If you are unfamiliar with MovieCart for the Atari 2600 then you are in for a wild ride. This is basically movies on your Atari 2600. I know, take a minute to think about that and gather your senses. It should not work. It does and it is much better than you probably can imagine. There are limitations of course but for the fun and wacky nostalgia this provides, it is just off the charts cool.
Okay, MovieCart may not replace having a streaming service such as Netflix but it will certainly be the center of discussion at your next get together. MovieCart is unique in it is literally running your movie through your Atari 2600, or compatible clone.
All of it runs through your Atari. Sound, video. All. Of. It.
This is magic in its electronic form, at least I think so. I have a basic idea how this works and I still cannot believe it.
Okay, your Atari is not going to be decoding anything on the fly – it simply cannot do that with video or the audio. This is where the preparation comes in.
The creator of the MovieCart has created a plugin that uses Touch Designer. Getting everything setup is not as easy as you might hope but it is far from complicated. If you have setup a modern cell phone then you are already more than skilled enough to set this up.
Refer to the YouTube tutorial series and start wit the first episode and follow the instructions. You will be on your way in no time, watching movies, music videos, video content in general, on your Atari 2600.
Imagine with some editing beforehand, you could prank your friends into thinking you got YouTube, or Netflix, running on your Atari 2600.
Special thanks to Dan Manning in the AtariAge Facebook group for the heads up.
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