Atari 2600

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Revision as of 04:18, 28 May 2013 by Viper666 (talk) (Adding categories)
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The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in September 1977 by Atari Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and ROM cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in. The first game console to use this format was the Fairchild Channel F; however, the Atari 2600 receives credit for making the plug-in concept popular among the game-playing public.

Technical specifications

IC's

  • CPU: MOS Technology 6507 - 8bit, 1.19MHz
  • TIA 1A - Television Interface Adaptor Model 1A (Video, Audio, Input Ports)
  • PIA 6532 - (128 bytes RAM, I/O Ports, Timer)

CPU and Memory

  • CPU: MOS 6507, 8bit, 1.19MHz (cutdown 6502 with only 8K address space)
  • RAM: 128 Bytes (additional 128 or 256 bytes in some cartridges)
  • VRAM: None (Picture controlled by I/O Ports only)
  • ROM: External Game Cartridge (usually 2KB or 4KB, or banked 2x4KB)

Video

  • Output: Line-by-line (Registers must be updated each scanline)
  • Resolution: 160x192 pixels (NTSC 60Hz), 160x228 pixels (PAL 50Hz)
  • Playfield: 40 dots horizontal resolution (rows of 4 pixels per dot)
  • Colors: 4 colors at once (one color per object)
  • Palette: 128 colors (NTSC), 104 colors (PAL), 8 colors (SECAM)
  • Sprites: 2 sprites of 8pix width, 3 sprites of 1pix width

Input/Output Ports, Audio, Timer

  • I/O: Two 8bit I/O ports, six 1bit Input ports
  • Timer: One 8bit Timer (with prescaler; 1,8,64,1024 machine cycles)
  • Audio: Two sound channels (with Frequency, Volume, Noise control)

Console Switches

  • Switches: Color/Mono Switch (PAL/NTSC only), and two Difficulty Switches
  • Buttons: Select Button, Reset Button (or Switches in older consoles)
  • Hardware: Power Switch, TV Channel Select Switch (not software controlled)

Connectors

  • Slot: One 24 pin Cartridge Slot (with 4K address bus)
  • Controls: Two 9 pin Joystick ports (also used for Paddles, Keyboards)
  • TV: One Cinch Socket (Video/Audio TV Signal)
  • Power: 9V DC, 500mA (internally converted to 5V DC)

Hardware

See Atari 2600 Hardware.