2600 greatness!

[chadtower]

Check it out! A dedicated board to add svideo and stereo to a 2600 with nearly no real work and no permanent modification to the console! Damn!

https://www.atari2600.com/cgi-bin/cp/cp-app.cgi?usr=2027979&rnd=3820172&pg=store&sub_pg=prod&ref=6196&x=21&y=10

[o2william]

This is a wonderful idea, but it creates a dilemma for me since I don't have an S-Video capable TV. Should I buy one on the likely assumption that I will get a better TV someday? Should I buy it despite the fact that my soldering skills are practically nil? Do I shell out the $50 when I could be saving to buy a TurboDuo? Oh, the decisions we classic gamers face! LOL

If anyone from this board buys one, I'd be very interested to know how well it performs, and how tough the installation is.

[cwilkson]

This is a wonderful idea, but it creates a dilemma for me since I don't have an S-Video capable TV. Should I buy one on the likely assumption that I will get a better TV someday? Should I buy it despite the fact that my soldering skills are practically nil? Do I shell out the $50 when I could be saving to buy a TurboDuo? Oh, the decisions we classic gamers face! LOL
As superstonic points out, it's easy to convert s-video to composite. The adapters can usually be found for around $5. The circuit he shows will work also. In both cases, you'll get "fuzzies" around color boundaries, but otherwise, you'll get crisp composite video. I'd say go ahead and get one. It's easy to make it work with composite TV inputs, and it's just about the best video you'll ever see out of a 2600 if and when you decide to upgrade your TV.

If anyone from this board buys one, I'd be very interested to know how well it performs, and how tough the installation is.
I designed the CyberTech Video Card. It is designed to be plug and play, just like a video card for a PC, but without the hassle of software drivers. If your motherboard has socketed chips, installation is a snap. If not, then it's a bit tougher but still not horrible. Atari2600.com also offers an installation service for the faint of heart.

I'm waiting for the first customer reviews too. While I'm able to provide technical info, I'm not in the best position to offer unbiased performance critiques. :P

Oh yeah....for the time being, I'm mostly just a lurker here at Digital Press. So if you have further questions or comments head over to the AtariAge Marketplace forum, where I'm actively answering questions.

Thanks!
-Chris Wilkson

[cwilkson]

I'm waiting for the first customer reviews too.

You know I've been bugging you for one of these ever since seeing a version of it at CGE a few years ago ;) . Needless to say, I ordered mine this week. I'll be sure to post my impressions of it.
You have? Hrm...who are you in the real world? There are a *lot* of people who have been bugging me for this. ;)



Oh yeah....for the time being, I'm mostly just a lurker here at Digital Press.

Why? There's no need to. Stay a while......stay F O R E V E R! LOL
Yeah, yeah...WE ALL FLOAT DOWN HERE. COME ON DOWN.
Heh. Too busy to monitor everything that everybody does everywhere all the time. That's what I pay John Ashcroft to do. :/

-Chris

[christianscott27]

is the same mod we saw all those ages ago at our boston meet? if so that was pretty nice looking hooked right up to the comm, monitor. what i'd like to see emerge from your lab though is that funky metal touch sensitive controller you had.

[cwilkson]

is the same mod we saw all those ages ago at our boston meet? if so that was pretty nice looking hooked right up to the comm, monitor. what i'd like to see emerge from your lab though is that funky metal touch sensitive controller you had.
Yes, it's the same one, but with slightly improved output quality due to the final shielding which wasn't present in the prototype you saw.

The Control Pad will be the next CyberTech release. Look for it in the Spring! :)

-Chris

[bensenvill]

great for the 2600... but what about my 7800 needs???!?!??!


lol
Tj

[cwilkson]

great for the 2600... but what about my 7800 needs???!?!??!
It's good to know the difference between wants and needs. :)

The 2600 Model of the CyberTech Video Card still needs my attention. There are actually at least 3 NTSC versions, due to the variation in 2600 consoles. Then there's the PAL users. Ugh. Too many versions!!! :roll: But once I wrap the 2600 version(s) up, the 7800 version should progress quickly. The technology is sound. It just has to be adapted. I'm already thinking about the 7800 design and I have run many successful tests. I hope to make the 7800 model available in the spring. Just after the Control Pad (which is practically done).

In the meantime, the 2600 Model works perfectly with the 7800. :D
2600 games will produce s-video output and 7800 games will produce RF.

-Chris

[bensenvill]

In the meantime, the 2600 Model works perfectly with the 7800. :D
2600 games will produce s-video output and 7800 games will produce RF.

-Chris

So it works in the 7800 (for the 2600 games)?? Thats sweet, sign me up, I cant wait till spring.

~Tj

[ubersaurus]

I'm tempted to send in for one of these on the off chance that it could help ressurect my atari, that doesn't put out an RF signal for something broke.

[cwilkson]

What's the "Control Pad"?It's a touch pad controller, currently for Atari 2600 and Amiga use. Though that will branch out a bit over time. It's similar to an NES controller, but it has touch points instead of buttons. Very responsive, and sensitive...great for minimizing "Sega Thumb". Plus there are no moving parts to wear out!

Good stuff.

-Chris

[cwilkson]

I'm tempted to send in for one of these on the off chance that it could help ressurect my atari, that doesn't put out an RF signal for something broke.Hmm...it's worth a shot, though I can't make any guarantees without knowing exactly what's wrong with your 2600.

If you contact Attari2600.com, I know they offer a tune-up service for 2600's. Maybe they also do troubleshooting of dead units.

-Chris