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Defender
Super Cobra
Space Force
Turtles
Information on the system and system repairs.
Showcase of various people's AdventureVision systems.
Various articles written about the AdventureVision.
Links to other related sites.
People who have helped with this website.
Adventure Vision
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Last Update: 05-04-2002

1.1 Introduction
1.2 System Specifications

2.1 Defender
2.2 Space Force
2.3 Super Cobra
2.4 Turtles

3.1 Troubleshooting

4.1 Contributors

5.1 Disclaimer


1.1 Introduction:
  The Adventure Vision was manufactured by Entex Industries, Inc.
   in 1982 with a total "in-production" time of 1 year and a total 
  distribution of between 50,000 and 100,000 systems.

  The gaming system is cartridge based and includes only four
  titles in it's software library; Defender(pack-in), Space Force,
  Super Cobra, and Turtles.

  The video display is created using one vertical row of 40 red
  LEDs and a spinning mirror to achieve total screen resolution
  of 150 x 40.  The system is plagued by a screen "flicker" due
  to the spinning mirror and the system's relatively low refresh
  rate of 15 frames/sec.

  Because of these limitations, the system is best played in a
  dimly lit environment, with optimal results obtained in total
  darkness.


1.2 System Specifications:
System Processor: 
  Intel 8048 microprocessor
  1K internal ROM
  1K external ROM (4K maximum)
  64 bytes internal RAM
System Processor Speed: 
  933.33KHz
Sound Co-Processor: 
  National Semiconductor COP411 4-bit/8-bit* microcontroller 
  512 bytes internal ROM
  32 - 4-bit internal RAM locations
Sound Co-Processor Speed: 
  ??? UNKNOWN
Video Display: 
  150 x 40 @ 15Hz
Sound: 
  Amplified Mono w/ Headphone Jack
Controller: 
  1 four-way joystick
  2 sets of 4 buttons(for left/right handed players)

* - Instructions are 8-bits wide, but the COP411 can only handle
4-bit wide data.



2.1 Defender:
  Defender is a direct port of the arcade game.  Smart
  bombs, hyperspace, thrust, and firing all made it into this game.


2.2 Space Force:
  Space Force can be described in one word: Asteroids.  It is a
  pretty good translation except for one fatal flaw... the game gets
  too hard in a short amount of time.
  What is worse is that there is a small programming bug where
  once you die, your new ship never gets a chance to come out.
  Basically it's GAME OVER.


2.3 Super Cobra:
  Super Cobra is another arcade port and all 10 levels have
  made it into this extremely fun.  But even better than the arcade
  game is that you can start the game with an infinite number of
  lives!  You are almost guaranteed to see every level(if you try
  hard enough).  ;o)


2.4 Turtles:
  Entex did good in the fact that all four games were arcade game
  licensed.  The Turtles arcade game was manufactured by Stern
  and the Adventure Vision version is at least as good.  Every last
  cutesy little tune is here and boy is it fun.  Turtles has been called
  the best game available for this system by more than one gamer
  and I definitely agree.


3.1 Troubleshooting:
  The Adventure Vision is a pretty basic electronic device.  Since
  it does not use a cathode ray tube, or CRT, for a display, there
  are no voltages higher than 5VDC.
  This is great for the nontechnical oriented person who would
  like to attempt a repair.  Common sense and a little experience
  with soldering and de-soldering are about all that is needed
  to attempt most repairs.
  A grasp of basic electrical theory would also be helpful.

  The following repairs are in order from easiest to most difficult.
  Most of them require the disassembly of the system.  I will leave
  the actual disassembly up to you, just work slow and use common
  sense when taking it apart.

1. Clean cartridge slot contacts
  The contacts are easily cleaned by using a soft pencil eraser.  Just
  "erase" each contact to get the oxidation off. You'll be surprised at
  how much gunk the eraser will have, most of the time you will need
  to clean the eraser after only a couple contacts.

2. Clean cartridge contacts
  This is similar to the above. I found it easier to remove the chip from
  the cartridge case. Just be careful if you decide to go this route, I
  BROKE the plastic piece the first time I tried it.
  (Hey, I though my system was dead so I had nothing to loose)

3. Clean control panel contacts
  This one takes some guts to do. You must take apart your system
  in order to get to the contacts. I will not discuss the "how-to's" of the
  actual disassembly, but I will again say, use CAUTION.  After you
  have gotten to the contacts, just use that eraser again.

4. Reflow cartridge slot solder
  Again, this requires disassembly of the system. Both my systems
  had cracks in the solder for the cartridge slot. The best fix for this
  is to remove the old solder and resolder with new. This is known as
  reflowing.

5. Reflow ribbon cable solder
  Very similar to #4 except you are working with the two ribbon
  cables that go to the display pcb and the controller pcb.

6. Sound problems
  For any sound problem, be sure to check the ribbon cable that
  runs between the main PCB and the joystick PCB.  One of my
  systems had problem where the sound would cut in and out, the
  problem was traced back to a cold solder joint on the controller PCB
  to the ribbon cable.  (see #4 above for remedy)

7. Display problems
  For any display problems(ie. missing or weak horizontal lines), be
  sure to check the ribbon cable that runs between the main PCB
  and the display PCB for cold solder joint.  (see #4 above for remedy)


4.1 Contributors:
* Dan Boris
* Garth "Tony" Clowes




5.1 Disclaimer:
  DISCLAIMER:  The contributors of the Adventure Vision FAQ do not
  take any responsibility for you breaking your system when attempting
  repairs/upgrades.  PLEASE, if you do not feel comfortable doing anything
  mentioned in this FAQ do NOT do it.



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