ColecoVision: AY-3-8914 + SN76489?

[ColecoFan1981]

Was there really any proof Coleco initially wanted to use the GI AY-3-8914 PSG for its ColecoVision before switching to the cheaper TI SN76489 instead?

 

However, I wonder if, even if Coleco did go ahead and use the AY-3-8914 PSG as the main sound driver (music), it could still have used the SN76489 alongside it for the sound effects (just as the Sega Genesis did later when it used the Yamaha YM2612 PSG as the main sound driver for the music and the SN76489 for the sound effects) for a richer, more arcade-like sound palette.

 

~Ben

Edited November 9 by ColecoFan1981

[+nanochess]

I think Coleco decisions were price-driven, so it was a no-brainer to use the SN76489 instead of the pretty expensive AY-3-8910. Also, it is very probable that including a second sound chip wasn't never considered.

 

[ColecoFan1981]

On 11/9/2024 at 6:51 AM, nanochess said:

I think Coleco decisions were price-driven, so it was a no-brainer to use the SN76489 instead of the pretty expensive AY-3-8910. Also, it is very probable that including a second sound chip wasn't never considered.

 

I also have this thought: I wonder if, had Coleco chosen to use two sound chips, they could have used two SN76489s (one for music and one for sound effects), or the SN76496 (as used in the TI-99/4A and Tomy Tutor) for music together with the SN76489 for sound effects?

 

~Ben

Edited November 27 by ColecoFan1981

[+nanochess]

37 minutes ago, ColecoFan1981 said:

I also have this thought: I wonder if, had Coleco chosen to use two sound chips, they could have used two SN76489s (one for music and one for sound effects), or the SN76496 (as used in the TI-99/4A and Tomy Tutor) for music together with the SN76489 for sound effects?

 

~Ben

Technically both the SN76489 and SN76496 are identical in function.

 

The only difference is that the SN76496 has an input for mixing so you can chain several chips.

 

Again, I don't think it was ever considered.