I want to build my own "Brown Box" (Odyssey)

[hossrex]

Just to cut off criticism, yeah... I'm asking because of the Angry Video Game Nerd... but this was a project I'd been considering for many many years (along with building my own radio).

The question being: Does anyone know of a source for schematics, or a part list for building a "brown box" (Magnavox Odyssey) by scratch? It doesn't have to be a final revision... meaning I'm not looking to recreate an Odyssey (I could just buy one if that's what I wanted). Something as simple as his first prototype where it was just two dots, and two players who chase each other across the screen would be almost preferable.

I'm just looking for a fun little vanity project, and this seems as simple as simple could be (for someone who can read a schematic, or follow a circuit board anyway).

So... any help? Is this a stupid idea? I'm also an amateur carpenter, and I'm planning on making a really nice wooden case for it (which is my plan for my soon to be homemade radio also).

Thanks in advance.



Hossrex

[nightwheel]

you best bet is to email the man him self

Here's his site: http://www.ralphbaer.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can find his email on his site. And yes, he is still alive.

[bicostp]

http://www.pong-story.com/odyssey.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has a schematic (it's a nice big readable PDF, too), pictures of the individual internal modules, and a lot of background info.

Don't expect much; the Odyssey is 90% board game.

[hossrex]

Hey! Wow... thanks for the nice, quick replies!

I'm aware of what the Brown Box can do... and that's part of the point. I already have a 360 to play games on... this is just for the fun of building.

Thanks for the links. They will be devoured with a healthy appetite!

Do you think Baer would be supportive of a project to recreate his original design? I was aware he was still alive, but I know little of his character, or attitude.

Again though... seriously... thanks for the kind words of help.

I will ask again... in your guy's opinion... is this a stupid idea, so long as I understand that the fun is in the building, and not in the playing? I should be able to part this thing out from radio shack, right?

[themadhacker]

this is by no means stupid. making a brown box would be a great project. If you succeed in biulding it, you should email Ralph some pics of it.

[hossrex]

Alright... I'm going through the links you've given me (while making dinner), and I've emailed Ralph Baer.

Whaddya guys think?

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Hello Mr. Baer. I've been a long time admirer of you, and your contributions to interactive electronic devices. I'm not so much of a "gamer", as I am an amateur electronic hobbyist. In that vein, I'm looking to endeavor on a vanity project, to build a unique (i.e. just for myself, and not mass-produced) recreation of your "brown box". My goal is to use 100% authentic original parts as much as possible.

I was hoping you could be some help. If you could send me (digitally, or otherwise) schematics, and if possible a part list for your "Brown Box", it would greatly assist me. If not, any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time Mr. Baer, if you find this corospondence to be improper, unseemly, or just a waste of your time, than I apologize in advance, that was not my intention. My intention is simply to create an homage to you, and your relatively unsung contribution to the initiation of interactive electronic gaming.

With great respect...



("signed", and full personal information given in correspondence, but omitted here for obvious reasons)
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I was trying for "glowing", but not "patronizing". For the record, every nice thing I said about the guy I mean 100%. People who know what they're talking about have heard of Ralph Baer, but most gamers think Atari was the beginning... and even those people couldn't even name Nolan Bushnell (who by all accounts was a thieving bastard... just my opinion).

Thanks again guys!

[Life of Brian]

I'm aware of what the Brown Box can do... and that's part of the point. I already have a 360 to play games on... this is just for the fun of building.

I think about 99% of the people who frequent these forums can totally agree with that statement.

[samjc3]

I'm aware of what the Brown Box can do... and that's part of the point. I already have a 360 to play games on... this is just for the fun of building.

I think about 99% of the people who frequent these forums can totally agree with that statement.

indeed. and the ones who cant wont stay around long. (hopefully )

[Rekarp]

Actually looked into this once. Problem is the transistors used are no longer being produced. You will have to find an equivalent.

[cowsgoquack101]

I still have my odyssey to play. My uncle bought it in the 70's when he was in high school. My grandmother put it in a box labeled "Old Nintendo system". I was so ecstatic to see the NES, but little to my amusement (at the time at least) it was the Odyssey. My friends and I have played a couple games on it.

[hossrex]

Actually looked into this once. Problem is the transistors used are no longer being produced. You will have to find an equivalent.

Hurm... darnit.

Suggestions? Or was the unavailability of a substitute why you gave up?

Darn it. I already got myself all pumped to give it a try.

[limpport]

I'm aware of what the Brown Box can do... and that's part of the point. I already have a 360 to play games on... this is just for the fun of building.

I think about 99% of the people who frequent these forums can totally agree with that statement.

But I don't have a 360...

[nightwheel]

Actually looked into this once. Problem is the transistors used are no longer being produced. You will have to find an equivalent.

Hurm... darnit.

Suggestions? Or was the unavailability of a substitute why you gave up?

Darn it. I already got myself all pumped to give it a try.

Baer Himself has made a few replicas in the past couple of years of the brown box for museums. So he should know what equivalent parts are needed.

[XCVG]

I'm aware of what the Brown Box can do... and that's part of the point. I already have a 360 to play games on... this is just for the fun of building.

I think about 99% of the people who frequent these forums can totally agree with that statement.

But I don't have a 360...

Substitute "Awesome Gaming PC" for "360" and it's true for me too!

Anyway, sweet project, I wanna see pictures. The next step after that is to build a 2600 from scratch of course.

[hossrex]

HOLY SNAUZERZ!

HE REPLIED! AND HE'S SUPER COOL!

---------------------------------------------
Hello (Hossrex):

Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate them.

If you are really serious about building a replica Brown Box using the original circuitry, then use the atached schematic..it's the best I have.

You might also consider getting my book "Videogames: In the Beginning" because it has detailed explanations of some of the circuitry (such as the ball and paddle generators) and that should help you figure out what's what on that schematic. Building the whole game with all of the switching is a bit of a job....but it's really not very complicated.

Let me know if you need any help,

Ralph H. Baer
---------------------------------------------

That is so freaking cool! He actually finished with "let me know if you need any help"!

Included was a somewhat difficult to make out, but I think legible schematic, which I'd be happy to share if anyone is interested.

Okay... I was excited before... but now I'm positively giddy.

Ralph Baer rocks.

Anyway, sweet project, I wanna see pictures. The next step after that is to build a 2600 from scratch of course.

To be honest... yeah... that's a project somewhere far off on the horizon, but I'm positive I don't have the technical understanding to take on a project like that... yet. I'm figuring this project will give me enough of an education to take it to the next step of building something more complicated.

I'm hoping that before I die, I'll be able to build a Xbox 360 from scratch (Re: "unrealistic goal").