Back in 1975, Bob Brown who was the designer of the Pong home gaming system decided to produce a video display product that was designed to bridge the gap between television and stereo. At this time, the rage was the futuristic looking metal and wood grain multi-component stereo systems. The resulting bridge between the gap of television and stereo was the Atari Video Music, which was officially released in 1976.
One could select from any one of our predetermined shape modes, then by further adjusting the horizontal and the vertical display you would be able to create a psychedelic image that would move to the music.
When it comes to the Atari Video Music, there is a legend that foretells of the day when the representatives from the Sears department store visited the manufacturing facility to see the new Atari Video Music. This legend goes on further to address that when one of this Sears representatives saw the Atari Video Music that the representative had asked what the engineers were smoking when they designed the unit. The truth is, however, that this is more of a rumour or myth than it is reality. The reason I state this is that after this Sears representative had asked the question, the legend goes on to say that one of the engineers stepped out from a back room with a lit joint. No one will ever know if this is true or not, but it was the era and American history for such things.
The Atari Video Music is considered one of the rarest audiophile collectables. If you should happen across one, then you can consider yourself to be very lucky, since you are one of only a few people who now own one of the Atari Video Music. Since the Atari Video Music looked so similar to an amplifier of the time, most people ended up just passing up the opportunity to purchase one of the Atari Video Music units at a local yard sale.
Because the AVM was designed to be hooked-up via RCA jacks, one would be able to hook this unit up to almost any type of amplifier. However, as a precaution, you should remember that in 1976, the equipment was high voltage, and you should therefore remember to ground the product from any possible static charge. If you fail to ground everything out, you might get a simple electric shock or you may even destroy your amplifier.
Original Authors: Gobel Team (Nick)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 21/05/2008
