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5-11under

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Posts posted by 5-11under

  1. Posted

    CBS Colecovisions were solely for the European, i.e. PAL market.

     

    In fact , it was also for the SECAM Market not only PAL. All my SECAM Colecovision are labelled CBS Colecovision.

     

    Do all the SECAM units have a SCART connector?

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  2. Posted · Edited by 5-11under

    Thanks for the interest so far!

     

    I've shortened the wires between the ColecoVision and the prototype video mod, and have a somewhat cleaner picture. Here's a un-edited screen image:

     

    1004419.png

     

    Now I need extension cables for the controllers. :)

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

     

    Edit: picture taken at 1/45 second exposure this time, rather than automatic.

    Murph74, I'll think about offering installations, but it's a pain with shipping charges both ways.

  5. Posted

    Pictures resized:

     

    The mock-up, vaguely showing the layout of the board (lots of stuff missing, but hopefully gets the idea across):

    1004404.png

     

    Video images, resized and converted to PNG for easier viewing:

    1004409.png

     

    1004411.png

     

    1004407.png

     

    Download the zip files if you need to see the full-size images.

     

    I've added circuitry to the PCB layout to smooth the solid colours better (not shown yet).

     

    The colours look pretty close to what I see on my TV (although the monitor you're looking at now is another variable). The colours could use some adjustment to saturate the yellows and other colours a bit. This is fully adjustable by the user. :)

     

    Sorry if I'm spelling "colours" wrong ;)

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  6. Posted

    Hi there,

     

    I tried uploading some pictures, as described below, but I guess jpg files are not allowed. For now, see the attached zip files containing the pictures...

     

    The first picture is a mock-up (emphasis on mock) of the PCB. The final version will have more RCA connectors and potentiometers, and look much better. It gives the idea, though, showing position of the RCA connectors, potentiometers, and mounting hardware.

     

    The next pictures are of my TV, showing video results of the prototype. It looks like I need to add more smoothing, to get rid of the vertical lines that show up, when the colours should be solid. Once the proper boards come in, I'll work on that detail. Ignore the horizontal lines on the test pattern - there's an issue with the program that I haven't bothered fixing. These photos are not retouched at all.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

    100_4404.zip

    100_4412.zip

  7. Posted

    Daniel, I have tried to send you a message but it seems you cannot receive any message. Perhaps your box is full?

    Yes, my Atariage mailbox is full. 500 messages is the actual limit... I need to clean it up.

     

    ...hmmm, the AtariAge online store is offline again.

     

    * EDIT *

     

    Another video format review of this game.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv5HTORWpGU

     

    Mispronounced my last name a couple of times, but it's good to have one more review about the game! :)

     

    Yikes, sorry about that!

     

    Hey, I even saw Squares! on there. Anyway, nice video (although I scrolled through it quickly)... it's good to see people enthusiastic about a game. It's motivating, for me.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  8. Posted

    I recently tried myself to design and build a component video mod but it failed miserably and is now collecting dust :sad: 5-11under, I am delighted that you are much closer than I ever got and would certainly be interested in purchasing two to three kits from you.

     

    Is this an NTSC only mod?

     

    Can you post some example screen shots?

     

    One of my issues was around game screens with large areas of a single colour (Magical Tree and Turbo's winter scene being examples) - one of my LCD TVs would always start to tear and jerk along the top third of the screen. I had assumed this was down to the output being overdriven and had intended adding more potentiometers to my design but, as stated above, I just never got round to it. Have you seen this issue?

     

    Hi Ikrananka,

     

    I only have NTSC consoles. I'm running directly off of the TMS9928A's pins 35, 36, and 38. I'm guessing this would work just as well from a TMS9929A.

     

    I'll post some pictures sometime, for sure.

     

    No, I haven't seen the screen "tearing". One one TV, I have seen some "subpixels" (as I'll call them) flipping near the top of the screen. Not enough to make me go back to RF or composite.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  9. Posted

    Hi there,

     

    I'm almost ready to order some PCBs for a Component (YPbPr) video modification kit for the ColecoVision. Included will be:

     

    Three RCA jacks (Green, Blue, Red) for Y, Pb, and Pr

    Two RCA jacks (White, Red) for audio (same signal on both)

    One RCA jack (Yellow) for Atari2600 Expansion module composite output

    Mounting brackets for back of ColecoVision

    Wires (7) to connect to the ColecoVision board

    Five potentiometers to control the color

    PCB with solder mask

    Instructions in some form or other

    Drilling instructions and/or template

     

    The potentiometers are part of the mod PCB. These can be controlled from the back of the case, if you've drilled the associated holes. I'm not sure if all the potentiometers are required or not, but they're provided, in case of differences in the ColecoVision output and the television input.

     

    This is a kit. You (or someone you know) will need to open the case, make holes in the back, modify the metal shielding around the ColecoVision PCB, connect some wires to the ColecoVision PCB, bolt the mod PCB to the back of the case, and close the case up again. The PCB will be fully assembled, by me, of course.

     

    The PCB layout is nearly completed. Following that, I'll likely build one more prototype, based on the layout, to minimize risk (although it depends on how many are interested).

     

    Pictures of the PCB and screen output to follow at some point.

     

    The price will be $45 US via PayPal, including mailing to US and Canadian addresses. This is just an interest check at the moment. I'll set up a purchase thread when I'm ready for that stage. Reply (or PM) if you're interested in purchasing one (or more). Reply if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  11. Posted

    You know, this is the typical thread that shows how terribly ugly the CV homebrew scene is, with programmers that hate each other, lots of jealousy going on, people who likes to point fingers to someone else's work, never ending feuds and a lot more that I prefer not to mention here.

     

    Is this really true? I don't see it.

    5-11under

     

    You don't see jealousy and hate... me too.

     

    The CV homebrew scene is very active, with more programmers year after year, more games year after year, more programming tools year after year... you see the pattern. So, in my humble opinion, this is very good; the situation of the CV homebrew scene is very positive in fact.

     

    I saw something today... anyway, it's definitely an exciting time, with lots of new (and old - Penguin Land and Fireman) games newly available in 2009.

     

    Have fun everyone,

    5-11under

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    Hi Daniel,

     

    A few comments...

     

    First of all, remember that you can't control what other people think or say or do. You can only control how you react.

     

    That said, you've got a wide variety of games, some of which are based on existing games, and some of which are original. There are many shades of grey, of course, between the two.

     

    I think you've done a lot of work that has benefited many CV programmers. Scott, myself (if I can still be counted as one), and many others are using tools that you had a hand (or two) in making. You've continued this support through the years.

     

    You've sold a bunch of games, but you've given away all or most of the ROMs, too. I don't see any greed here.

     

    With the proper tools, ColecoVision programming isn't too difficult. It's definitely manageable for one person to do on their own, if they have some moderate skills in several areas (programming, art/layout, music, math, etc.). One can argue one way or the other about the merits of corporate versus individual creation. In the least though, homebrew creation is typically not constrained by time or the whims of managers or committees.

     

    My advice: try to ignore anyone who gives you a hard time. For many of us, this isn't easy, because we don't handle rejection very well. Create the games you want to make and play, and there will likely be others who share your vision.

     

    Have fun,

    5-11under

  17. Posted

    Why does the case have such large holes in the front and top? What were they meant for, originally.

    Well, this was supposed to be used for the prototype of the standalone CV that opcode (Eduardo) has been talking about. Since it was unclear where the cartridge port would be located, I decided to have a large hole cut on top for maximum freedom. Same goes for the 9-pin joystick connectors which were meant to go in front: Since I couldn't precisely predict where the two D-9 ports were going to be placed, I left a large hole in the front so the connectors could be placed anywhere. This was done solely for the prototype's sake (where ventilation was also a factor, BTW). The "real" casing would have featured proper holes to fit around the different ports.

    Okay, I get it... open concept, just for the prototype.

     

    As luck would have it, I've got one of the same case, without the cut-outs of course, for one of my future projects.

    Nice. What kind of project will it be, if you don't mind me asking? :)

     

    It's video game related, so I'll post some pictures on AtariAge if I ever get it done.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  19. Posted

    Activision instruction manuals were kind of fun, if you don't mind inconsistency between games.

    Sega Master System boxes were nicely consistent, however, the artwork was usually pretty bad, imho.

    If not a plastic case like Sega, I like the gatefold boxes such as Intellivision. They were convenient, which meant that people kept them more often, instead of throwing them out.

     

    My 2c,

    5-11under

  21. Posted

    Wishbook

     

    It took me a while to figure out what you were talking about. You mean the Sears Catalog, right? Being male, and growing up on the East Coast, the only time I heard anyone call it a "wishbook" was some girls I knew from the Midwest.

     

    Last time I saw a Sears Catalog, the cover said "Catalog". Same with Montgomery Ward, JC Penny's, etc.

    It's the Christmas Catalogue.

    5-11under

  23. Posted

    I remember seeing a PCB someone designed, that shrunk the 2600 into about a 4" x 4" square (I'm not talking about cutting a 4-switch). To me, this sounds like a reasonable way to start. Does anyone have a link to that thread, by any chance? I can't seem to find it.

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

  25. Posted

    Hi opcode,

     

    Has the CF or SD slot (with ability to run one or more games from a card) been removed from the list, or is that a given?

     

    Thanks,

    5-11under

     

    Removed. I lot of people here said that CF wasn't a very desirable feature because most of them already have the Atarimax cartridge. The other reason was cost, removing the CF reduced the IC count by 9 (or 30%), plus a connector, a few resistors and capacitors and specially PCB space. All of that was replaced by a non-volatile RAM, and will be used for saving game data mostly. Moreover, removing the CF reduces considerably the amount of work I will have with the BIOS XP, thus accelerating the availability of the module. Finally, the project simply seems more focused now, because the CF was always planned as a bonus, not something I really needed for my games. This kind of bells and whistles can wait for the standalone project.

    EDIT: Oh, and one more thing: removing the CF reduces the complexity of the module case, which would save us money and trouble when the time is come to deal with that.

     

    That makes sense,

    5-11under

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