A New 2600 System.

[Atari Master]

I was thinking it would be interesting to learn how a 2600 works. I'm trying to find a few websites that will help me learn how it ticks.

 

In the end result, if I can find more modern parts I might try to make a new 2600 system. One better with sharper images and such.

 

More compact.

 

I figured this could be somthing for me to do in some spare time. Like putting togther a model kit.

 

And I wont accept people putting me down on this idea so don't bother.

[church]

All the power to you. It would be neat if you could achieve it and have an end product. I'm sure you could get most of the parts fairly easy but theres probably going to be a few that are going to be really hard to get. Im sure for joe user this would not be cost effective but if you end up with something really unique it would be well worth it.

[Paul Slocum]

The main thing that makes it tick (aside from the processor) is the TIA chip which is not available new, although I've heard you can order them from Best Electronics. 2600 schematics are available here on Atariage, but it might be easier to just start with a 2600 Jr and try to reduce its size and rework the video output circuits.

 

The 2600 On A Chip project is similar to what you're talking about.

 

http://www.mindspring.com/~2600onachip/

 

-Paul

[Atari Master]

I'm going to try and fix the problems old 2600's had. Even the joysticks (they die after a week).

 

It would be cool if I could learn how to make a new joystick that had a reset button on it. That way you wouldn't have to go up the system every time.

 

I just need a website to learn how a 2600 works. I guess I'm gonna have to go next door. The guy there knows alot about how TVs work. Old ones really.

 

I really need to get some information about the systems specs so if anyone knows of some websites that would be cool.

 

I have a feeling I might have to get a early computer that would be used to program assembly. That way I could figure out what type of board I will need.

[Stella'sGhost]

What kind of electronics background do you have?? Your success in this venture will be directly proportional to this, unless you are really, really, really clever.

[Atari Master]

I'm not going to do this right away. I'm going to go outand get some books on electronics and such before I even start this. I suppose computer tech books would be a better start.

[Stella'sGhost]

Hmmm, assuming you are a novice, pretty much as I am, or was, books are good, I have alot of books on electronics, my dads an electronics engineer. I myself have some very good university level electronics books as well as vintage books, and others on IC's and older computers. Yes, books are key.

 

The thing is, I have a small lab where I dabble with this stuff, I've got electronics equipment, and access to anything I want due to my dads electronics connections, but having access to the equipment you will need knowing how to use them to undertake moding a 2600, is only a small part battle, what you really need I think (since I'm selft taught) is to have access to real-time help, like my dad and his friend who happens to be an electronics master. Without their hands on help, I would not be able to figure out what Im doing wrong, regardless of the books I have, though good books are a big help, and I do have some very good university books on electronics and computers.

 

Without their help I just don't see how I could move ahead, you have no idea what it means to have access to a 70 year old electronics wiz, he's seen it all and knows all about 8 bit computers too!

 

The internet has been somewhat usefull, but it falls short of being really practically usefull in this case, unless you get to know some of the homebrewers here who know all about this stuff like the back of their hands.

 

Its taken me years to figure out what I know (which is painfully little) now and I'm trying to build a music synthesizer...not modify an atari, however I want to do this too.

 

At any rate, you may as well start you can't fare anyworse than me.

[Atari Master]

Heh, I'm not trying to learn how newer technology works. I know that newer stuff is only new for like two months before it's outdated. I'm going to try and learn some of the technology of mabe, 1995 and under. I will get my books and some people. Then some equipment.

 

Then mabe in a year or two I'll be able to build this damn thing.

[Treasure-Diver]

Good luck. Personally Id kill for a newly designed compact 2600.

[Stella'sGhost]

Heh, I'm not trying to learn how newer technology works. I know that newer stuff is only new for like two months before it's outdated. I'm going to try and learn some of the technology of mabe, 1995 and under. I will get my books and some people. Then some equipment.

 

Then mabe in a year or two I'll be able to build this damn thing.

 

Sure, I know what you mean, and when I said that Im trying to build a music synthesizer, Im not talking a modern digital synth based on software, I'm talking analog, strictly early 1980's technology, using outdated and older components, very similar to what Roland was doing in 1981-1985.

 

Some synths from the early 80's even used a 6502, which if you didnt know is the same chip in the atari computers and many other computers, so there is a relationship between early video game systems and early synths in that they use the same ICs for the most part....

 

You are literally going back in time when you look inside atari 2600, forget the pre 1995 thing, this stuff is strictly 1970's, even though the 6502 is probably one of the most popular chips ever made, still used today, but not in computers or synthesizers.

 

You should check in the programmers forum here and see if anyone has any advice.....

 

see ya!

[Atari Master]

Guess what I have right infront of me Stella... A book called "Programming the 6520". :wink: I wonder if there's anything in this book to help me out?

 

I think I might go out and get my old broken vader and study it.

[Ze_ro]

I don't want to discourage you, but I should point out that the Atari is actually very complicated. I know that compared to stuff like the Playstation or even a Super Nintendo, the Atari must seem like a joke... but trust me, it's not so simple. The majority of people give up just on trying to program it, let alone trying to "fix it's problems" (At one time, I was working on programming it, but have put my work on hold). In fact, in a number of ways, the Atari is more complicated than some current systems. For example, if you plan on programming it, you should know that you must build the screen picture as it is being displayed on the screen. This requires very precise timing, and intimate knowledge of the processor and it's opcodes. I'm not saying it can't be learned, but it's a lot more difficult than displaying stuff on a C-64 or some other system with a memory-mapped display.

 

That being said, here's what I can contribute:

 

Adding a reset button to a joystick wouldn't be terribly difficult. It would require modifying the console itself, and possibly modifying a joystick. I had an idea a while back to install an extra port on the back of an Atari (in addition to the joystick ports) that would tie into the difficulty switches, reset, select, and so on... I could then make a joystick that had two plugs on it: one that plugged into the normal port, and a second that plugged into the extension port. This way you wouldn't have to sacrifice compatibility with extra controllers (If you sent new signals down the pins, you could lose the ability to use Keypads and Driving controllers and such), but due to lack of spare time, I never got around to doing this.

 

There are also schematics for all the stuff in the Atari here on AtariAge. I wouldn't go trying to alter the TIA chip, as there's a lot of black magic going on in there (as well as equally black magic in some of the programming... any TIA changes would likely break compatibility), but at least it's something. Perhaps you could team up with the Atari-On-A-Chip guys... the idea of an Atari on an FPGA is pretty cool in my opinion.

 

--Zero

[D.Yancey]

Some games like Activision Skiing and Dragster allow you to reset from the joystick. It's programmed into the games. I never liked this feature. There is too much risk of accidently resetting a great score. Just move your console nearer to you. Its wires are long enough to put it just about anywhere in the room while you're playing. Your other ideas are very interesting. Good luck!

[Xot]

Some games like Activision Skiing and Dragster allow you to reset from the joystick.  It's programmed into the games.  I never liked this feature.  There is too much risk of accidently resetting a great score.  Just move your console nearer to you.  Its wires are long enough to put it just about anywhere in the room while you're playing.  Your other ideas are very interesting.  Good  luck!

 

I forgot who or where, but hasn't someone already done this? IIRC, they were modding NES controllers and mapping Select and Start to Game Select and Reset.

[Atari Master]

Mabe I should just mess with a 2600 and fix it, make it better, stronger!!!

 

MWA HA HA HA HA HA! MWAAA HA HA HA! AHHH HA HA HA!

[AtariKari]

I forgot who or where, but hasn't someone already done this? IIRC, they were modding NES controllers and mapping Select and Start to Game Select and Reset.  

 

This was Tom at Junie's Creations. I still think it was a great idea.

[Happy_Dude]

Atari Master If your serious print off some of these

http://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/sche...tics/index.html

Then go buy some basic electronics books and one (or 2) on programming

the 6502.

Study all this every night for a year and Maby you will understand how

an atari works.

 

Then there is the Happy Dude 101

 

1 Plug in power pak

2 plug in rf cable

3 plug in controller

4 Plug in game cart

5 flip power switch on

6 play game

 

And that is how an Atari works.

[LinkoVitch]

One thing I think would be pretty cool, would be a 2600 the size of a 2600 cart . Make it look exactly like the cart but obvioulsy with a cart hole where the edge of the PCB normally sticks out, and with ports. So you basically end up plugging what looks like 2 carts together and hook it up to TV and sticks and play games

 

It maybe worth getting hold of a TV Boy for some guts. They are essentially a 2600 without a cart port, and I think not too big, so may already be a step closer to your goal and give you more ideas.

 

I am an amature to electronics myself, I have had a dabble at college and have decided to take it up as a hobby at home (starting to find computers that little bit tedious and too easy now ), there are loads of sites on the net with handy little circuits that help explain stuff. I am working o building my own EPROM programmer and flash cart for the Jaguar, I think I have made pretty good progress so far, especially for a beginner

 

So good luck, and stick at it, if it gets hard, don't forget.. thats the fun of it

[The Devil]

Personally Id kill for a newly designed compact 2600.

 

PM Sent. Check your mail!

[Happy_Dude]

A joystick as a console

You wouldn't need to hook it up. Have RCA cables instead of

the normal cable. And the carts plug into the sides or back of it.

 

That would be impressive