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The system will prompt you for your information. ========================================================================== ************ Topic 18 Thu Mar 10, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 20:15 EST Sub: Cat Box ICD's new product for the Jaguar 201 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 1 Thu Mar 10, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 20:16 EST Press Release: For Immediate Release ============================================================================ Cat Box(TM) - The first all-in-one interface for the Atari Jaguar ============================================================================ Rockford, Illinois, March 7, 1994 -- Black Cat Design, a designer of computer peripherals and accessories, and ICD, today announced Cat Box, the complete interface adapter for the Atari Jaguar 64-bit game system. Cat Box plugs directly into the AV/DSP ports on the back of the Jaguar. Its custom case measures just 6 x 1.5 x 1 inches and perfectly accents the sleek Jaguar design. Cat Box provides all of the standard connections that Jaguar customers desire. Standard ports include: S-Video, Composite Video, Left & Right Audio Out, Dual Stereo Headphones, Analog RGB Video, RS-232, ComLynx, and DSP. All connectors are "industry standard". Standards are a big part of Cat Box and connectivity is the key. The RS-232 port will connect to standard modems. The ComLynx port will join other Jaguar and Lynx game systems for multi-player games and other networking ideas. Black Cat Design is actively working with game developers to ensure support for these ports. An imaginative, well thought out design includes flexibility for the future. Internal expansion connectors for future add-in cards ensure that Cat Box will be as useful then as it is now. Future products under consideration include a Midi interface and an internal modem. ICD has licensed Cat Box from Black Cat Design for exclusive world-wide distribution. Thomas Harker, president of ICD, explained, "This product is an unbelievable value. I wouldn't be surprised if all Jaguar owners buy a Cat Box. My family is really thankful for the headphone jacks when our twin boys are playing Raiden. Finally, peace and quiet again in the game room. The boys can't wait for the next generation of multi-player games to arrive. Imagine, dual Jaguars head to head. Cat Box will help make this possible. It makes so much sense, I don't know why it wasn't done before." The Cat Box will begin shipping early next quarter at an MSRP of $49.95. ICD is taking orders now with shipments expected in May. For further information, contact ICD Public Relations in the United States by phone (815) 968-2228 extension 222 or fax (815) 968-6888. Cat Box is a trademark of Black Cat Design. Other trademarks are those of their respective holders. ============================================================================ ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 2 Fri Mar 11, 1994 REALM [Joey] at 00:15 EST Tom, Sounds great! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 3 Fri Mar 11, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 04:27 EST Tom, The Cat Box sounds really good. (Sure it's not a Litter Box? Cleans up after the 'Cat?') How about uploading a GIF (or some such) picture of it? Maybe 2, of of the Cat Box by itself and another of it plugged into the Jaguar? Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 2:13 AM Mountain Time Friday, March 11, 1994 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 4 Fri Mar 11, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:48 EST Mike and Joey, Thanks. I am expecting a lot of abuse with this name. :-) When it is closer to release time, there will be pictures. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 5 Sun Mar 13, 1994 E.BAIZ at 09:48 EST Is it possible to e-mail you (TOM) my name and address with my VISA card number to place an order? I would love to have one of these. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 6 Sun Mar 13, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 15:27 EST E.B., Sure, EMAIL away. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 7 Sun Mar 13, 1994 G.GEORGE3 [Fruitman] at 22:30 EST The Cat Box sounds like a "MUST-HAVE" for all Jaguar owners. How long before you'll be able to walk into a store and get one? Fruitman..... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 8 Mon Mar 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:00 EST Fruitman, I would guess somewhere around the end of April. But then you might only be able to get within 5 feet of it with 1000 other people. :-) I wonder when MJ will make his first hit? Of course it probably doesn't matter as long as he keeps packing the place. Da Bulls sure could use him though. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 9 Mon Mar 14, 1994 G.GEORGE3 [Fruitman] at 23:34 EST Well, the game I saw, MJ scored his first run. It was off a walk tho. (Why are we talking about MJ here? I thought I started that back in the other topic? Ah well.) Yeah. It was funny. He was walking back out to the field from the clubhouse and I yelled, "Mike!" He turned and I said "Scottie needs you back in Chicago!" He just walked of... Heh heh heh... Fruitty.... P.S. 1000's of people? I hope Atari sells that many Jaguars! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 10 Tue Mar 15, 1994 E.BAIZ at 20:05 EST Fruity, Atari will not sell 1000's of Jags, they will sell millions of them. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 11 Tue Mar 15, 1994 G.GEORGE3 [Fruitman] at 22:24 EST Well, I hope you're right about that... I just hope they sell enough to have 1000's of people crowding to get a Cat Box! Fruitty ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 12 Wed Mar 16, 1994 STEVE-J [DrHfuhruhurr] at 04:52 EST E.BAIZ - Only when the HAVE millions of them to sell, though! At the current rate, that may take them about 10 years! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 13 Fri Mar 18, 1994 E.BAIZ at 20:28 EST Steve I am sure Atari will get things going. A local store in my area just received a bunch of Jags, so things are looking up. Tom I emailed you my order for the Cat Box. I just wanted to make sure you received it. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 14 Sat Mar 19, 1994 STEVE-J [DrHfuhruhurr] at 05:23 EST E.BAIZ - Small, local stores don't really count -- if the Jaguar doesn't make it into the big stores (Toys 'R' Us, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Sears, Montgomery Ward, etc.) anytime relatively soon (like by Summer or early Fall at the latest!), the Jaguar's as good as dead! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 15 Sat Mar 19, 1994 E.BAIZ at 07:14 EST Steve I disagree there. I think small store are just as good as large ones. Tru, more people go to the largers ones, but as the news spreads so will the people. I am not worried. The Jag is best machine around and people will find that out. Nintendo's 64-bit machine is not slated for another year so the Jag will have a big start and from what I have been reading, it's popularity increases daily. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 16 Sat Mar 19, 1994 S.LEGRAND [Oppressor] at 15:37 EST Steve: To be fair, the jaguar IS in Toys'R'Us, and Sega managed to become number one before closing deals with Walmart and K-Mart. Admittedly, such a deal would cinch the Jag as a success story but it's just too early to tell... Here are some things that are big differences between the jaguar and the lynx: 1. Strong 3rd party support 2. Good relations with at least one gaming mag 3. An Atari that admits to past mistakes 4. More stores are carrying it already We can only wait and see... Scott ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 17 Fri Apr 08, 1994 E.HALLIWELL at 02:09 EDT What I want to know is, why didn't ATARI include a ComLynx jack on the Jag? It seems kind of silly to _require_ people to buy an interface to access that capability of the system. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 18 Fri Apr 08, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:27 EDT E.H., They tried to keep the cost down in everyway possible. Maybe they have a ComLynx "cable" planned. I don't think Atari did too bad with the Jaguar the way it is. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 19 Sat Apr 09, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 00:01 EDT E.HALLIWELL - It could possibly be that they didn't want to include something on the Jaguar that wasn't necessary on a basic system. Think about it this way.... if it cost an extra dollar to put a ComLynx jack on the Jaguar, and they manufacture a million Jaguars it can add up. Or it could be that they wanted to give third parties (such as ICD in this case) a way to jump on the Jaguar bandwagon. :) Or it could be that Atari's just cheap! :) :) - Mick ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 20 Sat Apr 09, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransis] at 10:49 EDT Will the CatBox use the same ComLynx cables as the Lynx? My TRU just marked their cables down to $2.50 and I was thinking of picking up some for when I own 3 Lynx's and 2 Jags! Still Sailing, Sir Fransis ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 21 Sat Apr 09, 1994 J.ROGOZINSK2 [Rogo] at 11:42 EDT Tom [ICDINC], Would you post again (ya I know) ICDINC's address and phone number so I can order the Cat Box? And do you take orders via Email? Thanks. === Joe Rogo === Friday, April 8, 1994 9:34 pm ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 22 Sat Apr 09, 1994 S.WINICK at 12:40 EDT Joe, ICD's "Cat Box" should be available from most Atari dealers as well as directly from ICD themselves as soon as ICD begins shipping it. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 23 Sat Apr 09, 1994 J.KIMBALL [James] at 17:47 EDT The comlynx cable is just a stereo mini jack. James. , ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 24 Sat Apr 09, 1994 J.ROGOZINSK2 [Rogo] at 21:30 EDT >ICD's "Cat Box" should be available from most Atari dealers as >well as directly from ICD themselves as soon as ICD begins shipping >it. Sheldon, Thanks for the info. I thought at the ICD was going to be the only distributors. === Joe Rogo === ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 25 Sun Apr 10, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:32 EDT ICD is producing the CatBox and bringing it to market. It will be sold through dealers. The CatBox comlynx port is the same as the Lynx uses. Yes, $2.50 is a ster steal for these cables. ComLynx uses 2.5mm diameter stereo plugs which are smaller than the standard 3.5mm plugs used for most headphones. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 26 Sun May 01, 1994 E.BAIZ at 22:39 EDT Is this ready to ship Tom? I pre-ordered through GENIE and addressed it to you I believe. Should I expect it soon. <>... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 27 Mon May 02, 1994 STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!] at 05:55 EDT E.BAIZ - The CAT BOX isn't slated for release until the END of May (possibly early June). ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 28 Mon May 02, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:29 EDT E.Baiz, What Steve-J said. Sometimes I get the feeling he has all our phone lines tapped. :-) - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 29 Tue May 03, 1994 STEVE-J [Big Brother] at 04:34 EDT Mind your own business!!! Just because I'M minding your business doesn't mean you shouldn't! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 30 Tue May 03, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:10 EDT - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 31 Tue May 03, 1994 E.BAIZ at 22:17 EDT The End of May is ok with me just as long as I am on your list to receive it. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 32 Wed May 04, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:28 EDT Edward, YOu are on it but I did notice that we are missing the exp. date of your card and your phone number. Please send me those in EMAIL. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 33 Sun May 29, 1994 R.HOUSE4 [Rene] at 22:03 PDT Is it possible to hook up a printer to the RS232 port or is that only for modems? What about a parallel port? I'm asking because I think it would be a great selling point both for the Cat Box and Jaguar if games could printout information/statistics. For example, Troy Aikman Football could printout head-to-head records & statistical leaders while Double Dragon 5 could printout lifetime matchups, punchcounts, etc... You get the idea. Since 1 out of every 3 homes in America has a computer, I would guestimate that printers per household runs pretty close to that stat. Having the ability to create a hardcopy of critical stats surely would help sell the games that take advantage of it which in turn would help sell the Cat Box since it could only be possible with one the combination of the two would in turn help sell the Jaguar which in turn... get the point? Everybody Wins! I'm planning on communicating these ideas to Telegames for Troy Aikman Football & Double Dragon just as soon as I get a reply from you. Thanks ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 34 Mon May 30, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:26 EDT Rene, Printing is a cool idea and yes, a serial printer could be connected. THere are also serial to parallel devices which could be used if you don't have a serial printer. It is up to the game makers to support these nifty ideas. We are just putting out a hardware standard and asking for their support. Make sure to tell your favorite game company how you want the CatBox supported. I know I have told mine. :-) - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 35 Mon May 30, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 19:15 EDT Being able to print would also be handy if the Jag does make it in the Information part. Print out that news article, etc. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 36 Mon May 30, 1994 R.ALLISON4 [Rob] at 23:52 EDT Rene, How about being able to generate maps of explored territory in RPGs like Legions of the Undead??? Would save a LOT of time... Rob ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 37 Sun Jun 05, 1994 E.BAIZ at 22:00 EDT Is your CatBox ready to ship yet, Tom? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 38 Mon Jun 06, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:03 EDT E.B., Not yet. Just like AvsP it keeps slipping back. IT will be worth it though. Summer CES is just a few weeks away and we will be showing it there. Shipping will happen shortly after that. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 39 Mon Jun 06, 1994 CRAIG.S.THOM at 21:27 EDT Really? Summer CES? See you there, Tom. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 40 Tue Jun 07, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 00:49 EDT Question: With the Jag. being touted as a candidate for connection to the Information Superhighway, do they plan on having a mini keyboard or something? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 41 Tue Jun 07, 1994 STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!] at 04:48 EDT R.WATSON15 - The Jaguar's controller ports can accept a keyboard (as well as light guns/a mouse/digitiser tablets/etc. -- they just need to build them! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 42 Tue Jun 07, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:28 EDT Craig, :-) See you there. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 43 Tue Jun 07, 1994 E.BAIZ at 21:28 EDT I can wait for the CatBox. I am ordering the video of the CES that AEO is making, so I hope I can get a glimpse of it then. So I guess Tom that the Catbox will be shipping out in July or August? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 44 Wed Jun 08, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:23 EDT E.B., Yes. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 45 Thu Jun 09, 1994 STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!] at 06:49 EDT ICDINC - Will ICD be distributing the CatBox exclusively? If so, have you gotten any BIG orders for them yet (e.g. from Electronics Boutique/Babbage's/etc.)? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 46 Thu Jun 09, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:24 EDT Steve, That is unclear at this point. - TOM - PS More info after SCES. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 47 Sun Jun 19, 1994 P.LOUIE1 at 00:28 PDT Tom, Will the CatBox include a DSP pass through edge connector? I was wondering because Atari's voice-modem and network boxes will connect directly to the edge connector and thus render the CatBox useless if it used a custom DSP port like the Falcon's. -Phil ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 48 Mon Jun 20, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:40 EDT Phil, CatBox has a stock DSP pass through. It matches the edge card coming out of the back of the Jaguar with all signals. THe only change has been the addition of a 1 amp fuse on the 5 volt line in case you plug a peripheral in upside down and short the 5 volts to ground. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 49 Sun Jul 10, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 20:49 PDT I'm trying to hook a Jag to an old Missile Command arcade game, and everything works, except I can't get the vertical to sync up. Anyone know what I could try? Thanks! Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 50 Mon Jul 11, 1994 D.BROWN38 [Duncan Brown] at 01:06 EDT >T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 20:49 PDT > >I'm trying to hook a Jag to an old Missile Command arcade game, and everything >works, except I can't get the vertical to sync up. Anyone know what I could >try? Is there a second vsync input on your monitor, of the opposite polarity? Many (most?) monitors had both polarities, it just depends on the particular make and model number. Electrohome put the other syncs on a smaller header pin connector in front of the main one. Wells-Gardner put them on another angled pin connector beside the main one on the interface daughterboard. If this isn't enough to lead you to a solution, post back with more details, like make/model of monitor, and how it's currently wired up (in whatever fashion you can best describe that.) I have the manuals for Missile Command and all relavent monitors of the era (around here SOMEWHERE!) and can help you with more specific instructions if you tell me what you're looking at currently. Duncan ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 51 Mon Jul 11, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 12:52 EDT Tim, Why would you attempt to ruin the world finest video game (Missile Command) ever made by hooking up a Jaguar to it. Actually it sounds like a good way to get a big screen for free. Duncan, How hard would it be to hook up the Missile Command Trak-Ball to the Jagaur. That would be very nice for future games. -- Albert ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 52 Mon Jul 11, 1994 D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 18:30 EDT AEO.1 [Albert Dayes]: >Why would you attempt to ruin the world finest video game (Missile >Command) ever made by hooking up a Jaguar to it. Actually it >sounds like a good way to get a big screen for free. I think you've confused the world's SECOND finest video game (Missile Command) with the world's finest videogame (Star Wars). The Star Wars monitor cannot be directly connected to the Jaguar, anyways. ___________________ \hunderbird ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 53 Mon Jul 11, 1994 D.BROWN38 [Duncan Brown] at 21:03 EDT >AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 12:52 EDT >How hard would it be to hook up the Missile Command Trak-Ball to the Jagaur. >That would be very nice for future games. Piece of cake to hook that trak-ball to the Jaguar! Oh, but you wanted some software to support it? Ohhhhhhhh...... Arguments about the World's Finest Video Game aside, I think we can all agree that Atari's early examples represent the World's Finest Trackballs. Can you imagine Football with a Trackman Portable? I have a pair of them that I don't know what I'm ever going to do with, but by goodness I'm ready if something comes up! (heh heh maybe I should make that an easter egg in one of my Jaguar games... the "original Atari Trak-Ball enable mode". Hee hee. Duncan P.S. Everyone knows that the world's finest video game is e$%~~ NO CARRIER ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 54 Mon Jul 11, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 21:04 EDT Thunderbird, Missile Command does hold both first and second position as the world's finest video game. My mistake. -- Albert ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 55 Mon Jul 11, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Earl] at 20:26 CDT Actually, you CAN hook the Jaguar to a Star Wars monitor. You just won't get a picture. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 56 Mon Jul 11, 1994 D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 22:18 EDT AEO.1 [Albert Dayes]: >Missile Command does hold both first and second position as the world's >finest video game. My mistake. I'm sorry, I was mistaken. You are correct. "Missile Command" does indeed hold 1st and 2nd position of "World's Finest Videogame". It was "Star Wars" that held the top 5 places in "Universe's Finest Videogame". Thanks for clearing that up for me. ___________________ \hunderbird ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 57 Mon Jul 11, 1994 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron [] at 23:51 EDT Tim, The Jag outputs composite sync. Sounds like your monitor (as do some models of the Atari color monitors) may need vertical sync stripped out of the signal. Unfortunately, I don't know an easy way to do this from scratch unless your a fairly strong electronics type. I understand the ICD CatBox will incorporate a feature to solve your problem. Ron @ AEO ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 58 Tue Jul 12, 1994 STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!] at 05:14 EDT D.ENGEL - > I'm sorry, I was mistaken. You are correct. "Missile Command" does indeed > hold 1st and 2nd position of "World's Finest Videogame". It was "Star Wars" > that held the top 5 places in "Universe's Finest Videogame". So on what other planets does the STAR WARS arcade game exist? If it's not number 1 or 2 on Earth, it would have to be on quite a few others in order to be #s 1-5 in the universe! ICDINC - Is there a set release date for the CatBox/CatBox+ yet? The guys at EB are harrassing me about it! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 59 Tue Jul 12, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:34 EDT Steve-J, I hear that they have Star Wars arcade systems on Doug's planet. :-) What exactly is a "set" release date? :-( - TOM - PS CatBox has been shipped to a number of developers. CatBox+ should be finished by this weekend and undergo testing next week. If all goes well, August. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 60 Tue Jul 12, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 09:50 EDT Duncan, Please put in true (Missile Command & Atari Football) Trak-Ball support in your game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Atari 5200 from what I recall had nice analog trak-ball for it. It seems like it wouldn't be hard to modify for Jaguar use. Would be a very inexpensively priced controller too. Tom, Which part of August for Catbox+? -- Albert ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 61 Tue Jul 12, 1994 D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 18:51 EDT EXPLORER.1 [] Ron []: >I understand the ICD CatBox will incorporate a feature to solve your >problem. And it does an _excellent_ job of it, plus uses STANDARD connectors!!! I especially like the LEDs on it. STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!]: >So on what other planets does the STAR WARS arcade game exist? If it's not >number 1 or 2 on Earth, it would have to be on quite a few others in order >to be #s 1-5 in the universe! Remulac, Squornshellus Zeta, Bespin, Dagobah, Draconia, Hoth, Zentraedi 1, Romulus, Remus, Genesis, Planet of the Apes, Mongo, and Planet 10. The rest I can't tell you about until _after_ the invasion. _________________ \hunderbird ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 62 Tue Jul 12, 1994 J.ZENTZ1 [wintermane] at 18:25 PDT YEESH! is it just me or are none of these topics ever on topic?:) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 63 Wed Jul 13, 1994 K.IVANISIVIC at 05:15 EDT Thunderbird... forget programming.. you should right a column in a magazine or newspaper... hehehe :) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 64 Wed Jul 13, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Earl] at 04:45 CDT Albert-- If my understanding of how trackballs work is correct, there is no such thing as an "analog" trackball. Trackballs work just like mouses-- they send a digital "velocity/direction" sequence which the computer must interpret. Anyone know what technology the early, grapefruit-sized trackballs used? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 65 Wed Jul 13, 1994 STEVE-J [EeEckyThump!] at 05:54 EDT D.ENGEL - You can't count The Planet of the Apes, since that's Earth (you can't count the same planet twice, even if you are discussing two time periods on it!). J.ZENTZ1 - What, are you trying to take our fun away? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 66 Wed Jul 13, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 11:45 EDT Earl, That sounds like a good view of a Trak-Ball. I always was thinking of "digital" in the sense that it emulates a joystick and "analog" when it does what it is supposed to do. re: Atari 2600 Trak-Ball controller. -- Albert ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 67 Wed Jul 13, 1994 J.ZENTZ1 [wintermane] at 23:06 PDT Steve I wouldnt dream of it:) I love watchin sysops go insane just as much as anyone:):):) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 68 Thu Jul 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 03:06 EDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CatBox(TM) tames the Jaguar Black Cat proves it has the right stuff CHICAGO, IL -- June 23, 1994 -- Consumer Electronics Show -- Black Cat Design, a designer of computer peripherals and accessories today announced CatBox and CatBox+, feature-packed interface adapters for the Atari Jaguar 64-bit game system. CatBox plugs directly into the AV/DSP ports on the back of the Jaguar. Its custom case measures just 6 x 2.5 x 1.25 inches and perfectly accents the sleek Jaguar design. CatBox provides all of the standard connections that Jaguar customers desire. Standard ports include: S-Video, Composite Video, Left & Right Audio Out, Dual Stereo Headphones, Analog RGB Video, RS-232, ComLynx, and pass-through DSP. All connectors are "industry standard". Standards are a big part of CatBox and connectivity is the key. The RS- 232 port will connect to standard modems. The ComLynx port will join other Jaguar and Lynx game systems for multi-player games and other networking ideas. Black Cat Design is actively working with game developers to ensure support for these ports. CatBox+ offers two powerful new features in addition to the standard CatBox features. Stereo headphone amplification with volume control provides a more powerful sound. The new differential pair network uses standard RJ-11 phone wiring to create a low cost networking system which allows systems to be separated up to 300 feet. An imaginative, well thought out design includes flexibility for the future. Internal expansion connectors for future add-in cards ensure that CatBox will be as useful then as it is now. Future products under consideration include a Midi interface and an internal modem. Thomas Harker, president of Black Cat Design, explained, "This product is an unbelievable value. I wouldn't be surprised if all Jaguar owners buy a CatBox. My family is really thankful for the headphone jacks when our twin boys are playing Raiden. Finally, peace and quiet again in the game room. The boys can't wait for the next generation of multi- player games to arrive. Imagine, dual Jaguars head to head. CatBox will help make this possible. It makes so much sense, I don't know why it wasn't done before." CatBox will begin shipping late this quarter at an MSRP of $49.95. CatBox+ will have an MSRP of $69.95. ICD, Inc., a well known developer of Atari computer products will be marketing CatBox. ICD is taking orders now with shipments expected in August. # # # # CatBox is a trademark of Black Cat Design. Other trademarks are those of their respective holders. ------------------------------------------------------------ For more information, contact: Thomas D. Harker, Black Cat Design (815)968-2228 ext. 222 Fax (815)968-6888 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 69 Fri Jul 15, 1994 DHAMM [DAVE HAMM] at 01:44 EDT E.Halliwell Thats the way all the Atari Arcade trackballs worked. Dave Hamm ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 70 Fri Jul 15, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Earl] at 21:58 CDT Dave-- Are you SURE? The trackball in Football was a huge, heavy thing. The one in Centipede was a new type, about the size of a billiard ball. If they worked the same, why the major size difference? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 71 Sat Jul 16, 1994 A.PETRIE1 [Suzie/AL] at 10:04 EDT >E.HALLIWELL [Earl] > >Dave-- Are you SURE? The trackball in Football was a huge, heavy thing. The >one in Centipede was a new type, about the size of a billiard ball. If they >worked the same, why the major size difference? Earl: I may be jumping in without a clue but here goes. Track balls, mice etc rotate an encoder shaft with a slotted disk between a detector. the resolution of the older detectors( and therefor their slotted disks) was pretty low so to get any response speed you needed a large ball driving a small encoder shaft( like gears on a Bicycle) now the resolution of the encoders is such that much smoller track balls are avail. As an example several years ago on some of the medical equip I worked on a one inch encoder disk would have 64 or 128 slots maximum. currently one inch encoder disks typicaly range from 256 to 1024 slots IE much higher resolution. AL P ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 72 Sat Jul 23, 1994 E.BAIZ at 21:41 EDT I saw the Catbox at the MIST today and it was nice. The sound out of the headphones port was just fantastic. I want the (+) version now. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 73 Sun Jul 24, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 19:41 EDT Glad you liked it. The show was great and although I was running in sleep deprevation mode all week, I would do it again. We had two samples (protos) of the CatBox+ on display. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the MIST tables were only 6 feet long or I would have reserved two of them. It was a bit crowded with, Jaguar, Atari ST, a few 8bit leftovers, and Amiga on a 6 footer. Next year we will reserve two tables. :-) All in all the show was great, it was very well done and I wouldn't change a thing. Good job MIST guys. 10am to 3pm are also reasonalbe hours for a show these days and that allowed us to drive up and back the same day. - TOM - PS CatBox is very, very close to shipping. Thanks for your patience. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 74 Mon Jul 25, 1994 S.FEENEY [Feenix] at 00:16 EDT I second the excellent quality of the CatBox and it is time to make this baby available :). The (+) version would be great and I hope it comes out at the same time if not sooner than the original model. I looked for the demo of StarBattle and the T-Bird, but I guess I missed this somehow. Keep up the good work! Feenix ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 75 Sat Jul 30, 1994 B.AEIN [B Man] at 19:49 EDT Tom, I would like to see the cat box with a ribbon cable that connects to the back of the jag. I built my own blue box from radio shack, but I am afraid that the long lever arm action could easily break the PC board. Unless the CB is very short, I say have a flexible connection between it and the Jag. Bman P.s. Whats happening with support for 2 IDES on the F030??? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 76 Sat Jul 30, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 21:58 EDT Bman, It is not flexible and is designed to sit on the table, floor, etc. where the Jag sits. IT is not designed to become a lever. :-( WE haven't sheered any Jaguar PCBs off yet but I am sure someone will figure out how. But I do think the case resists this sort of stress. - TOM - PS Nothing yet. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 77 Mon Aug 22, 1994 W.MULLIKIN [WillM] at 19:35 PDT ICDINC: Has the Cat Box oshipped yet? WillM ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 78 Mon Aug 22, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 23:22 EDT Not yet WillM. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 79 Tue Aug 23, 1994 D.SHORR at 08:00 EDT Will ICD be selling Cat Box at CAF? Dave ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 80 Tue Aug 23, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:28 EDT Taking orders but not shipping yet. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 81 Fri Sep 02, 1994 E.BAIZ at 22:18 EDT Any idea when the Cat Box + wil be shipping? I have placed my order for one and can't wait for it to arrive. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 82 Sat Sep 03, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:46 EDT E.B., Not yet. I amy have an answer next week though. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 83 Sat Sep 17, 1994 J.WILES1 [Jeff] at 10:45 CDT Any news on the release of the Cat Box and will it work with the SC1224 Atari monitor made by Samsung? Jeff ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 84 Sat Sep 17, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 22:23 EDT JEff, Sorry but I don't have a release date for CatBox yet. It will be very soon though and it does support all of the SC1224 monitors with the correct adapter plug. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 85 Sun Sep 18, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 01:38 PDT Jeff, Is there a problem with the Jag and some SC1224 monitors? If it's vertical roll, I think I know how to fix it... but that's a subject for another topic, I'm sure. Someone want to tell me where to go? (hehe, here's your chance, Tom!) Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) ... FaST Technology Turbo25 inside! ... ICD Link-2 outside ... *8^) ... but no Jaguar, yet ... [sigh] ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 86 Sun Sep 18, 1994 J.WILES1 [Jeff] at 11:30 CDT Tom, You said the Cat Box will support all of the SC1224 monitors with the correct adapter plug. Will this be something we can purchase through you or who? Thanks, Jeff ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 87 Sun Sep 18, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 17:13 EDT Jeff, The Analog RGB port on the CatBox is a DB-9S. The Atari ST monitor adapter converts that to the DIN 13 that Atari uses so you can plug an Atari monitor cable in. They are molded adapter block type things that we have had custom made and will be available when CatBox is released from us. Other adapters will be available for HD DB-15s non-standard DB-9s, Amiga monitor cables (DB23), and any others that look usable. The Atari adapters should be about $10. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 88 Sat Oct 01, 1994 W.MULLIKIN [WillM] at 21:44 PDT Any chance of the Catbox being released soon? WillM ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 89 Mon Oct 03, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:33 EDT Willm, Look for an announcement soon. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 90 Mon Oct 03, 1994 W.MULLIKIN [WillM] at 18:40 PDT Tom, Cool! WillM ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 91 Wed Oct 12, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 07:32 CDT So, how goes the playtester selection? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 92 Thu Oct 13, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:34 EDT Busy. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 93 Thu Oct 13, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 18:25 CDT Cool! I send a message to Tom, and I get a busy signal. Didn't know GEnie supported that feature. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 94 Thu Oct 13, 1994 M.LYDA [mike] at 21:10 EDT Clay... re:busy signal Maybe Tom has his phone and GEnie account tied up with one of those new Jag modems hooked up to a CatBox! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 95 Sat Oct 15, 1994 E.BAIZ at 23:44 EDT Any idea yet for the CatBox release date? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 96 Sun Oct 16, 1994 J.ZENTZ1 [wintermane] at 13:46 PDT Ya I just got AvP and I want a cat box so I can get scared witless in sterio!:) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 97 Sun Oct 16, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 17:23 CDT So buy the composite video cable. Something you should have done already. ps-- "stereo" ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 98 Thu Oct 20, 1994 K.BURKENHEIM at 19:17 PDT I have the Sterio!! I want the SVGA adaptor. WHEN???????? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 99 Thu Oct 20, 1994 B.REEVES2 [Alter Ego] at 22:16 PDT K.Burkenhiem, If you want to adapt the output of the Jaguar to an SVGA monitor, you are talking quite an expense. However, there is really no need. The Jaguar does have an RGB output that will work with monitors like the Atari SC1224 or Commodore Amiga monitor. You can also use a multisync that syncs down to a horizontal sync rate of 15.74khz. Even if you can't find one of these types of monitors the Jaguar has a Y/C output that looks almost as good. If you have a television that has an S-Video input you should try it out. You'll like it. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 100 Fri Oct 21, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 00:16 CDT "sterieo"? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 101 Sat Oct 22, 1994 MYECK.WATERS [myeck] at 00:01 EDT ...and on his farm he had a cow, stereieo... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 102 Sat Oct 22, 1994 R.MARTIN22 [NETWORK 23] at 02:08 EDT S-Video is verrrry nice (Although I can't wait to compare it to RGB!) ;-) + ON-AIR [11:12 PM-21/Oct/94] + + LIVE AND DIRECT + ROD MARTIN, NETWORK 23 SOFTWARE ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 103 Sun Oct 23, 1994 E.BAIZ at 16:40 EDT Come one, just when is the Catbox coming??? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 104 Sun Oct 23, 1994 K.BURKENHEIM at 14:55 PDT how do you hook up the "S vidio" to the Jag?? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 105 Sun Oct 23, 1994 M.LIPSON [MikeL] at 19:15 EDT Why is it taking so long for release of the Catbox? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 106 Sun Oct 23, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 22:14 CDT "vidio"? Buy the S-Video cable. Plug it in. Ta-dah! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 107 Mon Oct 24, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 14:44 EDT Mike, I can't really say since I am under NDA with Atari. :-) - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 108 Mon Oct 24, 1994 E.HALLIWELL [Clay] at 22:57 CDT "Not Doing Anything"? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 109 Mon Oct 24, 1994 C.CASSADAY [Parrot Head] at 23:20 CDT Tom, >I can't really say since I am under NDA with Atari. :-) It's really hard to read between the lines when you leave those one liners... But, if I were a betting man, I'd say that Atari has licensed you to produce their networking and voice modem attachments. And if that's the case considering your company's successful past, that would be the smartest thing Atari has done in a long time. d[;) Chris ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 110 Tue Oct 25, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:48 EDT Chris, Don't bet the farm on it. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 111 Sun Oct 30, 1994 ALEXANDRI at 05:47 EST Will it be out by Thanksgiving? Christmas? President's Day? Juan ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 112 Mon Oct 31, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:45 EST Juan, Which year? :-) Christmas would be a good guess. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 113 Thu Nov 03, 1994 D.LEIDEKER at 06:21 EST Tom, I am still interested in those German Mags. Read your E-mail Please!!! (Sysop please delete after Tom reads this. Thanks) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 114 Thu Nov 03, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:30 EST D.L., CatBox is a bit higher on the priority list than cleaning the magazine shelves here. I do read my EMAIL daily. Please return the conversation there. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 115 Fri Nov 04, 1994 REALM [Joey] at 01:31 EST Yeah, get that Catbox finished!:-) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 116 Wed Nov 09, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 18:10 CST Will there be a ComLynx port on the Catbox+ or is the whole "Lynx as smart controller" idea dead in the water with the "Jaguar networkable games" idea ? :) Just a general Atari jab, not aimed at youse gize. Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 117 Thu Nov 10, 1994 STEVE-J [Steve @ NMG] at 04:03 EST K.DRAKE - Atari never even mentioned any plans to have Lynx-Jaguar games -- they just said it was possible (after being bombarded by inquiries about such by every Lynx owner online!) since the Jaguar uses the same ComLynx protocol for its networking. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 118 Thu Nov 10, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 07:07 CST AAAhhhhhhh, I gotta remember verbatim _is_ verbatim. Can't be reading stuff into those PR's now can I? :) Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 119 Thu Nov 10, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:55 EST Sir, The ComLynx port has been dropped from CatBox due to lack of interest from developers and the development of CatNet which will be the new networking standard. More info shortly. - tOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 120 Thu Nov 10, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 14:51 EST Tom, Thanks for the update. -- Albert @ AEO ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 121 Thu Nov 10, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 18:46 CST tOM, I guess it's all for the better, we wouldn't want the network standard to be based on the _older_ protocols now that I think of it. There was, at one time, supposed to be a kind of "pass-through" special connector for any additional features someone might think up. Did this make the final cut? Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 122 Fri Nov 11, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:07 EST Sir, >"pass-through" special connector.... There is a DSP pass through port for the voice modem or whatever. The CatBox is a two PCB design. The bottom board has most of the A/V connectors, the RS232 connector, and the DSP pass through. It is still rev 1. The top board has all the electronics, the CatNet ports, the headphone ports and volume control. It is currently rev 5. The top board can always be changed to add features. :-) - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 123 Sat Nov 12, 1994 J.BATES15 [JAB] at 00:16 EST >:) Just a general Atari jab, not aimed at youse gize. > Still Sailing, > Sir Fransys Is that little jab or BIG JAB? Later, BIG JAB ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 124 Sun Nov 13, 1994 T.MCCOMB [=Tom=] at 21:58 EST TOM- will my wife be able to get me a CatBox for Xmas? -Tom McComb {10:06 pm} Sunday, November 13, 1994 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 125 Mon Nov 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:10 EST Tom, Good question. ??? - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 126 Mon Nov 14, 1994 M.LIPSON [MikeL] at 20:14 EST > I'd like to know if ICD is a publicly traded company and if it intends to use its "Cat Box" in the cable/multimedia/interactive market. Just curious... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 127 Tue Nov 15, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:21 EST Hahaha! Sorry Mike. We are privately traded. :-( - TOM - PS Time-Warner hasn't called as far as I know. I better check my voice m,ail. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 128 Sat Dec 03, 1994 T.MCCOMB [=Tom=] at 23:47 EST I saw the CatBox at Toad today. Nice. My wife pre-ordered one for me as one of my xmas presents. Question: I picked up one of the new Jag brochures that shows the Jag CD- can the CatBox and Jag CD co-exist? It looks like the CD unit plugs into the back... is there a feed through and will the CatBox still fit/work? I have a copy of the CatBox press release too, I'll ask my wife to type it up later and I'll post it here. Highlights: Release date 12/28/94. Price $69 Saw three Jags/Catboxes running AirCars over a CatNet. Neat. Also DOOM is NOT CatNet (JagNet) compatible. So far only AirCars is. (8 players). DOOM has two player support over the the RS232 lines via a null modem cable. -Tom McComb {12:42 am} Sunday, December 4, 1994 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 129 Sun Dec 04, 1994 T.MCCOMB [=Tom=] at 00:26 EST Here's the press release I picked up at TOAD being given out by Tom Harker. ======== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CatBox (TM) tames the Jaguar Black Cat has the right stuff ROCKFORD, IL -- December 2, 1994 Black Cat Design, Inc., a designer of computer peripherals and accessories today announced the CatBox, a feature-packed interface adapter for the Atari Jaguar 64-bit game system, will begin shipping on December 28th. CatBox plugs directly into the AV/DSP ports on the back of the Jaguar. Its custom case measures just 6 X 2.5 X 1.25 inches and perfectly accents the sleek Jaguar design. CatBox provides all of the standard connections that Jaguar customers desire. Standard ports include: S-Video, Composite Video, Left & right Audio Out, Dual Stereo Headphones, Analog RGB Video, RS-232, CatNet (TM), and pass-through DSP. All connectors are "industry standard". Standards are a big part of CatBox and connectivity is the key. The RS-232 port will connect to standard modems and other serial devices. CatNet is a differential pair network which uses standard RJ11 telephone wiring to join other Jaguar systems for multi-player games and other networking possibilities. CatNet supports up to 32 players and cable lengths over l,000 feet. Black Cat Design has been actively working with game developers to ensure communications support. DOOM (TM) from Id Software will be the first game out with two player support over the RS232 ports using a null-modem cable. Aircards (TM) from MidNite Entertainment Group is scheduled to ship about January 30th and will support up to 8 players over CatNet. Stereo headphone amplification with volume control provided in the CatBox provides a clean, crisp sound experience with exceptional clarity and dynamic range. An imaginative, well thought out design includes flexibility for the future. Internal expansion connectors for future add-in cards ensure that CatBox will be as useful then as it is now. Future products under consideration include a Midi interface and an internal modem. Thomas Harker, President of Black Cat Design, explained, "This product is an unbelievable value. I wouldn't be surprised if all Jaguar owners upgrade their Jaguar with a CatBox. Tempest and DOOM sound fantastic with stereo headphones. Adding an RGB monitor really improves the picture. Playing DOOM or Aircars head to head over the network is a totally new gaming experience. CatBox adds a new dimension to Jaguar game play and just makes sense." CatBox will beging shipping on December 28th at an MSRP of $69.95. Supplies will be tight so call your dealer and place an order now. # # # # CatBox and CatNet are trademarks of Black Cat Design, Inc. Other trademarks are those of their respective holders. ------------------------------------------------ For more information, contact: Thomas D. Harker, Black Cat Design, Inc. (8l5) 968-2228, Ext. 222 FAX: (8l5) 968-6888 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 130 Sun Dec 04, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 10:41 CST Will games using the Catbox take advantage of modem _and_ JagNet features? For example, Aircars can link up to 8 players locally but will there be a feature that allows me to call up someone and play one on one? I'm assuming that across the modem, you'll only be able to play against one other person. Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 131 Sun Dec 04, 1994 VRPOLLARD [...Vernon...] at 14:05 CST Hi all, -> Left & right Audio Out, Dual Stereo Headphones, Analog RGB Video, -> RS-232, CatNet (TM), and pass-through DSP. All connectors are "industry -> standard". I have a question about the RS-232 connection, hopefully I can ask it without confusing everybody. :-) Would it be possible, if one had the proper software, to connect a Jaguar to a PC and then transfer stats from a football or baseball game to the PC? Here is what I would like to be able to do. Say there is a football game for the Jaguar that supports modem play (fingers crossed!). Player A is in Texas and Player B is in New York. They play their game, after the game Player A sends the stats from the Jaguar/game to his computer. Then he sends the stats to Commissioner who is Alabama via modem or by disk (should have gone for 2 pts!) The Commissioner then loads the stats he received from Player A into a PC program used to keep track of League stats. I think someone could write a nice program for keeping stats, etc. Is this possible? Would it work? I think playing in a JFL (Jaguar Football League) with players from all over the U.S. would be a blast! The only problem is a way to get the league stats together, if the idea above would work, then no problem. Thanks! Vernon ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 132 Sun Dec 04, 1994 D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 16:33 EST Vernon: Of course that would be a trivial matter for the CatBox to accomplish. I talk to a PC all the time with mine. All you have to do is convince some developer that they should write the software that would support PC downloading of game stats. __________________ \hunderbird ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 133 Mon Dec 05, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 22:57 EST Tom, I was there too. Next time say hello. :-) There is no problem with the Jag CD player and CatBox unless Atari changes their case design. I checked it at SCES and it has been discussed with Atari developer support people. Sir Fransis, The Aircars that I had with me did not have modem support. They tried but are running out of time to support it. They will be supporting it with their next game. There are other games in the works that will. :-) Vernon, What The-Bird said. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 134 Mon Dec 05, 1994 D.NICOLAU [David] at 21:00 PST ICD (Tom) Is there still a Catbox + ?? or just the Catbox. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 135 Tue Dec 06, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 13:40 EST David, There is only one CatBox. Everyone wanted the + model so the features have become standard. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 136 Tue Dec 06, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 17:18 EST How many "expansion slots" are there? Still Sailing, Sir Fransys When will the "internal modem" be available? :) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 137 Tue Dec 06, 1994 A.RHODES1 [Starbuck] at 18:32 CST I preordered the Catbox back in ... lets see... March, I think. I wonder if I will have to order again or if ICD still has my order? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 138 Wed Dec 07, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 16:06 EST Sir, :-) Starbuck, You won't have to re-order but we will be calling all pre-orders for verification. You will need to answer your phone when we call. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 140 Wed Dec 07, 1994 E.MICHARD at 22:21 CST Starbuck - It might be a good idea to use EMAIL for such personal info. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 141 Thu Dec 08, 1994 ARCHIVIST [Charlie] at 07:59 EST I quite agree, so I've removed Starbuck's message. :-) You never know who's lurking here, after all. Charlie/sysop ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 142 Thu Dec 08, 1994 A.RHODES1 [Starbuck] at 19:07 CST Heck, if they wanted my phone number they could call information anyway. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 143 Thu Dec 08, 1994 E.BAIZ at 22:35 EST I pre-ordered my Catbox a long time ago. If you call my house I hope I am there. if not, just a message on the machine. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 144 Fri Dec 09, 1994 REALM [Joey] at 02:44 EST The phone book works too.:-) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 145 Fri Dec 09, 1994 M.LYDA [mike] at 06:21 EST will the catbox allow me to connect an Atari SC1224 color monitor (with knobs on lower left front) to my Jaguar? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 146 Fri Dec 09, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 08:19 EST Mike, Yes. - TOM - PS Not only will it allow you to connect the SC1224 but it works as well. :-) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 147 Mon Dec 12, 1994 C.CUENCA1 [C.Cuenca1] at 16:42 EST ICD, I was wondering by using the catbox can I connect a Jaguar to a standard VGA monitor..?? Carlos... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 148 Mon Dec 12, 1994 P.FLETCHER4 at 21:32 EST Tom, Do you have any literature on the catbox available? If so, I'll e-mail you my address.....I like to know what I'm buying. Pete ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 149 Mon Dec 12, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 21:38 EST Pete, More info will be posted here shortly. Carlos, What does 'standard' VGA mean? If you mean that the monitor will only support VGA which has a horizontal sync rate of 31.5 KHz then the answer is no. The Jaguar default for hi-res requires a horizontal sync rate of 15.75 KHz. That means that Atari ST color monitors and Amiga monitors will work. Modern monitors designed for PC Clones usually don't sync lower than 30 KHz. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 150 Tue Dec 13, 1994 C.CUENCA1 [C.Cuenca1] at 01:06 EST Tom, Thank you for the info. I just had a VGA monitor hanging around here and I thought would hook it up to the jag, if possible... Thanks, Carlos... ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 151 Tue Dec 13, 1994 REALM [Joey] at 02:56 EST A NEC 3D would probably work if you can find one. There was also an older Samsung and Sony model that woudl sync that low. I don't know which model numbers though? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 152 Tue Dec 13, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 10:12 EST The Sony is a 1302. Most of the monitors that support 15.75KHz were made between 1985 and 1990. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 153 Tue Dec 13, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 21:09 EST CatBox Short Fact Sheet version 12/13/94 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- CatBox was designed for all Jaguar owners and adds features to your Jaguar that are not available on any other game system. This stylish device plugs directly into the back of your Jaguar console. CatBox provides standard connections for Audio.... Video.... and Communications. (AUDIO) The Audio section includes RCA type stereo output jacks to connect the Jaguargs true stereo sound directly to your stereo, TV, or VCR. CatBox includes a high performance stereo headphone amplifier with volume control and twin headphone jacks. You wongt believe the sounds of your favorite games through headphones. The separation and dynamic range are incredible. The audio signal is also passed through the Analog RGB monitor connector to support monitors with built-in sound. (VIDEO) CatBox has the video connections to make your Jaguar show its stuff! You can select composite video, S-Video, or Analog RGB and use them in any combination. Composite and S-Video are commonly found on better TVs, VCRs, and video cameras. The standard connectors are used on CatBox. Analog RGB monitors are color monitors with a horizontal sync rate of 15.75 kilohertz. These are normally the monitors found on Atari ST and Amiga computers and will give the highest quality picture at a very reasonable cost. (COMMUNICATIONS) CatBox has the power for multi-player games with CatNet,... RS232,... and a DSP pass through connector. CatNet supports up to 32 players in a local network using low cost RJ11 telephone extension cables. RS232 supports standard connections to computers, modems, and other serial devices. The DSP pass through is provided for the Atari Voice modem and other future communications devices. Of course, the game cartridge must support communications for it to work. Doom from Atari and Aircars from MidNite Entertainment Group are two examples of games that network with CatBox communications ports. You may order CatBox directly from Black Cat Design or from your local Jaguar dealer. If your dealer is not offering CatBox, please have him contact us. CatBox is presently in production and will begin shipping in early January 1995. The suggested retail price is $69.95. Monitor adapters, cables and other accessories are also available. You may reach us by fax at 815-968-6888 Send questions to: Black Cat Design, Inc. 1220 Rock Street Rockford, Illinois 61101 For more detailed information, see the CatBox Preliminary manual. This info and the preliminary manual can be found here in the library as CATBOX.ZIP. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 154 Tue Dec 13, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 21:24 EST CatBox.ZIP is file #34669 and should be available as soon as it is cleared by SYSOPs. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 155 Tue Dec 13, 1994 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron [] at 23:25 EST Joey, The NEC 3D works great with the Jag if you separate the vertical sync using something like the Cat Box ;-) Ron @ AEO ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 156 Wed Dec 14, 1994 REALM [Joey] at 01:11 EST Ron, thought it might since it works fine with an ST but I've never actually tried it. Unfortunately I was stupid enough to sell mine... arghh.:- ) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 157 Wed Dec 14, 1994 C.CASSADAY [Parrot Head] at 00:51 CST Tom, Will Atari's PTC1426 TT monitor sync to a Jaguar using a Cat Box? Chris ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 158 Wed Dec 14, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 02:01 PST Tom, Don't know if you caught this when I posted it in the monitor topic a while back, so I thought I'd drop it off over here as well. These monitors will all sync down to the 15 Khz rage for use with the Jag and the Cat-Box! Unfortunately, most are discontinued, but ya never know... you might just find a good used one, somewhere? Here's a list of a bunch of monitors that sync to all 3 ST resolutions. The list prices are from several years ago and are no longer valid, but I was too lazy to delete 'em. List Size Horiz Vert Model Manufacturer Price (inch) kHz Hz -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MS-8431 Amazing Tech. $399 14 15-36 ? AML-1402 Adara Technology $650 14 15-36 45-90 CM-324 AOC International $549 14 15-36 50-90 CM-324H/M AOC International ? 14 15-36 50-90 CM-326 AOC International $649 14 15-38 50-90 Auto-Trak 714 Conrac Display ? 13 15.5-37 45-80 Auto-Trak 9250 Conrac Display $3,850 13 15-37.5 48-90 Model 7126S Conrac Display $3,995 26 15-32 48-75 Model 7211 Conrac Display $4,120 13 15-37.5 47-80 Model 7211 Conrac Display $4,120 19 15-37.5 47-80 Model 7241 Conrac Display $2,995 19 15-37 47-80 Model 9214 Conrac Display ? 13 15-38 50-80 Multiscan 3436 CTX International $780 14 15-38 50-90 TSM-1431 Darius Technology $699 14 15.5-39 50-90 ECM 1410 Electrohome, Ltd. $1,195 14 15-40 45-90 ECM 2010 Electrohome, Ltd. $3,195 20 15-38 45-120 Eversync Color Everex Systems $599 14 15.5-35 50-70 FMS Falco Data $750 14 15-38 47-90 MTS-9608S Forefront Technology $499 14 15-38 50-90 TY-1411 Golden Dragon ? 14 15.5-3 50-120 Idek MF-5017 IDEK/Iiyama North Amer $1,275 17 15-40 50-90 Idek MF-5021 IDEK/Iiyama North Amer $2,695 21 15.5-38 50-90 C21LV-65MAX Image Systems Corp. ? 21 15-65 55-90 C24LV-65MAX Image Systems Corp. ? 24 15-65 55-90 CM-1403 Intra Electronics USA $300 14 15-38 40-100 GD-H4220US JVC Information $2,895 19 15-37 45-87 CMON M Leading Edge $599 14 15.75-39 50-90 MagicVIEW 20 Mac $1,999 20 15.75-36 50-100 Model 2014/LP Microvitec ? 14 15-40 45-100 Model 2020 Microvitec $2,495 20 15-38 ? Model 710MH Mitsuba Corp. $415 14 15-38 50-90 Diamond Pro 26M Mitsubishi Electronics $11,300 25 15-38 45-90 HC-3505SK Mitsubishi Electronics $11,300 26 15.7-38 45-90 XC-3315C Mitsubishi Electronics $5,495 33 15-38 40-120 XC-3715C Mitsubishi Electronics $7,599 37 15-36 45-120 AM-2752A Mitsubishi Electronics $3,700 27 15.6-36 45-90 AM-3151A Mitsubishi Electronics $5,200 31 15.6-36 45-90 AM-3501R Mitsubishi Electronics $6,900 35 15-35.5 45-70 MG-3430 Modgraph $985 9 15-35 50-70 3-D NEC Technologies $595 14 15-? ? DM-2710 NEC Technologies $3,995 27 15-38 40-100 PanaSync C1391 Panasonic Communicatio $899 13 15.5-36 40-80 Ultra 1200 Princeton Graphic Syst $450 12 15-38 45-120 Ultra 1400 Princeton Graphic Syst $899 14 15-38 45-120 Ultra 1600 Princeton Graphic Syst $775 16 15-38 45-120 AlphaScan Sampo Corp. of America $649 14 15.75-36 50-87 CE-8 Sceptre Technologies $995 14 15-38 50-90 CM-3 Sceptre Technologies $795 14 15.5-36 50-70 CPD-1302 SONY Corporation of Am $995 13 15.75-36 50-100 GVM-1310 SONY Corporation of Am $1,295 13 15.75-36 50-100 GVM-2020 SONY Corporation of Am $1,595 20 15.75-36 50-100 Tuff/CRT Talon Technology Corp. $6,000 14 15-35 47-73 Omniscan CM-1495H Tatung Co. of America $899 14 15-37 40-120 MultiVision 770+ TAXAN America $895 14 15-37 50-90 MediaScan 3+ TVM Professional Monit ? 14 15-38 46-100 TM-5414 TW Casper Corp. ? 14 15.5-35 50-70 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hope someone finds this useful... Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><><><> Alien inside <><><><><> PS: I'm currently running a Sony CPD-1310 on an ST, so that's another one for the Jag list. Got it for $25! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 159 Wed Dec 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:41 EST Chris, The PTC1426 is VGA and will not sync that low. It also will not work on the ST. Tim, Hey thanks for the list. I have seen a similar list before in the Amiga RT but didn't have time to dig for it. Is a CPD-1310 the same as a GVM-1310? What is the difference between that and the 1302? - TOM - (a big fan of Sony monitors) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 160 Wed Dec 14, 1994 AEO.4 [Mark] at 10:19 EST Well, another monitor you can add to your usable with the Jaguar list is the ACER 7015. I am using it right now on my ST and it is beautiful! If you can find this one, definately pick it up, sharp colors and deep blacks. I would honestly say that is the best monitor I have ever used. I worte a review of it a few years back for my local atari group. If anyone wants me to post it here I will. -mark "stingray" santora ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 161 Wed Dec 14, 1994 WETMORE [Tony] at 22:23 EST Tom (ICDINC), I have a quick question about the CatBox. Or maybe it is about the Jaguar in general. As such, the answer may be protected by your NDA with Atari. At any rate... my question. Can the RS232 and RJ11 ports be used simultaneously by a single Jaguar game? Or used at different times by the same cartridge, without rebooting? The reason I ask is that I am wondering if it is possible for developers to make games which communicate with a PC via the RS232 port to retrieve info, and run a networked game via the RJ11 port. For example, if DOOM were to grab its level data ("WAD file", if you will) from a PC, then distribute that data among the networked Jaguars to allow for PC-edited game levels to be used in a Jaguar title... Of course, no one will likely ever do this, but I still think it's a damn good idea. And, if the Jaguar can do it, and I had the $5-$10,000 for a development system, =I= would sure do it! Thanks! Tony ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 162 Wed Dec 14, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 23:04 EST Add two more Monitors that should work work with the Jag, both by Magnavox. 8cm515 - Older model with single audio channel. Also accepts composite video and ttl. 1cm135 - later model with stereo audio, Besides the above will also take chroma + luminance (s-video?). Both sync at 15.570kHz nicely and are 14". Larger display area than Atari color monitor. I've been using the 8cm515 with my MSTe for years as well as with an Atari 800, C=64 and a Sinclair QL. My dad uses one with a Timex 2068 and a C=128. Very versitile monitors for those that need 15.750kHz. Also makes a very nice monitor for VCRs. Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 12:16 PM Mountain Time Wednesday, December 14, 1994 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 163 Wed Dec 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 23:08 EST Tony, The answer is no, not at this time. You have your choice of RS232 or CatNet and it is selected by a switch. Changing the switch may or may not crash the system while active which requires a reboot (power up cycle). Stingray, Thanks! Think I should adopt a car name since it seems to be the thing. ?? - TOM - (Beemer) ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 164 Wed Dec 14, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 23:19 EST Thanks Mike. Are either of these Magnavox monitors the nice looking type that are comparable with the SC1435? I saw one of these at the Cle eland Show this summer and forgot to record the model number. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 165 Thu Dec 15, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 00:22 EST How would a Catnet connection with 3 Jags work? Is it a MIDI like set up as far as the ports? (ASCII art will do just fine.) Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 166 Thu Dec 15, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 01:42 PST Parrot Head, Nope, the PTC1426 won't sync low enough... sorry. Tom, Do you think the Cat-Box will reduce the "network errors" in DOOM? I'm running a double grounded cable with ferrite cores at each end, and I'm still getting loads of errors in "co-op" mode (not too bad in "Deathmatch" mode, though)... DOOM DEATHMATCH RULES!! Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><> Network Error inside <><><> ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 167 Thu Dec 15, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 02:38 PST Tom, Judging from the old list price of the GVM-1310, I doubt it's the same as the CPD-1310. I'd guess the CPD was less expensive. It's got a fairly large dot- pitch (which isn't a problem at ST/Jag resolutions), but great color and contrast. Gotta wire a Jag cable for it, someday... What a pain that Atari used non-standard 12/24 pin connectors on the Jag!! Could've been worse, I guess... at least they used standard spacing! My friend has a big Sony TV with an RGB connector on it that looks just like the 1310's, but I couldn't get the computer to work on it, so I guess it's TTL? Too bad... woulda' been cool with the Jag! Oh well... just got my Roland CS-10 from STeve's, and that together with the Sony monitor makes a great addition to the monSTer Mega. Now I can put my SC1224 back on the monSTer 520. So the 520 can again do color and monochrome, and the Mega can do color and Moniterm! Now all I need is a 36 inch RGB for the Jag, and a Cat-Box to plug it into! Currently running the Jag on an old Amdek 300 with an S-Video adapter wired to the Chroma/Luma ports. Looks great actually! By the way... exactly what kind of RGB connector will the Cat-Box have? Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><><><> Alien inside <><><><><> ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 168 Thu Dec 15, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:03 EST Tim, The analog RGB port on the CatBox uses a DB9S wired in the old NEC multisync standard. I figured this was a low cost and easy to find connector for those who want to make their own cables or adapters. We also have adapter plugs for Atari ST, Amiga, and other monitor cables. Sir, There are two RJ11 jacks on the back of each CatBox for CatNet. A telephone type cable connects one Jag to the next. This keeps going until all in the network are plugged together. That leaves the Jags on the ends with one empty RJ11 jack and those iin the middle with both jacks used. Terminator plugs go in the two empty RJ11 jacks. Sorry, I'm no good at ASCII art. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 169 Thu Dec 15, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:30 EST Tim, The CatBox will allow the safe connection of Jaguars for communications. It will NOT perform miracles. :-( I would not recommend people directly connecting Jaguar UARTs together unless they are prepared to buy a new Jag when the UART gets zapped. The UART is part of one of the custom chips in the Jaguar and not serviceable. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 170 Thu Dec 15, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 22:31 EST Tom, I believe that the SC1435 is a modified 1cm135. Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 10:29 AM Mountain Time Thursday, December 15, 1994 ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 171 Fri Dec 16, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 01:53 PST Thanks Tom, I'm familiar with the NEC 9-pin so hacking a cable will be simple. Hmmm... maybe I'll just do it now, since the "Box" is so close? The Sony cable already has a 9-pin. A few minutes with a soldering iron rearanging the connections to the NEC pattern and I'm all set! So how do things look for the first run, are they all pre-sold, or will I be able to get one? Too bad about DOOM, though. I guess they had to get it out for Christmas, but I would have waited to have networking done right. That's the problem with dedicated game systems. No practical way to update a cartridge. Oh well... hopefully they'll do DOOM-II or QUAKE and get it right. Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><> Network Error inside <><><> ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 172 Fri Dec 16, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:16 EST Tim, I have a few left. Send me your order in EMAIL. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 173 Fri Dec 16, 1994 A.PETRIE1 [Suzie/AL] at 19:35 EST >Thanks! Think I should adopt a car name since it seems to be the thing. ?? > > - TOM - (Beemer) Tom: Do you know the difference between a BMW and a Porcupine? (if you do or don't please don't take it personaly) Also there is some one over in the VG RT posting as ICD-GMBH, any corporate relationship? AL P ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 174 Fri Dec 16, 1994 K.DRAKE [Sir Fransys] at 18:47 EST Tom, Just ran across a good question. Is JagTalk and CatNet two different animals? The way I've heard them described, JagTalk seems to be an extension of the Lynx protocols but only for two Jags while CatNet allows for 3 or more Jags (and modem play?) Thanks for any clarification. Still Sailing, Sir Fransys ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 175 Fri Dec 16, 1994 DMJ [dmj] at 21:24 CST Tom, You mean something like this: * +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+ * | | | | | | | | .---------. .---------. .---------. .---------. | ===== | | ===== | | ===== | | ===== | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | _ | | _ | | _ | | _ | \_______/ \_______/ \_______/ \_______/ So you just chain Jags together... with a plug at each end? Are the two plugs on the CatBox the same, or is there an "in" and "out"? Is the plug special, and if so, do you get one with the CatBox? ~dmj ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 176 Sat Dec 17, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 09:18 EST DMJ, Thanks for the drawing. Yes, that is correct. The two ports are the same and 1 term plug comes with each CatBox. - TOM - PS JagNet is a meaningless term to me. I think it was a plan that didn't work out. Maybe someone at Atari can clarify that? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 177 Mon Dec 19, 1994 T.TONKIN at 19:23 EST I would like to suggest to ICD that you make an adapter similar to a Game Genie that contained: a) a level editor for DOOM, b) a slot to insert 3 1/2" disks with .wad files on them. Also, anyone know if Atari/id has put anythought into releasing Doom and Doom II for the Jag on CD. SHADOW ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 178 Mon Dec 19, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 22:31 EST Thanks Shadow, A slot for the floppy disk would be a piece of cake.... oh, you wanted the floppy disk to do something? darn :-) What you are asking for sounds like a new version of Doom on CD-ROM. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 179 Tue Dec 20, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 00:09 PST Shadow, The word I've heard is that id will not be doing DOOM-II on CD, but will instead be doing QUAKE! In case you haven't heard, QUAKE is a new game that's supposed to BLOW DOOM AWAY! Of course this could all just be rumors, but from what I've heard about QUAKE, it's a natural for the Jag! Tom, *8^) Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><> Network Error inside! <><><> ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 180 Tue Dec 20, 1994 T.STEED1 [White Dragon] at 03:06 MST Tom, (Happy Hacker), Someone from ID posted that there would not be a Doom 2 for the Jag, though a version of Doom on CD is 'possible', though still doubtfull. He did indicate that the current project was 'Quake', a game like Doom, but where you can lean, look up and down, etc, like System Shock for the PC, with better graphics than Doom. With how good this one sounds, I say FORGET Doom and get Quake out! Doom and Doom 2 for the 3DO arent being done by ID, they are being done by another company who paid ID for the rights to do them. This company has promised LOTS of FMV, too, and music. Ack! :) With the upcoming release of the CatBox, I hope we see more games being made that can use it. Networked games on the PC are about the funnest damn games I've played. Though adding networking ability might lengthen the amount of time it takes for the game to be released, I think it would be worth it! :) Tom- (ICD) any idea if the CatBox will be sold through the chain stores, like Babbage's or EB? Thanx Tim ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 181 Tue Dec 20, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 05:30 EST Tim, I can assure you that CatBox will eventually be sold wherever Jaguars are. The key word is "eventually". Initially I expect Atari dealers to be selling CatBox since we are not manufacutring in huge volumes. All, I am sorry to announce that there has been a serious production delay that will not allow me to meet the December 28th release date. Our case manufacturer went psycho on us and couldn't produce what we had designed. So I spent the last two weeks working with a number of experienced case companies and have selected a new supplier. Unfortunately because of the holidays, he won't be shipping us cases until the last week in January. :-( Sorry to mislead you but we will have the production CatBoxes fully assembled and waiting for their shells when they arrive. New ship week is last in January. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 182 Tue Dec 20, 1994 AEO.1 [Albert Dayes] at 11:49 EST Thanks for the Update Tom. -- Albert @ AEO ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 183 Tue Dec 20, 1994 D.WESNOR [Lead Dog] at 19:05 CST Will it be called CatBox '95? Oh, sorry. Such cheesy renames should reserved for products having features removed hand-over-foot, not simple production delays. Signed, A programmer who's PO'd at MicroSoft because Visual C++ compiles code that runs half as fast as Turbo C++. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 184 Tue Dec 20, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 20:47 EST No problem. Recently there hasn't been a day gone by without me swearing about Windows or MS. (MicroSloth that is.) - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 185 Wed Dec 21, 1994 J.BATTEY1 [Dal.I-Dotter] at 00:14 CST >Will it be called CatBox '95? Not until next August. John L. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 186 Wed Dec 21, 1994 J.NESS [Jim] at 11:05 CST Re: ID Software A net post from ID that was reprinted on CIS today says ID is not working on any Jaguar projects. They "gave Atari" a huge chunk of time, and they are now awaiting sales results on JagDoom, before making any decisions on future work. They say they are planning to license the JagDoom engine to other devs, though, so we may see games which look a lot like Doom. He also commented that: a) after the fact, he now knows how to speed up rendering by 50% (Timing is everything) b) the 68000 is so much slower than the RISC chips that it becomes a choke point, and you can't simply do EVERYTHING on the RISC chips because of limited on chip memory c) the bus becomes saturated trying to move data around between the chips (probably connected to the above problem with limited on-board RISC memory) d) the "network errors" problem in Doom is caused by flakiness in the chipset which results in two carts getting out of synch with each other. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 187 Wed Dec 21, 1994 AEO.MAG [] Go FSU! [] at 14:19 EST That id post was reposted in the Doom topic (33) here. I think the discussion will move there. --Travis @ AEO ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 188 Thu Dec 22, 1994 G.CHIU2 [Graham] at 03:58 EST Has Black Cat thought about making a MIDI adaptable serial port? Then games like Doom which were not able to implement in-game music due to "bus saturation", or whatever the jargon is, could get the music and effects on a general midi compatible instrument. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 189 Fri Dec 23, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 03:22 PST Tom, End of January now 'eh? I find myself overwhelmed by a sense of Deja Vue, I wonder why? *8^) Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) ... Fast Technology Turbo25 inside! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 190 Sun Dec 25, 1994 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 13:59 PST Tom, I have found that DOOM "deathmatch" (and even "co-op") mode works great if both of the Jags are newer units! Previously I had linked an early '93 Jag to my '94 Jag, but when I tried two '94 Jags together we were able to play for hours with almost NO ERRORS! It was great!! This leads me to believe that at least some earlier Jags have weak or noisy DSP ports, and I'm hoping the extra buffering the Cat-Box offers might help clean this up. Given this new information, what do you think? (BTW, the early Jag I'm talking about is one of the ones that has trouble booting up.) Happy Holidays, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><><><><> BFG-9000 inside! <><><><><><> ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 191 Mon Dec 26, 1994 VRPOLLARD [...Vernon...] at 13:07 CST Is it possible to order or pre-order a CAT BOX via GEnie email? If so, what's the proper address and what info is required. Thanks! Vernon ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 192 Mon Dec 26, 1994 G.CHIU2 [Graham] at 14:22 EST >T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] >I have found that DOOM "deathmatch" (and even "co-op") mode works great if >both of the Jags are newer units! Previously I had linked an early '93 Jag to Care to post the info required to make the necessary cables up? Graham. ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 193 Tue Dec 27, 1994 ICDINC [Tom] at 11:20 EST Vernon, Send EMAIL orders to ICDINC. - TOM - ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 194 Tue Dec 27, 1994 VRPOLLARD [...Vernon...] at 14:03 CST ******* To: ICDINC [Tom] ******* Tom, -> Send EMAIL orders to ICDINC. Great! Thanks! Vernon ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 195 Thu Jan 05, 1995 D.BELTER at 23:47 CST Hey Tom, just wonder when the CatBox does come out, can I pick one up for you or do I have to order it though Babbages at Cherryvale? ;) I must have missed it, how will the CatBox cost? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 196 Sun Jan 08, 1995 L.MEARS [Larry] at 12:27 CST ICD "Tom", One guy posted that that the older Jags gave network errors and the newer ones didn't. Have you found this to be true and if so does the CatBox fix these network errors for the older Jags? If this is true it would suggest that the early Jags were defective Atari should offer some kind of a fix, at the very least they could offer a coupon for a hefty discount off the CatBox. I guess you would get the difference from Atari on 20,000 or so Jags. ;-) Anyway any truth to defective early Jag networking? ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 197 Sun Jan 08, 1995 D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 14:43 EST Actually, the statement was made that 'old' and 'new' Jaguars had trouble networking together. Note that this doesn't say one thing about 'old' Jaguar being 'defective'. For all we know, the 'new' Jaguars might be the 'defective' units, and the old ones are 100% A.O.K. Of course, this is all more likely a crock of cow-dung. Based on a handful of people experimenting with HOMEMADE cables (none of which I see has any buffering or protection from the schematics I've seen posted), how can one expect accurate test results? For all we know, the older and newer Jaguars simply have different impedance characteristics on their DSP ports, and NATURALLY unbuffered hack cables are going to exacerbate the problems. For all we know, the mismatched impedances and kludged cables are burning out the ASICs in either the 'older' or 'newer' Jaguars. Also, basing these test results on a SINGLE networkable game is not very accurate either. Reports seem to indicate that the network code itself in this single game is buggy and crashes by itself under ideal circumstances anyhow. Other games in development are reported to be rock-solid on all Jaguars. You make the call. ______________________ \hunderbird ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 198 Sun Jan 08, 1995 ARCHIVIST [Charlie] at 14:51 EST As with all things Jaguar, time will tell the true story. Charlie/sysop ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 199 Sun Jan 08, 1995 AEO.MAG [] Go FSU! [] at 15:19 EST I'm siding with whatever T-Bird says. --Travis ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 200 Mon Jan 09, 1995 D.BELTER at 02:42 CST Ok then HOW would design a Cable that had the correct BUFFERING or what ever? I don't want to wait a FEW more months for the JagCable to be released, which seem to be the time table for the Cables! I want to play Doom TWO player NOW! If Atari would have release the cable when JagDoom was released then this wouldn't have happened! ------------ Category 26, Topic 18 Message 201 Mon Jan 09, 1995 T.PATRICK5 [Happy Hacker] at 03:35 PST Greetings to the DOOMed... I was the one who posted the message(s) about "deathmatch" DOOM and network errors. I agree with most of what T-Bird says, except the part about the errors being caused by burned out chips. I have connected my Jag to several different units now, and they all still work fine. I have not had the opportunity to connect two older Jags, but I get far less errors between two '94 Jags, than between a '94 and a '93. This is definitely not a scientific test. It's just my observations after playing with about a half-dozen units. Also, I have been warned by people "in the know" that using an unbuffered cable could possibly cause damage. Just because it hasn't happened to me, doesn't mean it's safe. My experience would suggest the risk is low, but since so many have been passing on the warnings, we also have to assume at least a few Jags have been fried. The question no one seems to be able to answer is, were they fried because there is some inherant danger in a direct DSP connection, or were they fried because the connection was done improperly? The network code in DOOM is buggy IMHO. Whether the Cat-Box will help or not remains to be seen, but it's my guess it will only improve the old-to-new Jag connections to the point where errors are reduced. It can't cure a problem in the software. As Tom has been known to say, "the Cat-Box will allow you to safely connect two Jaguars together, but it can't perform miracles!" This, of course, came as a bit of a shock to old-time Atari users who are use to ICD products performing miracles. *8^) This must be why Tom created the "Black Cat Design" company to market the Cat-Box. If it can't perform miracles, it can't be an ICD product! Will I continue to use my "homemade hack" cable to play deathmatch DOOM? Probably. Will I end up frying my Jag as a result? Probably not. Will I get a Cat-Box? Definitely. And I'll feel a lot better about networking my Jag through the Cat-Box. Be patient gang, deathmatch DOOM will be worth the wait. Trust me! Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) <><><> Deathmatch DOOM inside <><><> ------------