Ideas for Atari 2600 modifications

Hello there.
Been wandering on and off in my mind about what mod i should do on my light sixer.

One i know of and do want is a Composite out. So i've been eyeing on the 3904 and 2 resistor mod. Do not have access to 3904 so it'll be an good old 2222 :-3

But then again. Seems to easy to be done. Want more... Advanced circuits. So i thought to myself, why not ask on the forum

So please. Give me your ideas on mods for my Atari 2600

Update:
I am at the moment drawing a schematic for a pause mod and instead of a switch I'm going to use a single button soft latch, wired to the controller.

Although i am struggling with if i shall replace the d-sub 9 with a d-sub 15 to accomodate for this and future ideas.

OR simply use a microcontroller/port expander.

P.S
I am working on a newer joypad for it.

 

Here you go
http://etim.net.au/2600rgb/

 

Oh Yeah now we are talking!

Only one teeny tiny problem. XD
I want to build the circuit myself and couldn't see a schematic for the controller.

Otherwise this mod will be under concideration

 

pause mod

 

Awesome!

Got more ideas?

 

Controller is just contacts from what I can see, so simple.

 

NO didn't mean that controller. Meant controller for rgb output xD my bad

Do not want to buy the rgb circuit. I want to make it myself and couldn't find a schematic for it :/

 

There isn't one. You have to buy the board. It isn't a simple thing to build. It probably requires a FPGA and custom code. The quality looks better than the S-Video mod from what I've seen though.

 

Yes i did suspect a fpga.

Feel kind of over my skill at the moment as i've just recently started to Learn more on fpga and currently looking on some prototyping boards with a fpga alternativly a cpld.

 

Else, you can try the S-Video mod (I don't have a link right now).
i did it but failed on getting color (well, sharp pixel color) as my Atari2600 (maybe like yours) is a SECAM one and it adds some difficulties.
I can search for the mod I used once at my home, and if you want a challenge, try to get the color precisely (mine has a perfect pixel in B&W but blury color).

 

Another option would be to get a French Perital version RGB Atari 7800 console. The Atari 7800 plays the majority of 2600 titles and then you have native RGB output. I have one of these boards using in my project. There are quite a lot of components on the 7800 daughterboard too. Their prices aren't unreasonable however only come up every so often on ebay.

 

This sounds like fun! :-D
I haven't acctually checked if it's PAL or SECAM xD

Bought the console with two 360° paddles, three joysticks and 12 games for 250 Swedish krona. (about 28 Usd) so i didn't think two times i bought it on the spot xD

 

Another thing : the Atari2600 RGB board need some alt. button to activate some features. For example (i don't remember exactly right now) :
alt. + left = select
alt. + right = start

I used an Amstrad GX4000 pad with its second button remaped. But a MasterSystem one could be great too

 

Sounds like it is tapping into the controller functions Hmmm... That actually gave me an idea.

I may be able to do the same with the pause mod... Might try that out later when i have left my son at his Mother tomorrow