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History of video games/Platforms/Arcadia 2001

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  • The Emmerson Arcadia 2001.
    The Emmerson Arcadia 2001.

History

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The Emerson Booth can be seen in this photo of the 1982 Chicago CES. An advertisement for the Arcadia 2001 can be seen prominently on the left part of their booth pillar.

Phillips created an example platform for one of their chipsets, leading to a number of small mostly compatible consoles based on their specifications, one of the most popular being the Emerson Arcadia 2001.[1] Other notable compatible systems included the German Tele-Fever and the officially licensed Canadian console Leisure Vision.

Emerson Radio cooperation released the Emerson Arcadia 2001 in 1982.[2]

Thousands of game cartridges for the Arcadia 2001 were barred from sale due to legal issues.[2]

Technology

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Compute

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The console is powered by a Signetics 2650A CPU clocked at 3.58 MHz.[1]

The system has 1 kilobyte of RAM.[1] Some materials suggested the Emerson Arcadia 2001 had 28 or 24 kilobytes of RAM, which was not true.[3][4][5]

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Console

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  • The Arcadia 2001 with controllers docked.
    The Arcadia 2001 with controllers docked.
  • The Arcadia 2001 without controllers.
    The Arcadia 2001 without controllers.
  • The bottom of the unit containing serial number, regulatory information, and a quality control sticker.
    The bottom of the unit containing serial number, regulatory information, and a quality control sticker.
  • Rear of the unit with channel switch, and DC power input.
    Rear of the unit with channel switch, and DC power input.

Controller

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  • Each controller is labeled along the bottom. This is the left hand controller.
    Each controller is labeled along the bottom. This is the left hand controller.
  • The joystick could be unscrewed, as seen here.
    The joystick could be unscrewed, as seen here.
  • Phillips head screws hold the controller together.
    Phillips head screws hold the controller together.

Teardown

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  • Left and right controllers technically use plugs, but on the inside of the console.
    Left and right controllers technically use plugs, but on the inside of the console.
  • Significant RF shielding lines the bottom of the Arcadia 2001.
    Significant RF shielding lines the bottom of the Arcadia 2001.
  • The internals propped open, revealing more RF shielding, as well as cables leading to the front buttons.
    The internals propped open, revealing more RF shielding, as well as cables leading to the front buttons.
  • Bottom of the case.
    Bottom of the case.
  • The top of the Motherboard. Note the lack of PCB traces on the top of the board.
    The top of the Motherboard. Note the lack of PCB traces on the top of the board.
  • The bottom of the Motherboard contains a number of hand soldered jumper wires.
    The bottom of the Motherboard contains a number of hand soldered jumper wires.
  • RF Shielding separates the outside world, the motherboard, and the power supply.
    RF Shielding separates the outside world, the motherboard, and the power supply.
  • A large ferrite ring is used on the power supply cable, which helps noise suppression.
    A large ferrite ring is used on the power supply cable, which helps noise suppression.
  • The bottom of the motherboard. A mark can be seen in the upper left.
    The bottom of the motherboard. A mark can be seen in the upper left.
  • The bottom of the motherboard.
    The bottom of the motherboard.
  • Die of the Signetics 2650A, the model of CPU used in the Arcadia 2001.
    Die of the Signetics 2650A, the model of CPU used in the Arcadia 2001.
  • A 1975 advertisement for the Signetics 2650 processor, advertising its ease of use. Note that ease of use referred to implementing the hardware, with less attention paid to software.
    A 1975 advertisement for the Signetics 2650 processor, advertising its ease of use. Note that ease of use referred to implementing the hardware, with less attention paid to software.

References

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Wikipedia has related information at Arcadia 2001

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:Arcadia 2001 and clones

  1. ↑ a b c "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ↑ a b "TOSEC: Emerson Arcadia 2001 (2012-04-23)". 23 April 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Arcadia 2001 -- FAQ guide". www.digitpress.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "History of Consoles: Arcadia 2001 (1982) Gamester 81". Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Home Page". Video Game Console Library. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
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