Introduction:
I bought my ATARI 2600 (4 Switches) in the year 2003 on an international auction for 30 dollars. At this time I was obsessed with getting all the 8 bit music systems possible, Commodores, Ataris, Nintendos, FM Chips… Without paying too much attention I bought the unit thinking that it was a NTSC system, so I bought the only game I was ever need, SYNTHCART…
This music game or software was made in PAL and NTSC, so I bought the NTSC version for proper compatibility. I tried it and the unit was showing in a normal PAL TV but with black and white colors only… Anyway for what I used it you don´t even need a TV.
I played several gigs back in 2006 with it, but not a big deal and then in one of those gigs the ATARI stopped working… It´s being collecting dust since then…
Now in the year 2014, 11 years after I decided to get my friend the 2600 and try to fix it, give it a clean and of course!!! it´s modding time!!! :)
Atari Video Output:
The ATARI 2600 comes with an ugly old-school RF type connector, the ones you used to have to tune, and fine tune, until you get something acceptable… The cable comes out of the unit without chance to unplug it, so the unit its far from transportable. The other problem is that this kind of connection is obsolete, and many moderns TVs or Flat screens don´t even allow it anymore, so hooking the device might be not even possible in the first place to many people.
For a long time I wanted to try to change the Video Output and use a Composite Video instead. There are numerous Kits available online ranging from super simple to more complex ones, that even add Super Video connections.
There are many tutorials depending on what exact version you have, NTSC, PAL, 4 Switch, 6 Sitch… In my case I found the best one after searching online before buying in this link from CoolRetroProjects.
PDF Composite Video Tutorial for all ATARI systems.
Composite Video Mod:
There are basically two mods around, one very simple and the other one more complex. Both are available in ebay but they are both 20 to 30 dollars. Although it seems like a cheap, safe and quick option, I though to look around and match the components of the more simple one.
Component List:
- R 2k2
- R 3k3
- Transistor 2N3904
- 3x RCA Connectors.
Schematic:
STEP 1:
Open the ATARI unit and localize where the original RF cable plugs in to the PCB and remove the cable (image 1). It looks like a normal RCA connector (image 2).
Next to it, on the bottom right corner, there is a small metal box with a small PCB coming out of it, that is the RF Module, in order to remove it you must “cut” the 5 pins that connect to the main PCB with 90º type pins (image 3). You can just cut them and leave the module there, I decided to remove the whole RF module instead (image 4).
STEP 2:
For picture quality improvement (Not necessary) remove the Transistor that is found near to the red plastic cylinder, labelled as Q201 or Q202 (image 1 and 2). Remove aswell the Resistors shown (image 4), on my case this were R209 – R222 – C205. In order to remove the metal plate and access the PCB you must “bend” the small pads. It´s possible to put it back so be carefull not to break them (image 3).
STEP 3:
Depending on your ATARI Model, prepare the new composite video PCB and solder the cables to the right points of the circuit. Basically you must solder the new video connections to the old RF Module 5 pin connector.
After that you just need to add 3 new RCA (Yellow, white and red) on the back of the unit, where we will solder or new Video and Audio outputs.
Sound is mono so just link both RCA on the connector. Test before closing the unit!
STEP 4:
Once you know that the unit it´s working normally again, proceed to close the case and be amazed by it´s new appearance :)
If it doesn´t work at the first time, don´t panic, check first other TVs around if you have the chance. I´ve noticed that different TVs reacted differently to the ATARI´s signal, some of my screens wouldn´t show any image, then I changed to an old school TV we have around and it worked fantastically.
All in all I´m quite impressed by how good this modification turned out, I spent 0€ thanks to the fact that the few components are easy to find in any old Electronic device… Never dispose Electronic rubbish!! …
Hope you found it interesting and helpful!!
Español
English
Hi interested in doing this mod. Do you have a picture of the underside of the mod board.
Hello Darren, there is an Schematic in the above post. I can´t access the inside of my Atari to make a picture, but using the schematic you should be good to go. There is plenty of info in the internet too about the matter and differences depending in the model you own.
Do you just make the traces underneath the components using solder? And the transistor is that polarised or can it go either way round..
Darren
Hello Darren. Sorry but that is a very very basic question regarding DIY and electronics.
You can use many types of already made boards, or even make your own. In this example I use what is called a PerfBoard or a Stripboard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfboard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stripboard
Yes the have Solder points behind that you can connect, or already connected in paralell lines… very easy and convenient. Go to your local electronic shop and they will know what it is, if not you can get them in eaby very cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solderable-Perf-Board-Assortment-Kit-Copper-Pads-6-/380357917556
Hope it helps!
Hi thanks for your help and info. Ordered the board, I take it aslong as its on the traces you can space out the components more and make the board bigger.
Darren
Hi Darren, yeah with those boards you can space the componens how you prefer, to solder them you can use the Leg of the components, or else make traces where you need to. Good luck and let me know how it goes here when you finish :) !!
LOL will do, will be looking on this site for future mods and ideas haha. Great site btw! You seem to be an electronics whiz :)
lolol nice one! and thanks for your words! allthough Im not electronic whiz, more self tought and with no fear or shame to open and acomplish nerd stuff :)
Hey the mod turned out well had a good picture on my old Samsung LCD. Although, I purchased a new LG LED IPS TV yesterday and it really did not like the signal, some games it was that dark you could not see what was going on. But DVD and TV looked fantastic on it.
I did though manage to return it to Argos and swapped it for a Sony LED TV , once again I am enjoying my games, the brightness is not has good as my old TV but very playable and all interference free.
Happy Days lol. Many thanks for the help and advice!
Hey Darren! Thats great!!
Yeah many new TVs dont like the signal either, but I guess is normal and worth the risk. I´m glad it helped you and you are enjoying your games, music or whatever else! enjoy!
Hola, este tuto sive para la versión de 2 mandos
Hola Isaac, no se si me preguntas o me confirmas, en el articulo hay links donde se habla de los differentes modelos y sus distintos mods, la verdad no lo se ya q solo he hecho mod a mi Atari de 4 palancas. Suerte!
Hola inspektorgadjet me refiero a la versión Junior Model Installation – PAL, aparece, que el proceso es el mismo que el Junior Model Installation – NTSC, en el PDF de Coolretroprojects.
He seguido todos los paso y tu esquema para crear el Mod y no consigo que funcione y a lo mejor lo que voy a preguntar es una estupidez, pero una vez retiras las resistencias, el transistor y la pieza esa roja, ¿hay que puentear los puntos?, es que no hay ninguna foto en el PDF de como queda por detrás y no se si simplemente se desueldan los componentes y listo o luego hay que puentearlos, imagino que se puentean, pero no estoy seguro, si no me entiendes me refiero que entre los puntos donde había por ejemplo una resistencia, al retirarla hay que unirlos.
Hola, la info viene en los pasos 2 y 3. Es algo escueto pero basicamente, la pieza roja no hay que quitarla, se hace referencia a esta pieza porque esta cerca del transistor, en algunos mdelos este componente rojo, es el transistor que hay que quitar, pero como digo en mi modelo el transistor estaba al lado de la pieza roja, asegurate de mirar bien lo que esta escrito en tu circuito, y de quitar el componente necesario . Las resistencias mencionadas y el transistor son para mejrar imagen, pero no necesario. Las Resistencias simplemente les corte una pata y las deje levantadas pero no las quite del todo, ni hay que unir los puntos. Lo mas importante es soldar el mini circuito nuevo a los 5 puntos que se cortaron previamente del modulo RF. En el PDF de coolretro projects se eplica muy bien. Espero te sea de ayuda y si tienes problemas avisame, quizas envia una foto de tu PCB y vemos que pasa, saldudos!
Hi
Unfortunatly the 2600 Atari of mine was not on the PDF on the site
Here is the picture of it’s board:
http://up2www.com/uploads/43f7435824067-177819.jpg
http://up2www.com/uploads/43f7434320324-242567.jpg
Please highlighting the components that must be omitted and also vcc,audio in, video in.
Thank you so much
Hello Reza,
Unfortunattely that is nearly imposible for me, firstly because I cannot clearly see what is in your board. It looks to me like the components should be under the metalsquare plate at the bottom right, where that “red plastic circle is” but again, I dont know 100%.
Im afraid with those pictures I cannot be sure. Attempting to change those components without being 100% sure, may result in your ATARI 2600 never working again, so be careful.
Make sure you check online in other places, so you can find the correct model of your PCB, I think it should be aroun or one very similar to it.
Also make sure to read my complete guide in what components and traces you must find, and it may help you. Sorry I cannot offer more help.
cheers, and good luck!