One of the rarest Atari computers in existence. The Atari 1400XL!

[@qqryqq123]

You're one of the luckiest persons in the entire Universe... 1400XL... Working... What a find. Congratulations! Take care of this beauty.

[@f15sim]

Thanks!

[@kronos5385]

Not sure what's so special about this, besides its rarity. It seems to be just a 1200xl with a voice synthesizer. The fact that it runs game carts and can read Atari diskettes means that, at it's heart, it's just a pretty standard Atari 8 bit machine. Still, worth a lot to a die hard collector.

[@mikewest6569]

I was at an Atari trade show in the early 80s and the Atari rep brought me up to his hotel room and showed me the 7800 prototype console. He also had the 1200, 1400 and 1450 in various stages of completeness.

[@gamedoutgamer]

Awesome. Was great to hear the voice synthesis for the first time. The voice sounds great, too. Strongly suggest you wipe the function keys clean after use to keep them looking pristine. Might be the acidic oils in our skin that degrades the appearance of the aluminum over time. IMO the keyboard working or not is not as important as is the 'original' condition of the machine. It's a collector's machine first and foremost since it's worth so much, especially in that fantastic state of condition. On my Mitsumi 800 keyboard (nearly identical) I was able to get the mylar fully working again by doing what you did and fully cleaning the gold fingers contact area and then re-applying the little tape strip there (cleaned the strip too, iirc). The keyboards failing is a very known issue and doesn't lower the value since there are known fixes and a 1400XL is great anyway. The motherboard looks fantastic with seemingly no corrosion. If you keep it you might consider spraying some sort of protectant (well researched) on the whole board to preserve it. Afaik, oxidation can creep up the chips legs into the chip package... Some of those chips are extremely rare. Here is a video on how to use the A8's kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4G0q3eklqamZsk The first seven minutes are skippable that cover the hardware models. Congrats on your find!!

[@f15sim]

The reason the function keys look a bit weird is because the original plastic film is still on them. You have no idea how hard it was to not peel them. *laughs* I'll check out the video you linked to, thanks!

[@ForViewingOnly]

Gene, please could you make a video of the vintage computer collection that you acquired? It would be really interesting to see everything together. Thanks from the Channel Islands.

[@TastyBusiness]

Oh wow, a Votrax SC-01A! My favorite voice synth.

[@tjlazer71]

1:54 I had that problem with my 1200XL's too. I found that pressing the keys down hard over and over brought them all back to life. Probably corrosion over time.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

In my opinion, Atari should never have released the 1200XL; the 1400XL should have been out instead.

[@anfiach]

Gene, always up to something interesting sir.

[@victorbobier3416]

Nice, I had bought a nos 1400xl motherboard, a 1200xl case and keyboard and a psu years ago, I stupidly got rid of this years ago, today I have a 1200xl, both worked. My Atari 1200xl is one of maybe 100 or so left out of maybe 100,000 made, and my 1200xl is registered to me. Nice video.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

If the 1400XL and 1450XLD actually had been released, they just might have saved Atari.

[@nickpalance3622]

I had the 1984-ish brochure featuring the 600XL, 800XL, 1400XL, and 1450XLD. I wanted the 1450XLD so bad. Got the 800XL for Christmas. So that’s the end of 1984 and by now Warner had sold Atari Inc to Jack Tramiel’s new Atari Corp, not that I knew any of this as a kid. I’d hoped to have a pack-in detailing the Atari magazine and software publishing group - that’d have been Atari Connection and Atari Program Exchange (APX) if I got that right but in wasn’t sure of the names I just knew that something like that existed and that’s partly what interested me in Atari. But those were gone / shut down / axed. Not that I knew that either at the time. Wasn’t until 1986 that we got a disk drive and I discovered Analog and Antic magazines. Sears was the place to get Atari but that seemed to change after 1984. Gee I wonder why. But there wasn’t a good bookstore around (or even magazine stand) until 1986 (so I could find Atari specific magazines and books) and finding Electronics Boutique store to buy the 1050 drive and software. The mail order ads from back then show that the prices came crashing down. Probably due to Jack’s price war. But everyone I knew started buying the C64 so oh well. I wasn’t going to switch. I loved the XL. Preferred it. But what would have saved Atari? Well looking back I seen the 1200XL was $1000 (too much!) and DOA. The cheaper 800XL needed to be out early 1983 AND in quantity. The C64 started at $600 and had to establish itself in the market. Atari could have made the case that they look/sound about as good and have lots of software and peripherals already. Marketing helps and not just ads but the sales channel- get it in front of customers. Not just Sears. If CBM was in Toys R Us or K-Mart then Atari needed to be there too to offer the choice. Considering the Intellivision “master component” and “keyboard component” idea, and the Mattel Electronics Aquarius, and the Coleco Adam, then clearly a bunch of people thought that bridging video game consoles and home computers was a good idea. And the XEGS nailed it! … just 3-4 years too late. It was mostly over by then. There was still new software coming out but some titles only C64 or even Apple II. The push was ST (not that I ever saw more than one ST owner in person). There was a plethora of early-mid 80s software titles at Electronics Boutique so even with less output I never felt at much of a loss. Got a word processor. Atari planetarium. Utility software. All the classic games I wanted were mostly out by then. But yes it could have been better. The 5200 should’ve been the XEGS. The 5200 had the GTIA and Antic and Pokey. Needed 16K with expansion to 64 and needed an SIO port. And keyboard.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

@@nickpalance3622 Atari also had the 800XLD on its drawing board; this was to be essentially the 800XL but with the additional dual floppy disk drive and the "Freddie" memory management chip and, thus, utilized a larger case to accommodate it. Same with the 1450XLD, which was planned to have the same features as the 1400XL + dual floppy disk drive.

[@nickpalance3622]

@@ClassicTVMan1981X interesting! While the 1200XL/1400XL case design (particularly the size / surface area) lent itself to having a disk drive on top, I gotta wonder what Atari had in mind for merging an 800XL with a 1050 (or DS/DD or whatever in a 1050 style case). Hmm… turn it sideways like an Apple //c ?

[@pfcrow]

If you look closely at some of the press photos of the 1450XLD, the nameplate read 1250XLD. I'm guessing that they had a 1250XLD in-house that was never released, then bumped it up to be based on the 1400 instead of the 1200. I heard rumors that they had trouble with the drive, so there weren't any finished working models before it was canceled, but they did have a bunch of 1400XLs that they could have shipped. If the sale of the company had been delayed just a few months, the 1400XL would have been much more common.

[@Anangelspath]

Very nice machine. Easy fix on keyboard, 2.5mm diameter heat shrink, cut into approx. 2mm slices and collar all (70?) silicone tips under each key, like a ring on a finger. I made 3 videos about this, fixed 2-1200XL keyboards this way. Good luck.

[@f15sim]

Now THIS is what I was hoping to hear from someone. Thank you for the tip!

[@f15sim]

Would 3mm heat shrink work equally well?

[@Anangelspath]

@@f15sim Don't know, but I know for a fact that 2.5mm works perfectly. Keep in mind that I did not alter the mylar in anyway, my first video on this is the best in explaining what I did. Titled something like "MITSUMI Keyboard Repair...."

[@f15sim]

@@Anangelspath Ok. I'm 99% sure of the process involved, but I'll certainly check out your video. Thanks again for the tip!

[@tharkthax3960]

What a beautiful machine. Like royalty in the 8 bit line. I have its humble servants the 800xl and 130xe machines. That voice synthesis is great! I haven't finished watching yet - what are it's specs? Thank-you for showing us this demonstration of it running.

[@glennbruner7504]

Just came across your video. Congrats on acquiring one of the more rare machines. I have a 1400XL myself along with a TONG version of the 1450XLD. Good thing you learned quickly not hook up a standard 800XL/130XE power supply to the machine. I would certainly be interested in learning on the power supply you found to use with your machine should I need to acquire a backup power supply. Also be aware you would not be able to use any of the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) devices that came out for the 800XL/130XE computers such as the Multi-IO (MIO that was produced by ICD) and the Black Box (made by Bob Puff's CSS). Since the PBI was never really supported much at all by Atari the MIO and Black Box did not fully follow the design spec for the PBI. So if you try to use the MIO or Black Box with the 1400XL the internal voice synthesizer and modem device will conflict with the MIO and Black Box. You should be able to find some info on-line should you want to experiment with the voice synthesizer. The voice synth use in the 1400XL is based on the famous Votrax SC-01 chip. When you boot up the computer the voice synth gets a V: handler driver installed which would allow you to access the handler to send voice commands to the voice synth. Be as simple as running a OPEN #1,8,0,"V:" to open a port to the V: handler driver and then use PUT #1 basic commands to send strings of data to the voice synth to try and make it talk. Challenge is to form intelligible words using the Votrax phonemes to form the parts of speech to put together a word. I had actually written a program for a good friend where I had replaced the built-in test on his 1400XL with a variation of the 1200XL raindbow logo display with a horizontal scrolling message that was read by the voice synthesizer. I managed to get the program to fully fit in the in limited memory range of the built in test program (Hex $5000 to $57FF). Your video sure brings back memories of a great machine which in my opinion has the most smoothest keyboard touch in all of the Atari computers (similiar keyboard as used in the 1200XL).

[@glennbruner7504]

Here was a story I heard way back that an engineer at Atari had made a useful application of the voice synth and modem on the 1400XL. He used an Atari Cassette drive where the computer would detect a telephone call coming in, answer the phone, voice synth would give a typical answering machine response, then the software would connect the telephone line to the audio out to the cassette and record a message left behind by the caller onto the cassette. Never could find this software or even more details on this. But thought it would be a cool project to recreate. Since you have this machine you should see if you can get the 1400XL Telecomunicator cartridge to go with your machine. Its a piece of terminal software that takes advantage of the built-in 300 baud modem and voice synth. Must have with you computer - if you don't already have it!

[@Docwiz2]

If you want to go directly into DOS, just hold option down and it will go directly into DOS. I used to own an Atari 800XL and a 130XE. I always wanted a 1400XL which was top of the line. Only saw one in a Atari Catalog, but never in person. Very cool voice synthesis.

[@walterlas1023]

This is probably the only chance I'll ever have to see a 1400XL in action, so I thank you for that. Is there any possibility that the ROMS (system and BASIC) can be dumped for preservation? And maybe, for use with future emulators to support it?

[@f15sim]

You're welcome! I'd be surprised if the ROMs haven't already been archived. This isn't the only 1400XL out there.

[@victorbobier3416]

@@f15sim Yeah there are a few, very few. Enjoy it. The Mylar can be replaced still, if you haven't done that already.

[@TPIR_Fan_1972]

Very cool machine!

[@dmac7128]

The 1400 XL was never sold commercially. What you have is an extremely rate production sample. It did go into production, but only for a very short period of time. The failure of the 1200 XL plus with all the problems going on at Atari in 1983 and the crash of the video game market probably shelved these models in favor of developing the 16 bit Atari ST computers. The only unique features it had was the voice synthesizer and a built in modem.

[@f15sim]

As far as I know, fewer than 100 1400XL machines ever existed. I think the number of 1450XL machines was smaller than that. The machines were killed during Tramiel's cost-cutting efforts after buying Atari.

[@007KnightBond]

I had the exact same problem with my Atari 800 computer keyboard I put a small dab of hot glue on each of the membrane pads so that it gives the keys a little more surface area to push on the membrane and that seem to work great long-term no idea yet

[@f15sim]

Because the 1400XL is effectively an artifact, I didn't want to do any more to it than I already had.

[@JeffSmith03]

I was thinking what could they add to top the 1200XL, but then it starts talking 8-o

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Right, there was so much hype surrounding the 1400XL before Atari had dropped it.

[@danialhowe9814]

i remember these. wanted one to upgrade my 800xl

[@AbeStephan]

Ever contact BEST ELECTRONICS ? They have all these parts still available for anything Atari .

[@CB3ROB-CyberBunker]

so essentially it's a 1200 that talks :P why no high res pictures of the pcb itself.

[@slaapliedje]

I wonder how hard it would be to modify the 1200XL with the voice synthesizer...

[@mokeecomputer5751]

What TV/Monitor and connection are you using? It's very clear for a modern flat screen!

[@f15sim]

The TV is a 50" Insignia (Best Buy) 4K LCD and I'm driving it straight from the RF output on the 1400XL. The TV has a cable input on it, so I've got a short bit of coax connected to that, with a female F to female RCA jack attached to the end, then it's a typical male to male RCA cable from there to the computer.

[@tjf7101]

I didn’t realize this machine ever made it to production

[@f15sim]

It didn't. The machine in shown is a pre-production engineering sample. It's my understanding that fewer than 100 ever existed.

[@tjf7101]

@@f15sim Gotcha. Makes sense now

[@ndmmt-wu7kz]

The membranes are always the problem on XLs. You can buy new ones.

[@michaelschlabach836]

nice 1400 what have you done with it ?

[@f15sim]

Thanks. It's sitting on a shelf waiting for me to decide what I'm going to do with it. :)

[@referee3000online]

I would be more than happy to buy it from you! =) I have collect almost all of Atari 8 Bit computers for my collection. =)

[@mikepowell9316]

Does the keyboard structure limit the depth of key travel to protect the membrane?

[@f15sim]

Yes. Under the key post is a little silicone hammer that's supported by a spring that pushes on it from the inside. I suspect the springs have weakened over time and are no longer pushing the little silicone hammers out far enough to make contact with the membrane when the key is being pressed. The solution offered by ScottyAnimation involves putting a 2mm wide slice of 2.5mm heat shrink tubing on top of the silicone hammer. This has the effect of artificially lengthening the silicone hammer. Of course the *proper* fix would be to replace all the springs, but I suspect that those are unobtainium at this point.

[@mikepowell9316]

@@f15sim Ah. I had this window open on my desktop since yesterday and did not see the other replies.

[@geekconnoisseur]

Did you sell it since or still own it?

[@f15sim]

I still own it.

[@Raketenclub]

WOW.... i just got my 1200xl after 40y of waiting :)) ps: does the 1400 really talk? seriously? i read about a voice module in a book and was searching to get a 1400 somewhere... but no luck. i stil dream of it.

[@gamedoutgamer]

Pretty sure the reason the keyboard works by pressing the mylar is because your finger is bigger than the rubber mallet pressing the key. Adrian's Digital Basement channel did a repair on an 800 keyboard mylar that is functionally identical to this one. He used a very light sandpaper to reactivate the carbon on the pads which may oxidize over time. I would be very hesitant to replace the mylar with a modern mylar from Best Electronics (which will work) only because this is an extremely rare like-mint 1400XL which is worth maybe $10,000. Keeping it factory original increases its value, greatly. A light sandpaper and / or shifting the mylar just slightly so that the key bumpers hit a different spot should hopefully fix it.

[@f15sim]

This is why I decided not to go into the keyboard again to "wake up" the remaining keys. I've seen a "zero impact" repair that involved placing a small bit of 1/8" diameter heat shrink over the key "anvil" in order to increase the reach and thus the pressure applied to the membrane. (The heat shrink tubing isn't heated - it's just used as a soft plastic extension.) The next person to get the 1400XL after me will have to be the one to do any further work on it though.

[@Mrshoujo]

Valuing this at $10k is misleading.

[@mikelias3472]

So is it for sale?

[@f15sim]

Not at this time.

[@referee3000online]

@@f15sim If it ever is, PLEASE let me know! :-) I have collected almost all Atari 8Bit stuff, and would be so joyful, and honored, to have one of these in my collection. I started with the Atari 800 and owe my entire programming life to the Atari's. :-) I am so happy to see this video. Wish I could sit with you and talk about these. :-) Have a wonderful life and keep it well!

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

Voice synthesis?? WTF.

[@CB3ROB-CyberBunker]

and yes it is rare. but then again the 1200 itself is rare too. not as rare as the 1400 tho.

[@hodeyfu7617]

You need to press “option “ to disable basic when loading programs. Unless it’s written in basic.