Hometronics Telecourt TV Game (1977) - Looking for info

[saturnfan]

A while ago my brother bought me a Hometronics Telecourt TV Game from a garage sale and immediately it was shelved because I couldn't figure out how to hook it up. I have taken an interest in it again because I can't seem to find a lot of information about it. All I really know is that it is a first generation video game system from 1977. It a self contained system similar to the likes of pong as it has a few built in games and therefore doesn't take cartridges of any sort. In fact from my research, I have been led to believe that the game is virtually identical to pong, although I will assume their are some subtle differences.

Here are some pics (click to enlarge):



Here is the system itself. I still can figure out how it hooks up, or if it is even complete. If someone can shed light that would be awesome



I do in fact have the box, although it is in pretty rough shape. I do not have any paper work or instructions that may or may not have come with it.



Another shot of the box. If you were wondering it does work on black and white TVs.

So does anybody know anything about it? Is it worth anything? How can I get it up an running so that I can test it?

Also, I am not looking to sell it at this moment.

[Octopod]

TV sets used to have a little area with screws where you would hook up an antenna like rabbit ears. You would slide those clips on the box under the screws after loosening them and tighten back up. You know what I mean? lol Atari 2600s hooked up the same way, or at least mine did. It looks like coax connected to that box though so can't you just take the box off and hook it up with that?

Did it come with a power supply?

[saturnfan]

Ohhhh you are right it does come off, very good observation . Also it takes 6 C-batteries for power.

[Ack]

Don't know how up to date this page is, but here's David Winter's price guide and info sheet for various Pong clones. The Hometronics Telecourt system is listed as 3 out of 6 stars for rarity, with a value of $40.

http://www.pong-story.com/mypongs.htm

[dsheinem]

Don't know how up to date this page is, but here's David Winter's price guide and info sheet for various Pong clones. The Hometronics Telecourt system is listed as 3 out of 6 stars for rarity, with a value of $40.

http://www.pong-story.com/mypongs.htm

Cool. Nice list!


Here's an article/picture from '89 with a cool collection of old machines, including the Telecourt:

http://online.sfsu.edu/~hl/c.photo.html

[Hatta]

Yep, that's a pong console sure enough. Good thing it came with a power supply, it can be hard to dig up info on the power supplies of these things. I have an APF TV Fun that I haven't been able to use for that reason.

The cable that goes into the switchbox probably has an RCA end, but it's not composite. You'll need one of these to feed it into the coaxial connector on your TV. If you don't have a coaxial connector, use a VCR.

[saturnfan]

Don't know how up to date this page is, but here's David Winter's price guide and info sheet for various Pong clones. The Hometronics Telecourt system is listed as 3 out of 6 stars for rarity, with a value of $40.

http://www.pong-story.com/mypongs.htm

Very nice list, so I am glad to know that this is a pretty decent item valued at $40. It's good that I have to box too. However, that list says that the system is from France (Assuming Fr stands for France), yet there is nothing on the box in French...

Yep, that's a pong console sure enough. Good thing it came with a power supply, it can be hard to dig up info on the power supplies of these things. I have an APF TV Fun that I haven't been able to use for that reason.

The cable that goes into the switchbox probably has an RCA end, but it's not composite. You'll need one of these to feed it into the coaxial connector on your TV. If you don't have a coaxial connector, use a VCR.

Very useful, thank you.

[CRTGAMER]

The cable that goes into the switchbox probably has an RCA end, but it's not composite. You'll need one of these to feed it into the coaxial connector on your TV. If you don't have a coaxial connector, use a VCR.

Maybe get a decent A-B switch if your TV doesn't have two RF inputs.


Adapter Hatta pointed out.

[saturnfan]

The RCA Female to F Male Adapter is exactly what I need, I should be able to get one at radioshack, if not I will order it from that website. I have several TV's that take type of hook up. The A-B switch should be uneeded in this situation.

[CRTGAMER]

Ohhhh you are right it does come off, very good observation . Also it takes 6 C-batteries for power.

You could get a 9 volt power brick, probably needs at least an amp or two.