[vcf-midatlantic] Super Sketch drawing tablet for Commodore 64

[Dean Notarnicola]

The SID chip on the C64 had potentiometer inputs to handle paddle
controllers.
On the Ataris, paddles were handled by the TIA/CTIA/GTIA chips. The
joystick pin assignments on both computers were the same, thus the
compatibility.



On Sun, Feb 7, 2021 at 1:38 PM David K via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

> I recently bought a Super Sketch drawing tablet for the C64 from eBay.  I
> was surprised by how sophisticated it was and how much fun I had trying it
> out.
>
> I have a video about it on YouTube that features:
> -unboxing of the tablet and all the extras that were included
> -a demonstration of drawing and the many other functions (2:57)
> -a look inside at how it works (21:20)
>
> My question is about the last part; about how it works.  When I opened up
> the drawing tablet there were two, what I believe to be, linear
> potentiometers.  Since the tablet plugs into the joystick port I was
> surprised that the C64 could "read" the potentiometers.  There was not an
> IC (?) in the tablet itself but when I opened up the plug there was indeed
> an IC that I assume converted the variable voltage of the potentiometers
> into something the C64 could read.  If anyone has feedback on whether I got
> this right and whether this was a unique feature I would appreciate it.
>
> The link to the video is: https://youtu.be/pLvQVJhRx2o. If that gets
> scrubbed you can likely search "Super Sketch vintage drawing tablet for
> Commodore 64 - also made for TI-99 / 4A and Atari 800 XL" to find it.
>
> Interestingly I had initially bought another Super Sketch on eBay that said
> it was for the C64 but when I received it the plug was not correct  (which
> is why I bought the second one).  Interestingly the non-C64 tablet has
> different circuitry in it and does not have the IC in the plug or anywhere
> else.
>
> So any help with this is appreciated.
>
> David K
>