• It used to be (before digital TVs, flat-screen, etc) that you didn’t have the option of switching inputs, so you would have to go to channel 3, which doubled as the “input” channel also. This would be like, for example, NES or Sega.

    • @Astongt615
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      74 months ago

      Also, we had a box that would let you use channels 3 OR 4, but 4 either didn’t work as well or had a more useful content on it (i.e, the local FOX network).

      • TheLowestStone
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        114 months ago

        At one point I remember having the NES hooked up to a VCR so the TV had to be on channel 3 so that you would see what the VCR was displaying and the VCR had to be on channel 4 to play the game.

    • @ITGuyLevi@programming.dev
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      54 months ago

      Silly to even mention it but… Early game consoles could be used wirelessly depending on how good of an antenna you had and if you were willing to ignore silly FCC rules regarding transmission power. As they literally broadcast a standard frequency (for channel 3 or 4 depending on your switch position), it could pick it up OTA.

      • @MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca
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        24 months ago

        This is 100% correct. To go any reasonable distance, you’d probably have to use a small amplifier. You wouldn’t need more than half a watt of transmission power to cover your house and then some.