Planet Irata: Atari 2600 (VCS) - Technical Specifications

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Atari VCS Technical Specifications

Specifications:

Models
(see below for details) Atari VCS CX2600, Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I, Atari VCS 2600A, Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II, Atari 2600 "Jr.", plus some PAL versions with built-in games

Processor MOS 6507 1.19MHz

Other Chips Television Interface Adapter (TIA or "Stella") 3.58MHz. This chip produces the video display and sounds for the 2600. It also has 6 registers which are used as A/D converters and for the trigger buttons on the joysticks. For those familiar with the Atari 800, this chip is about 1/2 of a TIA/Pokey in all respects. But, there is no ANTIC chip to drive it; the CPU must do all the work that the ANTIC does in the 800.

RIOT (6532) This chip reads all the console switches (excluding power), the joysticks, and other controllers. It also contains the only RAM in the system and a general purpose timer.

Memory 128 Bytes RAM, in VLSI 6K max ROM size

Slot Config ROM access only

CPU Availability Less than 50%, due to lack of DMA and Antic chip

Interfaces Cartridge port Cartridges contain the equivelant of a 2716 EPROM (or 2732/2532)

2 Joystick ports 9-pin D-Type

RF Modulator

Sound Yes

Power Supply Input:120VAC,60Hz
Output:9VDC,500mA
Polarity:Center+,Outer- External

Accessories CX20 Driving controllers for Indy 500 (set of 2)

CX21 Video Touch Pad for Star Raiders

CX22 Track Ball, black top, white base, with round fire buttons and white/yellow ball

CX23 Kid's keyboard controller for Sesame Street titles

CX30 Paddle controllers

CX40 Joystick

CX42 Remote controll joysticks (set of 2)

CX43 Pro-Line "Space Age" Joystick

CX50 Keyboard controllers (set of 2)

CX78 Joypad

CX80 Track ball, all black with wedge shaped fire buttons

I apologize to whoever the above controller pictures came from. I can't find the link to where I got them to give proper credit. If the pictures belong to you, let me know and I'll include proper credit and a link to your site. Thanks.

Released October 1977

Model Variations:

Atari CX2600
click here for another picture Atari VCS CX2600 Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure. Six silver switches across the upper front panel. Bundled accessories include two CX40 joysticks, one CX30 paddle controller, AC adapter, TV switch and a CX2601 Combat game cart.

[No Picture] Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I Same as CX2600 except external cosmetic differences (the "difficulty" switches are labeled "skill level", switch panel is silver instead of black, woodgrain pattern is different.)

Atari 2600A
click here for another picture Atari VCS 2600A Revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front panel instead of six. Internally, the motherboard is a simplified one-piece design.

[No Picture] Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I-A Same as 2600A except external cosmetic differences.

[No Picture] Atari VCS 2600A (black) Second revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern looking "black out" treatment. The areas of woodgrain on the original models are now simply black plastic. Internally, the motherboard is a minor revision of the 2600A.

[No Picture] Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II Entirely new model of the 2600 designed just for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button switches and LEDs on top panel. Essentially an Atari 7800 shell. Four joystick connectors on lower front panel with rocker switch. Internally very different from other 2600 models, but still uses the same basic chipset. Bundled accessories include two combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch and a Space Invaders game cart.

Atari 2600jr
Atari 2600 "Jr."
click here for a larger picture Atari 2600 "Jr." Third revised model. It is slightly larger than a VHS video tape case. Some versions have "Jr" stamped onto the bottom sticker. Large black buttons. Power and b/w switches slide, while Reset and Game Select are push buttons. Jet black with large metallic silver strip running lengthwise with "Atari 2600" on it (some had a larger rainbow stripe on the silver, without an embossed border). Marketed as the "Under 50 bux, the fun is back!" machine. Bundled accessories include one joystick, AC adapter, TV switch box, and RCA connecting cable. Box is designed as a carrying case with handle and a white section which reads: "This Atari 2600 belongs to:" No bundled cart.

Other minor variations existed within each model. There are simply too many to list.

There were two additional PAL versions released in Europe. The first was similar to the all-black 2600A. It featured 500 built-in games, and the nameplate on the front said "Video Computer Console". Also, the switch next to "Power" is labeled "Auto Search". Each time you depressed the Auto Search switch, a new game would appear on your screen.

The other PAL version had 64 built-in games, and was housed in a 2600-Jr. case. The silver stripe on the front had no rainbow, and was labeled "New Video Game 2600".

Information on this page was taken from Atari manuals and the 2600 FAQ.

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