Search the Community

Hello, Back in the early 1980s I was yearning for the computer component for the Intellivision. I didn't get any magazines and the Internet was not around then so I had no clue that it was scrapped and the ECS would take its place. My parents knew that I wanted to get the computer expansion for my INTV and during the Xmas of 81 (maybe)my parents got me a new 13 inch color TV. I had been using a 12 inch black and white that was dying Anyway, one of the reasons my parents picked this particular TV out for me was that it was made for Mattel Electronics Aquarius Computer. I was not sure what the Aquarius was and it didn't really matter because later that year I got my Atari 800 XL. I have checked the net and didn't see any info regarding the TV. The set itself doesn't indicate anything about Mattel but the box does. I found the box in my parents attic. I still have the TV, but it is buried in my garage. As of 10-15 years ago it still works. Attached are the pictures of the box depicting the Mattel stickers. Does anyone know anything about this? The unit was purchased at Kiddie City a toy store competitor to Toys R Us. It was owned by the Lionel corporation.

Hi everyone! I am attempting to play an Atari 2600 on a modern-day television. Specifically, on the LG - 77" Class CX Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV. Its specs are a little different than your average digital TV, I believe. At least different enough to not be compatible with the recommendations I see for using an upscaler. Because it's not a 60hz TV; it's 120hz. And apparently that causes...interface problems with upscalers most ppl are using. So that's fun, right? LOL.... There is also some question as to HDMI being used, tho I am not entirely clear on the reasons associated with that. This model encompasses both HDMI 2.0 as well as HDMI 2.1 (thank goodness)....which other LG OLED models do not. Apparently HDMI 2.0 is getting "phased out"....but this model, thankfully, still allows its use! Something else of note....is the "Resolution" with this model. It's listed at 2160p (not 1080p)......is that unusual? I expected it to be 1080p. And since that is double what other models I've seen list, how does that impact use of an upscaler, or even use of an Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC) in this process of getting the Atari 2600 to play (well) on this model of TV? Here are the full specs of the TV in question, the one that will be used to play the Atari 2600 on. From the BestBuy website: ___________________________________ Specifications Key Specs Display Type OLED Resolution 4K (2160p) Screen Size Class 77 inches High Dynamic Range (HDR) Yes High Dynamic Range Format Dolby Vision, HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) Refresh Rate 120Hz Specific Manufacturer Technologies HDR Dynamic, Tone Mapping Pro, Advanced Contrast Enhancer, Face Enhancing, Ultra Luminance Pro, Billion Rich Colors, True Color Accuracy Pro Smart Platform webOS Featured Streaming Services Apple TV+, Paramount+, Crackle, Disney+, Fandango, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Peacock, Prime Video, Redbox, SHOWTIME, SIRIUS, STARZ, Sling TV, Spotify, Twitch, Vudu, YouTube, YouTube TV, iHeartRadio Number of HDMI Inputs (Total) 4 Works With Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant Voice Assistant Built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant General Product Name 77" Class CX Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV Brand LG Model Number OLED77CXPUA Series CX Series Model Year 2020 Color Silver Color Category Silver Dimensions Product Height With Stand 40.3 inches Product Width 67.8 inches Product Depth With Stand 10.6 inches Product Height Without Stand 39.1 inches Product Depth Without Stand 2.2 inches Product Weight With Stand 79.1 pounds Product Weight Without Stand 58.9 pounds Adjustable Stand Width No Box Dimensions Height 44.5 inches Width 74.6 inches Depth 11.2 inches Display Display Type OLED Resolution 4K (2160p) Screen Size 76.7 inches Screen Size Class 77 inches High Dynamic Range (HDR) Yes High Dynamic Range Format Dolby Vision, HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) Picture Quality Enhancement Technology Cinema HDR Curved Screen No Refresh Rate 120Hz Closed Captioning Yes Language(s) Displayed English, French, Spanish 3D Technology No Features Remote Control Type Magic Specific Manufacturer Technologies HDR Dynamic, Tone Mapping Pro, Advanced Contrast Enhancer, Face Enhancing, Ultra Luminance Pro, Billion Rich Colors, True Color Accuracy Pro Smart Capable Yes Smart Platform webOS Featured Streaming Services Apple TV+, Paramount+, Crackle, Disney+, Fandango, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Peacock, Prime Video, Redbox, SHOWTIME, SIRIUS, STARZ, Sling TV, Spotify, Twitch, Vudu, YouTube, YouTube TV, iHeartRadio Screen Mirroring Yes Screen Mirroring Technology Miracast Indoor Or Outdoor Use Indoor Text-To-Speech Yes Video Description Yes V-Chip No TV Tuner Digital Connectivity Number of HDMI Inputs (Total) 4 Number of HDMI 2.1 Inputs 1 Number of HDMI 2.0 Inputs 3 HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) Yes Number Of USB Port(s) (Total) 3 Number of USB 2.0 Ports 3 Ethernet Port(s) Yes RF Antenna Input Yes Bluetooth Enabled Yes Bluetooth Version 5.0 Network Compatibility Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet Number of RS-232 Inputs 1 Headphone Jack Yes Number of Digital Optical Audio Outputs 1 Number of Component Video Inputs 0 Number of Composite Video Inputs 1 Number of DVI Inputs 0 Compatibility VESA Wall Mount Standard 400mm x 200mm Works With Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant Voice Assistant Built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Audio Built-In Speakers Yes Built-in Speaker Type Front firing Surround Sound Supported Dolby Atmos, OLED Surround Speaker Output 40 watts Power ENERGY STAR Certified No EPEAT Qualified No Estimated Annual Operating Cost 38 United States dollars Estimated Annual Electricity Use 313 kilowatt hours Rechargeable Battery (Remote Control) No Number Of Batteries Required (Remote Control) 2 Number of Batteries Included (Remote Control) 2 Included Stand Included Yes Cable(s) Included AC power Warranty Manufacturer's Warranty - Parts 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty - Labor 1 Year Other UPC 719192637177 ___________________________________ Thoughts on what type of upscaler (if any) or OSSC (if any)......to use to get this done? Really need to play the Atari 2600 on this TV!! Man I hope there is a solution to be found. I'm open to any and all suggestions!!! Please let me know what should be used; the things to get and use, etc....even if they are not OSSC or an upscaler. I just want to know how to play Atari again, on a modern TV; how that gets done though eludes me. Pls forgive the n00bishness. <3 Thanks in advance for any and all help! With appreciation, froggerchamp ---

We're moving and downsizing, and I can't justify a dedicated gaming television any more This TV has great picture and solid Stereo sound. Only stopped using it as our regular TV when cable went fully digital. Fantastic TV for using with classic consoles, can connect multiple ones to it. Swivel stand, includes working (generic) remote. Inputs include S-Video, composite and cable, and also has outputs for recording or capture and cable pass-through. It's available for free! but pick up only in the Chicago-land area (Algonquin, IL 60102) as shipping costs would be prohibitive. It's the perfect showcase for your classic games!

I want to buy some CRT TVs and monitors located in Winnipeg, Manitoba

So, just a couple weeks ago I bought my first *real* Atari 2600 after spending years playing just Flashback models. It's a handsome black and grey American Atari Jr. model; 4 switches, small, can't fit Parker Bros. cartridges, cost $150 at my local Hock Shop. Came with a copy of Missile Command. The other day while playing Space Invaders, I spilt Chocolate Milk on the console, though it was off at the time. I let it dry and it seems to be working fine, except for one tiny detail --- the color is black and white! And it won't work no matter what I do; not changing the TV channel, not turning that little grey color switch left and right, not squeezing thr film capicators, nothing! Can someone help me?

We're moving and downsizing, and I can't justify a dedicated gaming television any more This TV has great picture and solid Stereo sound. Only stopped using it as our regular TV when cable went fully digital. Fantastic TV for using with classic consoles, can connect multiple ones to it. Swivel stand, includes working (generic) remote. Inputs include S-Video, composite and cable, and also has outputs for recording or capture and cable pass-through. Best offer $100 or up, pick up only in the Chicago-land area as shipping costs would be prohibitive. It's the perfect showcase for your classic games!

I’ve had my odyssey for a while now and it’s worked perfectly since purchase, I’ve been using it on a ‘94 or so CRT and just recently bought a Curtis Mathis ‘81 to better fit the era (believe me i looked for a 70s... impossible) but now that it’s hooks to this older tv, it’s grainier (not the main issue) but now the wall won’t show! I’ve heard this being an issue before but it was never one for me so I never knew how to fix it. Also there are so many dials on this tv that I have no clue what they do I’ll attack some images if anyone could help me out

Now let me start by saying I have done extensive research into this. I'm aware of all ways of connecting an atari to a modern TV, but what I really need is an opinion on wether my specific issue is my own stupidity, or the TV just won't do it. The TV is: http://www.vizio.com/e65c3.html I'm using the RCA to coax adapter. Directly connecting it to the TV via coax and switching to this input yeilds no result. I connect the Atari to the input of a VCR, then connect the composite output to the TV. I can get the VCR to play tapes over the TV, both video and audio, but I cannot get the Atari to display through it. Is it possible that the VCR is not a good enough demodulator/converter for this modern of a TV? Is there usually some menu option you need to tinker with to get a digital TV to detect the input (either directly or through a VCR). Is it possible that this TV just doesn't have the capability I need to play the Atari on it?

What do you hook your retro consoles into? I haven't had a CRT TV in my house for several years now, so I've been plugging into an HD TV for a while. But I recently bought a huge tube-type from a friend of mine for $20, and it's made a pretty big difference in my opinion. No black bars on the sides, the pixels aren't so sharp, etc. There's something so nice about living in a world where everything is "smart" and then plugging a console without an operating system into a TV without an operating system. What's your opinion? Does the kind of TV really matter to you? Do you prefer HD TVs for retro games?

Visiting one of my favorite stores for their 20% off Labor Day sale!

Hi everyone, I'm trying to connect my old Atari ST to a flatscreen TV (Toshiba model 37RL853). I'm not 100% clear on all of the AV terms when it comes to connecting things, so bear with me, but this is what I've got so far: -- Atari ST - connected to mains (duh) and connected directly to the TV with a phono-to-RF connector (i.e. plugs into the coax input on the TV). -- TV is on ATV mode, not digital, and I've run a scan to tune it in -- It finds the Atari signal on Channel 50 but no matter how I try to fine-tune the signal, the best I can get is a dodgy, fuzzy signal which flickers and jumps about and also sometimres flickers red/B&W. -- The cable I'm using to connect is brand new from Maplins today so I doubt it's a faulty cable? Any ideas what might be happening here and more importantly, how I can get the Atari to work on the TV? Many thanks in advance for any help :-) Danielle

Hi all, I recently pulled my Atari 2600jr from storage for testing. I only have one cart to play with (Battlezone) and it's not really working. I'm connecting it via RF using the original cable. There is sound but video is very very distorted and from time to time disappears altogether. Basically it's unusable in this state. What could be the culprit? Thanks

Hello there, As the name might suggest I need some help from you fine people. I've read the forum for a while but didn't join until I'd finally got a 2600. I was very happy as I managed to get a nice light sixer (despite it being the dirtiest thing I've ever seen) but I'm having some problems connecting it to a new TV, I've followed all the instructions I could find but I'm just getting a weird black and white pattern on screen. Attached are pictures of the screen and board (including one before I cleaned it!) Any help would be much appreciated! P.S. The board seems different to most other examples I could find online?

TV has been tossed. Thanks for your time!

MUNCIE INDIANA LOCAL PICKUP ONLY - MUST HAVE A TRUCK OR VAN this will NOT fit in your sedan; even if your seats fold down. Have a dolly/hand-truck. 37" screen, great picture and sound. Just replaced wheels and the speaker cones were all but dust;;; replaced with some $45 car audio speakers from Wal-Mart. The speakers wouldn't fit so I cut the holes bigger with a Dremel, not the prettiest job but you can't see that because the speaker covers hide it. They sound as good/better than the original speakers. See pics, the back has additional hookups for satellite speakers, though the built ins, I believe most people would find more than sufficient (miles better than the tin-cans TVs have now-a-days). The CRT has no scuffs/scratches. The console has some minor scuffs hardly noticeable, and one pretty good one on the top right (a few inches long). The glass door on the front works, but needs re-mounted properly. I'd not used it, and when I put it back on, I didn't have the proper screws/mounts so its not on super-sturdy, but easily fixed. Dual S-Video hookups; perfect for some old school gaming. The CRT is not removable from the console/cabinet - it's all ONE PIECE. It weighs probably ~150+ pounds; guessing. When you push it across the carpet, it's so heavy it wants to roll up your carpet if your not careful. It is 45 1/4" tall. 39" wide. 21 1/2" deep (at base). and of course the CRT is 37" diagonal. Looking for $100 even. Would trade for Atari 8-bit (800/xl/xe series; not 2600) stuff, nothing particular, but even if I already have, I love spares/extra I just don't have the room for this monster floor model :-(

Some great classic TV commercials in this short video. Including Batman Returns. Which was a decent port for the handheld. Link: https://goo.gl/cKSmC4

I have 3 CRT TV sets that we need to get rid off. These would be great for old video game consoles and I wanted to give the Atariage community a chance to get them first. If you live on the North shore of Boston (Massachusetts) and are looking for a CRT TV for your video game collection this could be the chance are looking for. I am moving and we simply do not have the room to keep the TVs. The TVs all work, details below. 1] 20 inch MGA tv. This is an old TV that someone left behind at the location where we are moving. It is small and light weight. There are only two inputs: coax and a two-channel composite (has only video and single audio, like the original NES). I tested the coax and channel 3 looks perfect for gaming. The composite is messed up - maybe it just needs an adjustment, I don't know. But if you just want a simple TV that plays old Atari consoles, the coax input is all you need. 2] 32 inch Sony Trinitron SDTV. This is my TV I have been using with my video game collection. I bought this a couple of years ago from Salvation Army for $20. It is a bit scuffed up but It works. It is heavy and I can not take it with me when I move. You'll need at least two people to carry it. 3] The cream of the crop. 32 inch Samsung HDTV 1080i in beautiful condition. This is taking up a large portion of a room we need at the location where we are moving to. While the screen is 32 inches, the bulk of this TV is bigger than the trinitron and is heavier. You'll need at least two people to carry it. If you are interested in taking one, PM me. We would like them gone this weekend. We have junk dealers coming to take them away on Thursday morning if no one wants them.

I've noticed newer TV's having less and less RCA and Component inputs, also S-Video is well gone and buried. I've also noticed people increasingly having issues with newer TV's and classic consoles where the AV input will keep popping up on screen or other bugs/glitches because of the old tech/new TV. Obviously we can always seek out older tube TV's and early era flat screens, but can we expect that in 5-20 years a TV won't be able to play a 2600, NES or Genesis? Will this make classic gaming inaccessible to most who don't have the time/resources/space to seek out and set up in a special area a "retro gaming" TV? What are your thoughts on this issue?

NOTE: THIS GUIDE IS NOT YET COMPLETE IN THIS ONE POST! THERE IS PLENTY MORE TO KNOW AND I'M JUST GETTING STARTED! CHECK BACK IN LATER POSTS FOR MORE INFO! Hello AtariaAge! This is a guide I've wanted to put together for a while about getting the best possible image (and audio!) quality from all of your retro consoles, including Nintendo, Atari, Sega, Sony, Microsoft, and even other consoles like the Colecovision, TG-16/PCE, Neo Geo, and Intellivision! IMHO one of the coolest things about collecting games today is the fact that we can experience them better now than we did years ago with the new technology available to consumers via the magic of the internet. If you've ever wanted to make your games look amazing on real hardware, this is the guide for you! Check out this comparison! It is truly stunning to see. For starters, you need to understand the issue non-HD consoles present: to plug into the largest amount of standard consumer televisions, all consoles from the Atari 2600 all the way until the Wii were packaged with either a Coaxial RF (Radio Frequency) cable or composite RCA cables. These pack all of the audio and video into one and three cables respectively. The video is condensed and is ruined before it even reaches your TV. However, with the power of better cables many systems can output superior quality right out of the box! Take the SNES (non-mini) for example. It can output a superior Video signal! Check out this comparison! It is even more stunning in person! However, the SNES can still do even better! RGB is a video signal that carries the video and audio over even more pins than S Video, separating the red, green, and blue parts of the image. Most RGB signals are carried over SCART cables, which were popular in Europe but never available in the USA: Here it is! The glory of RGB! However, you may have already noticed an issue here: even if your console does output a superior signal like S Video, RGB, Component, or VGA, how do you display it? Like I said no American TVs had SCART inputs ever. Also, what about systems that don't output anything anything above RF, let alone RGB, like the Atari 2600 and ColecoVision? Don't worry, there's much more to come very soon! This is just a teaser post for anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to see the glory of RGB and retro consoles looking their best.

(First post. Long time lurker, couldn't remember my login info) So, after a ton of convincing, I finally got the wife on board with getting a floor model console TV. First, a little background information. Several years ago I picked up a Atari Flashback 2. I loved it to death. So naturally when they released a Sega Genesis, Colecovision and Intellivision Flashback, I had to have them. After all, I'm one of those, "I'd rather emulate than damage my rapidly aging hardware" people. Well, after my trusty CRT died, I decided to just use the big TV in the living room. After all, that was most convenient for those quick late night nostalgia trips. However, it never felt right. Well after about the 50th time hearing, "Wow! Those games look like hot dog poop" I decided it was time to get another CRT; but which one? After searching for a SCART monitor, I finally decided that for optimum nostalgia, a floor TV was required. For a while I was after a early to mid eighties model, until I came across a late 2002 Zenith 27" console. It was perfect! PiP tuner, multiple rca inputs, component inputs. Plus, it was only twenty bucks. Sold! So, a three-and-a-half hour drive later it was sitting in my living room next to the 55" LED. I gotta tell you, it was worth it. These games look amazing. My kids don't even bother the Xbox anymore. It's all, "Can we play Sonic? When can we play Pitfall? I want to play Mario!"... ...and I've never been prouder. tl;dr: Bought a new TV for gaming. Works great!

Already having discussed the problem we have (http://www.atariage....2/#entry2659435) when trying to use the raw video output, straight RGB values coming from a NTSC A7800, in a palette for emulators which lack proper NTSC video emulation (especially YUV/YIQ support), what will be accomplished here is taking YUV/YIQ achieved colors turn them 'vibrant' and make hard RGB values from them. In that same thread here... http://www.atariage....2/#entry2659624... you'll notice that true NTSC/YIQ/YUV simulation created multiple shade for each color value. So we will take some of the greater values and make a VIBRANT palette from it. The palette will be bright and brilliant respecting red against green, and blue will be stronger relative to the RAW palette or even a default derived YUV palette. Again this is to simulate the colors many NTSC users likely saw from their analog CRT TV's favoring more vibrance. This end result being limited with just an RGB palette and no further video controls working off the RAW palette from the previously linked thread. MESS is closer to ideal: http://www.atariage....2/#entry2660238 but I know many like using ProSystem and wanted to provide this for the community. Here is the NTSC_A7800_YUV_VIBRANT palette and color chart: NTSC_A7800_YUV_VIBRANT.zip

I thought I will show “The Lord of the Rings – Warrior of Middle-Earth” Plug & Play TV game on video as it is pretty unique in my opinion. This was made by Tiger in 2004 and I would say that this is one of the better Plug & Play systems in my collection: