Re: That Dev Station

From David Shadoff <xxxxxx@interlog.com>
Date
>We were talking about the possbility that the unit is (1) a fake or
>(2) useless because the owner doesn't mention develo/debug software.

It seems to be "just" an X-1 Twin with a connector for the CDROM system.
Having said that, the X-1 twin is not so common these days, and the CDROM
connector, although it does not appear to be custom-made, is the first I've
ever heard of such a connection from an X-1 Twin.

>About (2), does anyone truly know if the development system had
>"everything you need" in firmware, or do you need a special HuCard to make
>it do what it does?

To my understanding, there were a few different versions of the development
software.  All were DOS-mode programs for PC compatibles (or PC-88/98
perhaps), with the difference being the level of graphics support on the
graphics tools.

I have not heard of these tools being in firmware anywhere.

Also, I was under the impression that the PC-Engine unit inside the X-1
Twin was completely separate from the PC; that they only shared the power
supply and cabinet (and had no way to shuttle developed code between PC and
PCE internally).  But I could be wrong, as I have not seen the internals of
such a machine.

In fact, I have never actually seen pictures of the "official" development
hardware for a PC-Engine, unless you consider the HuC5 system.  So anything
is possinle.

>Finally, since the system is being posted from Hong Kong, that could be a
>reason it is/not legit.  You don't have any buying protection if the
>seller is in Hong Kong (esp if you are USA), so the thing could be a
>decent Photoshop job.

I doubt that is the reason; I think that very few people would actually be
able to confirm whether any given piece of hardware is or is not a PCE
development system.

>Folks Who Know (TM), please refresh my memory and straighten me out.  And
>if it really is legit, somebody figure out how to get it into David
>Shadof(sp)'s hands.  :)

Close - it's "Shadoff".  :)

- Dave


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