extension cable

[Charlie_]

I want to get a controller extension cable for my CV. Will atari extension cables work or is there a specific cable for the CV?

Thanks!

[Yurkie]

I want to get a controller extension cable for my CV. Will atari extension cables work or is there a specific cable for the CV?

Thanks!

 

Most any DB9 controller extension should work. I recommend searching "genesis extension" on Ebay.

 

I offer cord straightening if you want to go that route.

[SlowCoder]

I want to get a controller extension cable for my CV. Will atari extension cables work or is there a specific cable for the CV?

Thanks!

 

Most any DB9 controller extension should work.

I got a couple 6ft DB9 extensions for $5 each from a local computer shop. They're just generic 9 pin serial extension cables. The stiff of it is that many shops don't stock them any more because they're old-school, but they might special order for you.

 

They will work for your CV, Atari and Genesis.

 

Otherwise, as Yurkie says, he can straighten them for you. I think I've read it makes them about 6 feet.

[Mr.Smiley]

I got a pair of Mega Drive extension cables which work fine on my MD but as soon as I plug them on the Colecovision the 2nd Button goes to autofire. Any ideas what might be the problem?

[VectorGamer]

I got a pair of Mega Drive extension cables which work fine on my MD but as soon as I plug them on the Colecovision the 2nd Button goes to autofire. Any ideas what might be the problem?

 

Here's the problem I have:

 

If I use the extension cable on Defender, whenever I press the left fire button it "activates" the right fire button and fires off all three of my smartbombs before allowing me to "fire" as it was intended. I believe this is the only game I have problems with. If I remove the extension cable it works normally. I don't know if there is a issue with a pinout being incorrect or what.

[BigO]

I got a pair of Mega Drive extension cables which work fine on my MD but as soon as I plug them on the Colecovision the 2nd Button goes to autofire. Any ideas what might be the problem?

 

Here's the problem I have:

 

If I use the extension cable on Defender, whenever I press the left fire button it "activates" the right fire button and fires off all three of my smartbombs before allowing me to "fire" as it was intended. I believe this is the only game I have problems with. If I remove the extension cable it works normally. I don't know if there is a issue with a pinout being incorrect or what.

I'd suspect some sort of non-straight-through wiring of the extension cable, but I'm not sure why they would do that. Beyond that, I'd suspect electrical noise/interference. That seems a little far-fetched.

 

There might be some sort of pull-up or pull-down resistor (or filter capacitor) in the cable to aid in the "bank select" logic that is used in the Genesis controller. It might otherwise be plagued by electrical noise with an extension cable in use.

 

 

But, that's all pure speculation. Probing the cable with an ohmmeter would likely tell the tale.

Edited December 7, 2010 by BigO

[Mr.Smiley]

I got a pair of Mega Drive extension cables which work fine on my MD but as soon as I plug them on the Colecovision the 2nd Button goes to autofire. Any ideas what might be the problem?

 

Here's the problem I have:

 

If I use the extension cable on Defender, whenever I press the left fire button it "activates" the right fire button and fires off all three of my smartbombs before allowing me to "fire" as it was intended. I believe this is the only game I have problems with. If I remove the extension cable it works normally. I don't know if there is a issue with a pinout being incorrect or what.

 

Thats exactly the same problem I have with Defender and its kind of uncomfortable sitting on my couch with the wire stretched to the maximum and still it is too short. Is there any way to "mod" a Sega MD arcade stick that it works with the difficulty selection on the Colecovision? The only way at the moment is to select the difficulty with the Colecovision controller and then swap to the MD Arcade stick as fast as possible before losing a life :/

Edited December 7, 2010 by Mr.Smiley

[Yurkie]

I have heard people mention that they have had problems using extensions on the ColecoVision. I have never had this happen. Back when I did my Mario Controller set, I used Extension cables to replace the coily cords on the controllers (had not figured out how to straighten the cords yet.) The cables I used where DB9s that had all 9 wires that ran the length of the cable. Since the ColecoVision controller only uses 7, I simply cut off the 2 that weren't used. The only difference with the color coding was the white wire was connected to the CV controller instead of the grey. These where new extension cables and had "Super Cable" or something like that molded into the plug. Perhaps someone with a set of the Mario Controllers can check. I never made myself a set and don't have any of these cables anymore. With all 9 wires running the length of the cable and connected to the same pins on both ends these where really nice.

 

I currently have 3 old extension cables that I have gotten buying stuff on Ebay and Craigslist. I have never checked them with a meter but all 3 work fine, I even played defender with them and had no issues.

 

I had a tough time finding enough cables to complete the Mario Bros. controllers and with a quick check on Ebay right now, I didn't see any that looked like the ones I used.

 

I recommend atari2600.com, the site shows 6 foot for $4.95 and 10 foot for $8.95. I have done business with the owner of this site, and he is a good guy. If you would like the originals straightened shoot me an IM.