Components of a Video Game Console that are Embedded
Video game consoles are embedded systems made up of a number of components that each perform a specialised job, allowing the system to take input from the player and display the results on a screen. These embedded components are commonly seen in today’s video game console systems:
- Control panel for the user
- CPU GPU RAM Operating System Game Storage Medium
- audio output and video output
Gaming as a Form of Home Entertainment
How do these parts come together to produce a gaming console? To begin, let’s look at the foundations of video games:
Some of the first home entertainment video games were released in the 1970s and 1980s, but the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), one of the most iconic video game consoles of the time, revolutionised video game history by incorporating microprocessors into its infrastructure. Video games used to rely on a circuit board containing transistors and diodes.
The Atari 2600, in particular, is credited for popularising the use of microprocessors in video games. The MOS 6502 CPU was used in this console. The Atari 2600 also had 128 bytes of RAM and 4-kilobyte ROM (read-only memory) chips that could be loaded with software and stored in detachable cartridges, allowing players to simply shift between different games using the same hardware. The Atari VCS also included a Stella custom graphics chip, which allowed the system to sync with the television and generate screen display and sound effects.
What Impact Does HDMI Have on Gaming?
Certain video gaming systems, such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, are compatible with HDMI cables, while Xbox’s most recent release, the Xbox One X, is compatible with HDMI 2.1. This new HDMI 2.1 specification enhances video game compatibility by incorporating new capabilities that increase video quality and definition. HDMI 2.1 offers 8K resolution and adds Variable Refresh Rate, which reduces lag caused by slower refresh rates for gamers. Quick Frame Transport, which reduces latency, is also included, and the Enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC, produces higher-quality audio outputs than ever before.
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 from Total Phase can test all HDMI cables, including HDMI 2.1 and below. This cable tester checks pin continuity for any shorts/opens/routings, DC resistance for most wires, and signal integrity testing up to 12.8 Gbps to guarantee cable quality. With the Advanced Cable Tester v2, HDMI cable makers can now evaluate cable quality and HDMI lock across cables and devices in a matter of seconds, in addition to cable certification.