APEX Video Game Console that Plays PC Games

[timswim78]

I found this device while looking around on Apex's website. It is a video game console that is designed to play PC video games. It sounds like this could be a seriouse competitor in the gaming industry, if it is marketed well.


http://www.apexdigitalinc.com/proddetail.asp?category=ApeXtreme&subcat=&linenumber=76&c=4

http://apextreme.com/

Gaming Features
Ethernet Connection
56K v.92 Modem
4 Front / 1 Rear USB
40 GB Hard Drive
AMD Athlon? XP processor 2000+
NVIDIA nForce?2 IGP
256MB DDR RAM

DVD Features
Digital Video Recorder Capabilities (DVR)
Progressive Scan
Plays DVD-MP3-WMA-CD-CD/R-CD/RW
Kodak Picture CD Compatible
JPEG Compatible
Dolby Prologic/Dolby Digital/DTS/PCM Ready
S-Video Output
Composite Video (RCA) Outputs
5.1Channel Audio Out
Remote Control
Slow Motion Forward
Multiple Angle
Multiple Language Subtitles (Captions)
Parental Lock
Frame by Frame Advance
Zoom (2x, 4x)

 

[Modeps]

Sounds like the "Phantom" but it also wont work properly. Where's the video card info? only a 2000+? please.

 

[yukichigai]

That's sort of a mid-range quality machine there, though the mix of PC/DVD/TV/etc features is nice. Provided it's well equipped to output to multiple TV sources without looking like crap this could well be a "Phantom-killer". It would be nice if some of the hardware was upgradeable though, particularly the RAM and HD. And it needs to play more video/audio formats, particularly DivX/XviD and OGG.

What OS will it be running? 'cause if it's Windows-based (and it pretty much has to be to run PC games well) that could send the price through the roof.

 

[yllus]

Question: What PC games will display well on a TV? Not RTS games, certainly...

 

[timswim78]

I found an article with some more info:

The official collection of ApeXtreme Video Game Console information available.

At the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a new device was unveiled by Digital Interactive Systems Corporation (DISC) and Apex Digital.

The device, known as the ApeXtreme Game Console is capable of delivering PC game play on your television using what is referred to as drop and play technology. Simply take a PC game disc such as Halo, insert it into the Apextreme and the system will install the software without any action on the part of the user. This removes the hassle of installing and maintaining PC games. Once games are installed they will play just like a game console.

With a built in ethernet and phone line connection, the Apextreme is capable of downloading upgrades for the system along with patches and updates for the games themselves. The Apextreme also offers a variety of other audio and video connections for whatever set-up you may have. Composite video to component connections means you can connect this console to a standard analog set or a high definition monitor. An additional DVI output means improved PC-like graphics on newer television monitors.

Apex will sell two versions of its ApeXtreme console, one for $399 and $299. The more expensive version will contain dedicated Delta Chrome graphics designed by Via subsidiary Via Graphics, while the $299 box will contain integrated graphics powered by the forthcoming onboard Via CN400 chipset.

The Apextreme unit displayed at CES sports a VIA C3 1.4GHz processor, 300MHz S3 DeltaChrome graphics chip with 64MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, 1 component 1 composite and 1 S-video TV connection, DVI connector, 256MB system RAM, 20GB hard drive, 6 USB inputs,6-channel surround sound and a modem port as well as a 10/100 Ethernet connector.

Since the system is designed to run video games and not computer programs, the Apextreme is capable of concentrating on the games and not other programs running in the backround like a PC. The size and shape, with DVD functionality means that you can have a PC experience in your living room. With the built in Ethernet port you can play online games just as you would a PC. Built in USB ports means that you can connect many of the same peripherals that PC's can.

The ApeXtreme will run an embedded version of Windows XP software allowing you to play over 2,000 PC games already available. The difference between this and a traditional console is that you are not dependent on publishers to release games like traditional console owners. You can also play games that may not be available on your current console. For example, PS2 owners cannot enjoy Halo. With this system you can play Halo, and online I may add, and Grand Theft Auto 3 on the same console.

The Apextreme will also be able to offer MP3 and internet radio playback but more specifically, DVD playback that may rival many of the players already available. Many Home Theater PC users will tell you that an HTPC is superior in the Home Theater. This device may just bring the cost of adding a Home Theater PC down dramatically

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: yllus
Question: What PC games will display well on a TV? Not RTS games, certainly...

They are not necessarily displayed on a tv. Also has DVI and monitor outputs.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: yllus
Question: What PC games will display well on a TV? Not RTS games, certainly...

I think this is primarily for people with HDTVs. As long as your television can display at least 307,200 pixels you should have no problem with any computer game, though the resolution you're running at may look pretty crappy compared to what you could get out of a real computer monitor.

A lot of FPSes look fairly decent at uber-low resolutions these days. Unfortunately this is sometimes due to the fact that they are straight ports of console games. :/

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
That's sort of a mid-range quality machine there, though the mix of PC/DVD/TV/etc features is nice. Provided it's well equipped to output to multiple TV sources without looking like crap this could well be a "Phantom-killer". It would be nice if some of the hardware was upgradeable though, particularly the RAM and HD. And it needs to play more video/audio formats, particularly DivX/XviD and OGG.

What OS will it be running? 'cause if it's Windows-based (and it pretty much has to be to run PC games well) that could send the price through the roof.

Embedded Windows XP. $399 or $299 depending on graphics card.

 

[warcrow]

pfffft no thanks.

 

[Lonyo]

With this system you can play Halo, and online I may add, and Grand Theft Auto 3 on the same console.

XBox anyone? Great writing there 😉
And you are dependent on publishers to release their games, Halo and GTA3, the cited games, came out on PC quite a while after they came out on their respective consoles, and you can't play Zelda on PC, because it hasn't been released for PC.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Modeps
Sounds like the "Phantom" but it also wont work properly. Where's the video card info? only a 2000+? please.

I still run with a 1700 and can play any game.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Modeps
Sounds like the "Phantom" but it also wont work properly. Where's the video card info? only a 2000+? please.

I still run with a 1700 and can play any game.

Yep, me too. I think it is more about the video card and RAM than it is about the CPU.