5-11under

Here's an update: The first unit was wired up as per what will be the "official" instructions. I still need to verify the audio and the composite video coming from the Atari expansion module. Four other units are completely assembled, except for the wires and testing. The rest of the ICs should arrive very soon, hopefully. In the meantime, I'm assembling the other surface mount parts. Just a couple more and I'll have enough for the pre-orders. After the ICs are soldered in, I'll assemble the through-hole components. The colour test program is complete. I still need to assemble the associated boards. Unfortunately, there was an issue with my camera (not having an SD card), so I don't have any lovely pictures to show. The SD card is back, so I'll be able to take some pictures tonight. I'll likely start accepting payments tomorrow, so I can prepare envelopes and such. If you've pre-ordered, I'll send you a PM. I'll also update this thread, to make sure I haven't missed anyone. I'm still on track to ship all or most of these on Friday December 18. That was looking ominous a few days ago, but looks do-able at this point. Thanks, 5-11under

Hi everyone, I've been able to spend some time on the colour testing software. It's main purpose is to test the colours, for adjustment purposes. It accomplishes that, and a bit more. See the attached file below. The main screen shows all 16 colours in blocks in two ways. The top half shows the colours in order, from 1 to 15, then 0. The bottom half also shows all of the colours (except one of the blacks), but with similar colours beside each other, to better highlight the differences (or similarities) between each, for instance, showing all three "green" colours in a row. A cursor also flashes on the screen. The joystick can be used to move the cursor around the screen. Pressing the main fire button cycles the colours up, and pressing the secondary fire button cycles the colours down. The colour of the whole screen will change if a number is pressed on the keypad. Only numbers 1 through 9 are accepted, but if you press and hold a key on the second keypad (1 through 8 ), then press a number key on the first keypad, the numbers will be added (to access colours 10 through 15). If you don't want to use the second keypad, you can of course manipulate the blocks individually. There is a little bonus added. The program uses mode 3, which is a 64 x 48 grid (of 4x4 pixels). Press the 9 key on the second keypad to access it. Now that I think about it, the control scheme is fairly non-user-friendly. Anyway, using the first keypad, the colours of each 4x4 pixel can be changed the same way as described in the previous paragraph (sorry, the wholesale colour change is not available). There you have it - a brute-force pixelated drawing program. Enjoy, 5-11under CV-Screen-Test.zip

Update: The PCBs arrived this afternoon. I assembled one board, hooked it up, and it works! Those who have been in the same boat know that's a big relief. A couple of potentiometers are backwards, but that just means the controls are reversed. There's a few more things that need to be done... buying wire, waiting for a few more ICs to come in, figuring out the best locations for the wires, and finishing the test program (which is well underway)... and of course assembling a bunch more. I'll post some pictures when I get some time. Thanks, 5-11under

Hi Yurkie, There's others that can't afford one right now, or are waiting for the first batch to be "tested", or who don't really need one right now because RF/composite/S-Video may look fine on their existing TV, so... I will have extra parts and extra PCBs, and will continue selling these. There'll be some periods of time when I'll have them in stock (or at least ready for me to assemble), and other periods where I'll make a waiting list (if I need to raise funds for additional parts and/or PCBs). Thanks, 5-11under

Update: I've ordered the components for the pre-orders. Unfortunately, a key part is back-ordered, set to arrive approximately December 15. The original ship date of December 18 is still do-able, but for most of the orders, it's not likely to be any earlier than that. Thanks, 5-11under

PM sent. Getting free stuff is awesome. So is giving free stuff. Thanks, 5-11under

Yes, I have an HD and I understand the sizing of the screen and the black/grey bars etc. But, what will the quality of the graphics be on that screen? If we hook up an NES to an HD it looks like crap, to no surprise. If I watch GolTV, which is not HD, on my HD it looks like crap no matter if it's stretched or not. So, when I'm playing Galaxian for the ColecoVision, what will the graphics look like? Is it going to be the same quality as the NES and GolTV examples I cited above? If one had a ColecoVision II with HDMI output the quality would be exactly the same as using a PC emulation Colecovision program connected to a 50 inch or 60 inch screen over HDMI. On a 24 inch 1080P Computer monitor with DVI the Colocovision games look fantastic in quality. I currently have not tested what Colecovison games from a PC emulator look like on a 50 inch and larger screen using DVI or HDMI. Of course one would see some more imperfections on a larger screen. In the future if I have time I will connect my PC up to a 50 inch or larger screen and use the Colecovision emulation program. The results should be very good in theory. Maybe it would look something like this. 5-11under

The PCBs have shipped, and I should have them Wednesday or Thursday, just in time for may day off on Friday. If all goes well, the finished units might be ready to ship in a week. Thanks, 5-11under

A couple in the first round of shipments are going to be put in PAL ColecoVisions. The owners or I will be sure to report back, hopefully with successful results. Thanks, 5-11under

Hi potzrebie Look at post # 47 and # 48 I'm in the same boat as retroillucid. I ordered some PCBs from AtariAge for my Team Pixelboy projects, but supplies of Pixels Past PCBs are exausted and Albert is currently working to get a new (and cheaper) PCB model made, which is still in the prototyping phase. So there's nothing else to do but wait, or get ColecoVision PCBs somewhere else (for now). I've got standard 32K PCBs available, suitable for 32K (E)PROMs. if you need them now. Same one that's in Squares!, some of Daniel's newer products, etc. PM me for details. Thanks, 5-11under

Agree pretty much 100%, although I could argue that HDMI would add at least some minimal advantage for future connectivity. 5-11under Edit: I like my CV to be a CV. I don't need extras like high speed processors, higher resolution graphics, or compatibility with Adam or other products. Some improvements would be nice, however, like increased reliability, and external USB or memory card storage for menu/games (although the Atarimax flash cart does a decent job at this). Extra RAM and ROM can be added inside cartridges fairly effectively (not sure if RAM access speed is an issue), if necessary, without too much added cost.

You're right. My current vision for the controller is a sort of hack of the originals. Instead of furiously spinning the trackball or steering wheel, you would just have to move the controller a few more degrees one way or the other. I've never actually played the trackball or steering wheel games, so I'm not sure how much spinning is required. With a new controller, hopefully I'll be able to enjoy the games... although obviously in a somewhat different way than was originally intended. Thanks, 5-11under

It sounds like most of you are fairly pleased with what you've got. If possible, I'd really like to see some pictures of your TV running the Intellivision, whether it's RF or composite. No rush, except I'm really curious. Thanks, 5-11under

Nope, not yet. You won't need to pay until the PCBs are assembled and tested, and are ready to be mailed. I'm aiming for Dec. 18, but hoping for a few days before that. When they're ready to go, I'll send everyone a PM with my PayPal information. I'll also reply here, to make sure I haven't missed anyone. Thanks, 5-11under Edit: clarification

Hi there, I'm wondering if any of you have an Intellivision that has been modified to output composite video (or otherwise)? I'm wondering how good or bad the output looks. What/whose mod is it? How does it compare to the RF output? How does it compare to other composite outputs for other consoles (which console, and, if applicable, which mod)? Any detail would be appreciated. Pictures are even better. I don't own an Intellivision anymore, but I'm thinking of getting one, and creating a high quality mod for this console. However, if the current composite output mod is good enough, I'll move on. Thanks, 5-11under

Update: PCBs have been ordered. Delivery is set at 6 days, but I can't remember if that is when they ship it out, or when I receive it. Worst case, they should be here in a week and a half or so. I'm still on schedule to mail these out by December 18, or possibly a few days earlier. I'll keep posting updates as the PCBs come in, and get populated/tested. I've ordered some extra PCBs, so if you'd like to order one in the future, feel free to send me a PM, and I'll see what I can do. Maybe more people will be interested once they see results from more than just me. When the items are ready to ship, I'll PM those who have pre-ordered. Thanks, 5-11under

Update: PCBs have been ordered. I've ordered some extra PCBs, so if you'd like to order one in the future, feel free to send me a PM, and I'll see what I can do. I'll PM those who have pre-ordered when the items are ready to ship. Thanks, 5-11under

Hi there, I'm trying to figure out what project to tackle next. Your input is appreciated. Options include: 1. All-in-one replacement for the driving controller and roller controller. This would also include other switches for gear shifting, difficulty setting - whatever is required for all the games. The driving and roller controllers would be replaced by a single analog joystick. The spinner might also be "emulated" this way. I'm not too far on this one yet, so I don't have a clear idea of how much it might cost to produce. 2. A re-issue of Lord of the Dungeon, including battery back-up, of course. Would anyone object to having a re-issue? 3. A ColecoVision clone. I've worked the numbers, and unfortunately, it's expensive. With emulation options available now and FPGA options on the horizon, maybe this isn't viable. I'll probably make at least a few of these at some point, nevertheless. Anyway, this would be virtually 100% compatible, because the main ICs and expansion slot will stay the same. However, the only old-stock ICs that will be used will be the video and audio generators. Issues with original ColecoVisions regarding video memory, power switches, controller inputs, power supplies should disappear. PCB size would be a generous 5" x 6" approximately. 4. Something completely different - VGA for the ColecoVision, video output for some other console? Any other ideas? What would enhance your gaming experience? Thanks, 5-11under

Well, the PCB layout has been cleaned up and verified. I'll be ordering the PCBs first thing Monday morning. Any pre-orders before then will be accepted. As mentioned, the price will be $45 US each, including mailing to US and Canadian addresses. Shipping prices overseas to be determined (but will be approximately the actual cost). Payment won't be due until the units are ready to ship, which should be around Dec. 18, 2009. Anyone who pre-orders will receive a free video output test cart (without case), which I guess I'll be programming over the next week or so. I'll be ordering at least a few extra PCBs, so I'll be able to accept orders beyond the pre-order deadline. These will be subject to availability of course, and won't come with a free cart. Price and/or lead-time is also subject to change, for instance if I need to order additional parts. Thanks, 5-11under

Update: PCB layout complete and verified. PCBs to be ordered as soon as possible on Monday, so any pre-orders on the weekend will be accepted. Thanks, 5-11under

Charles, thanks for the pre-order. That connector won't work for this application... An S-Video connector typically has 4 pins. This one has 7. Maybe it's for a Dell laptop, but I thought they only outputted composite and S-Video. Unfortunately, there's no "close-to-free" way to convert S-video to/from YPbPr Component video. Thanks, 5-11under Edit: It looks like the 7 pin connector is used in some video cards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

Status update: I was busy a couple more evenings this week than I had intended, so I still need to verify the PCB layout, and do a bit of clean-up to the silkscreen layer. The pre-orders will likely close first thing Monday morning. The December 18 ship date on pre-orders will still stand if the PCBs are delivered to me by Dec. 11. Thanks, 5-11under

Hmm, my PAL Creativision uses the TMS9929A, my Spectravideo the 9918, what else do I have here in the obscurity closet...? Why not reach out to MADrigal, he's not real active here all the time but I'd consider him more or less the Creativision guru. Interesting, although I'm guessing you don't want holes drilled in the back of your Creativision. 5-11under

The link gives me an error. 5-11under

Hi Mimo, I've got you lined up for some PAL testing. I thought everyone had at least two ColecoVisions. Maybe it's just me. Sorry, as mentioned, S-Video and composite is not suggested at the same time. My ColecoVision typically runs fine without any shielding or case, so I'm guessing it'd be fine. That's definitely an option you can try. Thanks, 5-11under