HDTV1080P

Internally modifying ones ATARI computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, or component video, is better than using S-Video, composite video, or RF channel 3 and 4. However, for various reasons one might want to use the legacy composite video output that does offer a better picture and sound quality when compared to RF channel 2 and 3. Cables Online has released a couple of high-end composite video/audio cables for the ATARI computers These high-end Cables Online cables are 100% compatible with the ATARI 800, 800XL, 1200XL, 65XE, and 130XE computers. This is a high-end cable with shielded wires, one end of the cable uses a metal neutrik connector with all 5 pins on the DIN connector being gold plated, the second end of the cable uses two metal RCA connectors with yellow for video and white for audio (RCA connectors are gold plated). When the white RCA connector is connected to the left audio input jack on a stereo TV/monitor, 99% of stereo TV/Monitor’s will internally split the mono audio signal to both speakers. On the rare 1% of stereo TV/Monitors from the 20th Century that do not internally split the mono audio to both speakers when a cable is plugged into the left audio input, this 53 cent gold plated RCA plug splitter can be plugged into the back of ones stereo TV/monitor to hear mono audio out of both speakers. (1 ) The high-end 6 feet Cables Online ADX-506 composite video cable with audio for the ATARI computer is now $24.95 plus free shipping. (2) The high-end 6 inch Cables Online ADX-300 Audio/Video adapter cable for the ATARI computer is now $20.95 plus free shipping. This ADX-300 cable ended up being the best quality composite video option when used with two high-end RG-6 double shielded cables (one RCA cable for video and one RCA cable for audio). High quality RG-6 cable with two RCA connectors on each end can be purchased directly from Monoprice in lengths between 3 feet and 100 feet (Monoprice offers a lifetime warranty on this quality cable). I tested this ADX-300 cable over a 100 feet connection using RG-6 cables and the picture and sound quality at 100 feet was excellent (3 feet slightly better picture then 100 feet). The purpose of the ADX-300 cable is that it allows consumers to have their ATARI home computer connected to any length of RG-6 cable between 3 feet and 100 feet in length.

Internally modifying ones TI-99/4 and TI-99/4a computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, component video, or S-Video, is better than using composite video, or RF channel 3 and 4. However for various reasons one might want to use the legacy composite video output that does offer a better picture and sound quality when compared to RF channel 3 and 4. Cables Online has released a couple of high-end composite video/audio cables for the Texas Instruments computers These high-end Cables Online cables are 100% compatible with the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4a computers. This is a high-end cable with shielded wires, one end of the cable uses a metal neutrik connector with all 5 pins on the DIN connector being gold plated, the second end of the cable uses two metal RCA connectors with yellow for video and white for audio (RCA connectors are gold plated). When the white RCA connector is connected to the left audio input jack on a stereo TV/monitor, 99% of stereo TV/Monitor’s will internally split the mono audio signal to both speakers. On the rare 1% of stereo TV/Monitors from the 20th Century that do not internally split the mono audio to both speakers when a cable is plugged into the left audio input, this 53 cent gold plated RCA plug splitter can be plugged into the back of ones stereo TV/monitor to hear mono audio out of both speakers. (1 ) The high-end 6 feet Cables Online ADX-506 composite video cable with audio for the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4a computer is now $24.95 plus free shipping. (2) The high-end 6 inch Cables Online ADX-300 Audio/Video adapter cable for the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4a is now $20.95 plus free shipping. This ADX-300 cable ended up being the best quality composite video option when used with two high-end RG-6 double shielded cables (one RCA cable for video and one RCA cable for audio). High quality RG-6 cable with two RCA connectors on each end can be purchased directly from Monoprice in lengths between 3 feet and 100 feet (Monoprice offers a lifetime warranty on this quality cable). I tested this ADX-300 cable over a 100 feet connection using RG-6 cables and the picture and sound quality at 100 feet was excellent (3 feet slightly better picture then 100 feet). The purpose of the ADX-300 cable is that it allows consumers to have their Texas Instruments home computer connected to any length of RG-6 cable between 3 feet and 100 feet in length.

While RF channel 3 and 4 output offers the worse possible picture and sound quality, this is information on the best cable to use with the Commodore Computers if one still wants to use RF Internally modifying ones Commodore computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, or component video is better than using S-Video, composite video, or RF channel 3 or 4 (Commodore 128 offers 80 column color with its internal factory RGBi output). However for various reasons one might want to use the legacy RF connection on a very old TV that does not offer S-Video or composite video. Both the TI-99/4A and Commodore VIC-20 computers unfortunately do not have an internal RF modulator and instead come with a special external RF modulator TV box (So the following information well not work with TI-99/4a or VIC-20 computers). However, the advantage of the Commodore 16, Commodore 64, and Commodore 128 computer is that those computers have a built in RF modulator, and with those Computers built in external channel 3 and 4 RF RCA jack it allows one to install a RG-11 14 gauge, RG-6 18 gauge, or RG-59 22 gauge 75 ohm cable. I successfully tested a 100 feet RG-6 QUAD Shield cable on the Commodore 128, and it offered almost the same exact picture and sound quality as a 3 feet RG6 QUAD shield cable (The 3 feet connection was a little bit better than the 100 feet cable, but not by much). While RG-11 is better quality cable because of less signal loss per foot, it is also a much more expensive cable and for someone that is looking to run their Commodore computer 200+ feet over RF. If one purchases a Gold plated RCA male to F female adapter for around 82 cents, this adapter can be plugged directly into the Commodore 16, 64, and 128’s RF output jack. Doing this allows one to use any standard RG11 or RG6 QUAD shield cable with male F connectors on each end, and with any length of cable between 1.5 feet to 100+ feet. For example, a 100 feet QUAD Shield RG-6 cable with male F connectors works great with the Commodore Computers and only costs $12.99 .

People are getting projectors that are over 100 inches and are sitting further from the display. Also some people route cables in walls when remodeling and need long cables. Its good information to know a 100 feet cable can work on the ATARI computers. Some people might only need 35 or 50 feet, but if 100 feet works all the lengths below 100 feet well also work.

While RF channel 2 and 3 output offers the worse possible picture and sound quality, this is information on the best cable to use with the ATARI Computers if one still wants to use RF Internally modifying ones ATARI computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, or component video is better than using S-Video, composite video, or RF channel 2 or 3. However for various reasons one might want to use the legacy RF connection on a very old TV that does not offer S-Video or composite video. The disadvantage of the ATARI 400 and 800 computer is that the 22 gauge RG-59 cable is built into the console. Therefore, for most users that do not want to open up the console, the best solution is to use an F-type Coax Plug to RCA female jack adapter. However, the advantage of the ATARI 800XL, 1200XL, 65XE, and 130XE computer is that those computers have an external channel 2 and 3 RF RCA jack that allows one to install a RG-11 14 gauge, RG-6 18 gauge, or RG-59 22 gauge 75 ohm cable. I successfully tested a 100 feet RG-6 QUAD Shield cable on the ATARI 130XL, and it offered almost the same exact picture and sound quality as a 3 feet RG6 QUAD shield cable (The 3 feet connection was a little bit better than the 100 feet cable, but not by much). While RG-11 is better quality cable because of less signal loss per foot, it is also a much more expensive cable and for someone that is looking to run their ATARI computer 200+ feet over RF. If one purchases a Gold plated RCA male to F female adapter for around 82 cents, this adapter can be plugged directly into the ATARI Computers RF output jack (As mentioned before well not work with the original ATARI 400 and 800 computers). Doing this allows one to use any standard RG11 or RG6 QUAD shield cable with male F connectors on each end, and with any length of cable between 1.5 feet to 100+ feet. For example, a 100 feet QUAD Shield RG-6 cable with male F connectors works great with the ATARI Computers and only costs $12.99 .

Arcade Plus created a game for the classic ATARI computers called Ghost Hunter. It was released on both Disk and cassette tape for the ATARI 400 and 800 compatible computers. For those that own the original game, here is the original manual in PDF form. Ghost Hunter (Arcade Plus manual).pdf

ATARI computers had very nice full page color owner guides. If anyone owns a ATARI 410 Program Recorder and/or ATARI 1027 Printer the attached are the PDF versions of the owners manuals that were created by scanning in the original full page ATARI owners guides. ATARI 410 PROGRAM RECORDER.pdf ATARI 1027 PRINTER.pdf

Most computer monitors (not all) that have HDMI with no speakers have a 3.5 mm stereo output to send the audio to external speakers. I am guessing that the modern ColecoVision HDMI output will output mono audio in PCM format to both the left and right channels to offer 100% compatible with all HDMI equipment. For people with older TV's that are pre 2005 models with no HDMI or DVI input, then with a low cost HDMI to component video, S-Video, or composite video adapter can be connected to the ColecoVision. With the right combination even HDMI to RF channel 3 and 4 is possible. Maybe someone well make a firmware update to simulate old fashion RF 3/4 NTSC interference noise from the HDMI output for those that want to feel like they are back in 1982+.

So we are looking at a native resolution of 640 x 480 interlaced or progressive. That is a major improvement over the original 1982 ColecoVision that has 256 x 192 interlace over NTSC RF channel 3 or 4. While offering upscaling to 720P, 1080i, 1080P, or 4K would be nice. To be honest I would never use that feature and would prefer the native 480 output. The reason is because all 4K, 1080P, and 720P displays on the market have upscaling chips in them already, and many times a good quality display will offer better upscaling when compared to the upscaling offered in a device like the ColecoVision with HDMI output. So if you have to cut corners because of budget reasons I would just offer a basic upscaling feature since most knowledgeable consumers will active the native 480 output feature on the ColecoVision and have their modern 4K display upscale to simulated 3840 x 2160P to match the displays native resolution.

The original Coleco ADAM printer cable plastic mold DB9 end fits the best on the memory console, and that is a heavy gauge designed for power. In addition that original Coleco DB9 power cable received UL certfification since it was part of the UL listed Coleco ADAM printer power supply. Many years ago ADAM House (ECOLECO) was selling original Coleco ADAM printer DB9 power cords. I think they are out of stock now but you might want to check with them to see if they have anymore.

In the late 80's and also in modern times many people that had broken ADAM printers removed the power supply from the ADAM printer and used that to power their ADAM computer (And one mail order company in the mid to late 80's was selling surplus new Coleco ADAM power supplies that were the same ones designed for the ADAM printer). However the problem with using the internal Coleco ADAM printer power supply outside of the ADAM printer case is that it is a safety issue since there is no cover on the power supply. Places like ADAM House (eColeco) came out with a custom cover that screwed on to the side of the ADAM printer power supply to cover the electronics. It works really good. I am all for third party companies coming out with a replacement Coleco ADAM power supply. The last replacement power supply for the ADAM computer was back in the late 80's and went out of production in the early 90's. It was based of a PS/2 power supply converted to work on the Coleco ADAM computer. It has been mentioned that once the USB adapter for the ColecoVision is released that a similar adapter with a ADAM power plug might be released.

That is cool your grandmother is 93 years old, I pray her health improves. I got a lot of things going on right now, and I am in no hurry for new products. Perhaps one day I will purchase in small or large QTY’s if Micro Innovations does open its doors again. I like his comments about a USB port on the ADAM. It would solve a lot of problems that the ADAM community is experiencing today. Have a good weekend.

If the system is in good working condition that is a good deal. Back in 1983 people were paying around $800 for a standalone ADAM (around $600 for the Expansion module #3 ADAM). Then in 1984 when the 5.25 inch Coleco disk drives came out they sold for $199.99 and sometimes more. Today working and sometimes non working ADAM disk drives are sometimes selling for around $200+ on EBAY. The disk drive is the rarest part made for the ADAM computer. Maybe only 50,000+ made out of the 500,000+ Coleco ADAM systems made. At one time they were going for $300-400+ for the top of the line Micro Innovations 1.44MB 3.5 inch models. However now the best solution is the Microfox ADAM microSD Floppy Emulator for around $130.

I am not sure if this new product is going to launch in late 2018 or sometime in 2019+. I am guessing the reason why you would purchase a new ADAM system is to play ColecoVision game cartridges. However the ADAM also plays advanced Super Games on Disk and DDP (some of those games have been ported over to a ColecoVision cartridge by Team Pixelboy). However if you want to play games like Richard Scary's Electronic workbook and others they have not been ported over to a ColecoVision cartridge (at least not yet). Also some games require a ADAM keyboard like Jeopardy, Family Feud, 2010 the Text Adventure game, and many others. Now the new system does have a PS/2 keyboard input, however there is no guarantee that a programmer well port over those ADAM games to a SD wafer or ColecoVision cartridge. There is a possibility that one day a third party programmer could make this system emulate the ADAM computer with its existing on board hardware resources or possible a third party ADAM expansion module (but no guarantees). This new system is open source so any programmer or hardware developer can make products for the new system.

Perhaps this thread should now be called and relabeled "ColecoVision Videogame System" instead of "CollectorVision Game System". The cool thing about this new videogame system is that its firmware upgradable. At anytime CollectorVision can issue a firmware update before shipping the product and change the original Coleco 20 game titles that are built in (and 5 homebrews built in). For example if in the future CollectorVision decides to offer 25 free games instead of 20, existing owners can install a firmware update to change the built in games on the system. However the most important goal of this new system is to make a realible and high quality ColecoVision compatible system that most existing ColecoVision owners will be willing to upgrade to. Offering the free built in game rom images is a minor issue and a nice bonus.

Thanks for the information. I am currently testing a Apollo 400 watt power supply and have been trying different brands and models since I am looking at producing more then one power supply. If I end up not finding good quality legacy -5 volts ATX power supplies. Then I may use a switching arcade style power supply like you are doing, but if I was to sale the product to someone that needed a power supply I would want to mount it in a professional case with a AC power cord socket and on/off switch.

I agree USB 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0 is much faster and a better quality interface when compared to the discontinued parallel interface. Back in 2015 I purchased a brand new HP Laser printer for a new X99 PC I built. That HP printer has only a USB 2.0 port since parallel interface was removed from all new models of printers in the last 3-5 years. The problem is I cannot go out and purchase a refurbished HP Laser printer since according to the specs no HP printer well work with the ADAM computer because of HP not supporting Epson FX emulation. So my frustration is the amount of days and hours of research it takes to interface products like a printer with a old classic 1983 Coleco ADAM computer. If the ADAM computer would have more modern printer drivers then Epson FX emulation would not be needed on a printer. But those more modern printer languages take more processing power and perhaps the ADAM computer is not powerful enough to use some of the more modern printer languages. So my only solution is to find a 5+ year old printer from either Brother or OKI Data. Those two models 5+ years ago have parallel interfaces with the Epson FX emulation mode. This also means unless I want to spend around double the list price it well be a used or refurbished Laser printer most likely. I am also for the latest in technology as long as that technology is better then the old technology. I guess the problem is the ADAM computer in Ocrtober of 1983 is the very first computer I every owned and even when faster and better computers came along in late 1985, I was not willing to upgrade. I actually used my ADAM computer from around 1983-1993 until I switched to a Windows PC.

Some Coleco ADAM printer history plus information on connecting the ADAM to a Laser or Ink Jet printer When the ColecoVision was released in August of 1982 it had a front expansion module interface for a coming soon home computer system. I never knew the computer for the ColecoVision when released would be called the ADAM computer. Coleco could have named their computer just about anything and if the specs would have been the same I would still have purchased the computer. When Expansion module #3 the ADAM computer was released for the ColecoVision on October of 1983, Coleco bundled the ADAM computer with a letter quality Daisy wheel printer that offers better letter quality resolution when compared to a Dot Matrix printer. The two negatives about the Coleco ADAM printer is that it made a lot of noise when one printed on the printer. In addition, the other problem with the Coleco ADAM printer especially the earlier generation is that it would overheat from having the entire computer system power supply built into the printer. Later on some third party companies came out with a power supply that did not require the ADAM printer connected, and some third party ADAM power supplies had a DB9 jack on the power supply so that the ADAM printer could be connected and the third party ADAM power supply would power the Coleco ADAM printer (Also that design kept the printer cool since the internal power supply in the printer never needed to be used again). Back in 1983 and 1984 some of the first Coleco ADAM owners were happy with the letter quality Daisy Wheel printers print quality at 120 words per minute. However, the Coleco ADAM printer made a lot of noise, plus some people wanted to own a Dot Matrix printer for graphics printing and faster lower quality draft mode printing that was below letter quality. Therefore, Coleco designed one or two fully functional serial/parallel ADAMNET interfaces that were only used by inhouse Coleco employees. The advantage of this product is that since one was using ADAMNET no printer patching software needed to be created. Any external Centronics parallel printer connected to the ADAM computer would work with all existing Coleco and ADAM third party software since ADAMNET would treat the external parallel printer just like the original Coleco ADAM printer. However there is one problem, this very important Coleco ADAMNET serial/parallel interface that most likely would have been released in late 1985 was canceled since Coleco made a business decision and left the home computer and videogame business in January of 1985. To this day no ADAMNET serial/parallel product exists on the market except in a select few former Coleco employee homes. Soon after Coleco stopped manufacturing the Coleco ADAM computer in January 1985, a lot of third party hardware and software companies stepped in to support the ADAM community Eve Electronics and others came out with serial and parallel interfaces and with a software patch one could use a Dot Matrix or Laser printer on the ADAM computer for the very first time. Plus instead of using an original Coleco 300 baud modem, one now could use a external serial Hayes compatible modem up to 19,200 baud (Most people used 1200 and 2400 baud modems on the ADAM computer when they got rid of their original 300 baud Coleco internal modem. While others used 9600 and 19200 baud Hayes modems as technology improved). To this day the best interface device created by a third party company was the Micro Innovations MIB3 card that plugged into the second slot of the ADAM computer and offered 2 serial outputs and one parallel printer output. Plus there was a eprom socket so one could plug in products like Walter Software’s ADAM’s Desktop which would instantly boot to override the built in Smartwriter program. With the Micro Innovations MIB3 card one could have a Centronics Laser printer, 19,200 baud modem and an external 80 column terminal connected (All 3 devices connected at the exact same time). Not bad for a 1983 computer. In the year 2018+ the Coleco ADAM computer can no longer be connected to a modern Laser and Ink Jet printer because of the 100% USB issue and not being able to emulate more modern printer languages In the 80’s people used both Laser and Dot Matrix printers with their ADAM computer and later on people started using Ink Jet printers also. As far as I am aware there was never any software developed for the ADAM that would allow the full function of a color Laser or color Ink Jet printer to be used. Even on my modern high end X99 Intel PC I built in 2015 I only have a $200 HP black and white Laser printer connected since I do not print that often and black and white printing is a lot more economical when compared to color printing. In addition, I prefer a Laser printer when compared to Ink jet printers because there is no ink to dry and no smearing with a Laser printer. Also Lasers are more economical and the toner cartridge can sit for several years versus Ink jet printers have cartridges that dry up in 6+ months if they are not used. I have not used my Coleco ADAM computer for any printing since the early 90’s. I was considering connecting a Laser printer to the ADAM computers MIB3 card so I could start printing again with it. However 100% of all Laser printers and Ink Jet printers in production in the last few years are 100% USB only. No third party company ever developed a USB to ADAMNET interface for the ADAM computer. In addition, all of the parallel to USB adapters are for connecting a parallel Centronics printer to a modern USB computer running under an operating system like Windows. The problem is no one makes a USB adapter designed to connect to a USB printer and then going to a parallel interface. To make a long story short I cannot use any modern Laser or Ink Jet printer since they are all USB only models. Therefore, I would need to hunt down an old discontinued Laser printer that has a Centronics parallel interface. The Laser printer would be used or refurbished most likely, unless I were to pay double the list price for the rare new ones that exist online. However, there is another major problem with connecting a Laser printer; it is my understanding that the Coleco ADAM software patches only use the Epson FX emulation. As far as I am aware no one created software drivers for the ADAM computer that will work with PCL 6 (XL) emulation or PCL 5e emulation. The reason might be that the ADAM computer might not have enough processing power to handle the PCL6 amd PCL 5e printer lanugages. Epson FX takes much less computer processing power and it is my understanding that is the only printer emulation that the ADAM supports. My family members have several HP Laser printers since back when Windows Vista 64 bit came out HP was the only printer company that offered a Windows 64 bit driver. Almost all other Laser printers on the market back when Vista 64 bit launched had no 64 bit Windows drivers (today of course many years later all modern printers have a 64 bit Windows driver). In addition, I personally like HP Laser printers since we have had their printers for around 15 years and some of the printers are over 15 years old and still working fine. HP Laser printers are very reliable and offer good support. However, no HP printer supports the Epson FX emulation mode. To make matters worse many brands of printers do not support the Epson FX emulation mode. Also almost every printer currently in production dropped the Epson FX emulation mode since all new printers are USB only. The Brother brand of Laser printers use to always have the Epson FX mode but as soon as they dropped the legacy parallel interface they also dropped the Epson FX emulation mode which is required by the ADAM computer. However, to my surprise only one printer company still offers the Epson FX emulation mode when they dropped the parallel interface. The OKI Data brand of Laser printers still all have the Epson FX emulation mode, however the problem is all the new models are USB and the ADAM requires a Centronics parallel printer. Therefore, my point is there is no modern Laser printer in production that uses both Epson FX emulation with a parallel interface. This means my only choice for Laser printers to use with the ADAM computer is to find an older out of production Brother or OKI Data brand printer since only the older models have both the parallel interface with Epson FX emulation. Many times that means used or refurbished. What a nightmare. I really wanted to use a HP Laser printer but that is not a possibility with the ADAM, so I am not even going to try to connect it. It is too bad a modern ADAMNET to USB interface does not exist for the ADAM. Then with a modern printer driver on the ADAM just about any Laser or Ink Jet printer could be used. All this classic computer stuff is time consuming.

I just received another ATX power supply made in China from a USA dealer that I purchased this week. The USA dealer advertised online the power supply having -5 volts at up to 0.8 amps, however those specs are far from reality. The power supply also on the retail box and actual specs on the power supply label says it outputs -5 Volts at up to a maximum of 0.8 amps. However, when I connected the ATX power supply up I discovered that it does not output -5 Volts like advertised. What has happen is all ATX power supply companies over the last few years have stopped offering the -5 Volts feature since it is no longer required after ATX version 1.2 or 1.3. Some of the power supplies that had -5 Volts went completely out of production, and the other ones kept the same model number but removed the -5 Volts from both the power supply and the official power supply specs. However, there are some companies for several different model numbers that have removed -5 volts feature but never removed the -5 volts from the official specs printed on the power supply label. Therefore finding -5 volts on an ATX power supply in 2018 is almost impossible unless a dealer has old inventory. If one needs the -5 volts feature on an ATX power supply, stay away from the Athenatech brand. Both the Athenatech PS-450WX1 and the Athenatech PS-400WX1 (UPC#875783009706) are models that have removed the -5 Volts feature but still list the -5 Volts feature in the manufactories specs on the power supply label. I have always said that when a manufacturer changes its specs on a model that has already been released, then that manufacture should be required to stop making that model and come out with a new model in order to avoid consumer confusion. To make matters worse when a manufacture like Athenatech removes a feature like -5 volts from a power supply they should be required to change the label on the power supply so that the -5 volts feature is no longer listed. When and if this special ColecoVision USB power supply converter is released on the market. I hope the next power supply converter will be for the Coleco ADAM computer since it has advanced Supergames, etc. There are many ColecoVision owners that purchased Expansion Module #3 ADAM computer since certain people were able to obtain a working ADAM power supply but had a hard time finding a working ColecoVision power supply. The nice thing about Coleco’s expansion module interface is one can bypass ColecoVision power supply socket and using a product like the ADAM computer to power the ColecoVision. Technically its possible for someone to come out with a power supply for the ColecoVision that plugs into the expansion module interface if they did not want to use the existing power supply socket on the ColecoVision.

The 1983 Coleco ADAM computer is an amazing high-end computer when compared to other computers between 1979 to 1985. For example unique to the Coleco ADAM computer was the Digital Data Drive which was an automatic high speed tape drive that stored 256K of data. Coleco’s automatic high speed tape drive was faster and much easier to use when compared to manual tape drives that the TI-99/4a, ATARI computers, and Commodore computers offered. While I prefer the actual Coleco Disk Drive or Micro Innovations Disk Drive instead of a Coleco Digital Data Drive, I would want a Digital Data Drive over any manual slow tape drive. The keyboard built into the memory console on most 70’s and 80’s computers was a bad feature. There are some TI-99/4a computers that are still new in the box and some people in 2018 are discovering that some T1-99/4a computers have a generation of defective mylar keyboards that are bad. The problem with the TI-99/4a and most computers from the 80’s is that one cannot replace the keyboard without taking the computer apart. The reason is ATARI, Commodore, and TI-99/4A, and many others built the keyboard inside the memory console inside of separating it from the memory console. Even the Commodore 128 computer has the keyboard built into the memory console. The Commodore 128 has a slower Z80 2Mhz CPU when compared to the ADAM’s 3.58Mhz Z80 processor. However, the Commodore 128 has 80 column color and built in 128K of memory that is better than ADAM’s video output. The Commodore Amiga in July 1985 was the first Commodore computer that was more powerful than the 1983 Coleco ADAM with Amiga's 7Mhz and higher CPU. However, even the top of the line Amiga computers had the keyboard built into the memory console. Another unique nice feature on the Coleco ADAM computer is the separate components when it comes to a dedicated keyboard being separated from the memory console. This is a concept used by all modern desktop computers running the Windows operating system. They use either a PS/2 or USB keyboard. Coleco’s 6 pin ADAMNet keyboard that connected to the ADAM memory console was a very smart and state of the art concept for a 1983 computer. If the keyboard became defective one just purchased a replacement keyboard directly from Coleco instead of having to buy a new computer or send the computer in to get serviced. At one time one could get complete replacement Coleco ADAM keyboards including outside shell for around $20 and even Radio Shack sold for around $5.99 internal ADAM keyboards for those that wanted to take their ADAM keyboard shell apart and pop in a new keyboard. Of course now used ADAM keyboards in 2018 are rare and sometimes used ones sale for around $90+. Another unique feature on the ADAM keyboard was the Smartkeys that are comparable to the function keys on a modern Windows keyboard. In addition, the Coleco ADAM computer had its own keypad since the Coleco controller attached to the side of the keyboard and acted like a modern keypad found on today’s Windows keyboards. In 1983 the Digital Data Drive and the ADAM Keyboard was state of the art compared to what other home computers were offering at the time. Most computers came with a built in Basic programming language. It was a smart decision for Coleco instead to make the Smartwriter word processor instantly loading on power on since it was built in. All Coleco ADAM’s purchased in retail stores also came with 3 Digital Data Packs. SmartBasic, Buck Rodgers, and a blank DDP were always included in every ADAM system. The Coleco ADAM daisy wheel letter quality printer had excellent print quality, however the printer noise level is one thing that hurt the ADAM’s reputation. Back in late 1983 the complete ADAM system cost around $800 and then the Expansion module #3 version for the ColecoVision cost around $600. For under $1,000 the ADAM was a bargain for everything that was bundled with it. However when compared to TI-99/4a, ATARI, and Commodore computers they were more attractive since they were cheaper computers. Perhaps if Coleco would have released the ADAM computer without the printer at a cheaper price it might have been more successful. In addition, if the printer would not have been included maybe instead of Smartwriter word processing being built in, instead the SmartBasic program might have been built in. To this day I do prefer the Smartwriter word processor being built in. Since in the 80’s I used the Smartwriter word processor more than I did SmartBasic. And that was true for many families that owned the Coleco ADAM computer. It would be nice someday if a ADAMNET to 4 port USB hub interface would be created. Then one could plug in a USB keyboard, 1.44MB 3.5 inch floppy drive, USB solid state drive, USB hard drive, and USB printer.

I guess I need to try the official unreleased 2 disk version. It sounds like one loads the main Jeopardy disk and then is prompted to enter disk two for all the question packs. Or maybe disk one has some questions and disk two is just the rest of the questions. The advantage of the 256K DDP version is that the question packs and program are all on the same media so no media swapping, everything loads automatically.

I realize there was a unreleased 256K Digital Data Pack version made available around 1985 for the ADAM community (only 160K was copied). I never tried the unreleased Jeopardy two disk version. The reason for the two disk version is because Coleco never officially released a 320K double sided disk drive and only a 160K single sided disk drive. So I am guessing at a certain point one needs to insert disk 2 when prompted on the screen. The entire 256K Digital Data Pack version would be better to have since once copied to a modern 1.44MB Micro Innovations 3.5 inch disk drive or even a 320K disk drive no disk swapping would be needed. It is disappointing that Coleco never released a 320K Disk Drive, since games that used the full 256K Digital Data Packs could not be copied to a 160K Disk Drive and also Coleco had to release special 2 disk versions of programs that went over 160K. Richard Scary’s Best Electronic Workbook Ever was released on Digital Data Pack only, and uses a total of 242K of space on the 256K Digital Data Pack (It is so big it requires a minimum of 320K, 720K, and 1.44MB disks only). Coleco was going to release the Richard Scary’s Best Electronic Workbook on two separate 160K 5.25 disks, however to my knowledge I never seen it and it was never released on floppy disks. Perhaps one day Team Pixelboy or someone else will convert the cool 242K DDP version of Richard Scary's Electronic Workbook Ever to a 256K or 512K cartridge. That was one of Coleco's best kids program that uses up almost the entire DDP. Walter's Software created a special 320K Disk version from the original 256K Digital Data Pack.

Wow a $1.99 for a official in house unreleased Coleco Jeopardy manual. This person must not of known what they had. Minimum bid should have started at $1.99 not a Buy it now. This manual might have been bid up to $100 if there was a actual auction. At the very minimum I would have paid $10 or $20 for this collectors item. Also the word "Coleco" and word "computer" was not used in the title and many people missed it since a search normally is not looking for the words ADAM.

I did not realize that Coleco released software for both the ATARI and Commodore 64 computers on a two sided 5.25 inch disk (Flippy floppy with one side for ATARI computers and the other side for Commodore 64 computers). Here is a EBAY auction for the game Wargames. What other software was released for the ATARI computers and Commodore 64 computers by Coleco? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-64-128-Computer-1984-WAR-GAMES-by-Coleco-SEALED/132716023139?hash=item1ee67dcd63%3Ag%3AySMAAOSwVEdbT9Hs&_sacat=0&_nkw=COLECO+COMMODORE&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

Coleco did release Family Feud on a 256K Digital Data Pack for the ADAM computer. Back in 1984 I really enjoyed that Family Feud game. Playing Jeopardy was fun also but I am much better at Family Feud. Coleco stopped videogame and computer manufacturing in January 1985, however there is some rumors that Wheel of Fortune might have been in development or planning stages. The Commodore 64/128 computer did officially get a Family Feud, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune release.