Atari 2600 question (Need help)

[dougal]

Ok, first up i have 2 Atari 2600's. One of them is the old wood version (4 switches) and the other is the newer 2600 Jr model.

The problem: Whilst the 2600 Jr gives me a perfect display on my modern Plasma TV the older wood 2600 gives a horrible display which seems to improve (but still nowhere near as nice as the Jr) after it has been on for a few minutes, or sometimes by moving the wires of fiddling with the power cable or the switches.

I am using the same power supply for both machines, so it can't be a faulty power supply.

Any ideas? Maybe its just too old for the TV?

Loose connection?

Faulty capacitor or resistor? (hence it needing to be switched on for a few minutes)

Any ideas?

[dougal]

It's sort of temperamental.  It's been on now for about 20 minutes and the display is near perfect.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

it also depends on what kind of telly you have.
My black original atari 2600 hardly gave any picture on my tv box, yet the picture was very good for a 2600 that is) on my new samsung telly. Also, a rusty connector can be a cause.
If you´re really want the a2600 to be in absolutely original state you can deal with it laying the connector for a 2 days or so in cola. The sour of coke will dissolve the rust wich (probably) causes the bad picture.

[jorkany]

It's sort of temperamental.  It's been on now for about 20 minutes and the display is near perfect.

Electrolytic capacitors dry out and go bad after many years. The internal RF circuitry in the 2600s seems to be prone to fading out after a while. You might try replacing the caps and see if that helps.

I've found a fellow who sells schematics and kits for upgrading a 2600 to S-Video, thus eliminating the RF circuitry. It took him a long time to fill my order (several months) but I finally did receive the DIY kit about a week ago. I have yet to install, but the installation is pretty simple. His site is here:

http://www.longhornengineer.com/Videomods/Videomods

It's also pretty easy to convert a 2600 to composite output, you may be able to find directions around the web, or on rec.games.video.classic. But if you're going to be cutting and soldering anyway, might as well go for the best output possible.

[spirantho]

http://www.atariage.com is the best site for Atari 2600 stuff...

Composite mods are fairly easy, just a couple of wires and resistors. If you're in the US, make sure you're not using the switch box, too.

[Ral-Clan]

I've found a fellow who sells schematics and kits for upgrading a 2600 to S-Video, thus eliminating the RF circuitry. It took him a long time to fill my order (several months) but I finally did receive the DIY kit about a week ago.

I'll second that....it took four months for him to fill my order.

[dougal]

I think for now ill leave it as it is. After about 15 minutes the picture / sound is pretty decent.

Maybe one day ill take a look at replacing some caps. Will take a look at some Atari forums for info.

[LoadWB]

How does your 2600 handle regular TVs?  Have you thought about a 7800?  I keep my 2600's around (a reall 2600 and a Sears Tele-Games) for neat-sake.  I picked up a 7800 inexpensively several years back and did my own S-Video hack on it.  Same with my 5200.  The 7800 will play 2600 games just fine, and the games made specifically for it are really nice.

[dougal]

How does your 2600 handle regular TVs?  Have you thought about a 7800?  I keep my 2600's around (a reall 2600 and a Sears Tele-Games) for neat-sake.  I picked up a 7800 inexpensively several years back and did my own S-Video hack on it.  Same with my 5200.  The 7800 will play 2600 games just fine, and the games made specifically for it are really nice.

Thing is i would want it PAL which i dont think was ever released. Only NTSC. Ok my Plasma works with PAL and also NTSC, but i have an old late 70s early 80s TV which only supports PAL.