[EvilDragon]

Ho, interesting. Can you tell me more? I didn't check the dev board for some times now.
it might be useful for gngeo.

The problem was that GP2X Linux has read-ahead enabled by default, so it does less SD reads but it reads large chunks of data, which takes time and stops the host program while working. To disable it you can do

CODE

echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/min-readahead
echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/max-readahead

and streaming becomes smooth, at least for Sega CD, which does 1x CD speed (~150kB/s).

Very interesting, i hope Pepone launch a new GnGeo 2X version soon

Errm, you could just put the two lines above in a script and run it before that gngeo2x

[Ze_ro]

what's obvious is that GPH is pretending that it's nose is bleeding when it comes to emulation, probably not a stupid idea, since emulation tends to be a grey area legally in some places, better safe then sorry, Sony did go after Bleem for their PSX emulator eg.

With everyone moaning and complaining about the homebrew slant to the Wiz, it's nice to see that at least ONE person in this thread understands why they're doing this. Nintendo is making tons of money by selling NES games on the Wii... I really don't think it's in GPH's best interest to draw the attention of their lawyers. The emulators will come, but the legal situation makes it a really bad idea for GPH to build them in, or whatever you people are expecting.

Anyways, It's not a bad little system, but I think I'll be getting a Pandora instead... the extra features are well worth the extra money for me. One thing about the Wiz that interests me though is Flash support... that could change the whole playfield if it works properly (and this is the big question, because I can say first-hand that Flash support on Linux is absolutely terrible), as the system would immediately gain countless amounts of free downloadable games and movies and such. Hell, that stupid Nanaca Crash game would tear through batteries for me...

--Zero

[Adventus]

I think i'll pass on this one, as far as i can see there's really no point if your already set for the Pandora. I'm sure someone will port my GP2X apps without much trouble (none of them use the 2nd cpu). To echo the general consensus:

Like: Form factor, Appearance, Decent CPU, Hardware 3d.
Dislike: Dual D-pads, Small Screen, Still no FPU.

GPH are simply not interested in emulators, and I think this causes some problems when this comes here because GP32x-ers are for the most part only into emulators.

Probably not quite true since in the brochure it says: "533 MHz with 3D accelerator enables better emulator performance than ever before!".

[coldfis]

I'm up for this once dev's start porting all my GP2X favs over. The price is right and the spec' upgrade from GP2X seems worthwhile.

The right dpad/buttons look awkward but we'll have to wait and see if it's a big problem? If so, it's mod time.

OLED is nice.

Something for the Xmas list.

[ruckage]

- OLED screen. They look sharp, they have good viewing angles, and they wear out, fast. They are still not ready for prime time.......

Quote from Wikipedia - blue OLEDs historically have had a lifetime of around 14,000 hours (5 years at 8 hours a day)
Sounds pretty good to me.

I was lucky enough to be sent one of the prototypes so feel I should make some comments.

I've seen some comments from people worried that emulators aren't supported. It's true that GPH are giving a lot of support to homebrew devs like myself which is really good and makes a real change, however that doesn't mean emulators can't be ported to the Wiz and with the added speed should be much faster than on the 2X.

Next the size of the device has raised a few eyebrows, I admit when I first saw the prototype I was also concerned, but not now, it's designed as a portable device and it truly is. Unlike the 2X it fits comfortably in a pocket and yes the screen is smaller but its crisp and hasn't caused me any eyestrain. The screen is comparable to the size of the GBA SP and that never caused me any problems.

I truly can't see why the Wiz and Pandora can't co-exist, they both have different aims and will appeal to different people.

[Eclipse]

very good to hear Ruckage!

i think the wiz and the pandora can easily coexist and many software can be ported between the platforms, the Wiz is smaller, cheaper, more portable, the pandora is more powerful and act more like a mini laptop than a media player, i choose portability.. i choose raptur... ehm no, i think i'll take the Wiz, because i need something small to carry around and listen music, and i have already a small laptop when i need to connect somewhere. But i'll grab also the Pandora if it will emulate Sin&Punishment fullspeed

I did another post about the Wiz, now i'm posting it here and we can close the other one
______



GPH announced the Gp2x Wiz, their new console in the gp2x serie. Let's examine a bit what of interesting and not this console will have!

So: yes, it's the one we saw in the leaked photo and yes it's called Wiz (that's not a bad name at all for me).

http://i33.tinypic.com/2wrdair.png


And here the hardware specifications for you silicon hungry geeks.
http://i33.tinypic.com/2ewi237.png


So basically there are a lot of interesting things from my point of view, first, seems it will be using the MagicEyes Pollux, that's a great leap foward the old gp2x board but it's still on the same family, so porting the gp2x software will be very very easy.
Second, the clock is very good, so we can have a good speed-up everywhere on the emulators only doing the ports (fullspeed snes of course, a way better Amiga and such, without changing nothing!).
Then, there's 3d hardware support, so fullspeed psx emulation is not a dream anymore.

There's finally a proper lithium battery, and there's an internal clock + alarm, that makes me think that the battery will be good.

And yes, there are two dpads... or at least the A\B\X\Y buttons looks like another dpad now.. why? i don't know, but i think it's not a problem at all, they are 4 buttons like before, maybe will be even more confortable, maybe will be a pain, i really need to try it to speak.

The Wiz is also very small, it's A LOT smaller than the gp2x and the pandora, and a lot thinner too.

The Wiz is 121x61 mm and only 18mm thick.
The gp2x was 143.6x83 and 27 of deep, so the new console is really really more portable.

The pandora, closed, is 140x83x27, a bit less wider than the gp2x, opened is like two gp2xs one over the other.

For a lot of people it can be a bad news, for me it's a really good one, the gp2x wasn't the best thing to use as mp3 player, and i wanted to have a smaller stuff inside my pocket.

Here's a comparison made by me between the gp2x f-100 and the gp2x Wiz



Also finally there is a proper place for the stylus, hurrah!



Last but not least, the price seems good (around 150-180 USD or 115 EUR) and it will be out very soon!

I'm interested.

This post has been edited by Eclipse: 28 August 2008 - 09:36 AM

[klikklak]

Can someone with a prototype say anything about the feel of the controller? Are the diagonals easy to get? How about playing 2d shmups on it?

After some thought, I've also come to the conclusion that the dpad for abxy isn't a deal breaker, if it does diagonals you should be able to be able to push buttons that are right next to each other as easily as you can with a diamond pattern setup. diagonal opposites are difficult to push together even on a snes pad (ok ok, I'm no expert on these, I grew up on c64's and amigas).

This post has been edited by klikklak: 28 August 2008 - 09:38 AM

[Orkie]

It does diagonals for me. I have been given permission to post some photos of my prototype too .

http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1110.JPG
http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1122.JPG
http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1129.JPG

EDIT: And one to prove it has shoulder buttons for the unbeliever(s) .

http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1119.JPG

This post has been edited by Orkie: 28 August 2008 - 09:59 AM

[Manjuu]

Seems decent, but like everyone else, I do have doubts on the D-pad-shaped buttons. Pressing three (or four) buttons at the same time, as well as buttons at opposite sides, might be troublesome.

2.5mm headphone jack? Seriously?

I wonder if the volume controls are still per-software-dependent and mappable. This was both a good and bad thing for the GP2X-Fx00, since it provided more usable buttons, but caused the lack of proper volume controls.

I wish it could be cheaper though; too expensive for an "upgrade", and I have no plans of selling my F200. There would be a big overlap between them, if I do ever get one.

I guess it would be a wait and see. Hope it turns out okay.


EDIT: I also worry about the proprietary battery. This is why I like the use of AA batteries in my F200; easy and cheap to replace, although the battery life is on the short side.

This post has been edited by Manjuu: 28 August 2008 - 10:24 AM

[Firefox]

It does diagonals for me. I have been given permission to post some photos of my prototype too .

http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1110.JPG
http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1122.JPG
http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1129.JPG

Thanks for posting those, Orkie! It does look like a big improvement over the GP2X (putting aside the controversial buttonpad thing for a moment).

EDIT: And one to prove it has shoulder buttons for the unbeliever(s) .

http://x11.gp2x.de/t...ew/IMG_1119.JPG

Fake! Photoshopped!

[Eclipse]

I wish it could be cheaper though; too expensive for an "upgrade", and I have no plans of selling my F200.

it's not an update, it's a totally new console, also what do you want? special price for gp2x owners? it's the same for everyone, "update" or not... i have three gp2x (first edition, f100 mk2 and f200) and still i think the price is right and worthwhile

This post has been edited by Eclipse: 28 August 2008 - 11:10 AM

[Samedi]

Hmm, Not sure about this one. Love my F100 and use it a lot, (I really like the joystick too )

When the F200 was released I got one as much to support GPH as anything, (show loyalty, that sort of thing) The F200 bobbed up and down in the water, (so to speak) for a bit before sinking suddenly with the announcement that the concentration was moving towards the Pandora.

Then in my inbox I received an email from GP2X sales directing me to http://gbax.com/ announcing the Wiz.

True it does look very nice, (like something max.tv would sell) and like everyone I wonder about the control pad issue.

Rather than jumping straight in, (like I did with the F200) I think I'll sit this out for a while and see what happens, particulally with the control pads. I've noticed that a lot of folks out there are going to be doing the same which obviously is going to have an effect on sales, (and possible future revisions.)

Will this go the same way as the F200?

[craigix]

People should stop defending the dual Dpad, if that design was good it would be on all console controllers - it isn't because it won't work. You could not even enter the level select in sonic with it (ABC+Start) without some weird setup using the shoulder buttons.

The only way GPH will change this before launch is if we tell them it's ridiculous, and they are half listening to this, they just need the final push now.

Also, Orkie, SNES FPS? The fact FPS figures are not being given is starting to worry me and customers, this thing has no 2D acceleration right? Is that an issue? SDL is 100% software on this? Give us distributors some more facts!

[Jarska333]

People should find out if it actually has two d-pads...

[Ze_ro]

I put together a comparison chart that I think some of you may like. A lot of it is original research by myself, so please let me know if I made any mistakes:



--Zero