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5200 expansion port?


11 replies to this topic

#1 Gandor OFFLINE  

Gandor

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Posted Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:06 PM

Hi,

I recently bought a 4 port 5200 with a bunch of games, 2600 expansion unit, trackball and a working joystick.
Examining the back of the 5200 I noticed a small removable cover plate.
It conceals part of the motherboard which appears to be an expansion port.
Anybody know what this is and if it ever was used for anything?

Thanks

#2 Curt Vendel OFFLINE  

Curt Vendel

    River Patroller

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Posted Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:52 PM

Never used for anything.... the shortlived 5200 Speech Synthesizer was rumored to use that port, but never got anywhere, so its unclear if it would've used it. Atari quickly realized it could do speech in software and hardware was not needed...

#3 ferghead OFFLINE  

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Posted Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:51 PM

Congratulations on the working joystick. :)

#4 Gandor OFFLINE  

Gandor

    Star Raider

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Posted Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:38 PM

View Postferghead, on Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:51 PM, said:

Congratulations on the working joystick. :)
I also have a second one which doesn't work :(
Oh and a masterplay interface. Make playing some games so much better :thumbsup:

#5 OldAtarian OFFLINE  

OldAtarian

    Stargunner

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Posted Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:04 PM

View PostCurt Vendel, on Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:52 PM, said:

Never used for anything.... the shortlived 5200 Speech Synthesizer was rumored to use that port, but never got anywhere, so its unclear if it would've used it. Atari quickly realized it could do speech in software and hardware was not needed...

Congratulations, you have just discovered your next project! The 5200 XM :D

Edited by OldAtarian, Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:05 PM.


#6 Curt Vendel OFFLINE  

Curt Vendel

    River Patroller

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Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:04 AM

arrrrrghhhh !!!! :-D

View PostOldAtarian, on Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:04 PM, said:

View PostCurt Vendel, on Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:52 PM, said:

Never used for anything.... the shortlived 5200 Speech Synthesizer was rumored to use that port, but never got anywhere, so its unclear if it would've used it. Atari quickly realized it could do speech in software and hardware was not needed...

Congratulations, you have just discovered your next project! The 5200 XM :D


#7 atari5200dude82 OFFLINE  

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Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:42 AM

That will be awesome.

#8 OldAtarian OFFLINE  

OldAtarian

    Stargunner

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Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:04 PM

Nah, if anything I'd rather see the 1090XL expansion box reproduced and some cards released for it.

#9 Allan OFFLINE  

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Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:04 PM

What can you really do with the expansion port? Maybe some kind of SIO cable so that you could do a Midi-Maze type game. I'm not sure what other use you could have for it. Maybe a musical keyboard hook-up or a Guitar Hero type thing. I think you could do any kind of Ram expansion or anything. You can't even do that with the cartridge port.

Allan

#10 OldAtarian OFFLINE  

OldAtarian

    Stargunner

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Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:29 PM

View PostAllan, on Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:04 PM, said:

What can you really do with the expansion port? Maybe some kind of SIO cable so that you could do a Midi-Maze type game. I'm not sure what other use you could have for it. Maybe a musical keyboard hook-up or a Guitar Hero type thing. I think you could do any kind of Ram expansion or anything. You can't even do that with the cartridge port.

Allan

I wonder if something to be able to access the internet would be possible, then someone could write a multiplayer shooter for the 5200!

#11 Lynxpro OFFLINE  

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Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:08 PM

View PostOldAtarian, on Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:29 PM, said:

View PostAllan, on Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:04 PM, said:

What can you really do with the expansion port? Maybe some kind of SIO cable so that you could do a Midi-Maze type game. I'm not sure what other use you could have for it. Maybe a musical keyboard hook-up or a Guitar Hero type thing. I think you could do any kind of Ram expansion or anything. You can't even do that with the cartridge port.

Allan

I wonder if something to be able to access the internet would be possible, then someone could write a multiplayer shooter for the 5200!


Halo 5200

#12 ToddUGA OFFLINE  

ToddUGA

    Star Raider

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Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:54 AM

View PostOldAtarian, on Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:04 PM, said:

View PostCurt Vendel, on Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:52 PM, said:

Never used for anything.... the shortlived 5200 Speech Synthesizer was rumored to use that port, but never got anywhere, so its unclear if it would've used it. Atari quickly realized it could do speech in software and hardware was not needed...

Congratulations, you have just discovered your next project! The 5200 XM :D

Hopefully it doesn't interfere with his 5200 replacement joystick project. ;)




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