Fixel has just opened pre-orders on the second batch of their new optical drive emulator for the 3DO. As discussed previously, you can choose from the external “X-Port” version for $350, or if you have an FZ-1 with a broken drive you can save some money with the $250 internal version. Both are “plug and play” devices with no soldering required, however the X-Port allows you to retain the functionality of your original drive. Both versions are due to ship in September of this year:
X-Port (external): https://3do.dev/products/copy-of-xport-ode-batch2
FZ-1* Internal Version: https://3do.dev/products/fz1-ode-batch2
Bracket for FZ-1 Version: https://www.retrorgb.com/3do-fz-1-ode-mount.html
Fixel has also been posting some teasers, with shots of the menu and interface…along with speed test results! The speed is equivalent to a 10x CDROM drive, but there’s zero seek time, since you don’t have to wait for the laser to move across the disc. This should prove to be a significant upgrade over using original discs!
*At the moment, it looks like the internal version is only for the FZ-1 models, however the external version should work with all 3DO consoles (not the PC add-on). The XPort will also act as a homebrew FZ-EM256 – The Japan-only device designed to expand the 3DO’s internal Save Game memory from the 32kb of built-in storage to 256KB. I pre-ordered mine and am looking forward to giving it a shot!
The official measurements for the #3DO #ODE are in. It’s matching 10x cdrom drive with relatively no seek time. 3.1 mbytes/sec to console, 170uS seek time.
— Felix (@flxel) August 6, 2022
