2-XL

[keyngs]

Anyone collect for 2-XL?

 

My kids love him.

Both variations.

But we need new tapes! Anyone got any doubles?

 

Thanks for looking.

[sku_u]

What is 2-XL?

[desiv]

What is 2-XL?

 

What???

 

He's a robot that talks to you, and asks you questions and you get to answer them!!! He compliments you if you get it right!!

 

He knows about all sorts of topics!!! He's incredible!!!

 

I had one when I was a youngin....

 

desiv

 

 

(.... well, actually, he's a robot shaped 8-track tape player with tapes with questions, and the correct answer is on one of the 4 tracks. You push the button for the correct track, you get the answer right. At least, that's how the REAL 2XL worked. Not that casette re-release version.)

[sku_u]

Ah, I see, kind of like Teddy Ruxpin but better. This must have come out after my time.

[keyngs]

Yep thats what he is.

He came out originaly in the mid to late 70's

Then got re-released as stated above.

 

He was used,basically as an educational toy for kids.

And he still provides useful information these days.

[Tempest]

I had something similar growing up. I think it was called Alphie or something like that.

 

Tempest

[desiv]

Yeah, I've actually decided that if I get some extra money, the Original 2XL would make the perfect mini-ITX PC. I can see him sitting on top of my TV as my DVD player/computer!!!

 

I've seen them made from NESs and Atari's and C64s.

 

But I can see the DVD player mounted where the 8 track sits. He's got buttons and lights..

 

Now all I need is a mini-ITX motherboard, custom mini power supply, laptop style DVD player, memory, laptop hard drive.

 

And of course, a cosmetically nice but electronically broken 2XL.

 

er.. um... and...

 

money to pay for it all.. :-)

 

well, maybe eventually...

 

desiv

 

To be honest, I remember really wanting one based on the commercials.. And my parents got me one for Christmas!! (Which was impressive because he was spendy as a present for one of us (I'm one of 5) kids..)

 

And then I found out he was just an 8 track tape player. It was actually one of the prouder moments of my life, because I decided (as a kid mind you) to NOT show my disappointment to my parents, because I knew it was a big deal for them to get that for me.. To this day, I haven't told them that I was disappointed. But, I really thought at the time, from the commercials, that he was a real robot..

 

I did have fun with him tho... The tapes were well put together.. And it was a great lesson for me about advertising. :-)

[desiv]

I had something similar growing up.  I think it was called Alphie or something like that.

 

Tempest

 

Talk about coincidences.. I was looking up Alphie to find out about him, and found this about 2XL's creator:

 

He created his first robot named Rudy at the age of 13, and then later created his first teaching robot, Leachim, which lead to the smaller versions we all know and love, 2-XL and now Kasey-the-Kinderbot. Other toys he has made include a robot in the Alphie series called Activity Fun Alphie

 

Small world...

 

desiv

[raindog]

We had a 2XL, and I was actually overjoyed to find out it was an 8-track player because I could play all my REO Speedwagon tapes on it.

 

Dark, dark times....

[Atariman]

I used to have an Alphie if I remember correctly. (and I bet I still have it around somewhere) I used to love that thing. I don't think I've ever heard of a 2X-L until now, though.

[keyngs]

Never heard of alphie!

But thats ok lol

[Tempest]

I remember the newer 2XL commercials (I was WAY too old for it by then though), but not the old one. Although I've seen the older one in a flea market or thrift store before.

 

Tempest

[heavy-sixer]

You gotta love 2-XL!!! Check out 2xlrobot.com!!

[desiv]

Well, saw an auction for 2 semi-working 2XLs and decided to go for it.

 

I won it for $.50. With $12.50 S/H.. :-)

 

But still, $13 isn't bad for 2 (with 2 tapes), especially since what I really want is to make a mini-ITX computer out of one, if I can swing it.. The other is for backup parts, or maybe I'll get him working better with parts from both.

 

Either way, I'm starting..

 

All I need now is a mini power supply, mini-ITX motherboard (with 5.1 sound!!), RAM, HD, and a laptop DVD drive. (Ouch.. )

(I already have an X10 RF receiver and remote I should be able to use..)

 

But the thought of having 2-XL sitting on my TV playing DVDs or video games is just too much not to try!

 

Would be wild to get audio captures of the 2-XL tapes and write a small 2-XL simulator, and run that from my 2-XL-PC. :-)

(Heck, I know I can write HTML that plays an audio file when you click a button, so even I can do that programming.) :-)

 

Of course, a Flash version with an animated 2XL would be more fun, but I don't do Flash..

 

And which OS? I'd go for Linux, but I've had issues in the past with Linux DVD support, and playing DVD's will probably be his main function...

 

desiv

[heavy-sixer]

desiv,

 

Great idea!! I just sent you a PM about your project. Let me know what you think.

[Shannon]

Cool... I remember this thing. A friend of the family had one. I realized too pretty quickly that it was just an 8-track player.

[keyngs]

WOW I cant believe this topic has come to this

 

This is wonderful!

I would love to see any progress you make along the way!

As far as a 2-XL sim, I recently thought of doing one but didnt know anyone interested in doing one.

 

Ive got lots of 2-XL cartridges that I can help you with.

Mp3 help?

 

 

I once tried to reproduce a cassette program once,

It was hard as hell!

But I did it.

 

2-XL will also play all those backwards secret messages for you too

[desiv]

>2-XL will also play all those backwards secret messages for you too.

 

You're talking about the more recent casette based 2-XL tho..

 

I'll be working with the 8-track model. If I can get one of them working well enough, captures shouldn't be a problem. Mono from the speaker wires to the PC. Capture 1 track at a time, then cut it up..

 

But, my initial project will be to get a mini-ITX inside an original 2-XL..

 

desiv

 

Glad 2-XL is still appreciated. Even tho I was disappointed when I found out he wasn't a real robot, but an 8-track tape deck, I still had lots of fun with him.

[keyngs]

yea thats right thats the cassette version,

 

 

Keep me posted on the simulator Id be very interested in it.

 

 

Also good luck with that pc project!!!!!!!!