More information about Z2（the CPU is TCC8803）

[Kizune]

Originally Posted by doomlordis

I think the tcc8803 is "good enough" [...]

That's a good keyword: I agree with you, the Z2's CPU is good enough... at the moment. But apps are getting more complex and need better performance, the OS as well. A CPU that is able to run Android 2.3 "good enough" might not be good enough to run a later version of Android or more complex apps, so the player is limited to use Android 2.3 or older (and simpler apps). A good CPU guarantees that the player is upgradeable and remains usable for a few years - this is IMO not the case here.

[Bill726]

Originally Posted by snakebite2

Is there a reason why Cowon has to go with the TCC8803? I wish Cowon has a official design blog or something. So we know why they chose it. It's not like the player is gonna cheap for us since it's using older hardware.
Does the newer CPUs suck more power? So maybe they chose it because it gives reasonable battery life and performance.

That's the the funny part, it's super efficient! It's got a fifth companion core that does video, music, Internet browsing, and doesn't use the other four cores unless it needs to do some heavy lifting. They already have handheld devices with this chipset coming soon.

[snakebite2]

Originally Posted by Bill726

That's the the funny part, it's super efficient! It's got a fifth companion core that does video, music, Internet browsing, and doesn't use the other four cores unless it needs to do some heavy lifting. They already have handheld devices with this chipset coming soon.

Will you order the Z2 for yourself? or wait 6months for whatever New pmp they made?

[mishaan]

Originally Posted by Bill726

That's the the funny part, it's super efficient! It's got a fifth companion core that does video, music, Internet browsing, and doesn't use the other four cores unless it needs to do some heavy lifting. They already have handheld devices with this chipset coming soon.

Description for Tegra 3?
It could be a bit irrelevant to put this SoC in a Smart Media Player.
Unless they sell it as another handheld gaming device or an iPod touch competitor, with a MSRP of $500.
Cowon has never highlighted Internet Browsing and Gaming as main features on their products...

[Kizune]

Actually, it's always better to use MultiCore CPUs and would have resulted in better battery life of the Z2 because even though MultiCore CPUs provide a greater bandwidth (i.e. better performance), the power consumption is the same or even lower. That is because calculations are partitioned on all cores and thus the load of each core stays low. (More load = more power consumption)

[Bill726]

Originally Posted by snakebite2

Will you order the Z2 for yourself? or wait 6months for whatever New pmp they made?

Yeah, I'm going wait on this one for now. Partly because of its hardware, but mostly because of finances. I just bought a Blackberry playbook recently and that was kinda my splurge of these last few months. I'm still interested in how it turns out, though. I'd really like to see it get development support. I still think its beastly for having the cowon sound quality, and being able to play 1080p content on a larger screen.

[Bill726]

Originally Posted by mishaan

Description for Tegra 3?
It could be a bit irrelevant to put this SoC in a Smart Media Player.
Unless they sell it as another handheld gaming device or an iPod touch competitor, with a MSRP of $500.
Cowon has never highlighted Internet Browsing and Gaming as main features on their products...

I was referencing the Asus tablet i mentioned earlier. My point was that it doesnt cost much for some decent hardware. After all, the ps vita only costs about $140 to make.

[NonApplicable]

Originally Posted by Bill726

I was referencing the Asus tablet i mentioned earlier. My point was that it doesnt cost much for some decent hardware. After all, the ps vita only costs about $140 to make.

The VITA can't cost Sony only $140 in total manufacturing & shipping costs. Please provide a link.

[Kizune]

http://www.gamezone.com/news/materia...ts-159-to-make

[NonApplicable]

Originally Posted by Kizune

http://www.gamezone.com/news/materia...ts-159-to-make

That says $159 in materials not $140 to make. $159 + manufacturing costs = 180 dollars plus to make. Even then Sony had to pay for R&D & Shipping to stores. Most likely they are taking a hit on retail price.

[Kizune]

Yeah, the article is kinda confusing: sometimes it says 140$.
I just provided you the link to his source, I don't know if it's in any way likely or unlikely.

[NonApplicable]

Originally Posted by Kizune

Yeah, the article is kinda confusing: sometimes it says 140$.
I just provided you the link to his source, I don't know if it's in any way likely or unlikely.

It's to bad Cowon doesn't have the profile of a Sony or a Samsung. To boot the PMP market is fading. We could have had great hardware!

[Kizune]

Yeah, it sucks Cowon doesn't seem to be able to use newer hardware. Did I already mention the benefits of MultiCore CPUs?
I just think Cowon should do some advertisement outside Korea so people become aware of them. I've never seen ads by Cowon here and as long as it stays like that, their players will always remain an insider's tip only. The amazing sound quality and the battery life of their players is a clear win compared to their competition.
Only when people become aware of Cowon, Cowon will get the resources to use good hardware.

[NonApplicable]

Originally Posted by Kizune

Yeah, it sucks Cowon doesn't seem to be able to use newer hardware. Did I already mention the benefits of MultiCore CPUs?
I just think Cowon should do some advertisement outside Korea so people become aware of them. I've never seen ads by Cowon here and as long as it stays like that, their players will always remain an insider's tip only.

I think within the next 3-5 years Cowon will go out of business. Too niche of a market and SQ of phones will eventually catch up with them.

[Kizune]

Yeah, I'm afraid of that, too. Their current way of leading the company is stupid: for instance, they ignore suggestions and bug reports from non-Korean people.
But I think Cowon starts to realize this problem - the Z2 has a mini USB port and a mini HDMI port after all. That's a step in the right direction.