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The Video Game Console Library - DISCover Technology

DISCover Technology

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Digital Interactive Systems Inc. Apex, Alienware May, 2004 Worldwide $1,764 USD Unknown Many (PC Game Compatible) N\A
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
DISCover Technology
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
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Reviews
 

 


DISCover Technology

Apex Extreme

 

 

  DISCover Technology
Alienware DHS 2

 

 
  DW FACTS
 - by Dark Watcher

It was bound to happen. Perhaps the cause stemmed from Microsoft's Xbox game console with it's computer like architecture. What are we referring to you may ask? It is called DISCover.

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2003, Digital Interactive Systems Inc (The "DIS" in DISCover) debuted a patented technology that allowed console gamers the ability to play computer PC games on a console like machine. The machines themselves were merely computer components in a compact casing. It is even driven by Microsoft's Windows XP computer operating system. So what makes it special?

The DISCover patented technology was developed to take the fuss out of computer gaming. Units are preloaded with thousands of scripts that automati-cally configure all the game requirements needed to run a particular game. No need to adjust computer settings or tweak graphics and frame rate. The gamer simply places a CD computer game into the console, and the game simply starts up like any console game would (and either on TV or monitors). DISCover also connects itself behind the scenes via dial-up or broadband to the company's server database for script updates and game mods. This technology was called "Drop 'n' Played". The image above was a model used at E3 2003.

DISCover consoles would vary hardware wise. This is because Digital Interactive took the 3DO approach. In other words they license the DISCover technology out to retailers. The retailers can then put out their own versions of the DISCover console. They had negotiated with Hyundai Electronics, Pioneer, Apex, Gateway, Alienware, HP, ABS and Dell. Manufactures could use the technology with set top boxes, DVD / MP3 players, and TiVo type devices. Also since the units make use of Windows XP it will be compatible with any other input devices necessary such as game port, USB, firewire, standard mouse and keyboard connections, etc.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2004, the first console to make use of DISCover patented technology was debuted by Apex. The Apex Extreme was a set top box that would feature a 40 GB Hard Drive, nVidia nForce 2 IGP, 256 MB DDR RAM, a digital video recorder, an AMD Athlon XP 2000+ Processor, Progressive Scan and HDTV Support. It would also have a 56K v.92 modem and an Ethernet connection with four front USB ports for keyboards, mice, gamepads or joysticks and one rear port. Unfortunately, The company lacked the financial stability to bring it to consumers. It never appeared.

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2005 saw the rebirth of DISCover. The company partnered up with Alienware and used the technology exclusively in their new Media Center PC line. The technology now featured the addition of downloadable games and services on top of their existing "Drop 'n' Played" service. It was now called "My Games" and seems to have stolen the 'Phantom Console's' thunder.

FACT: Two Alienware Media Center PC's became available in 2005, and both featured DISCover technology. The technical specs for the DHS 2 are available HERE, and the DHS 5 are HERE.


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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Apex Extreme
 Alienware DHS 2
 Alienware DHS 5
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Specs

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
 Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.6 GHz 800 MHz FSB, 1 MB full-speed
Level 2 Cache		 4 GB RAM

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
1920 x 1080 (HD) 16.8 million Unknown 16-bit Stereo, 44.1 KHz Sampling Rate with Dolby Surround Sound

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
CD \ DVD Varied Thousands (PC Compatible) MP3, CD-R\RW, DVD-R\RW

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
Hard Drive (various sizes) None Gamepad, Mouse See Other Details
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video Connection
 Two (IR Control) FireWire/1394, Modem Fast Ethernet RF/Coax TV In, FM Antenna, (2) , SVGA/RGB video port S-Video In, (2) Composite Video/Audio In Ports, VGA, DVI,

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
Output Wattage: 250 Watts
Input Voltage: 100-240V at 50-60Hz
Backup Battery: 3.0V coin cell 		(2) USB 2.0, Toslink Optical Digital Audio out, Coaxial Digital Audio out Full DirectX 9.0 and OpenGL 2.0 graphics compatibility, PCI-Express x16 high-performance graphics, 1 PCIe slot for graphics, 3 PCI slots (0 available)
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots\videos released for this system.
Literally thousands upon thousand of PC games have been released.
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

 Not required - this system is designed to play PC games on a standard television.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Apex Extreme
 Alienware DHS 2
 Alienware DHS 5
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
There are no clones for this system to date.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
     
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Page last updated 06-Feb-2010

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