Emulator or console? Need an advice

[rgflores]

Hello,

 

After 28 inactive I tried to play my Intellivision II again with cable and controllers that I bought from the Internet.

The problem is that when I turn up the videogame the power light is on but I can not see any image on TV, tried channel 3 and 4, but had no success. Testes two cables same result. Tested many game cartridges but the result was the same, so it was not a problem with game cartridges.

First advice I need, is there something that I could do to fix the console? The problem is that I am not an eletronical expert.

Also, is possible to use the cable and controller to connect on PC and use an emulator?

Thank you for your help.

[mr_me]

You can definitely use any Intellivision or Intellivision Flashback controller with a computer and emulator if you get an Intellivision usb adapter. Here are three.

 

http://www.retronicdesign.com/en/

http://2600-daptor.com/Vision-daptor.htm

http://www.intellivision.us/intvgames/interface/interface.php

 

Does your intellivision make a black screen when turned on? Any colour flashes when pressing reset?

[+JasonlikesINTV]

The Intellivision 2 uses a pretty specific AC adapter. Was that one of the cables you purchased from the Internet and are you sure it's compatible? I'm not too tech savvy either, but just a thought.

[Keatah]

See BlissBox and 4-Play.

[rgflores]

Hello, thank you so much for all information!

First I just bought the Retronic Design to use with Intellivision Flashback controller. Hope will be possible to use with the PC now.

About the TV: after turn Intellivision on nothing happens. I mean, I just have "no signal" message from my Phillips Smart TV. I checked if the channel was correct and it was.

Also, tested in a old Sharp Softvision TV of the 80s. Tried manually tune but TV did not found the videogame signal too.

The cable that I bought from internet was to use with the controller, sorry about the confusion.

[+Lathe26]

Here some stuff to check out with your Intellivision II. You might already be aware of most of this.

1. The video that comes out of the Intellivision is RF and not composite video, even though the connector looks similar to the yellow composite video connector on the back of your TV. RF and composite video are not compatible. To hook up the Intellivision to a TV, you just need a dirt-cheap RF adapter like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Atari-2600-7800-TV-RF-adapter-Coaxial-Plug-in-NES-Coleco-/322199893372 Notice that one end screws onto the antenna connector on your TV. Other people use a VHS to convert RF to composite video (bulky but effective).
2. Set your TV to the same channel as your Intellivision (both on channel 3 or both on channel 4). Plug in a cartridge. The Intellivision will not operate at all without a cartridge.
3. The Intellivision cartridge connector can be finicky at times. Like some other consoles of the day, you might have to turn it off, wiggle the cartridge out a tiny bit, and turn it back on. Usually, this is only needs to be done a few times. However, if it still isn't working...
4. If you are still having trouble, then ignoring the cartridge wiggling for the moment. Your TV likely will be showing static when the Intellivision is off (remember that the Intellivision II requires that you press and hold the Reset/Off button for ~5 seconds to turn it off). If the TV is showing a solid blue, your TV is hiding the static with the blue screen. If you are still having trouble, see if your TV has a setting to turn the blue off so that you see static as your flip through TV channels with no signal. This isn't required but helps with the next step. When you turn the Intellivision on, the TV's picture should change. It may change to a solid color (black or green is common for an Intellivision having trouble with a cartridge). Alternatively, it may change to a different static pattern. Turn the Intellivision on and off a few times to see if there is a difference. If the TV changes from static to solid color or a different static pattern, then the problem is most like solved with wiggling the cartridge (step 3). If the TV does not change at all, then the problem is most like solved with steps 1 or 2.
5. If the above steps don't help, then there might be an issue with the specific console you have. It don't have much advice there.

Keep in mind that I wrote this after having an Irish coffee so I might be missing a step. :-)

[+intvsteve]

Good thing you have that old TV. More and more modern TVs may have a coaxial or composite inputs - and component video connects are physically compatible too - but none of those are RF-compatible. Even the coax on newer TVs may only accept digital signals and not traditional analog RF signals!

 

It's possible your Philips SmartTV won't accept any standard old-fashioned low-def analog RF inputs at all.

 

If it's not working on your older TV, either, then there are certainly a few things to check out on the console and TV ends. Lathe26 has a pretty thorough troubleshooting list there.

[Keatah]

To answer the thread title, "Emulator or Console? Need an advice" directly. I'm always going to say emulator. Operate entirely in the digital domain as much as possible.

[mr_me]

Like lathe26 suggested, check your connections. It should be connected to the F connector in the back of your TV where you would normally connect an antenna. The intellivision should at least produce a black screen without a cartridge.

 

Regarding the Retronic USB adapter, before you can use it, its firmware should be updated to Intellivision Flashback. Follow the tutorial on their website, but you can use Intellivision Flashback controllers for the update by pressing '6' on the keypad. With a regular intellivision controller, it would be the top side button.

Edited September 5, 2016 by mr_me

[rgflores]

Hello again,

 

Following your suggestions I bought a compatible Intellivision cable. However, unfortunatelly now I have black screen in the TV after insert game cartridge and press power on (no more "no signal message"). Looks like it´s a problem with the console. Anyway I´m expecting an adaptor from Retronic Design to connect a controller to conect in my PC to use an Intellivision emulator. Hope this will work. Thank you so much for your continuos support.

[mr_me]

A black screen is an improvement over no signal. It could be the connection between the cartridge and Intellivision socket. Maybe the connectors need cleaning. Try all your cartridges and try them at different insertion depths. Are you saying the last time it worked was 28 years ago?

[intvnut]

And of course, make sure the cartridge you're using is not one of the 3 or 4 titles that don't work on the Intellivision 2. If it's from the collection you used to play on the unit, then you should be fine there.

 

You may just need some high purity rubbing alcohol to go in and do some cleaning on the cartridge connector and the cartridges.

[rgflores]

Actually, my Intellivision is not used for 28 years.

Just ordered a spray cleaner that promises to clean electronic contacts.

Thank you so much for your continuos help!

[rgflores]

This is truly amazing, after 28 years my Intellivision II is back to life!

Following your suggestions I bought a special spray cleanner to clean the connectors of the videogame and it works!

Anyway, looks like I will have to make a more deep clean of the cartridges because they only work if I spray them just before

insert in the videogame. Any suggestions?

Also, image of the games are tremblimg in this TV. Maybe is something to do with the cable?

BTW, thanks for a video on YouTube I repaired one of the controller. Will fix the another one soon.

Can not believe it is working again after so much time.

 

Edited September 30, 2016 by rgflores