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Q: I noticed a lot of stuff
printed on your website, but I don’t have time to read it. What does this
ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ thing do for me?
A: The ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ is a
multi-purpose device which provides all of the standard connections you
need for your Jaguar. They are:
·
BCD Catbox
Compatible Networking
·
Atari Jaglink
Compatible Networking
·
Standard S-Video
Output Connector
·
Standard DB-9 RGB
Output Connector
·
Standard RCA
Composite Video Output Connector
·
Standard RCA Audio
Output Jacks
In addition to the standardized
connections, the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ provides a few other important
features:
·
Multicolor LED Diagnostic and
Status Indicators
·
Software Keylock
to prevent Emulation or Piracy
·
Full Color
Box
·
Full Color
Decal
·
Plastic Enclosure
matching the style of the Jaguar
·
Hard Copy
instruction Manual
Actual Network Test in Progress!
Q: Will the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
network with the BCD Catbox I already own?
A: Of course it will.
This is a main reason it was created in the first place. We wanted to
insure that people who already worked hard to obtain a BCD Catbox would
finally be able to use it.
Q: Can I mix the ScatoLOGIC
ScatBox™ and BCD Catbox on my Network?
A: Yes, you can mix them freely
in any position. Just be aware that the BCD Catbox is not guaranteed to
operate with as many nodes over as great a distance as the ScatoLOGIC
ScatBox™, so if you use a BCD Catbox anywhere on your network then the
network will only be guaranteed to work to the lesser specification of the
BCD Catbox.
Q: How do I order my ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™?
A: Go to
The ScatoLOGIC Ordering Page (http://www.scatbox.com/order.html) for pricing/availability and complete
ordering instructions.
Q: What does it mean when you say the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
is compatible with the Atari Jaglink ?
A: It means that the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ has one port available
which is compatible with the single port on the Atari Jaglink. You can connect to this port instead of having
to plug in a Jaglink. The same cable will plug into the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ and the Jaguar will operate just
as if you had a Jaglink connected! You can even connect your JUGS™ system to this port!
Q: Will you make enough ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
for everyone who wants one?
A: The
ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ is produced in much the same way as BattleSphere Gold™ was. It is
planned to be built in several small batches until demand is decreased to the point
where it becomes unfeasable to build more, or components become unobtainable. The only way
to be sure you get one soon (or even get one at all) is to be sure to place your order
as soon as possible.
Q: Will you allow dealers to sell the
ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™?
A: This will be
handled on a case by case basis. If you are a dealer, expect to be required to buy in quantity. If this
is satisfactory to you then make us an offer we can't refuse.
Q: How many ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ can I
connect together and network?
A: The guaranteed maximum
number of nodes on a ScatNet™ Network is 128. This is a conservative
number provided the cables used are decent quality. The total number of
players in any game depends on the software. Air Cars supports up to 8
consoles and BattleSphere™ supports 16. BattleSphere Gold™ supports 16 as
well and will network just fine with the older BattleSphere™ carts. Doom,
Air Cars, BattleSphere™ and BattleSphere Gold™ will all run in 2-node only
setups using the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ built-in RS-232 Port.
Q: How many ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
have been tested together?
A: The ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ has
been tested in network loads of 128 Nodes. A "node" consists of a ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™,
a network cable, and a power supply wire. Each node was connected as recommended in the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
manual. Power to each ScatBox™ was supplied by a Power One CP197-A Linear Power Supply. A Jaguar (or sometimes
a signal generator) was used to inject known data into the transmitter
of various nodes. The resulting received data at the other nodes was probed with
an Agilent Technologies 54642D Mixed Signal Oscilloscope. Operation was confirmed through checking the signal
integrity by examining waveform shape for defects and timing tolerance violations. Larger network
configurations were tested with this setup simply by adding R/C networks to
the bus to simulate the effects of additional nodes.
Prolonged testing was accomplished by injecting data
into the endpoints on a 128 node network and using a Hewlett packard 1651B Logic Analyzer to compare the
input and output signals and trapping any mismatches that were detected. ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ underwent
this test for 72 hours without a single bit error. This form of testing obviates the need for 128 Jaguar consoles
each with a networking test cartridge, and eliminates the possibility that the the Jaguar's faulty UART circuit
would influence the test results by creating false passing or failure conditions.
No other Jaguar peripheral is known to have undergone such detailed and meticulous testing!
Input(top) and Output(bottom) signals of a 128-node ScatNet™!
Q: Over how great a distance
can a ScatNet™ network be used?
A: ScatNet™ is guaranteed
to work with up to ½ mile of total length. That means the total
length of network cable can be up to ½ a mile long. Therefore, you could
have a large number of players distributed over a ½ mile of cable, or
perhaps even a few players networked together in one location and a few
more in a second location ½ a mile away! This also is a conservative
number provided the cables used are decent quality.
Q: I live near the desert and it gets very hot here.
what is the operational temperature range of the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™?
A: The ScatBox™ circuitry has been temperature tested
for operation over a -10 to 70 degrees C temperature range. This is well beyond the recommended temperature
range for the Jaguar itself.
Note: it is not recommended that the Jaguar or any Jaguar
peripheral be subjected to temperatures over approximately 60 degrees C as the ABS plastic casing can
warp at this temperature. Only the polycarbonate plastic used in BattleSphere Gold™ and ScatBox
Deluxe™ has been proven to withstand these high temperatures.
Thermal testing is yet another example of the high quality standards
applied to each and every ScatoLOGIC product. Few (if any) other Jaguar peripherals have undergone
such rigorous quality assurance testing!
Delta Designs model 6400 Temperature Chamber testing the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ !
Q: Will I need a ScatoLOGIC
ScatBox™ with the keylock to be able to run new ScatoLOGIC
software?
A:
The feature was added to the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ only as a last resort. We
don’t want to limit our customer base only to owners of the ScatoLOGIC
ScatBox™, but if recent advancements in Jaguar Emulation begin to
encourage software piracy the keylock may be used to thwart illegal distribution
of our software for emulation purposes or piracy.
Q: What kind of RGB monitor
will work with the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™?
A: You need to have an RGB
monitor that handles 15.75KHz for the horizontal frequency and will work with
a composite sync.
Q: My Catbox has a little
toggle switch on the back I need to flip to choose what port to
communicate with. I don’t see any switches on the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™. How
do I switch the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ between using RS-232 or ScatNet™?
A: You merely plug in the right
cables. The hardware automatically detects which port you are using. It
also automatically detects if the software is using Full or Half Duplex in
RS-232 mode and adjusts for optimal performance.
Batch #0001 Ready for packing!
Q: Does the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
have a headphone output?
A: No, it does not. It has line
level stereo RCA style jacks. You can connect a pair of headphones to them
with a simple “Y” cable.
Q: The ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ has the
highest quality packaging I've ever seen for a Jaguar product and I was wondering
if I can work with ScatoLOGIC to get my game produced with such quality too?
A: ScatoLOGIC has established connections
in the industry for every type of production a developer would need. Our new packaging
was designed to accomodate all forms of Jaguar media, and custom designs are readily
adapted to our process. We're more than
willing to combine resources with other honest hardworking developers to help them
get their products out. If this sounds like you, then contact ScatoLOGIC with any
inquiries you have.
Turns your "toilet" into a sleek looking "starship"!
Q: What’s the difference
between a ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ and a ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
Deluxe?
A: The
ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ Deluxe uses hand selected components for the most
aesthetically perfect board, and comes in the ultra rare Clear plastic
housing to display the board.
Q: Will the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™
work under water?
A: Probably not.
Q: How was the ScatoLOGIC ScatBox™ created?
A: During development of BattleSphere Gold™, there
was a need for testing network compatibility. Since there were only a handful of available BCD
Catbox units, complete testing would have been difficult. In the summer of 2001, Doug "Thunderbird"
Engel was able to design a completely new circuit which complies with the BCD Catbox network specification
using completely different technology (to avoid any infringements on the BCD Catbox design). A handful
of prototypes were breadboarded and used in the network testing. Once BattleSphere Gold™ was released,
ScatoLOGIC began work transforming the prototypes into finished products worthy of true Jaguar fans!
Fresh from assembly!
Return to the ScatBox™ Page
Copyright 2000-2005 4Play/ScatoLOGIC Inc. All rights
Reserved.
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