What is a ColecoVision ?.
And how to hook it up.

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A ColecoVision is an 8 bit cartridge based Video Game Console for home use produced by coleco industries in the beginning of the 80's.
ColecoVision is developed in the U.S., most of them are produced in the U.S., while many are manufactured in Hong Kong / China.
ColecoVision had its best time in the 80's, and the games that it referred to were games that were advanced in the arcades in the 80's.
If you do not know the games from this era are you simply too young to know.

I would describe it a little for you here.

Many of the known games include Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Lady Bug, Popeye, Burger Time, Galaxian, Gyruss, Gorf, and many many more.
There now is over 200 games for ColecoVision and there still developing games for it, even today by people who love their passion for this gaming console. ColecoVision was in production from 1982 until 1983, maybe 1984.
The last official game was produced and released in 1985, but the screen displayed 1984.

In order to connect ColecoVision to a LCD / TeleVision could you only choose between the RF signal or an RGB later version.
Many were dissatisfied with the RF signal and someone found out that you could disassemble the machine apart
and draw a direct video out which gave a noticeably better picture.
You can also chose to let other upgrade your ColecoVision with better picture, better Joysticks, pause feature etc.

There were produced updated ColecoVision versions for the NTSC market and 3 or 4 versions for the PAL / SECAM market.
NTSC = 110-130 Volt and 60 Hz. and no RGB.
PAL / SECAM = 220-240 Volt and 50 Hz. with RGB opportunities by default, if you buy a French ColecoVision version.
Difference between 50 and 60 hz. make that most, if not all games runs a bit slower on a PAL machine than in, for example USA.

Games was only distributed in the U.S. version, with different shells around and a label variation, but also the boxes were different.
Boxes from U.S. and Canada was mostly with the arcade machine showed on the front, while boxes from Europe and Australia was with a nice artwork.
It was costly, and it was decided in 1984 that all cartridges should be identical, so no special cartridge for PAL versions from 1984.

You'll probably also find games for the Brazilian and Taiwan market. These are with different shells and all other labels, even the name of the game have changed.
But also those works fine.

Something peculiar to a ColecoVision is how the games works.
It doesn't matter whether the machine is NTSC or PAL. -Games work on both machines.
They are so to speak region free and you don't have to fix anything for that. -No extra equipment needed.
You can buy games as well in Europe as USA, they all works.
You can use your console and the games, but be aware for the power unit, use always a power supply which fits to your country.

How to hook up your system.

1. Connect your ColecoVision to your Tv.
    (The RF lead back on your ColecoVision to antenna in back on your television).
2. Connect your ColecoVision Power supply to wall and back on your ColecoVision.
3. Insert your joysticks or controllers in their respective connectors. (Player 1 upper and Player 2 lower).
4. Tune or set your Tv. and push reset on ColecoVision every 10 seconds when the Tv is seeking the channel.
    Just to make sure the ColecoVision main screen not automatically will go black, some tv's goes further to next channel if it not can "feel" the signal.
5. When found: "ColecoVision, Turn game off before ..." should now stands clearly.
6. Remember to store the channel (If not automactic do so) when found, and turn the game console off again.
7. Insert now a ColecoVision game cartridge in ColecoVision, turn your ColecoVision on, press reset and you are ready to play.
8. Reset is a good feature if the startup screen cluttering the picture or a sound hangs.
9. Press 1 on controller number one and your game should now start up.
10. You can now enjoy all your games.
 

Last updated: December 01. 2011.