Keyboard Component

[DanBoris]

I am sure there is an answer to this around somewhere, but I thought I would ask anyway....

 

We are all familiar with the infamous Intellivision keyboard component. Do we know how many of these are still in existence? 

[+intvsteve]

Good question! Hard to pin down a number. My rough guess is at least 15-20. Someday hopefully one will make its way to my grubby paws. Been dreaming of one for nearly 40 years now!

[+cmart604]

I know of the immediate whereabouts of at least two. I think maybe 20-30. 🤔

[+Lathe26]

According to the Keyboard Component serial number database, there are exactly 3.  😅

 

http://intellivisionrevolution.com/serial-number-database-keyboard-component

[+intellivotion]

1 hour ago, Lathe26 said:

According to the Keyboard Component serial number database, there are exactly 3.  😅

 

http://intellivisionrevolution.com/serial-number-database-keyboard-component

according to that database I am not even an Intellivision collector

[+Tommy Tallarico]

10 hours ago, cmart604 said:

I know of the immediate whereabouts of at least two. I think maybe 20-30. 🤔

We have 2 as well... so 4 between the both of us!

 

 

 

[+cmart604]

5 hours ago, intellivotion said:

according to that database I am not even an Intellivision collector

Haha! 

[+Tarzilla]

19 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have 2 as well... so 4 between the both of us!

 

 

 

Are those 2 are the ones @nurmix was looking into repairing?

[+Tarzilla]

11 hours ago, cmart604 said:

I know of the immediate whereabouts of at least two. I think maybe 20-30. 🤔

I'm honored to say that I tested, touched, drooled on and bubble wrapped one of those 2 holy grails. I'll have to see if I can find that picture of the guard dog riding shotgun on it as it made it's way thru the Okanogan.

 

[+Lathe26]

Well, I can add 1 more to the list...

[+nurmix]

2 hours ago, Tarzilla said:

Are those 2 are the ones @nurmix was looking into repairing?

They are indeed.

 

[BBWW]

This is where I whine a little...

[BSRSteve]

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have 2 as well... so 4 between the both of us!

 

 

 

HEY. One of those is MINE

[BSRSteve]

Is someone counting the one in the UK that I believe even has a working tape drive?

[Intymike]

There is at least one in Italy.

[+retrogmr]

(quietly raises hand)...  I've got one.  Tape drive is an on-again, off-again affair.

[+retrogmr]

Now to brag a little; there was a time when I had two of them in my possession (more than 10 years ago and long since sold off the spare).  Pics since it did happen 😁

[krslam]

I've got one too if we're counting.

[JasonlikesINTV]

7 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have 2 as well...

 

 

 

Was one of those featured in Grandma's Boy?

[Sinjinhawke]

I have the super rare A-Team edition keyboard component signed by Mr. T. 
 

If I’m going to dream then that’s my dream.  

[JasonlikesINTV]

[MonsterSky]

I have to add mine, with a working tape drive

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWp-wPnshQE

[Games For Your Intellivision]

Keith Robinson rolled his eyes one time when I suggested that perhaps an add on board that is keyboard component compatible would be something that would be interesting to fans. 

 

Imagine a new replacement circuit board for the ECS case that could take a USB Keyboard, and emulate the tape drive with an SD card. 

 

Right now, the 8 bit guy is doing some C64 like 'advanced' retro computer.

 

It would be a cool project to get something that could run in hardware, all the Keyboard Component software and allow hobbyists to develop for the would be add on. 

[mr_me]

A KC component hardware emulator would be an interesting project.  I could understand Keith's perspective as it wouldn't be something that would make him money.  Homebrew developers wouldn't need emulated cassette storage; modern rom cartridges can store plenty.  Someone was developing hardware that adds a high resolution text overlay to intellivision.  Can't find that atariage topic right now.  [Edit:  found it here.  https://atariage.com/forums/topic/266459-birds-nest/ ]

 

A KC emulator in software would be nice too, Mame is getting closer. 

 

-------------

If someone has a KC with working tape drive they should record video of the conversational french, jack lalanne, or spelling challenge cassettes.  Very little footage exists.

Edited May 9, 2020 by mr_me

[+intellivotion]

12 minutes ago, mr_me said:

(...) Someone was developing hardware that adds a high resolution text overlay to intellivision.  Can't find that atariage topic right now.

(...)

 

did you mean this?

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/251084-opcode-games-announces-intellixpander-castlevania-goonies-reserve-now/#comments