Texas Instruments Home Computer questions

[elviticus]

Well, I just had a windfall! An old friend I haven't seen for YEARS calls out of the blue and says "hey, so and so said you were into old videogames..." then stops by and gives me an Intellivision, about 15 games, a voice unit, AND a Texas Instruments computer in the box..

 

Nice, huh? Now, the questions.. The computer comes with a power supply, but there is no cable to hook it up to a TV... What kind of hookups does it use? Also, it looks like there are a couple 9 pin joystick ports.. Does it use Atari type sticks (like the C-64)?

 

Any info is appreiciated!

[TuzenTCA]

Oh I am gald to be able to help you!

 

The home computer came with a series of controllers or what not, but I have not been able to use Atari controllers with the model I own. The only controls I have ever used have been the ones that are on the keyboard.

 

The Video Modulator looks like this:

[TuzenTCA]

Sorry I forgot to finish my post.

 

That is a picture I got of a similar compontent off of ebay. It is on sale right now for 1.99. My Video Modulator (R/F switch) is about like that, but it does not have a red light present and acouple subtle differences. It has a five prong adapter and should plug int the back or the side of the console. I would almost guarntee that the modulator for sale on ebay would work with your system, but I am not certain on the behalf of Texas Instruments compatibility.

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sincerely,

 

James H. McAninch

 

Ps. I have a Model TI-99/4A

[ApolloBoy]

The home computer came with a series of controllers or what not, but I have not been able to use Atari controllers with the model I own. The only controls I have ever used have been the ones that are on the keyboard.

865775[/snapback]

 

The TI-99 uses a pair of joysticks sharing a single plug like Atari paddles.

Edited June 1, 2005 by ApolloBoy

[Cobra Commander]

Or you could make your own composite cable. here

I've made one and it works.

[JB]

TI joysticks are similar in principle to Atari/Commodore sticks. 5 switches, each with a dedicated line one one side and a common line on the other.

 

The actual pinout is diffrent, however, and they use two seperate "common" lines to enable dual sticks on one DB9 port(the console activates one common at a time, and both sticks share to the same 5 pins for control input).

 

 

It IS possible to create a 2600 stick adapter. 2 DB-9s and some wiring is all you need(aside from pinouts).

 

 

 

Oh yes.... you said "a couple" of joystick ports.

Only the one on the LEFT is for joysticks.

 

The one on the back of the computer is actually for the tape deck interface cable.

Edited June 2, 2005 by JB

[doubledown]

I've got a set of TI-99 joysticks that I got somehow in a lot somewhere. I can't test them, no TI-99, but you can have them if you pay for shipping.

[SteveW]

There were a few joystick adapters out there, to use Atari controllers on the TI. I own a WICO one, which works really well.

 

I used to use a universal composite cable for my TI, back in the day. It had a 5-pin DIN plug on the end, and it had three RCA cables coming off of it, one for audio, one for video, and one unused. It could also be used with an Atari computer, or a Commodore 64. If you plugged in the unused cable, the TI would freak out and lock up.

[JB]

There were a few joystick adapters out there, to use Atari controllers on the TI. I own a WICO one, which works really well.

Had a buddy with a home-made one.

Pair of DB-9s with itty bitty wires between them. Was about a half-inch deep.

 

Worked as well as any other cross-wired adapter.

 

I used to use a universal composite cable for my TI, back in the day. It had a 5-pin DIN plug on the end, and it had three RCA cables coming off of it, one for audio, one for video, and one unused. It could also be used with an Atari computer, or a Commodore 64. If you plugged in the unused cable, the TI would freak out and lock up.

866071[/snapback]

Odd.

Wonder what the unused tail was hooked to.

[elviticus]

Thanks everyone! That helps. Doubledown- PM sent!