Commodore 64 hookup?

[ZP3]

I have the chance to buy a commodore 64 with the hookups and 11 games, and I feel like this is a good deal. However, I do not know how to hook it up. It doesn't come with a monitor, either. How would one go about hooking up this system? I am a noob about vintage computers, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Bojay1997]

I have the chance to buy a commodore 64 with the hookups and 11 games, and I feel like this is a good deal. However, I do not know how to hook it up. It doesn't come with a monitor, either. How would one go about hooking up this system? I am a noob about vintage computers, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

You just need an older TV. Here is a handy guide to how to hook it up -


http://dfarq.homeip.net/2005/01/how-to-connect-a-commodore-64-to-a-television/

[Wraith Storm]

The C64 can hook up to a TV using a standard RF cable or using A/V cables. The older models have a 5 pin A/V connection, so if you have a Model 1 Genesis or a Turbo Duo you can use those A/V cables as well. Thats what I did for years until I managed to get my hands on a nice Commodore RGB Monitor.

The later C64 had an 8 pin connection. Regardless they just hook up to your TV like anything else.

[theclaw]

No. Model 1 Genesis has 8 pins like the Master System.

Turbo Duo was 5 pins because it didn't output RGB.

[Wraith Storm]

Thanks for the correction.

I use my Turobo duo cable for my C64 and I was thinking Genesis was the same.

So the Genesis and Master System A/V cables work with the later model 8 pin Commodore 64s.
The Turbo Duo a/v cable works with the earlier 5 pin C64s.

[theclaw]

Maybe that only works one direction.
C64 mono composite cable on Turbo Duo would result in right audio and +5v, if I'm reading these correctly.

http://www.gamesx.com/avpinouts/duoav.htm
http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/A/V_jack

[ZP3]

I have another question for you, what all needs to come with a Commadore 64? From the picture I can see the actual keyboard, hookups, 11 games, and the box. Should anything else be included?

[T2KFreeker]

I have another question for you, what all needs to come with a Commadore 64? From the picture I can see the actual keyboard, hookups, 11 games, and the box. Should anything else be included?

You might want to get a joystick down the road as well as a Disk Drive if you are using floppy disks.

[ZP3]

You might want to get a joystick down the road as well as a Disk Drive if you are using floppy disks.

He said he might have the joystick around, just couldn't find it at the time of the picture. Also, the 11 games he has are cartridges, so I *assume* that those should be fine to run just with the normal system?

Besides the missing joystick, everything else seems to be in pristine condition. He even has the box to the system as well as the original instructions.

[CRTGAMER]

I have another question for you, what all needs to come with a Commadore 64? From the picture I can see the actual keyboard, hookups, 11 games, and the box. Should anything else be included?

It can hook up to your TV just like a game console. If an eight pin connector, you can even build a custom SVideo cable which is better then Composite or RF. If the games are on carts you are ready to go, later get a 1541 disk drive one you start playing around programming with it.

[theclaw]

Yeah 8 pin C64 added svideo.

The graphics chip doesn't use RGB.
If your monitor has that, it wasn't intended squarely for C64.

Though according to this, the 1701 monitor can make svideo from a 5 pin C64 by using the composite line.
http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue42/054_1_HOW_TO_IMPROVE_THE_TV_QUALITY_OF_THE_COMMODO RE_64.php

[T2KFreeker]

He said he might have the joystick around, just couldn't find it at the time of the picture. Also, the 11 games he has are cartridges, so I *assume* that those should be fine to run just with the normal system?

Besides the missing joystick, everything else seems to be in pristine condition. He even has the box to the system as well as the original instructions.

Yes, the carts will run fine without a Disk Drive. However, if you are going to get into the meat and potatoes of the C64, a Floppy Disk Drive and Disks are a must. Trust me, I have HUNDREDS of Floppies for the C-64, and it's well worth it for some real classics on the system. Possibly a Tape Deck down the road if you wanted to get into any of the cassette games. On a side note also, any Atari 2600 Joystick will work with the Commodore 64, so there you have it.

[ZP3]

Yes, the carts will run fine without a Disk Drive. However, if you are going to get into the meat and potatoes of the C64, a Floppy Disk Drive and Disks are a must. Trust me, I have HUNDREDS of Floppies for the C-64, and it's well worth it for some real classics on the system. Possibly a Tape Deck down the road if you wanted to get into any of the cassette games. On a side note also, any Atari 2600 Joystick will work with the Commodore 64, so there you have it.

Oh, excellent. I for sure have enough joysticks for it then. In your opinion, what do you consider must haves on the C64?

[ZP3]

This is truly interesting. In my search for knowledge, I have found out that I will be purchasing is a Commodore Vic 20. Does this change the game in any way? How is this different than a C64

[ccovell]

The VIC-20 was the predecessor to the C64. Although it used the same CPU, its graphics and sound were vastly inferior. Think Sega SG-1000 to Master System as a comparison.

If it's VIC-20, I'd say it's not worth your time and you should call off the deal.

[ZP3]

The VIC-20 was the predecessor to the C64. Although it used the same CPU, its graphics and sound were vastly inferior. Think Sega SG-1000 to Master System as a comparison.

If it's VIC-20, I'd say it's not worth your time and you should call off the deal.

You think so? I talked him down to $25 regardless.

[Dave Farquhar]

Thanks for the link on my blog about hooking up a 64. :)

I think $25 is a fair price for a VIC-20 with some software, for what it's worth. It's a much less capable machine, but is historically important--it was the first color computer to sell for under $300, and it was the best selling computer of 1982.

[Jorpho]

I for one would rather accumulate useful things rather than things having "historical importance". And a C64 would be vastly more useful.

[ZP3]

Thanks for the link on my blog about hooking up a 64. :)

I think $25 is a fair price for a VIC-20 with some software, for what it's worth. It's a much less capable machine, but is historically important--it was the first color computer to sell for under $300, and it was the best selling computer of 1982.

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that it was a VIC-20, but hey, I don't think $25 is terrible. Comes with 11 games and the original box and instructions.

[PreZZ]

Oh, excellent. I for sure have enough joysticks for it then. In your opinion, what do you consider must haves on the C64?

Maniac mansion, the Epyx olympic games, boulder dash, space taxi, the last ninja trilogy

[Neb6]

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that it was a VIC-20, but hey, I don't think $25 is terrible. Comes with 11 games and the original box and instructions.

I think you did fine then.

Plus, if you can find Omega Race for the Vic, then you're set!