Pam Finally Gets Some Clothes

[Trebor]

Since her sister Maria received new clothes and Stella received new clothes, it was only a matter of time.

Download the Atari 5200 palette files here: Pam2XX_Palettes_20131108.zip

The 'Pam' palette files are presented with the same options as the 'Maria' palette files.
There is a "base" palette plus the following options:

x0 = Saturation Increase
x1
x2 = Gamma Increase and Saturation Deltas
x3
x4
x5 = Gamma and Saturation Increase with Contrast Deltas
x6
x7
x8 = Saturation Increase with Contrast Deltas
x9

Also like the Maria and Stella palettes, we have Phase Shifts 24.7 through 27.7 degrees in 0.5 degree increments.

In addition to palette files with the '*.pal' file extension, the complete set above is also presented with the '*.act' file extension (Used with Atari 5200 emulators such as Atari800Win Plus, Jum52, & kat5200).

Phase Shifting examples follow utilizing the x0 [saturation increase only] NTSC palette in the following order...
Pam247NTSCx0 --> Pam252NTSCx0 --> Pam257NTSCx0 --> Pam262NTSCx0 --> Pam267NTSCx0 --> Pam272NTSCx0 --> Pam277NTSCx0.

Pole Position:


Joust:


The next few are highlighting the two ends of the phase shift spectrum and a logical 'middle' ground (See explanation below):
Pam247NTSCx0 --> Pam262NTSCx0 --> Pam277NTSCx0

Astro Chase:


Moon Patrol:


Mr. Do's Castle:


Ms. Pac-Man:


Pitfall II:


Here are examples showcasing the different options within each phase shift. Phase Shift 26.2 degrees is selected in this order:
PAM262NTSC --> PAM262NTSCx0 --> PAM262NTSCx1 --> PAM262NTSCx2 --> PAM262NTSCx3 --> PAM262NTSCx4 --> PAM262NTSCx5 --> PAM262NTSCx6 --> PAM262NTSCx7 --> PAM262NTSCx8 --> PAM262NTSCx9

Frogger:


Pitfall:


Color Bars with Reference from PAM Diagnostic [sALT] Cart v1.1:
Pam247NTSC --> Pam252NTSC --> Pam257NTSC --> Pam262NTSC --> Pam267NTSC --> Pam272NTSC --> Pam277NTSC.


GTIA CHIP - NTSC C014805 Official Document Color Order:


Atari 5200 Field Service Manual:



Per the technical documents referenced above the following can be deduced:

Directions were given for the color just below and above the (grey) reference bar to be within one shade of each other. Under the same reference document, directions are given for it to be the same color. Phase Shift 25.7 degrees - matching Hue 1x, 15x and the color below the reference grey bar fits making it the same color.

Accounting for system 'warm-up'/phase shifting as well as the instructions for it to be within one shade of each other would make Phase Shift 26.2 a realistic logical choice.

It also collaborates with the official document color order: Hue 1x = Gold, Hue 2x = Orange, Hue 15x/F$ = Light-Orange; Phase Shift 26.2 places Hue 15x/F$ between Hue 1x, gold and Hue 2x, orange; a light orange in color.

Here is an alternative capture of the color bars from the PAM Diagnostic [sALT] Cart v1.1 with Phase Shift 26.2 degrees in place by utilizing the 'Pam262NTSC' palette within kat5200's NTSC video simulation mode along with a few game captures:


(Click on the capture to remove some of the distortion)

Hue 1x for NTSC is intended to be gold, not green-yellow/yellow-green. Gold is how Hue 1x appears under a CRT - the original and intended display device for the system.

A green-yellow/yellow-green Hue 1x is how the NTSC 5200 palette is manipulated and modified (in part) under a modern flat panel (I.E. LCD/LED/Plasma) display.

The above harmonizes with what has been documented for the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 systems as well, regarding their NTSC color palette.

Although there is no Atari 5200 PAL system the palettes offered in the download for the PAL region are theoretical ones based upon how the colors align under the Atari 7800 PAL system (Since Atari 5200 NTSC and Atari 7800 NTSC share essentially the same palette when viewed on a CRT). However, it should be noted that PAL 8-bit (400/800) Atari computer systems appear to provide the same - or an *extremely* similar - palette of NTSC Atari 5200 consoles displayed on a CRT.

Additionally, that would also mean that Atari 8-bit NTSC and PAL palettes are the same (Or extremely similar) from at least the 'base' level. Once actually processed through display circuitry from their respective region as well as slight hardware system differences (There is an additional oscillator for 8-bit PAL systems driving color frequencies), other items such as NTSC color 'artifacting' would not be present under PAL.

 

A thorough summary of Atari 2600/5200/7800 console system palettes is here.

[+Defender_2600]

Highly accurate and very helpful, as always.

Thank you again, Robert!