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From: mcinerny@rochester.ARPA (Michael McInerny)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Next Amiga?
Message-ID: <23186@rochester.ARPA>
Date: Sun, 14-Dec-86 16:14:08 EST
Article-I.D.: rocheste.23186
Posted: Sun Dec 14 16:14:08 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 16-Dec-86 03:05:58 EST
Reply-To: mcinerny@rochester.UUCP (Michael McInerny)
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Rochester, CS Dept, Rochester, NY
Lines: 110
Keywords: Double Speed Graphics Sound

[sorry if this was posted already]
I've been pondering the subject for a while now, and I decided it was
time to post my results.

It seems to me that for a minimal expense (the cost of higher speed 
components, possibly just the RAMs), you could really enhance the
abilities of the Amiga with one simple trick...

Double the system clock.

What would happen if you did this?  Well...

.  You'd have twice (at least) the current CPU performance.
.  The custom chips would be able to get at the same amount of
   data twice as fast or twice the amount of data in the same time.

So what?  Well, with the extra CPU cycles you could:

.  Get real performance out of the iAPX86 emulator.  Heck, you'd
   probably have enough cycles to run the thing under Exec, either
   on a seperate sceen or in a superbitmap (read: scrollable) window.
   While you're at it, integrate the file system with a pctrackdisk.
   device.  This is important for people who care about compatibility
   (btw:  read 720K format 3.5" disks).
.  Enhance the speech synthesis software for even more intelligibility.
   This is to starve off competition from the Apple ][GS.  Also,
   add user-programmable dictionaries and accents, as well as foreign
   language translators.  C'mon, Commodore:  EuroKeyboards but not
   speech?  This is good for world markets, handicapped services,
   educational programs, telecommunications, etc.
.  Add "grey scale" text routines.  3x5x2 (4 grey levels) is actually
   legible.  8x8x8 would be awesome!  The original PARC PC left out
   grey scale because they were planning on using LCDs.  We're not
   so put this valuable feature back in.  How do you think text on
   TV ads looks so nice?
.  Anti-aliasing routines would be nice for the same reasons.

What about the custom chips?
.  Don't bother increasing the resolution--NTSC won't take it.  But,
   please do increase the number of bit-planes.  640x400x8 would be
   terrific (esp. with dithering) and 320x400x12 would be awesome
   (true 4K colors on screen).
.  Blitting should be faster--better animation, faster text, etc.
.  Sound could use a big shot in the arm.  Many possibilities here.
   Currently the Amiga has 4 channels 8-bit D/A ~28KHz, 6-bit envelopes
   per channel.  This is nice, but not great.  Two problems:  the
   rate and the resolution.  Sure, more voices would be nice, and
   you could double the number to 8.  Not bad.  You could also
   Double the rate to 56KHz (overkill).  You can double the
   resolution to 16-bits (nice).  As a comparison, CDs are 16-bit,
   2-channel (L&R), 44KHz.  Sony PCM 8mm Digital Audio is 8-bit,
   2-channel, 31.5KHz.  Professional is generally considered at least
   12-bits.  Now, the 6-bit envolopes could be considered part of
   the resolution, yielding 14-bits, but I don't buy it.  How about
   12-bits, four voices (the same), 31KHz sample rate, and 6-bits
   envelope.  I think this is a good compromise.  Probably the
   choice should be programmable.  In any case, you can use the
   newer resolutions and rates for even better speech synthesis.
   (I think that serious musicians are going to use MIDI devices
   for real output anyways).


Now, in addition to/instead of doubling the system clock, you
could add the following:

.  an MC68010.  This, with some kernel tuning, could pay off handsomely.
   maybe even for the iAPX-86 emulator (so-called SoftDOS).
.  1-Mbyte CHIP memory and make it standard equipment.  You'll
   need the extra memory for the new video modes.
.  An extra serial port and/or (gulp)  AppleTalk software.  Why?
   Well, the Amiga needs SOME kind of network, and the current
   hardware should be able to support this simple and cheap network
   with inexpensive software.  Besides, it would open the door
   for the Amiga to Mac houses which already have nets (including
   schools).  Plus, you can now use the venerable LaserWriter at
   high speeds.
.  One or more of the following:
   .  IEEE-488 for old Commodore users and labs (and HDisks)
      (should be easy software hack for parallel port).
   .  SCSI port, either via current parallel port or NCR SCSI chip.
      This opens the door to large, fast disks and even networks.
.  Oh, and for crying out loud, put a stupid clock circuit in the
   system.  It's one lousy chip!


Please note that a lot of software mods could be made (see above) without
changing the hardware, although the hardware mods aren't hard either.

Finally, a cosmetic issue:

I see the Amiga as being the ideal 'component computer'.  I think that
a repackaging of the Amiga as a 'stereo-like component' (including 
a genlock interface), makes a lot of sense.  You could allow for
an IR keyboard interface (with optional cord as well), make a keyboard
with a trackball (as a mouse substitute, for laptop use--don't forget
to make the tball side selectable for lefties), and even put a zorro
connector on top for an expansion chassis box.  I think that this
packaging would really work.

Also, consider new storage technology:

.  3.5" hard drives.
.  Higher density uFloppies (1.7 megs)
.  Sysgen's 4" hard disk packs (15megs)
.  Vertical media (~100 megs/floppy)
.  CD-ROMs.

Just some thoughts.  Comments very welcome.

-Michael