of Jan'94).  The major release
date for the US market is sometime in March.  There are at least
20 CD32 specific titles available (and it can play CDTV titles as well)
and over 100 CD32 titles will be released in 1994.  The price of the MPEG
module is (guessing) US$299.  Commodore is selling the units directly
to wholesalers.

here is some info about the Amiga CD32 (made by Commodore) with
info about its MPEG module mixed in (i'll mail you more info about
the MPEG module when I get it):

                     AmigaCD32         

       CPU/Speed: 68EC020 @ 14MHz
    Architecture: 32 bit
      Throughput: 3.5 MIPS      
        Chip RAM: 2 Megs of DRAM
        Fast RAM: None
Non-Volatile RAM: 1 KB

    Custom Chips: I/O ports, Audio and Interrupt controller,
                  DMA Controller, Video data controller (AGA chipset)
                  CD-ROM controller

  Animation CELS: 8 Sprites per scanline (64-bit)
                  & Unlimited Bobs (blitter objects)

     Video Modes: can display upto 1280 x 512 in 15 kHz
         Colours: 256,000/16.7 Million   

           Sound: Stereo 8 bit         
                  Stereo 18 bit CD-DA  
                  DSP planned          

          CD-ROM: Double Speed         
                  Top Loading          
Software Video
          Player: Partial Screen using 4096 Colours (CDXL)

            MPEG: Available now (see below)
         PhotoCD: Available as third party software

 Game Controller: 11 Buttons           

Supported CD Standards:

AMIGA CD32
Audio CD
CD+G (Graphics)
Most CDTV including CDXL
VideoCD (MPEG1) - see below

Connectors + Switches:

2 x Games Controller/Joystick/Mouse ports
High Speed auxiliary connector for keyboard and virtual reality gloves, etc.
Local slot expansion connector
Power Switch and Indicator LED
Reset Switch (momentary)
Headphone jack and Volume slider


MPEG Module (optional)

Full screen, Full Motion Video and Stereo Audio replay direct from disc;
total running time 74 minutes
352 x 288 at 25 Frames per Second (PAL mode - different for NTSC)
Able to play most CD-I MPEG specific titles (they demonstrated that
at the World of Commodore shows playing Star Trek 6, Top Gun, etc.)

The Amiga CD32 hardware is able to genlock its graphics and sound on top of
the MPEG output.  Additionally, while the MPEG module is playing, the CD32
has about 80% of CPU left to use - this could mean some interesting games
with video backdrops.

The MPEG module comes with a MPEG disk that has a few rock video clips.

Audio Output:

2 channel, 4 voice stereo using 8 bit digital/analogue converters
18 bit audio CD stereo at 44kHz

Video Outputs:

S-Video, Composite and RF (UHF) for TV

Included:

11 Button Game Controller
"Welcome" Disc
Consumer Information Manual
CD32 Users Guide
RF video and Stereo audio cables
+ usually packed with 2 games

Physical:

212 mm x 311 mm x 81 mm
CPU 1.44 kg
Power Supply 1.53 kg

Warranty:

1 Year, return to regional service centre

Power Supply:

External, 22 Watts