Atari 2600 AV Mod

[cjameslv]

So out of boredom this evening i decided to mod my vader. Was a bit of a pain in the ass, ended up  redoing the circuit twice.Compiled the design by using data from atariage and an ebay listing to get it all figured out. Picture quality was great and it works on my hdtv and regular crt. Here's a few shots of it in progress and final:

Cleaned out the RF unit, some caps & a transistor.


PCB wrapped & wired in.


Back of 2600


Final

[tggodfrey]

Thats awesome!

[MrFulci]

I run my 2600 through an A/B switch box. Switches between antenna, and the 2600.  Almost like old times, except no slider switch.  I've not yet had problems playing Oink and such in 4:3 mode, though... one day, a mod may be handy, though.

[Desh]

Cool!  I literally have plans to do the exact same thing.  I have a complete 2600 that my dad bought new in like 78'.  I was heartbroken when I found out it wouldn't work with my HDTV.  I decided I must A/V mod but didn't want to mess with the nice original I have.  So, I recently picked up a Vadar from a local Atari collector and was planning to do this when I finish up all the repair work I have from the local shops.

[MrFulci]

Desh, you have problems with it picking up the coaxial signal?

[PunkicCyborg]

Do you have any before and after pics of the picture quality?

[Necromancer]

Do you have any before and after pics of the picture quality?

+1.  Let's see some pics o' the screen! 

[Desh]

Desh, you have problems with it picking up the coaxial signal?

I talked with Fulci via PM but yes my HDTV has issues picking up weak RF signals.

[cjameslv]

Desh, you have problems with it picking up the coaxial signal?

I talked with Fulci via PM but yes my HDTV has issues picking up weak RF signals.

Yeah mine had issues showing RF as well.

Do you have any before and after pics of the picture quality?

+1.  Let's see some pics o' the screen! 

I didn't get any before shots as it was only on my crt. I took some after on the HDTV though. Weird the phone picked up some random lines or something off the screen but the actual image is pretty clean but has some light noise.

Pitfall II (tried to hold phone steady):

[xelement5x]

Cool.  I keep on meaning to grab an Atari eventually but have yet to find one cheap for a reasonable price.

[cr8zykuban0]

very cool mod you did there!

[roflmao]

Nice! I picked up an Atari Flashback 2 with the intention of modding it with a cartridge slot so I could play my games with a nice clean signal, but haven't gotten around to it yet...  Here's the link I've had bookmarked for ages thinking one day I'll get around to it:
http://www.atarimuseum.com/fb2hacks/index.htm

[cjameslv]

Nice! I picked up an Atari Flashback 2 with the intention of modding it with a cartridge slot so I could play my games with a nice clean signal, but haven't gotten around to it yet...  Here's the link I've had bookmarked for ages thinking one day I'll get around to it:
http://www.atarimuseum.com/fb2hacks/index.htm

I've seen a few of those done, some clean, some not. Hard to cut the hole evenly i guess. I would try this but i believe they also have compatibility issues with quite a few titles as well. If you do try it out please post pics i'm interested to see how it comes out.