CrossBow
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Posts posted by CrossBow
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The metal rectangular box on the main board is an RF modulator. But I thought you said earlier that the extra board shown to the right of the power supply board is also RF? So yeah... I'm more than a little confused on this.
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Wait, there are two RF modulators on this thing? Why on earth?...
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44 minutes ago, AtariSphinx said:
What I would do is still put it outside and hide it like they do with some cell phone towers with plants such as on a balcony. Perhaps a hanging a hanging plant. This would still be better than having it inside.
the one I posted can be used outside but then you have to run a separate ground off it to account for possible lightning strikes so it doesn't get into the house. The model I posted also isn't as large as it might look. I think it only measure about 12 - 16 inches wide and like 10 inches tall and I think it sticks out about 12 inches from the back to tip. So aside from it looking goofy, you could mount it on a small rod internally and hide is in the manner you spoke of as well.
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Not sure I can be of much help on this, but I used to use something similar to what you posted about 10 years ago and signals were always kinda hit n miss with it. Then, I looked into a more directional yagi style antenna that was still non powered and could be used for indoor/outdoor use. I ended up purchasing something like this:
Like it states, I mounted it up in the attic pointed in the direction of where most of the local stations advised. We ended up receiving nearly 40 stations compared to the maybe 12 - 18 we were getting before with the other style.
I bought a second one to attach to the bedroom TV and mounted it in the attic as well. I really like them because it is nearly like having the advantage of a large aerial without actually having to deal with the eyesore of it being attached to the house.
So not sure what options you have to something like this, but I would think that if you can get it into the attic space, that will help quite a bit from getting it away from the noise blocking materials.
- Atari 5200 Guy, Justin and RickR
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1 minute ago, Justin said:
My understanding was a somewhat more complete version of Rescue on Fractalus was written for the Atari 7800, and although not complete it was more playable than what is available today.
It would be way beyond cool if that is true and such a version were to ever show up. Fractalus is one of the reasons I sought out and bought a 5200 in the early 2000s. At the time, I didn't know the game existed on the 8-bits as well and was only aware of the 5200 version. That said, it is one of the games that makes great use of the stock controllers too.
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46 minutes ago, Justin said:
This looks like it could be amazing. I loved Rescue on Fractalus on the Atari 8-Bit Computers and really felt like we were missing out on it by not having the completed 7800 version. I looked forever to try to find a lost Rom somewhere of a working Rescue on Fractalus for the 7800. I hope this project goes well.
What has been found of the ROM for the 7800 version is strictly an automated demo. It is a slight graphical overhaul from the 8-bit versions and I believe was a little smoother as well.
I did NOT know the PC remake had finally received a new update?! I've been playing this on and off since I first found out about it several years ago. At that time the aliens hadn't been added in yet so this is very cool!
As an homage to the original. Pay attention to the center view screen. You will see that they are essentially using the 8-bit version graphics in the view screen including the sprites for the original ships. So very cool!
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Yes the voltage is more like 16v AC input. But I believe that has more to do with providing enough overall current to power the system. It transfers the power down through a voltage regulator on the power board anyway before it gets to the rest of the main guts. And because it is used to rectifing an AC current, the polarity of the PSU you use doesn't even matter. The reason I mention the 5200 is because the Intelly 2 and 5200 use a larger center diameter pin on their barrel jacks vs more common ones. Specifically the jack uses a 2.5x5.5mm barrel jack. Most other systems and devices at the time that used a similar barrel jack only used a 2.1x5.5mm jack. So again the center pin is a slightly larger diameter and the 5200 was the next thing I had on hand that fit and did the job. But yeah, I use the 5200 PSU when working on and testing Intelly 2 units that have come to me for service because it works and I don't have to keep a separate one on hand just for one console.
The original NES also uses an AC power supply but like the Intelly 2, it rectifies that AC current to a DC current before it gets to the voltage regulator. As a result, you can actually power an NES all day long using a Genesis or SMS or Jaguar power supply. Again, the rectifier diodes in the console ensure that the current flows in the proper direction regardless of the polarity used from the DC power supply.
I question why they didn't just use a standard DC supply in the first place back then. It might be that the AC was needed for all the attachments perhaps? I don't own any of the attachments like the system changer or the ECS so it is possible that the AC current was needed to power all of those items. But for just playing standard intellivision games on the console itself, a 5200 PSU will do fine.
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What is the Spudster? I haven't got that one.
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2 minutes ago, RickR said:
I'd rank them like this:
- Sears Tele-Games version - it has the detachable controllers. Compatible with INTV2 controllers
- Orig version
- INTV 2
You nailed it with the comparison to the Atari 2600jr. The INTV2 is smaller and looks nice. In addition to the limitations others mentioned, it also has a horrible on/off/reset combo button (truly awful), and that gigantic external power brick will cover several plugs on a power strip.
I concur on this order...
However, the power brick is not an issue. You can use any DC brick as well provided it provides at least 1.5A of current and provides at least 9v input. I actually use a 5200 PSU with mine with out issue and have for years now. And that works out well because the the 5200 is a large brick, but it is detached from the rest of the cords so you only need a standard 2 prong plug into the outlet or strip and then the brick further down the line and then another cable to plug into the power port. Using a DC PSU I think is better anyway because the supply board inside doesn't have to work as hard since all of the rectification to convert the AC to DC is bypassed in that regard.
Also, Console5 provides a replacement resistor to help limit the time needed with that single combo power/reset button. Basically you only hold it down for about 2 sec to power it off.
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The Sears unit to me is the best one of the bunch and that is what I use as my daily driver. Controllers can be removed if needed for servicing easily, it uses the same internal parts as the standard model 1 so lots of stuff is interchangeable. In fact the interior layout is exactly the same. It is the center tray that is only molded differently to allow for the removable controllers. The cable harness that has the DB9 on it is snapped onto that center tray section and then uses the exact same molex style connectors onto the main board. There are differences in two of the IC chips but that doesn't affect the functionality at all. Until about a year ago, my Sears Intelly was actually using a standard Mattel 2609 mainboard in it.
- Sabertooth and Justin
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2 hours ago, TrekMD said:
OK, cool. I'll get some measurements to see. It'd be cool to be able to get one printed that is tall enough to encase the PCB. The chip is extra thick!
I've a new set of digital calipers. I assume Trek's cart would be the same as mine and you are only needing to know how thick the entire board setup if from the bottom of the PCB to the top of the chip he uses right?
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The controllers on the Intelly 2 are awful! The buttons are stiff plastic that doesn't have much tactile feel to them and the keypad buttons are recessed and aren't bubble buttons like the model 1.
The ONLY thing the Intellivision 2 has going for it over the model 1 is the smaller size and I think it does look cool. And the fact that the controllers on the model 2 can be removed as they plug in using the same standard DB9 jacks of many consoles of the day.
Model 2 Intellys also use a separate power brick vs the attached AC cord that is on the model 1.
Model 2's aren't compatible with some Colecovision games that do work on the model 1, but the model 2 can use the system changer whereas the model 1 requires a hardware modification to do this similar to what you do with the 4 port 5200 to enable it to use the VCS adapter.
My preference has always been the model 1 units although they do generate a ton and heat and don't like be played on carpet.
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On 1/10/2022 at 9:10 PM, TrekMD said:
That's an awesome collection of movies! I have several items to post. Not all are new as some are just box upgrades. In the case of the Vectrex game, it is a case upgrade. The PCB had no case and I was finally able to get a case, modify it, and get a label on it.
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Wanted to ask about some of this...
Did you buy out someone's collection? I'm asking because I wasn't aware that anyone was willing to let those Anniversary 7800 carts go? I've got them as well and would never think to part with them so I'm curious if you already had the carts and just had Marc make you some boxes or ?
Have to give you thoughts on those DC games. I've looked at them but didn't pull the trigger yet. Although I do have Izzy and that one is really fun! It was kinda short as I got through the game in a few hours as I recall but still quite fun to play.
I tried to get one of those Astro-Grovers but wasn't able to at the time. Again, I assume you had the cart and had Marc make you a box?
That Diner is in really good shape! Congrats on that! I have it CIB but the box on mine isn't nearly as pristine. I think I like playing Diner more than BT too and it is one of my go to games on the Intellivision that I fire up when testing consoles.
Where did you get the case for your Jason vectrex multicart? I just got mine back in November but haven't even fired it up yet. I have it just stuck in a box out of the way for the time being.
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I can't recall which of my sets first came with one of these. It might have been one of the Architecture sets I have but they have become more and more commonly found. I also wished they had them when I was kid. I can't tell you how many sore fingers and broken nails and cuts to the quick I had as a kid. Especially trying to separate the larger plates from each other and other thin pieces.
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2 hours ago, RickR said:
I'm pretty sure Pac-Man is the all-time sales leader for the 2600. That one is a killer app too.
Likely true...but it was NEVER a killer app in my family! In fact I don't think we ever actually owned Pac-Man because all of my friends had it so if I wanted to play it I would borrow it from them or just play it at their house. Ms-Pac on the other hand... That was a very different story. Took me months to save up for a copy of that in the early 80s. My mother played it more than I did and got to be quite good at it too.
- Sabertooth and RickR
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When I got m 4 switcher in the early 80s, it came with two additional games my parents had to have at that time. One was defender, the other....
Space Invaders.
So I would say it was truly the first killer game that everyone had to have and pretty much everyone did. I'm pretty confident that all of my friends who had a 2600 also owned a copy of Space Invaders. It be interesting to know if SI might be the 2nd most common game on the 2600 next to combat just because the game sold systems on its own.
- RickR and Sabertooth
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Then what is in place of where the RF would normally go on the mainboard just below that PCB then? I can see how that would be RF with the tuning coil on it but then why the different crystal? But you have to keep in mind I've never seen the insides of the PAL consoles and I've not found any service manuals for the PAL models either. But what few PAL versions I have seen the insides of from other people posting pics, they look very similar to the NTSC models. So yeah... kinda strange.
Heck, it wasn't until end of year before last that I found out that some European models of the Intelly don't even use a power supply board inside them? I guess they were designed with external bricks similar to the colecovision and other consoles.
That is why the first RGB board from Yannick has the holes on the sides of the board. He designed it to mount in the spot where the power supply board is on most other models because apparently in France they don't have power boards in them. That must be nice...
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18 hours ago, Jas said:
Hi all,could someone please tell me what this board is called and what it does?
Many thanks
I honestly don't know since the NTSC consoles do NOT have this board. But if I were to guess, maybe it is some sort of video converter? Is your console SECAM or RGB in some way?
In looking at the components on the board, I can see another variable cap and crystal on it similar to what should be on the main board. Lots of 74x logic and what looks to be a tuning coil. So it has to be related to video somehow.
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I haven't had dominos... in a very long time. Easily been more than 20 years now? They weren't that good when I first remembering them coming here in my town in the later 80s and so was never impressed with them enough to try them again.
However, my wife and I did get a pizza from Papa Murphy's last night LOL!!!
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Not really weird as you are using a PAL system the games are likely squished due to the difference between the 50/60hz line frequencies is my guess. In other words I'm not sure that the Intellivision games are really PAL specifically programmed? Colors look different as well on your Armour Battle.
On an unrelated note... why is your BBC Micro being used as a table for storing stuff on it?! LOL!
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One easy to get to location for ground is actually on the left hand side of that large cap. The negative lead on all of the Intellivision power supply boards I've seen, is usually ground. That is if you are just checking the voltages from the ribbon cable off the power supply board to the main board. If you are wanting to check the voltages on the harness from the transformer to the power supply board, then you need to consult with the service manuals on which pins to have the probes on for testing that. I'm not sure if it is different between the NTSC and PAL/Euro models though.
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There are a lot of options where I live. Most of the time we order Papa John's or pick up one from Papa Murphy's to bake. We tend to prefer Papa Murphy's over John but there it is. Use to get Pizza Hut all the time but over the last few years, the quality and taste has just really slipped beyond measure in our eyes. We have quite a few mom and pop places as well, but most of them have limited delivery or are quite a bit more expensive compared the usual places.
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15 hours ago, Atari 5200 Guy said:
Not little Caesars but I remember the Big Foot. That thing was huge and oh so yummy. I wish that it would come back.
I used to order up a bigfoot from pizza hut when I was in the barracks in the military in the early 90s and it would keep me fed for a good couple evenings.
As for Little Caesars, I've never been a fan of their pizza ever and don't order from them. Although I've heard their crazy bread was supposed to be really good? But I don't recall ever having tried it.
My personal "WOW" moment in console gaming. You wouldn't guess. What's yours?
in Classic Gaming General
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Mine was the DC as well! But, it was after it had already ran its course. I of course saw the commercials on TV but I hadn't really paid attention to it to much to be honest. Then when they were being clearanced out, I was able to pick up one for about $50 and Shenmue was one of the games I happened to pick up for it. When I first powered it on and saw the intro to Shenmue, I was generally amazed because up until this point in my eyes, console hadn't and wouldn't ever catch up to the graphics that PC gaming could still provide. It has pretty much always been that way to me since I got my first PC in the late 80s.
But here,,, with Shenmue I was seeing for the first time, a small game console that was producing graphics nearly as impressive to me as my GeForce TNT 256 I had in my gaming PC at the time. Sure there were differences in the quality of the polys and textures, but it was close enough that I got a renewed interest in not just the retro gaming that I had started to get back into, but was now interested about the modern console gaming as well. I found myself now purchasing lots of DC games on clearance at Circuit City and the like to see what else there was to offer.
And I've been getting modern consoles as well ever since. Exception is the newest consoles since they haven't anything on offer to interest me that I can't also play on my PC as well. So the lines have been blurred quite a bit now. But yeah, in the early 2000s it was the DC that made me go Wow and take notice about how far console gaming had come since the N64.