Amiga New`s - Some news from hardware manufacturers - Phase5 and Blittersoft.

AMIGA - news.         
                               
music by DNK                   
информацию предоставил АНДРЕЙ EPЮШИH     
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  BoXeR - новая материнская плата AMIGA  
                               
   BoXeR представляет из себя материнскую
плату     домашнего/полупрофессионального
мультимедиа  компьютера,  основанного  на
чипсете  и операционной системе AMIGA. На
ee  основе можно собирать готовые компью-
теры,   превосходящиеaccording to possibilities
A4000, but costing somewhere between A1200 and
A4000.                                   
                               
                               
BoXeR will be sold next       
in the following way:                                
                               
 * as the “heart” of the “Black Box” AMI series
   GA-compatible computer systems from
   BlitterSoft                           
                               
 * just like a motherboard, based on
   which the buyer himself can build
   create your own unique system    
                               
 * through OEM dealers who can use
   use BoXeR for your own
   no specific market                
                               
                               
Technical characteristics (revision1.0) 
                               
 * 100% AMIGA compatible              
 * set to anystandard
   PC Desktop/Tower case               
 * panel for 68040 or 68060 with frequencies
   from 25 to 75 MHz                       
 * 2MB ChipRAM                           
 * memory 4 x 72pin SIMM (64 bit, installed
   two modules are poured), up to 2GB
   FastRAM                               
 * special slot for PowerPC card  
 * 2 E-IDE ports (standard 40pin
   slots)                                 
 * 32 bit FlashROM with a capacity of 2 MB, using
   is available for Kickstart and resident mo-
   blows                                 
 * Floppy Disk interface that works as
   DFO/DF1 (including 0.5 sec delay on
   R.D.Y.)                                  
 * connector and mixer for audio from CD-ROM 
 * built-in clock using Ni-
   Cad battery                       
 * keyboard port supporting bothAMIGA keyboard and PC keyboard
   (auto-detection)                     
 * 4 Zorro 3 slots on one line with two
   ISA slots                           
 * Video slot                            
                               
Connectors:                                
                               
 * printer port, 25pin                  
 * AV slot (audio, video and RGB signals)  
 * RGB video                            
 * serial port, 9pin           
 * joystick and mouse ports, 9pin          
 * audio connectors, 4x1                    
 * power - standard PC 12pin connector 
 * two 40pin E-IDE ports                 
 * connector for DFO:/DF1 drives:       
                               
Key points:                          
                               
 * completely new design using
   AGA chipset for compatibility, but with
   completely redesigned logic for
   achievements of the greatest producer-
   versatility and flexibility                      
 * support 68040 or 68060 from 25 to
   7SMHz                                 
 * low cost * support up to 2GB 
   bHbit-memory, expandable via
   standard SIMM modules              
 * ChipRAM works 30% faster than in
   A1200 and A4000                         
 * installed in a standard PC case
   pus                                   
 * connector for card with PowerPC - possible
   the advantage of a cheaper upgrade, so
   where are the memory controller and 68K located?
   on the motherboard                  
 * MPEG/Genlock module (under development
   boots)                                
 * 1bbit ISA slots forcheap support
   peripheral devices such as mo-
   demos, ethernet and audio cards         
 * FlashROM for updating software and
   hardware               
 * boot from CD thanks to
   CD-ROM file system located in
   ROM                                   
                               
             _____             
                               
                               
        PHASE 5 DIGITAL PRODUCTS        
 ANNOUNCEES THE BEGINNING OF PREBOX DEVELOPMENT,  
          COMPUTER SYSTEM          
       HA BASED ON POWERPC PROCESSORS      
   AND AMIGAOS 3.1 OPERATING SYSTEM   
                               
    After the products are released
PowerUP lines such as CyberVisionPPC and
BVisionPPC, Phase5 will begin development of new
the howl of a computer system called
PreBOX, based on Po-
werPC and using licensed Ami-
gaOS 3.1and further versions of PowerUP Sys-
temSoftware.  PreBOX will be compatible with
AMIGA at the AmigaOS/Workbench/CyberG level
raphX.                                   
                               
    "The license agreement that we
signed with Amiga International, allowing
we need to start developing a new machine,
the concept of which we have developed is not
how many months ago? This is an important step for
"revival" of the AMIGA market, support for development
botchikov and creating a new one is enough
powerful market," said Wolf Dietrich
(Wolf Dietrich), CEO
Phase 5. He also said that Project A-
BOX postponed, but not cancelled: "In the project
ABOX specifications will be revised and
capabilities have been expanded in accordance with
the emergence of new technologies on the market and
products."  Dietrich also noted that
the key to saving the AMIGA market is
the early emergence of new powerful independent
of these hardware products. This is exactly what
is the goal of PreBOX development. "We
it is necessary to expand the market as quickly as possible
rey, otherwise the battle may be lost
for AMIGA," he added.                 
                               
TAKING A NEW STEP TOWARDS MHOGOPROPRO-
CECCOPHOCTI, PREBOX WILL OPEN NEW CHANGES
RENIA IN PRODUCTIVITY.              
                               
    PreBOX will beaimed at the medium-sized market
them and higher price categories PC or
personal workstations, but there will be
provide significantly greater production
duration.  All systems will be noctab-
be like multiprocessor systems mi-
with at least four PowerPC processors,
which will provide extremely high power
ity at an excellent price-to-price ratio
on/performance.                   
 "Multiprocessing support has been
one of the most important goals, if not
THE MOST IMPORTANT goal of the developments being carried out
the last 18 months," Wolf explained.
Dietrich, - "This alternative technology
offers great opportunities and advantages
society than the main flow of products to
PC market. While the PowerUP line products are still
can allow the user to update his computer
tern system and save the investments made
integrated into existing hardware and software
framework, time to create new
high independent hardware products that
which can compete in prices with
products on the PC market - especially now,
when the PC system that the user
buys today, becomes obsolete and nothing
worth less than a year."             
    The company does not plan to build one
processor systems similar to those produced
performance of similar Intel systems, but
is going to take full advantage of the opportunity
things thatwere given with the transition to
PowerPC.    "Software manufacturers
software that supports Powe-
rUP, can already create software today
We, who support multiprocessing.
Therefore, in just one year it became possible
take two giant steps - from one
processor systems based on 68K up to mhoronpo-
processor PowerPC systems - impressive
progress for the Amiga community, co-
which could not even imagine such a
"noe," said Dietrich.                    
                               
    PreBOX will be assembled on the motherboard
ATX format board and have fast
SDRAM memory operating at frequencies up to
1OOMHz. The processor bus will also be
operate at frequencies up to 1OOMHz (depending on
depending on the actual bus speed used
used processors). Four processes
ra PowerPC, which will be located on
separate card, will have inline- or
backside caches depending on the type of use
used processors.  Since PowerUP
System Software programmatically controls
operation of processor caches, PreBOX can
be equipped even with such processors,
which do not support mhoron- in hardware
Processability, for example, PPCbO3e and PPC750
(G3).                                    
                               
    PreBOX will also have built-in
3D graphics subsystem with 8MB
graphics memory andconnected via
bbMHz PCI 2.1 bus with peak performance
with a capacity of 2bBMB/sec. This powerful subsystem
the theme will be standard and mini
small basic configuration, under which
that manufacturers will be able to develop
software.  But moreover:
on the same bbMHz PCI bus there will be a special
new slot for 3D accelerator based on Voo-
doo-2, which is directly connected to
built-in graphics chip. "We plan-
pyem release, alone or in collaboration
with partners, solutions based on the Voo chip
doo-2 as a powerful additional
module," commented Wolf Dietrich, "
"We will not forget the demands of cool lovers
play."  Such excellent display
characteristics of PreBOX systems will be up to
complete with a great sound system with
CD quality sound and powerful features
mi synthesis.                              
                               
    Just like the PreBOX standard will be
have an Ultra-Wide SCSI-II controller and
1OOMbit ethernet controller, which
will provide fast network communication - possible
ity that will be maintained in
distributed multiprocessor concept
tions Phase 5.                             
                               
   Integrated 3 PCI slots allow
use inexpensive hardware extensions
Rhenia.  This PCI bus will work on
frequency 66 MHz, but will also support
cards designed for a 33 MHz bus. Thankfully
giving the use of PCI bus will be very
Easily create new hardware products
for PreBOX.  Moreover, manufacturers
software will be able to use
create existing standard PCI products
you and adapt them for PreBOX everything
only by writing software support for
them.                                     
                               
    It has not yet been decided whether PreBOX will have
special slot for 68K processor. "In
this next generation product for
operation of 68K programs will be applied emu-
lation.  We continuously contribute to
so that developers support our new
high multiprocessor software technologies
ologies and principles that are embedded in Po-
werUP System Software. And those who follow
our recommendations, they will be able to
create software that
roe will be used at full capacity
capabilities of the PreBOX system.  This is what
what forces must now be applied to" -
said Wolf Dietrich.                     
                               
    In addition to the above basic characteristics,
ristic, PreBOX will have all the standard
nal interfaces that should have
computer system today such as
fast serial and parallel ports, USB bus
on and E-IDE bus (for use, such as
example,cheap CD-ROMs and hard drives).    
                               
    PreBOX is scheduled to be released early
fourth quarter of 1998. Cost-
The capacity of the systems has already been determined, based on
current prices for PowerPC processors. B
The following modalities are currently being planned:
Delhi PreBOX (prices are retail):   
                               
 PreBOX 604e/800 - with four processors
                     rami 604e/2OOMHz;   
  Price: DM 3.995/US$ 1.995   
                               
PreBOX 604e/1000 - with four processors
                       copamu 604e/25OMHz
             Price: DM 4.995/US$ 2.495   
                               
PreBOX 604e/1200 - with four processors
                       copamu 604e/3OOMHz
             Price: DM 6.995/US$ 3.395   
                               
 PreBOX 750/1200 - with four processes
                     rami 750/3OOMHz,    
                     each with 1MB L2 
                     backside cache       
             Price: DM 8.995/US$ 4.495   
                               
    The price includes an ATX minitower,
mouse, keyboard, AmigaOS 3.1 and PowerUP
System Software. Memory, CD-ROM and hard drives
ter are not included in the price. To receive
prices for systems with 32MB memory installed
ty, 24-speed CD-ROM and 4GB hard drive
rom, you need to add DM 750/US$ 375.
"Naturally, prices and configurations may
change due to changes in prices for products
PowerPC processors and the emergence of their new models
“deley,” added Wolf Dietrich.           
                               
    Owners of our PowerUP cards for su-
existing Amiga models upon purchase
PreBOX systems will be provided
discounts.  "We want to ensure reliability
today's user investments. Ouch-
it is clear that developers and users
AMIGA want to see rapidly developing
base of PowerPC systems these days, in order to support
continue further developments. We want
support users to contribute
contributed funds to the PowerPC technology of this
hour," commented Wolf Dietrich. For
in order to get a discount onbuy-
introduction of PreBOX systems, owners of Powe-
rUP cards will not need to be returned to us
these cards and they will be able to use their
PowerUP-AMIGA as separate systems
or even together with PreBOX using
built-in network interface and
network multiprocessing capabilities,
embedded in PowerUP System Software.    
                               
    With this new plan and variety
powerful and innovative Phase 5 products
Digital Products emphasizes its leadership
leading position in hardware development and
software for PowerPC on
AMIGA market.  "We want to continue
continue to support the AMIGA market with the
“through our own efforts,” said Wolf Dietrich, “
"Part of our efforts will be aimed at
support for developers to help them
when creating software for
PowerUp.  We will do our best to
keep existing developers on
AMIGA, and we will also try to return those
who stopped producing software
baking or stopped its development.
 Software that supports
general PowerUP, which was released in the current
over the course of several weeks shows how
can be easily and efficiently ported
existing software for
AMIGA for a new processor. To convince
software manufacturers,we need to keep them informed of the market
great potential and our vision of the future
AMIGA.  All users can help us
in our efforts, turning to manufacturers
lam software request o
creating PowerUP versions of their products."
                               
             _____             
                               
                               
           Code name: ABOX           
                               
               Step towards your dream              
                               
  Towards the next millennium   
                               
   In connection with the announcement of PreBOX - a new
computer system based on PowerPC and
AmigaOS, Phase 5 Digital Products co-
It is true that the ABOX project is being postponed, but not
canceled and will be significantly updated and
adjusted  "First of all, we wanted
I would like to thank all the enthusiasts who
many have supported us over the past
of the year" - said Wolf Dietrich (Wolf Diet-
rich), CEO of Phase 5, - "K
Unfortunately, we cannot say that
The ABOX project is nearing completion. During
last year in the development of PowerUP-pro-
ducts wespent significantly more
means and efforts than planned. For-
support with their release, as well as development
AMIGA market in general did not allow us to weight
ABOX development as we have planned
"li".                                     
    After the release of PowerUP-pro is completed
ducts we planned to redirect everything
our efforts on the ABOX project, but later
It was decided to first release a computer
PreBOX system, which would allow
expand the market and increase sales volume,
thus providing an economic basis
memory for further developments of ABOX, and
also the basis for the emergence of new programs -
provision and increase in the number
users.                           
                               
    "We believe that there is still a fire
a niche for a computer system that
which combines concepts that describe
sleds in the ABOX project" - states
Wolf Dietrich, - "This project is driven by the vision
a concept that cannot become obsolete. ABOX
remains our long-term project and
the most important technological challenge.
Since we need to spend enough
definitely a lot of resources and time for development
ABOX boot, scheduled for release in 2000
year - and we will try to make it like this,
so that it exceeds all people's expectations o
computer of the next millennium." Between
topics, computer systemPreBOX will be
be more than a step in the direction
ABOX.                                   
                               
    Dietrich also notes that Powe-
rUP products, as well as a new computer
PreBOX system, step by step will be switched on
incorporate technologies that will use
use in ABOX. "It's clear today, A-
BOX will be released as a multi-processor
system - technology that will already be
applied in PreBOX. This will help the development
botchik gain experience and know-how in the development
bot of multiprocessor applications and
will provide a solid software base for
ABOX".  When ABOX hits the market,
new generation of PowerPC with integrated
VMX multimedia technology will be
being the initial standard for him; this is boo-
children are taken into account in the design of the CAIPIRINHA chip, which
which will use functional
capabilities and performance of these
new generation processors. Subsequent
PreBOX models will already contain such
processors, which will allow you to get a durable
experience in implementing related technologies
logy, as well as other technical areas
tyah.                                     
                               
    Phase 5 will continue to monitor
the latest technologies - not only for
already existing, but also for those that
should appear on the market. They all will
taken into account when developing ABOX.For the CAIPIRINHA chip this means that
it will be released using the most
advanced technologies available at that
moment. "Год назад мы говорили o 0.35-мкм
technology and internal frequency 2OOMHz.
Now we can already talk about 0.25-μm technical
nology and core frequency 3OOMHz and higher.
Naturally, these numbers will change with
the emergence of a new and faster
ASIC technology" - comments Wolf
Dietrich.  Below are some others
developments and technologies that may be
but will be used in ABOX (but also
not limited):                          
                               
 * Wider processor data buses
   and possibly main memory          
                               
 * Higher bus clock speeds 
   данных памяти и процессоров           
                               
 * Use of new memory types such as
   like DDR-SDRAM, ESDRAM, SLDRAM, RAMBUS
   etc.                                 
                               
 * Licensed DSP and/or 3D cores
   generation for additional in-
   integration into a custom chipContinuous and broad assessment process
the most advanced technologies and developments
current appearing on the market will provide
future ABOX computer system
sewing appearance as an innovative and
conceptually new system even despite
to the rapid development of technologies in computer
thorn industry.                        
                               
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