Coleco ADAM external HDMI video card that plugs into the side expansion

[HDTV1080P]

A native F18a with VGA and HDMI output will look much better then composite video. Even when composite video is upscaled to 1080i, 1080P, or 4K, the picture really is not going to look any better. Upscaling adds artifacts to the picture sometimes. The software on the ColecoVision/ADAM is native 256 x 192. However when a F18a is installed in a ADAM computer, with specially designed software the ADAM computer could operate in 80 column mode and have much better graphics quality with the F18a's HDMI output.

 

The Texas Instruments computer appears to be more popular for program developers. The F18a has better resolution, graphics, and can operate in 80 column mode on that computer. As far as I am aware no ADAM user so far has made a special program to access the advanced capabilities of the F18a. Very few ADAM and ColecoVision owners own a F18a. Now if there was a external plug in card of the F18a for the ColecoVision/ADAM, then making a special ADAM or ColecoVision game for the F18a would be more popular. There are companies working on a ColecoVision II or ColecoVision clone with a advanced video chip with HDMI output. If those products become a reality, maybe game developers might make special ColecoVision games with more resoultion and improved graphics, but with the negative being one is not able to run those new advanved games on the original 1982 ColecoVision's.

Edited December 17, 2017 by HDTV1080P

[Osgeld]

Have at it can't wait to see your work

[NIAD]

At this point in the ADAM's existence, there is no one developing software (for hobby or commercial reasons) specifically for use on it and unfortunately I do not see this changing. What the ADAM does offer in the way of new 'warez to enjoy specifically for use on it are a number of products that make modern storage options (IDE CF Package and the SD Virtual Disk Drive) available.

 

Where we ADAM owners are fortunate is the compatibility with all the Homebrew releases (cartridges, SGM, etc,) for the ColecoVision that are compatible with the ADAM. That's what we got to hang our hats on!

 

That's not to say that people haven't been interested in developing software for the ADAM in the recent past, but most of those that I have talked to have ended up moving on with the lone exception being Milli, who is in the process of learning the ins and outs of the system and programming on it.

[HDTV1080P]

Personally 90% of the time I prefer to use my ADAM for classic videogames like Family Feud, Jeopardy, and other Supergames that have not been ported over to the ColecoVision yet.

 

I use to use my ADAM for word processing with Smartwriter, but in the early 90’s (93-94 time frame), switched to Windows 3.1 with Microsoft Word which underlined misspelled words in red.

 

It would have been nice if a 1Gbps Ethernet networking card would have been developed for the ADAM. However a web browser for the ADAM would not be possible because of the CPU processing power needed and the existing low power graphics card in the ADAM. Sometimes I forget that ones Smartphone is more powerful when compared to the ColecoVision/ADAM. So yes videogames are 99% of the reasons why people still use the ADAM computer (until recent years the ADAM had exclusive Suppergames not found on the ColecoVision).

 

The Commodore, ATARI, and Texas Instruments computers are much more popular and still have computer software being developed for those systems.

 

In general its easier to develop new software for the ADAM instead of the task of designing new hardware. However I am glad to see companies still making new hardware devices for the ADAM computer like the ADAMNet SD Virtual Disk Drive.

 

Also I am glad that companies like ADAM House/EColeco are still around and still offering hardware and software for re-sale for the Coleco ADAM. They have been around since the 80’s.

Edited December 18, 2017 by HDTV1080P

[LoTonah]

At this point in the ADAM's existence, there is no one developing software (for hobby or commercial reasons) specifically for use on it and unfortunately I do not see this changing. What the ADAM does offer in the way of new 'warez to enjoy specifically for use on it are a number of products that make modern storage options (IDE CF Package and the SD Virtual Disk Drive) available.

 

Where we ADAM owners are fortunate is the compatibility with all the Homebrew releases (cartridges, SGM, etc,) for the ColecoVision that are compatible with the ADAM. That's what we got to hang our hats on!

 

That's not to say that people haven't been interested in developing software for the ADAM in the recent past, but most of those that I have talked to have ended up moving on with the lone exception being Milli, who is in the process of learning the ins and outs of the system and programming on it.

 

I'm learning the ins-and-outs of EOS and CP/M as well, I just don't have massive amounts of time to devote to it yet (kids are still too small--I got a pretty late start at parenthood) so for the next bit I'm just dabbling. And following in Milli's shadow.