Improving video on Atari Consoles

[Hippytipper]

I just picked up an Atari 2600 Jr and a 7800 console. I got them for practically nothing so I wasn't expecting perfection. They were dirty as hell too.

Upon testing both of them, they work (signal and sound), however the video quality is fuzzy/wavy. I have tried a few different cables as well a cleaned them a little hoping for some improvement. It helped a bit, but not enough as these problems are most likely internal.

Aside from a composite mod. What would actually be required in going about restoring/improving the video quality? I know this isn't a 1 step process and I'm not asking for a guide. Just would like to know, is this a test and replace capacitor deal, or would I have to buy all new parts for these systems?

Or would it be more worth it in the end to forget about as it would be to costly?

[shadowkn55]

Your best bet is to build an amp for s-video. It cleans up the picture quite nicely. There are instructions for it on the wiki over at gamesx.

[Steve W]

If you're looking for a quick, cheap fix, just pick up one of these. I've got a few for my old systems, they work pretty well. You're still going to pick up a slight amount of interference, but most of the time you'll get a clear picture to the best of that console's ability.

http://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42

[Hippytipper]

If you're looking for a quick, cheap fix, just pick up one of these. I've got a few for my old systems, they work pretty well. You're still going to pick up a slight amount of interference, but most of the time you'll get a clear picture to the best of that console's ability.

http://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42

I actually already have a bunch of those. They are so much better than the regular old school RF switches. Tried one too with these systems, no change.

[fahlim003]

If you're looking for a quick, cheap fix, just pick up one of these. I've got a few for my old systems, they work pretty well. You're still going to pick up a slight amount of interference, but most of the time you'll get a clear picture to the best of that console's ability.

http://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42
I was going to post this myself but figured the TS wanted an even better result. I must admit after going through several third party TV-Game switches I was very impressed with the improvement of quality thanks to this device. It's affordable and it works.

[Oldskool]

I use the same RF adapter on my Atari CX2600A and the picture looks pretty amazing actually even on my HD TV.

Here is a link to my thread I posted a screenshot on.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1741523#post1741523

[Hippytipper]

As it turns out. ALL of the cables I had been using to test are crap. Got myself a nice new composite cable and added one of the Coax/RCA plugs to it. Both systems actually look a lot better now. Feel kind of like an ass for jumping right to a hardware issue without properly testing the cables.

However one of the connections I tried was a RF adapter for an NES. It works great with my Nintendo, but I guess there are different results with Ataris.

[Gameguy]

However one of the connections I tried was a RF adapter for an NES. It works great with my Nintendo, but I guess there are different results with Ataris.
Ataris don't output a strong enough signal to use automatic switchboxes, you would need a manual switchbox to display a picture properly.

[Oldskool]

And even then manual switches boxes look like garbage too like the radioshack one or at least mine did.

Ataris don't output a strong enough signal to use automatic switchboxes, you would need a manual switchbox to display a picture properly.