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Pioneer4x4

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Posts posted by Pioneer4x4

  2. Posted

    A member of this forum PM'd me based on comments I made in another thread, saying that the Genesis pad could potentially damage the Atari. He mentioned something about the "daisy-chaining" of input devices like keyboards and joysticks, which I'm sure the Atari 2600 doesn't support. The Atari joystick "floats" the unused connections while the Genesis pad outputs 0v or +5v. Anyway, I have studied the schematics of both the Genesis controller and the Atari pinouts, and I don't see how the Genesis pad could potentially cause damage. He may have had the original Atari VCS hardware mixed up with the Atari 8-bit computer line, and recommended using diodes inline to suppress the +5v "high" signal. I don't really think the diodes are necessary. I've quoted my reply here, but not the original posters PM. It contains my thoughts on why this controller works the way it does, but I forget the actual pin numbers without looking them up.

    I don't believe the Atari 2600 had keyboards or any other way to "daisy chain" controllers together. Both Joystick ports have dedicated input pins. Because digital logic circuits require a valid input, "floating" inputs can cause erratic behavior and data errors. As a result, I'm pretty sure there is a resistor connected to VCC in order to tie the inputs high when no button is pressed. The analog inputs from the paddle controllers likely use an ADC to convert the analog signal into digital logic. Since the paddle controllers use an ungrounded pot tied to VCC at one end, this creates a "high" signal which needs an additional resistor to create a proper voltage divider for the analog input. So, it is logical that the analog inputs will be tied low by a resistor connected to ground. The Atari controller port uses 5 digital inputs and 2 analog inputs, then GND and VCC pins.

     

     

    He has good ideas, but they aren't correct. The atari 2600 DOES have a keyboard, just a very minimal one. The pins do float since they can be used as input or output. Any tying to ground or 5v is done in the controller wiring if at all.

  4. Posted

    I just thought of a absurdly simple way to align cuts and printing.

    1. Cut the overlay unprinted.
    2. Print the overlay on a blank sheet of paper. (Or just a part of it)
    3. TAPE THE OVERLAY OVER THE PRINTED ONE!
    4. Re-feed the paper and print again.

    Assuming it doesn't jam or tear, that should work fine.

  14. Posted · Edited by Pioneer4x4

    I admit without pictures, I may not be understanding it as much as I think I am.

    What pictures would help you? Have you checked the demo?

    I don't need the demo, I bought the game, and I am very glad that I did. Not just to have and enjoy it, but to support the effort.

    As for pictures, maybe mockup a couple of "cells" or "Characters" in each of the iterations of colors.

    And maybe a large grid for the board, small one for the screen window.

  18. Posted

    Kinda neat, personally, I would like it a bit faster, but the blocks wider. And when you press the button I think it speeds up too much. Neat idea, what all do you have planned for it? 2K is pretty tight, so I assume not much.

  19. Posted

    I like the wear on that one, it has 1980 written all over it, and it looks like a nice job. If I made one, it would be more tech looking, Black plastic/painted metal, modular-expandable, with woodgrain decals.

    The real problem with all of them is you ALWAYS end up having more stuff than will fit in it.

    Minimum needed for my needs

    • Light 6
    • 2 Joysticks
    • 2 Driving controllers
    • 2 pairs of paddles
    • Harmony
    • Boulder Dash
    • 2-Keypad controllers

    What I REALLY want is to build in a TV with storage for Atari stuff all around it in my basement. I plan to do the walls like stone castle/dungeon pattern.

  23. Posted

    For me maybe $2 for something special as an improvement over the original. But I really like the plain old Atari style, and they would have to be cheaper than $2 for that type.

    Actually, I prefer the Activision interlocking, but Atari Labels. If I was making them myself, there would be something unique, not just a reproduction. maybe a slot to hold a document/overlay/scoresheet, custom serial numbers on the INSIDE of the cart or programmers initials, so when you hold it up to the light you can see them through the plastic...

     

    Something like a clear Mystique cartridge? They have the slits for stacking, the ridges for pulling out of the VCS, and two labels. They look like Atari/Activision hybrid carts.

     

    Exactly! but it wouldn't be right to call a Mystique cart clear, it would be "see-through" or "sheer"

    • Like 2

  25. Posted

    For me maybe $2 for something special as an improvement over the original. But I really like the plain old Atari style, and they would have to be cheaper than $2 for that type.

    Actually, I prefer the Activision interlocking, but Atari Labels. If I was making them myself, there would be something unique, not just a reproduction. maybe a slot to hold a document/overlay/scoresheet, custom serial numbers on the INSIDE of the cart or programmers initials, so when you hold it up to the light you can see them through the plastic...

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