Remember the Ataribox? [Official Site] The Linux-powered retro console that will turn to crowdfunding sometime soon just had the reveal of their Joystick.
I'm quite excited by it, as it does sound like an interesting Linux-powered device. Considering they said before that you will be able to get full access to the underlying Linux OS, it could be a damn fine little unit.
Take a look at the pictures they shared recently (from their official Facebook):
The design looks perfect. Stylish and simple!
Also, something that was missing from Valve's Steam Machines, which the Ataribox will have is proper access to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO and more. Which was also confirmed in another of their Facebook updates. I assume this means it will have proper applications set up to just tap and browse.
I'm pretty keen to hear more about what retro and "current" titles they're planning to have on it. It's sounding more and more interesting! I still have some worries about how it's going to turn out, but I'm staying positive until we see what happens with the crowdfunding that has yet to be started. If it turns out okay, I will be first in line for one for sure. As a Linux fan and a tech enthusiast, it ticks many boxes for me.
Finally, they have a survey up at the moment where you can tell them what you feel is important, like full access to the Linux OS inside.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
Would be fun if Ataribox was sneaky Steambox, where Valve is trying a bit different concept of Steambox, with specific brand image and specific target group.My impression is that that's what it is, regardless of Valve's active support. I just hope they have the sense to recognise that themselves and put their weight behind it.
0 Likes
slaapliedje 29 Nov 2017
2) My guess is they will just optimize some sort of interface to access these web features, very much doubt it will be a ALL IN ONE browser because we all know the big boys don't like competing with each other.First: I’m not 100% sure, but probably it is not legal. Without Netflix/Hulu/etc. legal permission you cannot wrap it inside another GUI. Legal issues could be bypassed as "community mod" that user will download and install by himself. But in this situation - it cannot be officially advertised.
Second: It is not easy task to wrap one GUI into another GUI, especially when "source" is using DRM and is it very "hostile" for "third-party" modifications. Also every tiny change on source website will destroy wrapper...
Third: Netfix/HBO/Amazon require DRM and HDCP support (for resolution bigger than 720p). There is no HDCP support in Linux at all. HDCP is supported by Android...
Long story short: if they want Netflix/Hulu/etc. it will be MUCH easier for them if it will be another Android clone.
You are partially correct. They require DRM, but they do NOT require HDCP support. I watch videos in Netflix in 1080p all the time on my Linux system. From what I understand, HDCP is really only something that is attempted to be enforced in bluray playback programs. For example, HDCP is not supported on the HTC Vive, so even in Windows I can't use PowerDVD to play a Bluray directly through to Virtual Desktop, I only get a black screen. But I have DVDFab, which decrypts the disc, then I play it through the media player classic, with MadVR plugin, I can even watch 3D movies in VR. It's AMAZING.
All of that bypasses the HDCP.
Curiously they mention HBO Go. HBO Go hardly even works right anyhow, you have to have a Cable account to get access to it. HBO Now on the other hand... I only was able to get it to work for a short time in Linux (I think?) but it would just forever buffer, I think it didn't like the plugin? Who knows, but I ended up ditching that and just subscribing to both Showtime and HBO under my Amazon Prime account, which works flawlessly in Linux+Firefox.
As far as a new UI around it, I'm pretty sure that launching Firefox in full screen with video playback is fairly easy, isn't it?
The back arrow and home button on the joystick would probably work just like the Steam / back button on the Steam Controller, or ANY other modern joystick that takes you 'home'. In fact it always frustrates me on my PS4 when I try to quit a game and have to remember to hit the PS button then close the app.
0 Likes
I really hope it'll be Ryzen based, if it is, it'll be instant buy for me. If it's using older AMD, I see no point of getting the device...
What makes you think it's gonna be AMD64 architecture? More likely it will be ARM based.
Doubtful, if they're going to offer any non-vintage-Atari games, they will need Steam support. Which necessitates x86
0 Likes
You are partially correct. They require DRM, but they do NOT require HDCP support. I watch videos in Netflix in 1080p all the time on my Linux system. From what I understand, HDCP is really only something that is attempted to be enforced in bluray playback programs. For example, HDCP is not supported on the HTC Vive, so even in Windows I can't use PowerDVD to play a Bluray directly through to Virtual Desktop, I only get a black screen. But I have DVDFab, which decrypts the disc, then I play it through the media player classic, with MadVR plugin, I can even watch 3D movies in VR. It's AMAZING.I meant that play high resolution content require HDCP and this is not available in Linux (Intel started implement something, but no progress).
What it is "high resolution" depends of provider.
Netflix - in theory 720p max (1080p and more require HDCP + Internet Explorer or Windows Metro application)
HBOGO - in theory 720p max
Google Play/YouTube Movies - 480p max
Perhaps theory and reality are different... Netflix and HBOGO do not provide real information what resolution is streamed. Hard to say "on eye" if it is 720p or 1080p, but I think that it is 720p.
Only Google Play/YouTube Movies provide information about streamed resolution and, unfortunately for Linux, it is really 480p and it is visible:(
As far as a new UI around it, I'm pretty sure that launching Firefox in full screen with video playback is fairly easy, isn't it?Start Firefox in fullscreen is easy, but navigate Netflix or HBOGO website with this joystick will be very uncomfortable.
1 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje 29 Nov 2017
You are partially correct. They require DRM, but they do NOT require HDCP support. I watch videos in Netflix in 1080p all the time on my Linux system. From what I understand, HDCP is really only something that is attempted to be enforced in bluray playback programs. For example, HDCP is not supported on the HTC Vive, so even in Windows I can't use PowerDVD to play a Bluray directly through to Virtual Desktop, I only get a black screen. But I have DVDFab, which decrypts the disc, then I play it through the media player classic, with MadVR plugin, I can even watch 3D movies in VR. It's AMAZING.I meant that play high resolution content require HDCP and this is not available in Linux (Intel started implement something, but no progress).
What it is "high resolution" depends of provider.
Netflix - in theory 720p max (1080p and more require HDCP + Internet Explorer or Windows Metro application)
HBOGO - in theory 720p max
Google Play/YouTube Movies - 480p max
Perhaps theory and reality are different... Netflix and HBOGO do not provide real information what resolution is streamed. Hard to say "on eye" if it is 720p or 1080p, but I think that it is 720p.
Only Google Play/YouTube Movies provide information about streamed resolution and, unfortunately for Linux, it is really 480p and it is visible:(
As far as a new UI around it, I'm pretty sure that launching Firefox in full screen with video playback is fairly easy, isn't it?Start Firefox in fullscreen is easy, but navigate Netflix or HBOGO website with this joystick will be very uncomfortable.
Ha, I navigate and do that all the time with my steam controller. I lay in bed and watch Netflix, Plex, HBO, Showtime, etc. On my Linux Desktop. I currently have two 2560x1440 G-sync monitors, and yes I can generally tell 720p vs 1080p. HDCP only prevents thongs from displaying IF the program is trying to use it and it doesn't exist. With your logic, I would not be able to watch a 1080p movie that was ripped because the resolution is capped on any media. In fact, HDCP will completely black out media, not downscale it. I watch videos in 1080p on youtube all the time in Linux.. 480p looks terrible these days.
Edit: literally the only thing I have seen that requires HDCP is an officially licensed bluray player, which is why Linux will probably never have an officially licensed Bluray player.
Last edited by slaapliedje on 29 Nov 2017 at 10:20 pm UTC
0 Likes
Ha, I navigate and do that all the time with my steam controller. I lay in bed and watch Netflix, Plex, HBO, Showtime, etc. On my Linux Desktop. I currently have two 2560x1440 G-sync monitors, and yes I can generally tell 720p vs 1080p. HDCP only prevents thongs from displaying IF the program is trying to use it and it doesn't exist. With your logic, I would not be able to watch a 1080p movie that was ripped because the resolution is capped on any media. In fact, HDCP will completely black out media, not downscale it. I watch videos in 1080p on youtube all the time in Linux.. 480p looks terrible these days.
Edit: literally the only thing I have seen that requires HDCP is an officially licensed bluray player, which is why Linux will probably never have an officially licensed Bluray player.
Netflix is 720p capped though, you can check it when you have it windowed and press alt+ctr+shift+D
its only 4Mbps bandwidth also. Its so in Chrome, Vivaldi and Opera. Its not the worst, can live with that but 1080p would be much better.. i have 1440p screen also
[](https://www.upload.ee/image/7715641/ss_30112017_00.47.14.png)
As you can see thisone is even at lower Bitrate than 4Mbps, i have seen some at 4098kbps
but its 720p like seen from the picture. Everything is in netflix. Only Edge browser gets the special deal, netflix apps get special deals with 1080p and chromecast i think has 1080p capability also.
rest of the browsers are stuck at 720p.
Last edited by Xpander on 29 Nov 2017 at 10:50 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Ha, I navigate and do that all the time with my steam controller. I lay in bed and watch Netflix, Plex, HBO, Showtime, etc. On my Linux Desktop. I currently have two 2560x1440 G-sync monitors, and yes I can generally tell 720p vs 1080p. HDCP only prevents thongs from displaying IF the program is trying to use it and it doesn't exist. With your logic, I would not be able to watch a 1080p movie that was ripped because the resolution is capped on any media. In fact, HDCP will completely black out media, not downscale it. I watch videos in 1080p on youtube all the time in Linux.. 480p looks terrible these days.
Edit: literally the only thing I have seen that requires HDCP is an officially licensed bluray player, which is why Linux will probably never have an officially licensed Bluray player.
Netflix is 720p capped though, you can check it when you have it windowed and press alt+ctr+shift+D
its only 4Mbps bandwidth also. Its so in Chrome, Vivaldi and Opera. Its not the worst, can live with that but 1080p would be much better.. i have 1440p screen also
[](https://www.upload.ee/image/7715641/ss_30112017_00.47.14.png)
As you can see thisone is even at lower Bitrate than 4Mbps, i have seen some at 4098kbps
but its 720p like seen from the picture. Everything is in netflix. Only Edge browser gets the special deal, netflix apps get special deals with 1080p and chromecast i think has 1080p capability also.
rest of the browsers are stuck at 720p.
On Android only approved devices like the Shield TV boxes play in HD or more. The rest is locked in 480p.
I dont know why is difficult to implement 1080p for everyone. Youtube can do it in both VP9 and H264
Last edited by WJMazepas on 30 Nov 2017 at 12:32 am UTC
0 Likes
HDCP only prevents thongs from displayingEvil censorship technology! Or the opposite, depending on how you read this.
1 Likes, Who?
Not only that, they actually specifically stated it will be an AMD APU.I really hope it'll be Ryzen based, if it is, it'll be instant buy for me. If it's using older AMD, I see no point of getting the device...
What makes you think it's gonna be AMD64 architecture? More likely it will be ARM based.
Doubtful, if they're going to offer any non-vintage-Atari games, they will need Steam support. Which necessitates x86
AMD really doesn't have any ARM's with a decent GPU.
0 Likes
slaapliedje 30 Nov 2017
Not only that, they actually specifically stated it will be an AMD APU.I really hope it'll be Ryzen based, if it is, it'll be instant buy for me. If it's using older AMD, I see no point of getting the device...
What makes you think it's gonna be AMD64 architecture? More likely it will be ARM based.
Doubtful, if they're going to offer any non-vintage-Atari games, they will need Steam support. Which necessitates x86
AMD really doesn't have any ARM's with a decent GPU.
I think I posted earlier that there are AMD earnings listing a deal with Atari. It specifically states Radeon. Fairly certain there are no Radeon based ARMs?
Last edited by slaapliedje on 30 Nov 2017 at 9:04 am UTC
0 Likes
slaapliedje 30 Nov 2017
HDCP only prevents thongs from displayingEvil censorship technology! Or the opposite, depending on how you read this.
Ha! Teach me to try to reply to forum posts from my phone... I miss my N900 and physical keyboards...
2 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje 30 Nov 2017
Ha, I navigate and do that all the time with my steam controller. I lay in bed and watch Netflix, Plex, HBO, Showtime, etc. On my Linux Desktop. I currently have two 2560x1440 G-sync monitors, and yes I can generally tell 720p vs 1080p. HDCP only prevents thongs from displaying IF the program is trying to use it and it doesn't exist. With your logic, I would not be able to watch a 1080p movie that was ripped because the resolution is capped on any media. In fact, HDCP will completely black out media, not downscale it. I watch videos in 1080p on youtube all the time in Linux.. 480p looks terrible these days.
Edit: literally the only thing I have seen that requires HDCP is an officially licensed bluray player, which is why Linux will probably never have an officially licensed Bluray player.
Netflix is 720p capped though, you can check it when you have it windowed and press alt+ctr+shift+D
its only 4Mbps bandwidth also. Its so in Chrome, Vivaldi and Opera. Its not the worst, can live with that but 1080p would be much better.. i have 1440p screen also
[](https://www.upload.ee/image/7715641/ss_30112017_00.47.14.png)
As you can see thisone is even at lower Bitrate than 4Mbps, i have seen some at 4098kbps
but its 720p like seen from the picture. Everything is in netflix. Only Edge browser gets the special deal, netflix apps get special deals with 1080p and chromecast i think has 1080p capability also.
rest of the browsers are stuck at 720p.
Damn, I had replied to this, but maybe I never hit post? Anyhow, I was incorrect, and you are correct, only Edge gets the special deal, though I don't think it's because of HDCP. Except for 4k? Since technically 720P is considered as HD. It literally is a limitation due to stupidity. I'll have to see if there is a way to see what the PS3/4 gets, I sometimes watch Netflix on that.
Now I wonder if Amazon Prime has the same limits (since that's where I watch HBO/Showtime.)
0 Likes
Damn, I had replied to this, but maybe I never hit post? Anyhow, I was incorrect, and you are correct, only Edge gets the special deal, though I don't think it's because of HDCP. Except for 4k? Since technically 720P is considered as HD. It literally is a limitation due to stupidity. I'll have to see if there is a way to see what the PS3/4 gets, I sometimes watch Netflix on that.
Now I wonder if Amazon Prime has the same limits (since that's where I watch HBO/Showtime.)
PS3 has 1080p in their app, that i know from my friend. I don't have Gameconsoles myself. So i imagine PS4 has same.
0 Likes
Not only that, they actually specifically stated it will be an AMD APU.I really hope it'll be Ryzen based, if it is, it'll be instant buy for me. If it's using older AMD, I see no point of getting the device...
What makes you think it's gonna be AMD64 architecture? More likely it will be ARM based.
Doubtful, if they're going to offer any non-vintage-Atari games, they will need Steam support. Which necessitates x86
AMD really doesn't have any ARM's with a decent GPU.
I think I posted earlier that there are AMD earnings listing a deal with Atari. It specifically states Radeon. Fairly certain there are no Radeon based ARMs?
AMD only did ARM CPUs for servers and they dropped this already.
If Atari wanted something with ARM, would be better that they had used the Tegra X1 SoC that is still really strong compared to other ARMs SoCs and already have tons of games ported to it
0 Likes
slaapliedje 1 Dec 2017
Not only that, they actually specifically stated it will be an AMD APU.I really hope it'll be Ryzen based, if it is, it'll be instant buy for me. If it's using older AMD, I see no point of getting the device...
What makes you think it's gonna be AMD64 architecture? More likely it will be ARM based.
Doubtful, if they're going to offer any non-vintage-Atari games, they will need Steam support. Which necessitates x86
AMD really doesn't have any ARM's with a decent GPU.
I think I posted earlier that there are AMD earnings listing a deal with Atari. It specifically states Radeon. Fairly certain there are no Radeon based ARMs?
AMD only did ARM CPUs for servers and they dropped this already.
If Atari wanted something with ARM, would be better that they had used the Tegra X1 SoC that is still really strong compared to other ARMs SoCs and already have tons of games ported to it
That is true. I really think the Ataribox is going to try for being close to PS4 power.
Out of curiosity is there anyone here who has already decided if it is a Linux based system that they will back it? I am still sort of on the fence, but at the same time it seems it could be an awesome Steam Link replacement.
0 Likes
Out of curiosity is there anyone here who has already decided if it is a Linux based system that they will back it? I am still sort of on the fence, but at the same time it seems it could be an awesome Steam Link replacement.If it was about Commodore/Amiga brand - definitely yes. Nostalgia is bigger than common sense:)
Apart nostalgia - no way to throw money to crowdfunding prototype that is very unlikely to be success. If it will be really on the market - then I will consider to buy it.
Look at Oculus. From my perspective they failed. Oculus Rift is available on market only because of Facebook acquisition. Even that - it is not the same Oculus from Kickstarter... Will be Linux version they said... It will be open they said... No Linux SDK. Facebook Oculus Market is the same "open" like Metro or iOS market (I mean - not open at all:). Also plenty of Oculus only exclusives that will not work on other VR without hacks. I'm glad that I did not supported them on Kickstarter.
In another words - good that Ataribox claims that it will have Linux OS (even that clues leading rather to Android), but I will wait for market launch.
0 Likes
slaapliedje 1 Dec 2017
I don't really see any clues that they'll be running Android. Outside of the two icons used on the joystick, which as far as anyone is aware could have been playing 2600 centipede on a phone / tablet running android, since the actual AtariBox is not seen in that video clip that was posted to AtariAge.
I made a joke about the CommodoreBox in the massive thread over there as well...
Funny thing is, to me Commodore is about the Amiga, and the Amiga to me is all about the OS and the custom chips. If you take away the custom Chips, but still have AmigaOS, it's still mostly an Amiga, but if they took a box and slapped Linux on it with the Logo? it just wouldn't have anything to do with Commodore. Otherwise I would have thought of getting one of the CommodoreUSA systems before he died.
Ha, funny that you bring up Oculus and their exclusive games/store.
There are SO many Rift owners that are crying because Doom VFR doesn't work on the Rift. It worked everywhere else. But with the whole ZeniMax vs Facebook lawsuit it's not all that surprising. But at the same time they think ReVive is a perfectly legitimate way to play Rift store games on the Vive... As you say, it's a hack. A hack that could randomly stop working or get blocked (again. They had blocked it, but the programmer ended up breaking their DRM to get it working again. Guess they decided they didn't want to fight that battle.)
But from the update I'd seen, apparently it was just a bug in SteamVR creating some mesh that caused it to crash for the Rift, and didn't actually have anything to do with anything besides a bug. Though I haven't read if the bug was fixed and it works now. I have a Vive anyhow, and mostly wanted to see legitimate reviews for Doom VFR before I bought it.
I made a joke about the CommodoreBox in the massive thread over there as well...
Funny thing is, to me Commodore is about the Amiga, and the Amiga to me is all about the OS and the custom chips. If you take away the custom Chips, but still have AmigaOS, it's still mostly an Amiga, but if they took a box and slapped Linux on it with the Logo? it just wouldn't have anything to do with Commodore. Otherwise I would have thought of getting one of the CommodoreUSA systems before he died.
Ha, funny that you bring up Oculus and their exclusive games/store.
There are SO many Rift owners that are crying because Doom VFR doesn't work on the Rift. It worked everywhere else. But with the whole ZeniMax vs Facebook lawsuit it's not all that surprising. But at the same time they think ReVive is a perfectly legitimate way to play Rift store games on the Vive... As you say, it's a hack. A hack that could randomly stop working or get blocked (again. They had blocked it, but the programmer ended up breaking their DRM to get it working again. Guess they decided they didn't want to fight that battle.)
But from the update I'd seen, apparently it was just a bug in SteamVR creating some mesh that caused it to crash for the Rift, and didn't actually have anything to do with anything besides a bug. Though I haven't read if the bug was fixed and it works now. I have a Vive anyhow, and mostly wanted to see legitimate reviews for Doom VFR before I bought it.
0 Likes
It's not Android, nor Android or Chrome OS works with AMD CPU. And if they were using Android they would say it rather than saying its linux because to Android is more known to the general public than linux
0 Likes
slaapliedje 1 Dec 2017
It's not Android, nor Android or Chrome OS works with AMD CPU. And if they were using Android they would say it rather than saying its linux because to Android is more known to the general public than linux
Agreed. And while they haven't said anything about WHICH Linux, seems to me that SteamOS would be an almost perfect choice. Guess we'll see if it ever actually gets made. Supposedly the IndieGoGo is supposed to open up any day now.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me