Devin

I think that will do the job. How hard would it be to convert composite to VGA?

I need some quick advice on hooking up an old Pong console. I'm an a teacher for a introduction to computer science course. We cover an array of topics - including video game history. So, we get to talk about the Pong Revolution, the Atari 2600, Pac-mania, etc... To give students some hands-on experience with computer history - and appreciate how fun a simple system can be - I put together a Pong Tournament using an old Super Pong IV. Traditionally, I have hooked my pong console into a VCR to convert the RF to RCA. The RCA was hooked into the wall panel or directly to the projector. However, they recently upgraded to a projector that only contains a S-Video and HDMI ports. What would be the best way to hook up the system? The wall contains a VGA port - used for hooking up laptops - so that is an option as well. Is there an RF to VGA converter? Or RF to HDMI?

I think no. The falling bricks will be flikering player or missile. The ball is used for display the gates. New Anim demo : Torch and hourglass. Wow, that is some exceptional animation for the 2600!

That's optimistic! :) Still, the site would sell far more staying with the 2600 format. ... and there are some exceptional 2600 programmers!

A 7800 version would be interesting. Toyshop Trouble is a masterpiece! However... I don't know if they will sell better than a 2600 holiday cart. I'm guessing there are a hundred 2600 users per every one 7800 user.

I forgot to mention that the LCD monitor (and other modern devices) are very, very, very picky about signal strength. Those old pong systems (and the Atari 2600) send an incredibly weak signal over the wire. It was good enough for the TVs of the time, but modern hardware doesn't react. If you want to hook up an old system, and are having trouble with signal strength, a good alternative is to use a VCR. You can plug the RCA (using a RCA-Coaxial converter) into the input on the VCR. The composite out is great for modern TVs. I conducted a pong tournament this semester and used a VCR to bridge my old Sears Super Pong IV to the overhead projector.

Nothing is wrong. It looks like you have yourself a nice pong console! All the pongs - every GI-chip one (like the APF) and the Atari Pongs do not transmit audio over the cable. They don't even attempt to transmit silence. Instead, you always get various hissing and crackling. This is just the tech of the time. So, you will have to turn the audio down. Its the same with all of them. ... so, grab a beer, invite some friends over, put on some disco, and have a great time!

Looks cool so far! I've heard about it raining cats and dogs... but never mice!

Nay, the question is: what am I doing up this late?

Well, a sprite one pixel high!

Atari graphics are quite unique amongst the consoles. There are only two sprites that can appear on the same horizontal line. Atari programs "chase the beam". They update the screen at the same time it is being drawn. The Atari has some built in features such as drawing sprites double-wide, quad-wide, and in duplicates of 2 or three. There are some timing tricks too. But, Berzerk is a pretty straight forward, expertly programmed, game. When it comes to Berzerk, each robot is the same sprite. The programmer just moves it horizontally depending on the next robot's location. The dead-giveaway is the horizontal blank "bar" on the right. The Atari doesn't draw the first 8 pixels on the right anytime one of the sprites is moved. I've attached a picture with lines showing the sprite's area. Robot's will not cross each other vertically, but horizontally can be lined up. The screen blinks with Otto shows up since the programmer is using the same sprite for the player and Otto - and only drawing one screen at a time. This way, Otto can be given the illusion of running (bouncing) at you horizontally.

You can right shift the result 5 times to get the 1 you need. You could then use the 1 or 0 as an index into a table containing 0 and 255.

Ah yes. Forgive my foggy old memory! 2000 ironically came out in 1989 - and that's the one I played. Still, this game has some very rare honesty for the time - in the lyrics. You've got the power! (Ha ha ha haaaa!) You've got the might! (No way!) Get ready for battle! (Give me your money!) Beat the Black Knight! (Ha ha ha haaaa!) Here's a video: P.S. It sounds like "right" rather than "might".

I used to love Black Knight: http://www.flippers.info/blackknight.asp Its a pretty straight forward game which makes use of choir AD&D-ish music. EDIT: I actually found the background music! I can't remember if this was attract mode or during game play. 801 Black Knight.mp3

I saw this on eBay, and it looks a bit odd. Its an auction for a Sears Atari 2600. The picture makes it look like there are 2 speakers built into the top of the console - like a classic Pong system. Was this normal for Sears 6-switchers? The system is nonfunctional. eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250824681018 EDIT: Added photo

You can also look into getting a Tele-Games Super Pong. Tele-Games is Sears' rebrand of Atari - and its identical "under the hood". The good thing about the Tele-Games consoles, is the paddles are removable. This also makes them easy to clean if you get the dreaded jitters. Under Tele-Games, Atari also released Super Pong IV - allowing up to 4 players at the same time. I used this model for a pong tournament. Here are some active auctions: Tele-Games: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 250822288226 - $8, you may need a battery eliminator Atari C-140: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 140550019070 - $10 Another Tele-games: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 180667283960 - $24 Tele-Games Super Pong IV: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150607217786 - $14 (buy it now $19)

Do you have the television on the correct channel? It looks like you are getting a ton of interference. Either: The channel is wrong - those Pong systems broadcast over a couple channels at the same time (only one fully). The converter box is getting interference. If the channel is correct, then you might want to take a trip to Radio Shack. They have a coaxial to RCA converter for a couple bucks. It replaces that horrible little box. The wire is loose/damaged. I have one Pong console where the wire broke on the inside - and I lost the picture. I will have to eventually break it open and resolder. I'm looking forward to that a tad less than a prostate exam.... I hope you get it up and running. I have a couple Super Pongs. They are incredible fun.

I agree with the last few points. The coding is exceptional. It would be a pity if this falls by the wayside.

I couldn't find the video... but this reminded me of a Naked Gun quote. It fits well with this game. Lt. Frank Drebin: Miss, I'm Lt. Frank Drebin, and this is Captain Ed Hocken, Police Squad. Busty Female Shop Assistant: Is this some kind of bust? Lt. Frank Drebin: Well... it's very impressive, yes, but we need to ask you a few questions.

I saw this on eBay. eBay Auction -- Item Number: 280668522756

The console I am using is a 76 model, so anything on the radio then would work.

I'm all for pac-man fever I have to admit, that song makes me cringe! The Blondie one will probably fit well! I completely forgot about that one.