63 replies to this topic

[cwilkson]

Mitch said:

cwilkson said:

Mitch said:

I have a PAL 7800 I could loan you when you're ready to do your 7800 version.

That would be too cool! How about when I'm ready to finish the PAL 2600 in a couple of weeks? Once the differences between PAL and NTSC are understood for the 2600, I can use an NTSC 7800 for both 7800 versions.

-Chris

Email me when you want it.

Mitch

Cool. Thanks!

-Chris

[Nathan Strum]

cwilkson said:

What browser are you using?  I know nothing about how the Atari2600.com store is set up, but it definitely works with Internet Explorer.  If you have access to a Windows machine, you might try that.

I'm using IE for Mac OS 9. I'll just send 'em a check, if I can't get it to work from my OS X Mac at work.

cwilkson said:

I'm looking forward to seeing the CyberTech Video Card added to your 2600 video comparison web site.

You could always send me a free one.

Hello?

Shoot. Never shoulda told him I was planning to buy one.

[cwilkson]

[jeff_a]

Order placed Too bad i have to wait until christmas to play with it.

[Esc]

I'll contact Atari2600.com for the shipping quote. I just couldn't find anything regarding shipping cost prior to ordering. I don't like entering all my information and then be told how much shipping is.

[liveinabin]

It's cool that you are serious about getting it working on PAL systems.
I didn't expect it at all.
As soon as you have it working, my order will be in.

cheers

[Joe Stella]

Quote

I'll contact Atari2600.com for the shipping quote. I just couldn't find anything regarding shipping cost prior to ordering. I don't like entering all my information and then be told how much shipping is.

Mine ran $4.50, YMMV.

And now the mailbox watching begins...

[SPIKE]

i will be getting one of these as soon as i can!!!!!!

in fact i have a 2600 waiting for this!

VERY KEEN!!!!!!!!!!

[johnnywc]

Wow - this sounds fantastic!! It looks like the audio/svideo cables are pretty short - does anybody have a recommendation where extensions can be purchased? I know Radio Shack will probably have them (at a high $$$) - is there a "recommended" place to get these cables?

Thanks!

[cwilkson]

You can get s-video and stereo cables from a number of places. Some of the more common places are Radio Shack, Walmart, Best Buy, Tweeter, Tower Records, Fry's Electronics...maybe a nearby tv repair shop or even your local furniture store. Just about anywhere that sells audiovisual equipment. You can also find them on the web in various places.

-Chris

[adolescent]

Great news Chris!!!

Another vote for the 7800 and Jr models! I'm going to go ahead and buy one of the current models and pick up a 2600 when I find one. Anyone have a excellent condition spare? If not, which models have socketed chips?

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

Just a silly thought from the hardware idiot next door...

Assuming some extra, extra, extra wiring, could the TIA be upgraded to a GTIA with such a board?

Edit: With upgrading I mean *adding* more or less. I assume You'd still need to use the original TIAs audio and playfield circuits.

Edit²: In default mode it should use the TIA 100%. Via software you should be able to switch on the GTIA mode and then being able to use the GTIAs extended sprite capabilities and maybe other things.

Greetings,
Manuel

[cwilkson]

Cybergoth said:

Hi there!

Just a silly thought from the hardware idiot next door...

Assuming some extra, extra, extra wiring, could the TIA be upgraded to a GTIA with such a board?

Edit: With upgrading I mean *adding* more or less. I assume You'd still need to use the original TIAs audio and playfield circuits.

The honest answer is: I don't know. I don't know the pinout or operation of the GTIA at all. I suppose it's possible. I mean...If a person really wanted to they could add an entire Atari 8-bit, space willing. But once you change the chipset, it's no longer a 2600.

Quote

Edit²: In default mode it should use the TIA 100%. Via software you should be able to switch on the GTIA mode and then being able to use the GTIAs extended sprite capabilities and maybe other things.

Assuming you could get the GTIA added safely, this would be pretty easy. I think.

-Chris

[mos6507]

cwilkson said:

The honest answer is:  I don't know.  I don't know the pinout or operation of the GTIA at all.  I suppose it's possible.  -Chris

But isn't the GTIA only going to work at 1.79mhz? Not only that, but because of the 6507s limited memory addressing I'm not sure you'd be able to access its hardware registers.

I'm sure it's possible to make a TIA+ with added features, but it's going to have to fit into the 2600's architecture.

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

mos6507 said:

I'm sure it's possible to make a TIA+ with added features, but it's going to have to fit into the 2600's architecture.

Yes, my basic thought was that the GTIA was supposed to be a TIA+ and I imagined to use it just like that.

But I don't know anything about hardware. I thought it was probably possible to map the GTIA into regions where normally the TIA is shadowed.

But I'm not sure wether the output of both chips could be merged into one single TV-Signal? Or would the output be either TIA /or GTIA?

The thought about a TIA+ is also cool. I mean if someone recreates the TIA, why not add another 16 sprites?

Greetings,
Manuel

[Joe Stella]

Chris-

Out of curiosity, would you mind disclosing some numbers (or maybe a range) of how many units are being sold? Is it a "hot item"?

If not, totally understand.

JS

[cwilkson]

Joe Stella said:

Chris-

Out of curiosity, would you mind disclosing some numbers (or maybe a range) of how many units are being sold?  Is it a "hot item"?

If not, totally understand.

JS

I'm not really involved in the sales aspect, so I don't have exact numbers. But the web-based orders were somewhere between 10-20 a couple of days ago. There are also some orders coming via snail mail. But I have no idea how many of those there are. There have been many people who want to read independent reviews before commiting. Quite understandable I think. I also think most of them will decide to order once there are some reviews available.

-Chris

[Nathan Strum]

Well, I just ordered mine. I had to use a different Mac (running Safari) to place the order, since the IE security issue still hadn't been resolved, but where there's a will, there's a way.

I don't know how soon I'll be able to test it, since if it gets here right before Christmas, I doubt I'm going to do much with it until after the holidays. But at some point I'll put it through the wringer, and make updates to my mod comparison page. (I should also be getting one of Povlok1's mods to test, too.)

I don't think I'll include as many screen captures this time around (takes up too much server space when they're uncompressed). I'll keep the test cart pics for certain, plus a few from some games.

If anyone has any suggestions for good test images, what I've currently got posted are here, and the games I have available to test are these.

[Buck]

cwilkson said:

Lee Krueger said:

I saw this at CGE this year. I can vouch for the clarity and picture quaility.
I'll be ordering one.

Now, Chris, are you working on a 7800 Video Mod?  :wink:  

Take care,
-Lee

Thanks for the support Lee!

Yes, I'll be working on a dedicated 7800 version. But I need to wrap up the 2600 model first. Could be a couple of months before I get to start it...PAL 2600's may require a signicant change from the NTSC version. But once I get started on the 7800, it should progress quickly.

-Chris

Mmmmmmm...7800 mod....
Tasty......
I'll be ordering one of those when they're available. Keep up the good work, Chris!

Buck(with the weak Homer Simpson imitation)

[jamesb69]

i would order, but i cant solder

i think it would have been nice to include ports on the card to plug the cables into so soldering would not be required...

[AtariK2]

Hmmmm....noticed a few excited folks in this thread who ordered one of these but no one seems to have reported back the results.

In another thread perhaps?

[cwilkson]

AtariK2 said:

Hmmmm....noticed a few excited folks in this thread who ordered one of these but no one seems to have reported back the results.  

In another thread perhaps?

Yeah, me too!

Anyone? Some of the boards have been backordered, but I know at least 20 boards have been delivered. (This is a pretty old estimate, BTW...) I haven't seen any reviews anywhere. If anyone sees one or wants to write one please let me know.

-Chris

[RangerG]

I agree. I am one of the ones waiting for a review before I go for the purchase. How hard was it to install? Do you still have ghosting? General grade (A to F)?

Thanks,
RG

[Nathan Strum]

I have one. I just haven't had the time to sit down, install it, test some games, capture some screenshots, do a write up on it, and re-work my web page.

I'm in the middle of another project right now, but March is looking like a possibility.

[Spirantho]

Are you still looking for a PAL 2600? I've got a few spare Juniors if they're of any use....