Emulating OCS, ECS, or AGA chipsets

[Karlos]

It would be nice if a software emulation of the custom chipset were included in OS4/MOS (leaving 680x0 emulation up to Petunia and Trance respectively), but I don't see it as essential. Hardware level emulation looks extremely impractical outside of projects like minimig.

I don't see it being technically straightforward or financially viable to shove a hardware emulator on a PCI card when it would only really be any use on PPC-only amiga compatibles (given x86 boxes have more than enough grunt to do it all in software nowadays).

[persia]

I don't really want a "garden party" emulation, if the Amiga is resurrected then it needs to be resurrected as a 21st Century computer.  Comparing Deluxe Paint to Photoshop or the Toaster to Final Cut is a bit like comparing the telegraph to the internet.  I want state of the art on the Amiga like I had  twenty years ago.  Forget the special chips, they're history.

"If you have to play a garden party, I wish you a lot of luck, if memories were all I had, I'd rather drive a truck."

[doyle86]

I agree, we all want new, innovative hardware.  It's just my observation that many people have such a deep love for the old hardware that many won't let go and buy any new stuff.  I just thought it would make it easier for those people to cross over and keep their old software.

I for one would love to see something new and brilliant in Amiga hardware to make it to market.

[TheMagicM]

I think you misunderstand the reason people use original hardware instead of UAE.  I like UAE but it just has a different feeling using the REAL DEAL.  I like crankin up the A4k and playing around with WB.  Can I do that on E-UAE, you bet, but it doesnt feel the same.

Its like playing Test Drive and driving a Ferrari.. yea it may sound somewhat like a Ferrari, the interior may resemble it but it never beats the REAL DEAL.

Oh, and a hardware soilution to add on to EFIKA would have been silly.  Its just lame in general, especially since a emulator runs just about every app out there.

-=Alex

[coldfish]

Hardware based classic emulation is a waste of resources, spend the time & money doing something that cant be done with more versatility in software.

A UAE-like emulator in OS4 certainly wouldnt hurt.  It'd be nice to buy a "new" Amiga knowing its actually compatible with all/most Amiga software.   The "classic era" was when 90% of Amiga software was developed, who really wants to buy a new machine with only post-680x0 compatability?

Having said that, UAE under OS4 is hardly a must-buy feature, when you can already emulate an Amiga for free* using other more readily available platforms.

I think a lot of people are/will be put off by the "new Amigas" because they simply don't represent very good value to anyone except the most "enthusiastic" enthusiasts.

[persia]

I agree Amiga Inc's new hardware is not inspiring and over priced, even if it ever reaches the market.  Amiga was always about cutting edge technology and doing things beyond the ordinary.  My 9 year old son's castoff G4 is more inspiring than the $500 product, and it can run the latest version of TVPaint, not a hopeless outdated one, the latest version of lightwave, open office, iMovie, etc etc.

Are all Amiga folk stuck in the past now?  Give me multiple cores, real time HD video editing, graphic rendering that is indistinguishable from Pixar, a high class lossless music editor.  I can't go backwards.  Life is too short to not have the best tools.  That's Amiga in my mind, this deal between the chap in Washington and the one in Ontario using corporate names is just sad.

[doyle86]

I don't think that all Amiga fans are stuck in the past.  I just think that a lot of fans balk at the idea of shelling out 1500+ dollars for a new machine and then have to spend more money to replace the software that will not work on the new machine.

persia wrote:
  That's Amiga in my mind, this deal between the chap in Washington and the one in Ontario using corporate names is just sad.

   I hope I'm not that chap you're talking about in Washington.  If I am, then I'm confused. :-?

[uncharted]

doyle86 wrote:

   I hope I'm not that chap you're talking about in Washington.  If I am, then I'm confused. :-?

I think he's referencing Bill McEwen, who is also in Washington.

[doyle86]

Ok, Duh.  Now I feel a bit foolish  :-D