Mariobros300 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I just desinged my own version of a portable atari 2600 VCS. Once I am done with the prototype, I plan on selling units to the general public apon request. I found out that it would cost $100 and at least a week to build. So I figured that the price should be $150. Note, it has an optinal feature. AV audio and video out put, so you can play on a regular TV. I just wanna know. I'm planning on eventualy posting an ad in the forum for the portable. But since they take a week to build, and there are thousands of Atari fans out there, how could I possible keep up with the demand. And based on the features, would you buy one or not? Specs: 3 inch LCD screen, player 2 jack. Oak casing AV output (optinal) Price w/out AV: $140. Price w/ AV: $150. KJ (Mariobros300) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Dogs Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Sounds great. Post some pictures. One hundred fifty dollars is a lot cheaper than Ben Heckendorn sells his, isn't it? At that price maybe there will be a lot more portables out there. I am still disappointed Ben could not make my 5200 portable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoid Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 I think at $150, you're going to have too much demand and not enough return on your time. If the thing is costing you $100 to make and it is basically hand-crafted, I don't think you can afford to price it so inexpensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoid Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Sounds great. Post some pictures. One hundred fifty dollars is a lot cheaper than Ben Heckendorn sells his, isn't it? At that price maybe there will be a lot more portables out there. I am still disappointed Ben could not make my 5200 portable. 1030946[/snapback] I'm sure you could make an Atari 5200 portable... you would just need to put the logicboard in a backpack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Maybe a 5200 portable can be made. Try finding some pirated version of it inside one of them multi game in one controllers. If Atari makes a Flashback 3, maybe it would have a 5200 emulater inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Here's the differnce between Ben's VCSp, and mine. Ben: Uses a hacked up Atari board. Requiers video and audio output modification . can only use the 3 inch screen. Me: Use a multi game in one console with a added cartridge connecter. Has modern video/audio output. No modding required. With AV option, you can play on a normal TV. However, Ben's tech did give me some help. My portable uses the same style screen. His book helped me to come up with my idea, and will soon help make it a reality. Thx Ben! PS: The reason why I did not reveal what multi game in 1 console I'm using is because I don't want anyone stealing my desing. Just a precaution. Sorry. KJ (Mariobros300) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 Oh... Just one more thing. I can't think of a name for my protable. I can't use Vagabond or VCSp for obvious reasons. Can you guys help me out? KJ(Mariobros300) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Me:Use a multi game in one console with a added cartridge connecter. 1031009[/snapback] Obviously you are using a FB2. I like the idea BTW - at $150 I might buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercat Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Obviously you are using a FB2. I like the idea BTW - at $150 I might buy one.1031023[/snapback] Has anyone looked at the FB2 memory timings with a 'scope? I'm curious whether the 4A50 cart is, or could be made to be, compatible. On a related note, what opcodes does the FB2 support or not support? Some of the ones I use a lot are: NOP abs NOP zp NOP abs,X LAX all modes including (ZP),Y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Obviously you are using a FB2. I like the idea BTW - at $150 I might buy one.1031023[/snapback] Has anyone looked at the FB2 memory timings with a 'scope? I'm curious whether the 4A50 cart is, or could be made to be, compatible. I've never scoped it, but I've heard that it doesn't like the Supercharger or Activision FE carts, so if the 4A50 relies on the same things, it might not work. On a related note, what opcodes does the FB2 support or not support? Some of the ones I use a lot are: NOP abs NOP zp NOP abs,X LAX all modes including (ZP),Y 1031134[/snapback] In my testing, I found it handles LAX, SAX, ISB, DCP of various addressing modes, so it seems likely that it does all addressing modes. I only tried NOP zp and it didn't seem to choke on this. I did try a few homebrews (e.g. Minigame Multicart and Thrust) and everything worked fine. I also found that it did not support ARR or SBX, so there are probably more that do not work. Besides the CPU, there are electrical issues I've heard of, such as the FB2 putting out only 4.2v for Vcc, and some (mine included) were shipped with 200mA wall warts. So far the carts I've tried have not shown any issues with either, but I'm sure some carts will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdub_bobby Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 (edited) Depends on how much time you are actually putting into it, but I think you gotta really love putting these things together if you are only charging $50 for a week's worth of work! That said, I'd love to have one and I'd sure like to see some pics. EDIT: desinged desing Um...design. Edited March 10, 2006 by vdub_bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 10, 2006 Author Share Posted March 10, 2006 I'm still yet to build the prototype. So don't hold your breath on pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Hi i would take one too. gretings Gambler172 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoid Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 (edited) I would imagine a FB2 based VCS portable for $150 that would play MOST of the games available out there would still develop quite a bit of interest. I think most people wouldn't be too concerned that their Supercharger wouldn't work right with the FB2-P. Ooooh. And you know what would be the killer feature for me, on a 2600 portable? Honestly? At least ONE 9 pin joystick port, that would lock out the D-Pad once it was inserted (or at least co-exist with it). I mean, the problem with all the console anthologies is that they use the console D-pad for control. I might as well buy one of the Game Boy Atari packages. But if you had the ability to use it with your bulky CX-4x stick... that would be a tremendous sale-point from my perspective. Alternately, at least having a D-Pad that would accept a modest sized, screw in, directional stick would also be a plus. Edited March 10, 2006 by Paranoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SalemFrost7800 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 What would be great is a portable unit like the FB2 that already has everygame ever made stored on a hard drive and it's just plug and play without the carts and you could add to it via the use of a USB port. Don't get me wrong I love having my cart collection but this would be great when I am on vacation or away from my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxy warrior Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 looking forward to seeing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 11, 2006 Author Share Posted March 11, 2006 I just thought of a name for the protable! How do you guys like "Super Stella"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdub_bobby Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 "MiniStella" might be more appropriate. Or "Stellalite." Or "Stellittle" Or "VCSp: Now Cheaper!" Or "Wee VCS" Thanks, I'll be here all week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoid Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Stellalite gets my vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariobros300 Posted March 11, 2006 Author Share Posted March 11, 2006 I've been thinking of making 2 prototypes. 1 for testing of general use. It's mission is to appeal people and see if it can do what its desinged to do. The other one is for testing with power hungry items like superchargers and 32 in 1 cartridges. By the way, I just hit the first snag in construction. I want every one who has one to be able to play games such as warlords, but it has to have a paddle. I read bens book, and it say's I have to use a "Fat Green Capacitor" for the Atari board. However, the main goal for the "Stellalite" is to prove that you can make a VCSp without sacraficing anything from an orginal Atari. Do any of you know if the FGC has a number so I could buy one at an electronics store? KJ (Mariobros300) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atarius Maximus Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I've been thinking of making 2 prototypes. 1 for testing of general use. It's mission is to appeal people and see if it can do what its desinged to do. The other one is for testing with power hungry items like superchargers and 32 in 1 cartridges. By the way, I just hit the first snag in construction. I want every one who has one to be able to play games such as warlords, but it has to have a paddle. I read bens book, and it say's I have to use a "Fat Green Capacitor" for the Atari board. However, the main goal for the "Stellalite" is to prove that you can make a VCSp without sacraficing anything from an orginal Atari. Do any of you know if the FGC has a number so I could buy one at an electronics store? KJ (Mariobros300) This should help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdub_bobby Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 (edited) Aaaarrrrrgh! Edited March 15, 2006 by vdub_bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garak Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 (edited) Aaaarrrrrgh! You're frustrated about getting a desinged portable Atari too I see. Edited March 15, 2006 by Garak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mos6507 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I think most people wouldn't be too concerned that their Supercharger wouldn't work right with the FB2-P. Consider me one of the exceptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip_Cannon Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Has anybody thought of the legalities behind this operation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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