PCE LT Prototype? (Yahoo Auctions Japan)

[csgx1]

On Yahoo Auctions Japan....

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpage10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp%2Fjp%2Fauction%2Fm77573415

/nikkah-img581x600-1273946012ffmlg087518.jpg

Not sure if the google translation/definition is correct but the translated description says it's a prototype.  All the usual markings and lettering on the unit is missing.  Anything special or different if this is a prototype?

[Tatsujin]

Wow, yeah. it certainly looks different in some places, like the red mode switch, the different cut out for the power plug and there is no PCE LT/NEC labeling on the cover or screen.

[Thibaut]

"the different cyt out for the power plug"

What do you mean ?

[Tatsujin]

sorry. "cut out" I meant. corrected it in my prev. post.

[Thibaut]

Get it

[NecroPhile]

For a prototype, it's pretty dang close to the finished product.  I wonder if the internals are any different. 

In any case, thanks for sharing.

[csgx1]

Looks like the auction ended.  If that is a real prototype LT, then the set seems like a pretty good deal at 37,200 yen.

[RoyVegas]

Looks like the auction ended.  If that is a real prototype LT, then the set seems like a pretty good deal at 37,200 yen. 

How much is that US?

[NecroPhile]

How much is that US?

40,000 pennies or thereabouts.

[Tatsujin]

awesome price!! can't believe it. and with all the adds.

so did i got it right, that thibaut "GOT" it?

[Thibaut]

Yes I take it. When I will receive it I will make some pics to show all differences.
With this pics from the auction, we can see some differences :
- no priting nowhere (on the top of the console, on the screen, arround the buttons,...)
- the red switch
- the 4 corners have like "hole", not on the commercial version
- the square cyt out for the power plug (thanks Tatsujin)
- no "engraving" all around the console (on the slice, like around the power plug, red swith, connexion pad,...)

I have find some pics in PC Engine Fan mags who showed in the middle of '93, the first presentation of the LT. We can also see the red switch and the 4 "holes" around the screen. But this prototype version for the first presentation have all his printing (HE System, NEC, LT, Power,...).
So the version on Yahoo Auction may be a previous version.

[termis]

Interesting that a proto model would fetch less than a production unit.

[Thibaut]

And the prototype don´t have the sticker under the console with all informations (reference, AC Power Input,...).

[guyjin]

I hope it is in fact a prototype and not an unlicenced clone or something.

how would you know the difference? I imagine looking at the circuit board, but I'm no expert...

either way, congrats!

[futurematt]

Congrats Thibaut! A rare treasure!!

[JapanTokei]

Thibaut - nice win indeed.  I actually saw this listing but didn't even look at it - did not realize it was a prototype version.. great price indeed.  Do let us know if the thing works and any pixels are dead or not, and if the proto's TV tuner works!  again congrats ... goodies do come occasionally on yahoo auction.

Congrats Thibaut! A rare treasure!!

[Thibaut]

Yes, I will do a complete review when I receive it.

[Thibaut]

This is some comparative pictures of the commercial and prototype version (works fine).

/20070510pceltproto0001.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0004.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0006.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0007.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0011.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0014.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0016.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0017.jpg
/20070510pceltproto0022.jpg

[Tatsujin]

 

[NecroPhile]

Neato; thanks for sharing.  Is that purpley colored rectangle in the first pic a discoloration of the plastic, or is that what all of the plastic is supposed to be like and the rest is just faded/grimey?

[spenoza]

Is there a possibility that this is knock-off hardware and not a prototype? I guess it would take a look at the boards inside to be sure.

[Thibaut]

Necromancer : I think it was the place for a old "development" sticker like proto #1.
For the first presentation of the LT, at this place is was the mention "He System".

spenoza : I will open the LT this week-end, but I am 100% sure it´s an official prototype. For example at the first presentation of the LT, there was the same red switch on the right side.

[SignOfZeta]

Is there a possibility that this is knock-off hardware and not a prototype? I guess it would take a look at the boards inside to be sure.

I'd open it anyway, since there is bound to be all sorts of differences inside as well, but I doubt its a knock-off. The LT would have been one extremely expensive system to knock off.

[henrycsc]

Amazing Thibaut!  Just Amazing!  Thanks for sharing the pics.

I think it would even be expensive to try to knock off with today's technology (an pull off making it look so authentic!)  If it were a knockoff too, there would be way more of them out there!

[Tatsujin]

I'm certainly sure as well that this is no knock-off. It just looks too much like a typical prototype. With the power plug cut out, which doesn't fit the latest hardware plug, absolutely no labels etc. and yes, the form factor alone tells me, that it  have to be an original.