Atari used least
5
different (NTSC) versions of the TIA:
TIAs that show 2 sprites *
TIAs that show 3 sprites *
TIAs that have an issue with
Wall Ball
TIAS that have an issue with Ebivision's
Pac-Man
and
Pesco.
TIAs that have an issue with
Kool-Aid Man, and
Thunderground
(Anteater
is still
unreleased, but should exhibit same issues as Kool-Aid Man and
Thunderground).
* The "2 or 3 sprites" notes refer to a test program written by Bradfort Mott
that was posted on Stellalist:
http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/.../msg00028.html
The program shows either 2 or 3 sprites, depending on what TIA is used. This
denotes a slight difference between the 2 most common TIA versions, although
neither is a clear indication of any known incompatibility issues with any
games. The star field in the homebrew
Stay Frosty
shows differences with different TIAs as well.
There might also be a
6th variation that has issues with a few NTSC JRs, most
PAL JRs, and all PAL 7800s that reveals a problem with PAL
Centipede,
and the 1987 re-release of
Millipede.
Using the Activision work-around method of avoiding the HMOVE lines doesn’t work
on some PAL 2600 JR (all-black) models.
Also, the TIA chip in PAL versions of the VCS only
have mono sound output! According to Joe Decuir, the PAL version of TIA
was called
PAULA. There's also all the 3rd-party systems and
adapters, which often used bootleg TIAs (a few are listed here). Once
the list is more complete, the information could be incorporated into an
emulator like Stella, as well as help homebrew programmers to make sure any
tricks they use would be compatible across every variation. If you
have any information to add, please
email us. Below is the current
list of known TIA chips:
American MicroSystems (AMI)
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C010444-01 7750XG -- Found on a Rev 8 (1977) pcb. Has the AMI logo embossed on chip. |
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C010444-01 7812MS -- Has the AMI logo embossed on chip. Pesco exhibits the extra dots issue with these. |
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C010444D-01 8028MS -- "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-01 8105DAC -- Found on a Rev C (1977) pcb. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-01 8111IAJ -- Found on a Rev 8 (1977) pcb. |
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C010444D-01 8116XP -- "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-01 8119BCR -- |
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C010444D-01 8202MAP -- Found on a Rev 14 pcb. "2 or 3" shows 3. |
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C010444D-01 8211MCP -- Only works in a Rev 12 4-switch pcb if pin 36 is lifted, and even then there's issues. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-01 8712MIT -- Found on a Rev A (1984) 7800 "Action" pcb. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-01 8725MJQ |
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C010444-002 8811TAH -- Found on a 2600 JR, Rev F. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
Motorola
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C010444D-05 -- Found on a Rev 12 4-switch pcb with pin 36 lifted up. Not sure what the reason was, as it worked fine with the pin in the socket. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
OKI Semiconductor (OKI)
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C010444-22 MSM3980 2551 -- Found on a Rev 16 4-switch "Vader" pcb (these boards have all 3 main chips soldered, not socketed). "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444-22 M3980 4561 -- Found on a Rev 17 4-switch "Vader" pcb (these boards have all 3 main chips soldered, not socketed). "2 or 3" shows 2. |
Synertek
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C010444-03 7732D -- "2 or 3" shows 2 |
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C010444-03 7742D -- "2 or 3" shows 3 |
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C010444-03 7810D -- Found on a Rev B (1977) pcb. |
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C010444-03 7817D |
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C0104440-03 7814S -- Found on a Rev B (1977) pcb. Wall Ball exhibits issues. "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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C010444D-03 8007D -- Found on a Rev A (1984) 7800 pcb. |
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C010444D-03 8146 -- Found on a Rev 12 (1980) pcb. |
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C010444D-03 8147 -- Found on a Rev C (1977) pcb. |
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C010444D-03 8325 |
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C010444D 8404 -- Found in a 7800. Pesco exhibits the extra dots issue with these. "2 or 3" shows 3. |
United Microelectronics Corp (UMC)
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UMC UM6526N 8637C -- Found in a 2600 JR, Rev D pcb ("ACTION" not printed on pcb). "2 or 3" shows 2. |
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UMC UM6526N 8639C -- Found in a 2600 JR, Rev C pcb. |
("unknown")
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C010444-20 8001 8126-641 |
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MA C010444-11D 8020 -- Wall Ball exhibits issues. "2 or 3" shows 3. |
(VTI)
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VTI E4002 8253 -- Found in a Colecovision Expansion Module #1. |
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VTI E4002 8403 -- Found in a Coleco Gemini, Rev F. Pesco exhibits the extra dots issue with these. "2 or 3" shows 3. |
This site exposes a TIA 10444D chip (manufacturer and chip variation unknown): http://www.visual6502.org/images/pages/Atari_10444D_TIA.html
These sites lists the logos of the more well-known chip manufacturers:
http://www.advanced-tech.com/ic_logos/ic_logos.htm
http://www.classiccmp.org/rtellason/logos/semiconductorlogos.html
