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Devin

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Posts posted by Devin

  2. Posted · Edited by Devin

    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?

    post-17256-0-73646900-1361813636_thumb.jpg

  4. Posted

    I'd have to disagree. I'd say its somewhere less than a 10 to 1 ration.

     

    That's optimistic! :) :) :)

     

    Still, the site would sell far more staying with the 2600 format. ... and there are some exceptional 2600 programmers!

  5. Posted

    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.

  6. Posted

    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.

  7. Posted · Edited by Devin

    My only problem left is that, though the picture is great, there is lots of static on the TVs (sound on this console is internal). I have to turn volume all the way down or mute the TV.

     

    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! :)

  11. Posted · Edited by Devin

    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.

    post-17256-0-54411300-1307188481_thumb.png

    • Like 2

  12. Posted

    If I isolate the bit like this:

     

      temp5 = B_Direction_x & %00100000

     

    I don't get 0 or 1, I get 0 or 32 (which makes sense, but I need zeros and ones).

    Thanks.

     

    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.

  13. Posted · Edited by Devin

    Devin, the music you linked to was from Black Knight 2000, the sequel to Black Knight. The original game was created in 1980 and had a bit less advanced sound, though it did manage to play an evil laugh and synthetic phrases at key times.

    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".

  16. Posted · Edited by Devin

    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: 2508222882261?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=250822288226&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER] - $8, you may need a battery eliminator

    Atari C-140: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 1405500190701?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=140550019070&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER] - $10

    Another Tele-games: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 1806672839601?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=180667283960&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER] - $24

    Tele-Games Super Pong IV: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 1506072177861?ff3=2&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&item=150607217786&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER] - $14 (buy it now $19)

  17. Posted · Edited by Devin

    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.... :lol:

     

    I hope you get it up and running. I have a couple Super Pongs. They are incredible fun.

  19. Posted

    I'm no Blackjack expert, but I think 62 would be a bust?

     

    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.

  22. Posted · Edited by Devin

    Pac-man fever also might be fun.

    I'm all for pac-man fever :D

     

    I have to admit, that song makes me cringe!

     

     

    Blondie - One Way or Another

    Supertramp - The Logical Song

    Little River Band - Reminiscing

    Jeff Lynn - Video

     

    The Blondie one will probably fit well! I completely forgot about that one.

  23. Posted

    This game is truly exceptional!

     

    The title screen is amazing. I have never seen graphics that detailed and polished on a 2600 before. The music is exceptional. It sounds like the arcade! ... and the game play is exceptional. The multiple colors per line is amazing kernal code. ... and the animation for clearing the row is cool.

     

    All round, this raises the bar for homebrews!

     

    P.S. The guy playing it in the demo is really good!

  24. Posted

    Hey all, I'm putting together a little Pong tournament for my computer science students. They will participate to get extra credit - with the winner getting nice credit prize.

     

    Anyway, I want to add some background music - mainly for ambiance - not loud enough to drown out the beeps from the old machine. So, what songs would be best? I'm doing it relating to computer history. I've chosen some late 70's songs such as:

     

    • B52's - Rock Lobster (1979).mp3
    • Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (1977).mp3
    • Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing (1976).mp3
    • Heart - Baracuda (1977).mp3
    • KC and The Sunshine Band - Thats The Way (1975).mp3
    • KISS - Rock And Roll All Nite (1975).mp3
    • Lipps Inc. - Funky Town (1980).mp3
    • Rose Royce - Car Wash (1976).mp3
    • The Trammps - Disco Inferno (1976).mp3
    • Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band - A Fifth Of Beethovan (1976).mp3
    • Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music (1976).mp3
    • Aerosmith - Walk This Way (1975).mp3

     

    Should I remove any of these? Add others?

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