Intellivision Board details

[raspberrypioneer]

My TV is just a cheap Techniica LCD I've had for years, but it's handy as my 'everything TV. I feed it SCART, Composite, HDMI, component, VGA and UHF, it handles them all just fine. I do have another one that is a bit older and not so well connected. I do also have a real CRT, a 14" colour TV, it's not ideal but it does the trick when I need it to. I think my TV is mid-2000's TBH.

We need an almost-retro (but LCD) TV to do the job! :lol:

Most of my retro gear feeds composite into my Retrotink 2x and then on to the TV using HDMI and in almost all cases it's just fine. I do use some via my OSSC but that tends to mostly be where my cables are SCART, and the Retrotink doesn't handle that.

I don't think I'll get round to the TBA520 this weekend as I have my light sixer on the bench in bits waiting for a CleanComp mod to arrive.

I hadn't heard of Retrotink until yesterday, when googling for answers about the poor composite output I was getting. They look £££ so glad I found the old TV works so well. I wasn't expecting it to!

Had to google light sixer :lol: - maybe the 2600 should be the next one for my mini collection!

My little display does have PAL-60 available, but I normally leave it in auto. I guess the tearing at 60 FPS could be a thing, but I'm not sure that is what the Pirto II runs at and I get tearing on the menu, unless I use my TV.

Yes tearing was particularly noticeable on the Pirto II menu! It looks like the menu system is written in Intybasic which uses the EXEC framework, so potentially is also outputting at 20fps. I'll try the non-Mattel games at some point tomorrow - developers of those games didn't have rights to the framework and weren't limited to 20fps. Maybe that will provide some clues. All this from googling ofc - I think I learn more when things don't go as planned! :lol:

[rubber_jonnie]

We need an almost-retro (but LCD) TV to do the job! :lol:

There is a retro LCD display with all sorts of inputs and designed specifically for retro use. Not sure where it's at though: Checkmate display

I hadn't heard of Retrotink until yesterday, when googling for answers about the poor composite output I was getting. They look £££ so glad I found the old TV works so well. I wasn't expecting it to!

It's always good when you find a TV that does the trick :) Mine is getting on and wouldn't power on the other day, turned out to be bad caps and I was able to revive it :)

The Retrotink 2x is reasonably priced (IMHO), but you can get a cheaper, if not so good, alternatives on Amazon: Composite to HDMI

I have a lot of cables for a lot of machines, this is my stacked AV switch layout:

IMG20250707092743.jpg

Each switch feeds another and each one has various cables connected to it and with the Retrotink taking the final output I can have any input I need and one HDMI out to the TV.

I also have a bunch of machines that have SCART out, and have a multi block SCART feeding an OSSC. I'd like to use the OSSC for composite, but it doesn't do it.

IMG20250707101006.jpg

I also have an HDMI switch so I can switch between OSSC, Retrotink and some other direct HDMI inputs.

Had to google light sixer :lol: - maybe the 2600 should be the next one for my mini collection!

Then you may have also encountered Heavy Sixer, Woody and Darth Vader too, they are all 2600 variations. Mine is a Light Sixer as it was a cost reduced and weight reduced version of the original six switch 2600.

2600's are relatively cheap, especially the 2600 Jr and carts are easily available and cheap too.

However you could get a 7800 instead, since it also runs 2600 carts, so 2 consoles in one and I do like the 7800, despite its flaws :) Very easy to mod for composite too :)

The 2600+ and 7800+ are also great modern reproductions, both will run 2600 & 7800 carts with a nice HDMI out, though they won't run multicarts like Concerto, for which an original system is still required.

Yes tearing was particularly noticeable on the Pirto II menu! It looks like the menu system is written in Intybasic which uses the EXEC framework, so potentially is also outputting at 20fps. I'll try the non-Mattel games at some point tomorrow - developers of those games didn't have rights to the framework and weren't limited to 20fps. Maybe that will provide some clues. All this from googling ofc - I think I learn more when things don't go as planned! :lol:

Yes, it's quite bad in the menu. I suspect you are more into the inner workings than I am, so it would be interesting to find out what you see with regards to 20/60 FPS.

It's very easy to drop down a rabbit hole when you're Googling :)

[raspberrypioneer]

There is a retro LCD display with all sorts of inputs and designed specifically for retro use. Not sure where it's at though: Checkmate display

Quite a bit of info there, looks very interesting. I've pinned it for a more detailed read.

It's always good when you find a TV that does the trick :) Mine is getting on and wouldn't power on the other day, turned out to be bad caps and I was able to revive it :)

The Retrotink 2x is reasonably priced (IMHO), but you can get a cheaper, if not so good, alternatives on Amazon: Composite to HDMI

Yes I thought the Samsung was that go-to TV. Maybe this Goodmans one is now (until the next retro shows up and does an Intellivision)! I've never opened up a modern TV. I've got to be careful in case the other half gets me all sort of things to fix! :roll: Maybe I'll suggest a Retrotink for a birthday present instead! :lol:

I have a lot of cables for a lot of machines, this is my stacked AV switch layout:

Each switch feeds another and each one has various cables connected to it and with the Retrotink taking the final output I can have any input I need and one HDMI out to the TV.

I also have a bunch of machines that have SCART out, and have a multi block SCART feeding an OSSC. I'd like to use the OSSC for composite, but it doesn't do it.

I also have an HDMI switch so I can switch between OSSC, Retrotink and some other direct HDMI inputs.

Wow that's some array of video connections, very tidy too! I think I'd need a new man-cave to accommodate a fraction of your collection! It's handy to have it like that, I pretty much plug/unplug each time I switch over to a different machine which is a bit of a nuisance.

Then you may have also encountered Heavy Sixer, Woody and Darth Vader too, they are all 2600 variations. Mine is a Light Sixer as it was a cost reduced and weight reduced version of the original six switch 2600.

2600's are relatively cheap, especially the 2600 Jr and carts are easily available and cheap too.

However you could get a 7800 instead, since it also runs 2600 carts, so 2 consoles in one and I do like the 7800, despite its flaws :) Very easy to mod for composite too :)

The 2600+ and 7800+ are also great modern reproductions, both will run 2600 & 7800 carts with a nice HDMI out, though they won't run multicarts like Concerto, for which an original system is still required.

Yes I remember the Woody - friends had one many moons ago. Some good games on that platform but some really clunky ones too, Space Invaders was brilliant, Pacman was a let down. Don't know much about the 7800 - I'll check that out. We always thought how much better the Intelly was, though now I look at it, some pretty basic stuff in the collection too!

Yes, it's quite bad in the menu. I suspect you are more into the inner workings than I am, so it would be interesting to find out what you see with regards to 20/60 FPS.

It's very easy to drop down a rabbit hole when you're Googling :)

Certainly intruded on a few rabbits! I've received the 5 pin DIN female socket now. It'll be easier to test a selection of titles to find out more using both TVs with this in place. And pics too ofc! There's a fair bit of information about creating your own programs for the Intellivision which is something I'll probably look at. For me it's another a good way of enjoying these old things! :D

[rubber_jonnie]

Quite a bit of info there, looks very interesting. I've pinned it for a more detailed read.

Yeah, looks good, but a tad on the expensive side IMHO

Yes I thought the Samsung was that go-to TV. Maybe this Goodmans one is now (until the next retro shows up and does an Intellivision)! I've never opened up a modern TV. I've got to be careful in case the other half gets me all sort of things to fix! :roll: Maybe I'll suggest a Retrotink for a birthday present instead! :lol:

I think that's how I pitched my RetroTink to my wife :) It's been a brilliant bit of kit TBH.

Wow that's some array of video connections, very tidy too! I think I'd need a new man-cave to accommodate a fraction of your collection! It's handy to have it like that, I pretty much plug/unplug each time I switch over to a different machine which is a bit of a nuisance.

Yeah, before we moved to our current house it was like that, I've been collecting for probably 30 years now off and on, so actually getting everything connected was a real bind, hence why I resolved to sort it out when we came here and I could have more of my stuff out full time. The video switches were honestly pretty cheap, about £8-£10 a pop including some standard RCA cables. It's saved a lot of time and messing around.

Yes I remember the Woody - friends had one many moons ago. Some good games on that platform but some really clunky ones too, Space Invaders was brilliant, Pacman was a let down. Don't know much about the 7800 - I'll check that out. We always thought how much better the Intelly was, though now I look at it, some pretty basic stuff in the collection too!

The only problem with the 7800 is sound, because it uses the same sound chip as the 2600 for backwards compatibility, however there are a couple of carts that used a POKEY from an Atari 8 bit machine, and TBH decent programmers could get a lot more out of 7800 audio than every came out of the 2600. It's part of the reason why it failed, but it is graphically very capable and I like mine a lot. Graphically I'd say its better than the Intellivision.

Certainly intruded on a few rabbits! I've received the 5 pin DIN female socket now. It'll be easier to test a selection of titles to find out more using both TVs with this in place. And pics too ofc! There's a fair bit of information about creating your own programs for the Intellivision which is something I'll probably look at. For me it's another a good way of enjoying these old things! :D

I enjoy repairing stuff and modding, plus building replicas, never was much good at programming, but I'd be interested to see how you get on.

[mrbombermillzy]

Graphically I'd say its better than the Intellivision.

Until recently, I was unaware, but the 7800 has a fairly significant step up on the graphics front from the 2600/5200 - mores the pity. :(

[rubber_jonnie]

Graphically I'd say its better than the Intellivision.

Until recently, I was unaware, but the 7800 has a fairly significant step up on the graphics front from the 2600/5200 - mores the pity. :(

It's a great console with some great games. Graphically, it is a huge leap over the 2600, but i'd have to do a comparison of specs before I'd say it was better than the 5200 as it was basically a consolised 800 IIRC.

[mrbombermillzy]

The 7800 had the custom Maria, which (although I havent done any sort of deep dive) appears to be a step up from the 5200/A8 GTIA/ANTIC graphics chips.

I guess not enough games were made to really make it shine. :(

[rubber_jonnie]

The 7800 had the custom Maria, which (although I havent done any sort of deep dive) appears to be a step up from the 5200/A8 GTIA/ANTIC graphics chips.

I guess not enough games were made to really make it shine. :(

I haven't looked either, I may do so tomorrow.It does have some great games for sure, and there are new games coming out since the 2600+ and 7800+ release that will work with original consoles, it's definitely having a bit of a resurgence.

[mrbombermillzy]

Well thats good.

Im glad that its (finally) getting a bit more exposure.

You'll have to try out some of these new games and let us know. :D

[raspberrypioneer]

Yeah, before we moved to our current house it was like that, I've been collecting for probably 30 years now off and on, so actually getting everything connected was a real bind, hence why I resolved to sort it out when we came here and I could have more of my stuff out full time. The video switches were honestly pretty cheap, about £8-£10 a pop including some standard RCA cables. It's saved a lot of time and messing around.

Gosh I'm curious about all the retros / games consoles you have now! Do you have a list of them - ignore if I'm being too nosey! :lol:

The only problem with the 7800 is sound, because it uses the same sound chip as the 2600 for backwards compatibility, however there are a couple of carts that used a POKEY from an Atari 8 bit machine, and TBH decent programmers could get a lot more out of 7800 audio than every came out of the 2600. It's part of the reason why it failed, but it is graphically very capable and I like mine a lot. Graphically I'd say its better than the Intellivision.

The skill of the programmer/s really makes a difference. I've trawled through many average games on an unfamiliar machine, thinking they're pretty much what it was capable of, then bingo - a gem!

I enjoy repairing stuff and modding, plus building replicas, never was much good at programming, but I'd be interested to see how you get on.

I probably wouldn't go there without the large amount of online information available, modern tools and emulators. I'm more programming than electronics! :lol: I'll likely start with something hello world-ish, pop it onto the Pirto 2 and see what happens!

Anyway, time for those pics! I've completed the work on the Intelly. Caps and ribbon cable replaced as previously mentioned, but the main event is the composite video mod!

I removed the RF modulator to easily re-use the input connections and make space (although there are other options of course). Removal of the RF modulator is a bit more work.

Having both 5v and GND right there on our Radofin boards makes that bit quite tidy. The mod circuit sits where the modulator used to be, lying on some flat heat-shrink to insulate it from the GND rails beneath. A cable tie holds it firmly in place. I could have used hot glue or perhaps tape instead.

composite-mod-1.jpg

The gap where the RF port was has a female 5-pin DIN socket fitted. The socket choice meant I could reuse the composite video lead from the C64 / Vic /Atari. The coloured leads connect to the audio, GND and video pins on the mod board, so easy to detach if needed.

The socket needed trimming on the sides to fit without modifying the case in any way (it wasn't going to be the snap-in connector as imagined). A cable tie loops through the socket at the sides (not easy to see) making it secure so there's no chance of it coming out when disconnecting the video lead.

composite-mod-2.jpg

From the outside, it looks like this! The case curves at the top of the gap so the socket needed a bit of trimming there to fit snuggly.

composite-mod-3.jpg