TLD1985 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) ... oh my, you're right, and I hadn't even noticed that! Only the earlier "Home TV Programmer" name is mentioned. Another indicator that this is some sort of pre-production/early sample that never got mass produced. Well looking through photos I have the only other game to semi-do this was Biorhythm which only mentions "Studio II" on the box but not on the cart or instructions. Biorythm along with Bingo were designed for the "Studio III" Edited August 31, 2016 by TLD1985 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Well looking through screenshots I have the only other game to semi-do this was Biorhythm which only mentions "Studio II" on the box but not on the cart or instructions. Biorythm along with Bingo were designed for the "Studio III" Confirmed- I just checked two copies I have. Also checked the other games, and while all the rest do indicate "Studio II" on their manuals and cartridge labels, the "TV Casino Series" variant of Blackjack, along with Speedway/Tag and Gunfighter/Moonship Battle do NOT have "Studio II" on the sides of the outer box, as all the other games and the "TV Casino I" Blackjack variant do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Crowd funding? Someone with the capacity to dump and perhaps even make replicas later on could be the receiver, and those who chipped in get a discount on the latter. As for the Channel F, I remember that article last year which described that project starting off on an Intel 8008 and possibly moved to an 8080 before signed by Fairchild and adopted for the F8. Quite possibly they also had early, cartridge based prototypes so both systems would still be in the run for who was first. Having something to sell to customers surely is a stronger "first" than having an early prototype that takes a long while to finish up. Yeah, there's no question on who's the first commercially released one. I think the interesting-but-utterly-useless discussion is wich one was ready first. IIRC RCA Studio II was sold only 3 months later than Channel F. And if it was being privately testes for a full year it probably was ready, as a commercial product, first. (And even the hardware specs suggests that RCA Studio II was an older, almost obsolete when released, product) But I agree, Channel F is obviously the first commercially released ROM-based videogame. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLD1985 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) well I've noted down the part numbers of the game labels and Bingo does seem to be the last one made Part # Game (Side) Copyright 1808517-24 TV Bingo (front) none 1808517-23 TV Bingo (back) none 1808517-22 Biorhythm (front) 1977 1808517-21 Biorhythm (back) 1977 1808517-20 Demonstration Cart (f) none 1808517-19 Demonstration Cart (b) none 1808517-18 Blackjack (front) 1977 1808517-17 Blackjack (back) 1977 1808517-16 Math Fun (front) 1977 1808517-15 Math Fun (back) 1977 1808517-14 Gunfighter/Moonship (f) 1977 1808517-13 Gunfighter/Moonship (b) 1977 1808517-12 Speedway/Tag (front) 1977 1808517-11 Speedway/Tag (back) 1977 1808517-10 Baseball (back) 1977 1808517-9 Baseball (front) 1977 SPS-3122 Tennis/Squash (front) 1977 SPS-3121 Tennis/Squash (back) 1977 SPS-3070 School House I (back) 1976 SPS-3069 School House I (front) 1976 SPS-3068 Fun with Numbers (b) 1976 SPS-3067 Fun with Numbers (f) 1976 SPS-3066 Space War (back) 1976 SPS-3065 Space War (front) 1976 Edited August 31, 2016 by TLD1985 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 well I've noted down the part numbers of the game labels and Bingo does seem to be the last one made Part # Game (Side) Copyright 1808517-24 TV Bingo (front) none 1808517-23 TV Bingo (back) none 1808517-22 Biorhythm (front) 1977 1808517-21 Biorhythm (back) 1977 1808517-20 Demonstration Cart (f) none 1808517-19 Demonstration Cart (b) none 1808517-18 Blackjack (front) 1977 1808517-17 Blackjack (back) 1977 1808517-16 Math Fun (front) 1977 1808517-15 Math Fun (back) 1977 1808517-14 Gunfighter/Moonship (f) 1977 1808517-13 Gunfighter/Moonship (b) 1977 1808517-12 Speedway/Tag (front) 1977 1808517-11 Speedway/Tag (back) 1977 1808517-10 Baseball (back) 1977 1808517-9 Baseball (front) 1977 SPS-3122 Tennis/Squash (front) 1977 SPS-3121 Tennis/Squash (back) 1977 SPS-3070 School House I (back) 1976 SPS-3069 School House I (front) 1976 SPS-3068 Fun with Numbers (b) 1976 SPS-3067 Fun with Numbers (f) 1976 SPS-3066 Space War (back) 1976 SPS-3065 Space War (front) 1976 Nice work there I had not thought to check the part numbers, but from that list it looks as though everything is accounted for, with the exception of the Tester I cart- what part numbers would that be? Curious too as to why the first few numbers at the bottom use a different numbering scheme, and why RCA switched. An extrapolation from that might also be to look at the part/board numbers of the various overseas exclusives, such as Pinball (which was programmed and intended for release here in the US). I wonder where those would fit into this numbering scheme, since it does seem as though those overseas releases use US boards, per a few pages back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Yeah, there's no question on who's the first commercially released one. I think the interesting-but-utterly-useless discussion is wich one was ready first. IIRC RCA Studio II was sold only 3 months later than Channel F. And if it was being privately testes for a full year it probably was ready, as a commercial product, first. (And even the hardware specs suggests that RCA Studio II was an older, almost obsolete when released, product) But I agree, Channel F is obviously the first commercially released ROM-based videogame. Didn't Marty Goldberg's article in Retrogamer a little while back about the Studio II state that the system had been in development since '71 or '72 and went through various forms as a personal computer and an arcade platform? IIRC many of the Studio II's games were coded as early as 1974. (I unfortunately don't have that issue so I can't confirm.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Didn't Marty Goldberg's article in Retrogamer a little while back about the Studio II state that the system had been in development since '71 or '72 and went through various forms as a personal computer and an arcade platform? IIRC many of the Studio II's games were coded as early as 1974. (I unfortunately don't have that issue so I can't confirm.) Do you know what issue it was? I think I have The complete collection and could grab it and send here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Do you know what issue it was? I think I have The complete collection and could grab it and send here. Issue 139, I think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 ^ Yep, that's the issue. Ii actually have a spare copy or two if anyone here would want it for the article It isn't the only source for the Studio II tech being an arcade test unit for sometime prior to retail release. Joyce Weisbecker indicated it also was, and the head of the Swannanoa RCA plant told me he'd actually seen and observed the functions of one such arcade unit at a NJ mall during a business trip around '75. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLD1985 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) Nice work there I had not thought to check the part numbers, but from that list it looks as though everything is accounted for, with the exception of the Tester I cart- what part numbers would that be? Curious too as to why the first few numbers at the bottom use a different numbering scheme, and why RCA switched. An extrapolation from that might also be to look at the part/board numbers of the various overseas exclusives, such as Pinball (which was programmed and intended for release here in the US). I wonder where those would fit into this numbering scheme, since it does seem as though those overseas releases use US boards, per a few pages back... Probably have to look at other RCA products at the time and see if there was a change in numbering across all their products. Other Part numbers for instructions/manuals that I am aware of Part # Paperwork 3E4796 TV Bingo Instructions 3E4589 Service Manual Instructions 3E4573 Biorhythm Instructions 3E4572 Gunfighter/Moonship Instructions 3E4571 Speedway/Tag Instructions 3E4331 Math Fun Instructions 1E4475 Blackjack 1E4393 Baseball Instructions (Might be IE4393) SPS-3120 Tennis/Squash Instructions SPS-3075 TV School House Orange Series Instructions SPS-3074 TV School House Yellow Series Instructions SPS-3073 Fun with Numbers Instructions SPS-3072 Space War Instructions SPS-3071 Unknown / Might Be Unused SPS-3013 Studio II System Manual Edited August 31, 2016 by TLD1985 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Issue 139, I think. You are right. Just downloaded it again. And some of the games were made in 73-74. I'll try to send the 4 pages here later. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Fun fact: I'm actually in the RetroGamer article. That's my system Marty photographed, and IIRC a shot of my wife and I (or at least our hands) playing it made it into the article. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Fun fact: I'm actually in the RetroGamer article. That's my system Marty photographed, and IIRC a shot of my wife and I (or at least our hands) playing it made it into the article. Nice! There's indeed a "multiplayer photo" over there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flip Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I had not thought to check the part numbers, but from that list it looks as though everything is accounted for, with the exception of the Tester I cart- what part numbers would that be? Curious too as to why the first few numbers at the bottom use a different numbering scheme, and why RCA switched. Posted above somewhere: the test cart part number is 5009339, and the power supply it needs is 5008333. Source of that info is the service manual... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekeefe Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Hello, I don't know much about the history of the Studio II or its games, but the CDP1802 processor used in it wasn't created until 1976. It is based off the CDP1801CUD (TA6889) and the CDP1801CRD (TA6890) chips created in late 1974. They were combined in 1976 to create the 1802. The CDP1861 (TA10171) video chip wasn't created until early 1977. I hope this was helpful. ED 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Hello, I don't know much about the history of the Studio II or its games, but the CDP1802 processor used in it wasn't created until 1976. It is based off the CDP1801CUD (TA6889) and the CDP1801CRD (TA6890) chips created in late 1974. They were combined in 1976 to create the 1802. The CDP1861 (TA10171) video chip wasn't created until early 1977. I hope this was helpful. ED This is actually extremely useful, and really makes me want to obtain that system and games the seller had. If the RCA engineer really had this at home way before the retail launch, the internals might well be different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLD1985 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Posted above somewhere: the test cart part number is 5009339, and the power supply it needs is 5008333. Source of that info is the service manual... its not the label sticker part number tho (how nerdy are we getting when we're wondering THOSE numbers) XD 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Here´s the Retro Gamer Magazine article regarding RCA Studio II. Short (6 pages) but definitively a great read. Enjoy! http://www.lazzeri.online/pics/RCA_Studio_II.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekeefe Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hello, Thank you for posting that article. I actually own the little Blue computer on page 5 of the article. Here is a picture of it with some other RCA boards: ED 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hello, Thank you for posting that article. I actually own the little Blue computer on page 5 of the article. Here is a picture of it with some other RCA boards: ED That is just amazing. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awcleanout Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hi, Just got turned on to this site by one of your members and I apologize that I dont know his name or even his user name. I came across a very rare TV Bingo cartridge for Studio II and thought I would share some photos as he thought other members would enjoy seeing it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hi, Just got turned on to this site by one of your members and I apologize that I dont know his name or even his user name. I came across a very rare TV Bingo cartridge for Studio II and thought I would share some photos as he thought other members would enjoy seeing it. Greatest first post ever! Do you have any pix of the manual, both sides? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+stupus Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Yeah, that's an amazing find you got there. I would also like to see pics of the box sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekeefe Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hello, @awcleanout: I curious why you don't have pictures of the game actually running. ED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLD1985 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 He's added more photos to the auction which show sides/few more of the cards/back of cards/other side of manual... Manual doesn't seem mention anything about the "tune" it made but it might have been an "undocumented" feature. As on the Studio II it would have just beeps at one note/frequency. Hi, Just got turned on to this site by one of your members and I apologize that I dont know his name or even his user name. I came across a very rare TV Bingo cartridge for Studio II and thought I would share some photos as he thought other members would enjoy seeing it. Hi, yep very nice find. However I think should perhaps cancel the auction for now and help the retro-preservation community help preserve this gem. After that.. well you're free to do what you want with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.