Atari 2600 picture problem

[Something]

I have a 2600 that displays a snowy image despite being on correct channel and all. Now I think I know what the problem is but I'm not sure how to correct it. If I move the cord around the right way towards the middle of the cable, most of the snow will go away. It seems that the a/v cord must have a severed wire in there somewhere.

Anyway, could I find a replacement cable and would it be easy to install? Or could I cut the wire down past the problem area re-attach it to the metal end of the cable?

[otoko]

Why don't you just (depending on model) open it up and replace the whole cord?

[Carey85]

If you honestly think that the problem lies in the RF lead, you can open up your 2600 and remove the RF lead from the motherboard itself, it's just attached via a phono plug. You can replace it with a 6/12 foot lead from Radio Shack, whichever suits your needs. However, unless you see physical damage on the cord in question, I don't think that the problem lies there.

[otoko]

If you honestly think that the problem lies in the RF lead, you can open up your 2600 and remove the RF lead from the motherboard itself, it's just attached via a phono plug. You can replace it with a 6/12 foot lead from Radio Shack, whichever suits your needs. However, unless you see physical damage on the cord in question, I don't think that the problem lies there.

Cords do sever themselves over time too. Due to moving eventually the cord gets weak.

[FABombjoy]

One note on lead replacement: Not using an original style lead can sometimes increase interference. Try a few that you have around the house and see if any are better than others.

And ditto on the internal damage. If the cord was repeatedly wound up, knotted, or anything like that, it can cause those symptoms.

[evildragon]

One note on lead replacement: Not using an original style lead can sometimes increase interference.

I could never understand why this happens.

I even tried a coax cable with RCA jacks instead of the F-connector, and it still does it.

[InsaneDavid]

I could never understand why this happens.

I even tried a coax cable with RCA jacks instead of the F-connector, and it still does it.

Are the old original RF leads made of a now nonstandard metal?

[evildragon]

Are the old original RF leads made of a now nonstandard metal?
No idea, but the cable itself is very weird.

It's thin like it's not shielded, but it's very stiff as if it is.

Also, atleast on my 4-switch 2600, any RCA cable will NOT fit in it, as when you try to close the system, the plug is too big and ends up hitting the case. The original cable on the inside of the 2600 is just a bare RCA jack (no rubber sleeve) and has a small footprint.

All odd to say the least (as far as picture quality is concerned). I did run across ONE audio cable that did work, but wasn't of Coax quality, and was very short. Though once again, couldn't close the system.

Personally, I ended up doing a Composite Video/Sound mod to my system.

[FABombjoy]

Impedance differences would be my guess.

I have accumulated a surplus of 2600-style cables if anybody needs one.

[evildragon]

Ahh, you might be right on that one. RCA cables are usually 75 ohm.

But then again, I'd think that the cables Atari used are that too, but then again, probably not.

Good theory.

[FABombjoy]

Most of the old switchboxes have 300ohm twin lead connections. The 2600, Inty, and other system of that era connect directly to them and I don't believe they have a matching transformer inside to alter the impedence. If I remember, I'll open up a switchbox later and reconfirm.

[evildragon]

My old switchbox does have a ferrite bead and a couple of twists.

It "might" be a transformer?

Because I used to hook up my 2600 into the TV via an RCA to F-type adapter and it worked great, till my cable died.

[FABombjoy]

Yeah, mine have those too. Compared it to the innards of a 300->75 converter and they're the same.

I guess some Atari's just prefer the taste of an old cable :D

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Also, atleast on my 4-switch 2600, any RCA cable will NOT fit in it, as when you try to close the system, the plug is too big and ends up hitting the case. The original cable on the inside of the 2600 is just a bare RCA jack (no rubber sleeve) and has a small footprint.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Genuine-Atari-TV-Video-Cable-replacement-11-ft-RCA_W0QQitemZ270074992625QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41008Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp163 8Q2em118Q2el1247

;)

[Greg2600]

I think mine has gone south also. At first I thought it was the switch_box, which is beat to heck, so I got one of the RCA to F-Type. That cleared it up some, but oddly the picture is no longer centered on the screen and I still have a lot of wavy interference lines.

I think having a cruddy ac adapter will also cause picture problems, too. Mine is one of those multi-voltage deals, and I just haven't gotten around to buying a new one.

[Something]

I didn't know the cables could be replaced so easily. I took a cable from another system that I have that has a similar, if not the same cable and put that one into my 2600. While the picture isn't as snowy, there is still a bit of grain to the picture so I'm not sure if it's because of the cord or not (the cord I put in it came from an old pong system it got from a flea market that I've never used before).

So is there any kind of store that still sells cables that are compatible with the system or would I have to buy it online?

[evildragon]

I think also that modern TV tuners have a hard time with the RF out.

On my HDTV, I had to "fine tune" the channel. See if your TV has that.. Take note of the stock frequency before you mess with that.