Atari 800 User Manual

Introduction to the Atari Computers and Peripherals 11
The Atari 400 console contains the CPU, operating system in
ROM , 8K or 16K of RAM , one cartridge slot, controller jacks, and
one I/ O connector.
The TV switch box allows a regular TV set to be us ed for video
output for the Atari 400. The AC power adapter converts
household current to a low voltage that can be used by the Atari.
Atari Keyboard
The Atari
keyboard allows the user to interact with the
computer. The in st ructions entered at the key board are
transfered
to the computer. The keys on both the Atari 400 and
800 are arranged in the same order as on a regular typewriter.
However, the Atari keyboard contains several special keys not
found on a standard typewriter keyboard. These keys will be
discussed in Chapter 2.
As mentioned in the previous section, the Atari 800's keyboard
features a typewriter style keyboard with raised keys. The Atari
400 keys are identified on a flat panel on the front of the unit.
Atari Video Display
Generally , a home color television set is used as the video display
screen
for the Atari. A black and white television set can also be
used, in which case, the different colors will appear as various
shades
of gray.
The Atari
800 allows the use of a video monitor as well as a
television set
as its video display unit. A video monitor (either
color or black & white) tends to ca u se images to be displayed in
greater detail than a television set.
A television set
is connected to the Atari computer with a switch
box that
is it se lf connected to the television's antenna terminal.
This is shown in Illustration 1-3. The switch box has two
positions. One position allows the set to be used with the Atari,
while the other allows the set to function as a televison.
If a video display monitor is being connected to the Atari 800, a

Atari 800 Specifications

General

Processor	MOS Technology 6502
Processor Speed	1.79 MHz
ROM	10 KB
Graphics	ANTIC and GTIA chips
Release Year	1979
Display Resolution	up to 320 x 192
Colors	128 colors
Sound	4 channels
Storage	Cartridge, cassette, floppy disk
Ports	Cartridge, serial, monitor
Operating System	Atari OS