Atari Falcon: Difference between revisions

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The '''Atari Falcon''' is a computer that was developed by [[Atari Corporation]] and released in 1992. Focus was on multimedia capabilites (24-bit graphics, significant sound replay and recording capabilities). It was the last member of the [[TOS Family]] of computers manufactured by Atari.
The '''Atari Falcon''' is a computer that was developed by [[Atari Corporation]] and released in 1992. Focus was on multimedia capabilites (24-bit graphics, significant sound replay and recording capabilities). It was the last member of the [[TOS Family]] of computers manufactured by Atari.
== Summary ==
== Summary ==
* Falcon 030
{|border="1"
** Specification sheet. [[MC68030]] processor @ 16mhz, [[56001]] [[DSP]] @ 32mhz
|-
** Packaged in [[STE]] case. Distinguished from STE models by dark grey keyboard keys, "rainbow" logo
|CPU:|| Motorola 68030 32-bit microprocessor @ 16MHz w/ 32-bit bus
** common configurations
|-
* Falcon 040 models developed, prototypes, never released (add link to old computer museum)
|FPU:|| Motorola 68881/68882 @ 16MHz (optional)
|-
|DSP:|| Motorola 56001 Digital Signal Processor running in parallel @ 32MHz w/ 32kWords (24-bit) of local zero wait state static RAM
|-
|ROM:|| 512kB
|-
|RAM:|| 1, 4 or 16MB(14MB usable) on daughterboard (RAM is 32-bit wide)
|-
|Expansion bus:|| Internal 'Processor-Direct' slot for 386SX emulation or other co-processors/etc or CT60/63
|-
|Video:|| (See below for specific video modes/resolutions.) <br />16-bit BLiTTER @ 16MHz (also handles hard drive access)<br />Accepts
external video sync to allow high quality genlocking <br />Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects <br />Overscan |-
support<br /> Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling <br /> VIDEL (video controller) sits on 32-bit bus
|-
|Audio:|| Stereo 16-bit Analog-to-Digital DMA input<br /> Stereo 16-bit Digital-to-Analog DMA output<br /> Eight 16-bit audio DMA record/playback channels<br /> SDMA sound/DMA co-processor
|-
|Ports:|| 128kB cartridge port<br />      2 9-pin mouse/joystick ports<br />        2 15-pin STe enhanced analog/digital controller ports <br />        MIDI IN, OUT/THRU<br />        Bi-directional parallel port<br />        RS232C serial port<br />        SCSI II w/ DMA<br />        Analog RGB/VGA/composite video connector<br />        Stereo headphone out (1/8" mini-jack)<br />        Stereo microphone in (1/8" mini-jack)<br />        DSP port (up to 1MHz data transfer rate)<br />        RF modulator for TV hookup<br />        Localtalk compatible LAN (up to 250kbaud transfer rate)
|-
|Storage:||  Internal 1.44MB 3.5" HD floppy<br />        Internal IDE 2.5" hard drive (optional)
|-
|OS :|| Pre-emptive mulitasking OS (MultiTOS) w/ adaptive prioritization  and inter-process communication (also 68040 compatible)
|-
|Clock:||  Realtime clock and battery backed up RAM
|-
|Chassis:||        1040ST-style case w/ internal fan
|-
|Price (1993):|| 1MB/no HD -  $799 list<br />        4MB/65MB  - $1399 list
|-
|}
 
*Other notable features
**Packaged in [[STE]] case. Distinguished from STE models by dark grey keyboard keys, "rainbow" logo
**Falcon 040 models developed, prototypes, never released (add link to old computer museum)


== Demos ==
== Demos ==

Revision as of 11:40, 25 July 2011

Atari Falcon

The Atari Falcon is a computer that was developed by Atari Corporation and released in 1992. Focus was on multimedia capabilites (24-bit graphics, significant sound replay and recording capabilities). It was the last member of the TOS Family of computers manufactured by Atari.

Summary

CPU: Motorola 68030 32-bit microprocessor @ 16MHz w/ 32-bit bus
FPU: Motorola 68881/68882 @ 16MHz (optional)
DSP: Motorola 56001 Digital Signal Processor running in parallel @ 32MHz w/ 32kWords (24-bit) of local zero wait state static RAM
ROM: 512kB
RAM: 1, 4 or 16MB(14MB usable) on daughterboard (RAM is 32-bit wide)
Expansion bus: Internal 'Processor-Direct' slot for 386SX emulation or other co-processors/etc or CT60/63
Video: (See below for specific video modes/resolutions.)
16-bit BLiTTER @ 16MHz (also handles hard drive access)
Accepts

external video sync to allow high quality genlocking
Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects
Overscan |- support
Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling
VIDEL (video controller) sits on 32-bit bus

Audio: Stereo 16-bit Analog-to-Digital DMA input
Stereo 16-bit Digital-to-Analog DMA output
Eight 16-bit audio DMA record/playback channels
SDMA sound/DMA co-processor
Ports: 128kB cartridge port
2 9-pin mouse/joystick ports
2 15-pin STe enhanced analog/digital controller ports
MIDI IN, OUT/THRU
Bi-directional parallel port
RS232C serial port
SCSI II w/ DMA
Analog RGB/VGA/composite video connector
Stereo headphone out (1/8" mini-jack)
Stereo microphone in (1/8" mini-jack)
DSP port (up to 1MHz data transfer rate)
RF modulator for TV hookup
Localtalk compatible LAN (up to 250kbaud transfer rate)
Storage: Internal 1.44MB 3.5" HD floppy
Internal IDE 2.5" hard drive (optional)
OS : Pre-emptive mulitasking OS (MultiTOS) w/ adaptive prioritization and inter-process communication (also 68040 compatible)
Clock: Realtime clock and battery backed up RAM
Chassis: 1040ST-style case w/ internal fan
Price (1993): 1MB/no HD - $799 list
4MB/65MB - $1399 list
  • Other notable features
    • Packaged in STE case. Distinguished from STE models by dark grey keyboard keys, "rainbow" logo
    • Falcon 040 models developed, prototypes, never released (add link to old computer museum)

Demos


Games


Programming


Hardware Upgrades

Video

External links