Composite Atari 2600

I picked up an Atari 2600 4-switch off craigslist locally pretty cheap and I'm wanting to add composite video out.

I came across this http://www.vintagegamingandmore.com/products-page-2/modsservicekits/atari-26007800-mod-kit/ and the install looks pretty straight forward which I can do based off their guide. Its just that kits seems expensive for what your getting. I've got the RCA plugs but I need the schematic and to order the other parts I need, transistor-not sure what specs, 2.2k Resistor (Red-Red-Red), and 3.3k, Resistor (Orange-Orange-Red). Would like order parts from http://www.digikey.com but need help picking out the resistors and transistors.

I've got a s-video panel mount plug but no clue how involved it would be to add s-video.

Any help and feedback is much appreciated

 

41 views and no response yet, YAY!

 

keep me posted .. just picked up a vader and 20 games for $25 looking to do the same mod

 

Seems like all the information you need can be found here:
http://longhornengineer.com/projects/atari-av-mods/

 

Houly, I didn't know the 2600 could handle that many joysticks.

 

This is not how you get help around here.

 

That mod you linked to is the simple transistor mod. I have done this to all (pal) models of the atari 2600. It might sound weird but this mod (to me) looks best on the junior model. The quality with the simple transistor is around rf standard (maybe marginally better), i look at it as a convenience thing, where you just plug the tv into the av input vs tuning the bugger in. Again the jr looks the best with this simple mod.

I asked about the better av mod a while ago and got a response. Unfortunately i am replying from my phone where posting links is a bitch. If you search my previous posts (go advanced search, atari av or the like and put my username in).

If you are keen on the transistor mod i can put up a parts list.

 

That mod looks more complicated with alot more needed parts. I'm looking for the schematic for the simple transistor mod with 2 resistors. Also might need help picking out the parts on digi-key.com since I've got an order going including the items to RGB mod the SNES mini that I picked up. Their electronic parts are far cheaper with shipping than the local radio shack that has hardly no selection.

I apologize. Just looking for some help

I searched your post history and found that thread: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?38736-AV-mod-for-Atari-2600-7800&highlight=atari

If I can get instructions with part list on how to wire up s-video on my NTSC atari I'm all for that since my gaming TV has s-video inputs. Then I could always use an s-video to composite adapter at friends houses. I just want a good picture and not have to use the RF modulator.

 

You asked for help with S-video too.

 

The second post in the thread you've got has the schematic and part list needed to generate S-Video. Premade boards were sold at one point but are no longer: http://longhornengineer.com/projects/atari-av-mods/

The project has been open sourced so you can simply reuse his information to create your own board. Too bad PCB creation is a skill I'm just starting to work on or else I'd give it a shot myself. If it's too much for you to follow there are plenty of people here who can assemble one of these for you and ship it off and/or install it.

 

Not interested longhorns DIY schematics for s-video since it looks too complicated and not worth it for me. Was hoping for a simpler s-video mod. If someone has a pre-built longhorn board cheap then I would be interested but thats it.


I just want the schematic for the simple transistor mod for composite video:



I know it uses 2.2k Resistor (Red-Red-Red), and 3.3k, Resistor (Orange-Orange-Red), but no clue the specifications on the transistor. No clue how the board connects those with the wires in and out so thats why I'm wanting the schematic!

 

Ok i will post up my hand drawn wiring diagram tonight (you'll have to wait 12+hrs as i am on my way to work). Hopefully you can read it, most of my notes (around 2 or 3 folders worth) are just simple hand sketches. There is a website, that is hopefully still around that shows connecting it up to your machine.

I don't think there is a simple s-video mod as this simple composite mod works by simply amping the signal from the rf modulator (which is removed). Also instead of adding av jacks to the case, i run a flylead out of the console, much like the rf lead. Some Atari cases can be brittle (esp 7800 cases) when drilling into them.

 

Even I am interested in a guide for the Video Computer System. I have the Light Sixer in NTSC, and I would like to get information about how to modify it for C-Video and S-Video. I have looked around on the internet, but all information seems to be mostly limited to the 4-switch, vader and junior versions. Once in a while I see one for the Light Sixer but then it is always the PAL-version the guide is based on

I have experience from AV-mods on 5200 SuperSystem, 7800 ProSystem, Odyssey 2 and ColecoVision. On all these systems I built the circuitboard myself, and I'd like to do so with the Video Computer System as well. I intend to make a circuit for C-Video and one separate for S-Video, in order to have them both available

 

The mod using the CD4050 gives the best results in my tests.

http://www.atariage.com/2600/faq/index.html?SystemID=2600#composite

I think this explains why the simpler mods look good on 2600 Jr's, because the signals are already buffered, so a simple amp is all that you need.

 

Ah there you go! The amount of times i get the old atari out can be counted on one hand. I had considered doing the more flambouyant mod on an old 6 switcher i had. Got offered the right price for it as it was (went for a trip up to Mackay, Retroswim, you would know where that is), so that was that sorted.

On the 6 switcher it had a bit of ghosting especially noticeable around text. I do recall adding a cap somewhere in place of one of the resistors removed (size and location escapes me as it was about 2 yrs ago) & it neatened it up a bit, but still not as good as the jr.

 

Here you go, awesome hand written notes.



And installation link

http://www.vintagegamingandmore.com/guides/mods/

 

Just double checking but that schematic is using a strip board with the metal strips going vertical, correct?!?!?!? If so then that means the audio is just passing through and not going through any resistors or transistors?!?!?!?

Now that I know the transistor is 2N3904 I was able to google "atari 2N3904" and found this link which has a nice schematic: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/127926-easier-7800-composite-video-mod/



If audio isn't going through any transistor or resistors then thats why that schematic doesn't have audio. Only difference I see when I compared them for a couple minutes is that they used a 75ohm resistor to bridge composite video with ground. Not sure why or if that would help or not.

Parts List they have:
------------------------------------
2.2k 1/4 watt resistor
3.3k 1/4 watt resistor
75 ohm 1/4 watt resistor
47K to 68K 1/4 watt resistor
47K resistor (optional)
2n2222 or 2n3904 transistor
2 RCA jacks
hook up wire
-------------------------------------

 

I have done that AV-mod to my 7800 ProSystem. There is a more detailed schematic of that AV-board in this thread;
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?27737-Made-an-AVmod-for-my-7800

 

You can get premade S-video boards for not just the 2600 but also the 5200 and 7800 here: http://electronicsentimentalities.com/Assembled Mods.html

 

For the 2600 4 switch on the modulator pins that ground is at pin 1, 5v out from pin 3, and c-video out from pin 4. But should I replace any stock resitors on the board like you did to get the brightness down to what it should be like you did on your 7800?!?!?! If so where and what with?!?!?!?

Audio comes out at the base of resistor at R206 but is there a "pokey" like the 7800 has to link the audio out with on the 2600?!??!? Is that to get better sounds?