Can I borrow a little expertise?...

[Asteroidhead]

I can't get my atari game to work. I don't even know what kind it is, other than it says 'video computer system' on the front. I think it's the original. Anyway, it seems to be getting power (as it gets slightly warm inside). But I can't see anything on the screen. I've tried channels 2, 3, and 4. I've plugged it the video jack on both of my tvs, still nothing. Any possible quick fixes? Am I a complete moron?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!!

[Flack]

A classic Atari won't plug in to a new TV's video jack. It's apples and oranges.

To get it to work, you'll need to:

1) Buy an adapter that will plug into a coax cable connection
2) Buy an RF adapter
3) Do something else that I don't know about. Chime in, fella's.

[Asteroidhead]

it will physically plug in, it just doesn't do anything.

[bargora]

Are you using an RF modulator? I'm guessing not, since you say you're plugging the cable into the "video" port of your TV, and haven't said anything about the RF box that Flack mentioned. This is what I wrote before I saw your second post:

Flack's pretty much got it. The cable of a VCS plugs into an "RF modulator", which you can buy at Radio Shack for less than $10. (And now people are going to start screaming about how RS is a rip-off, etc.) But anyway, just make sure you get the kind that has a sliding switch that allows you to select between "Computer" (or "Game") and "TV" (or "Antenna"). The automatic RF modulators that came with the NES and SNES apparently won't work with a VCS (due to its weak signal).

The RF modulator should have a coaxial cable running out of it, unless you run across a really old one, which will only have two flat u-shaped connectors coming out of it (the newer ones actually tend to have both). The coaxial cable plugs into the back of your TV, not into the yellow video port, but into the metal nipple connector with the screw threading. If you have the kind of RF modulator with only the flat u-shaped connectors coming out of it, then you'll need an adapter, which I believe is styled a 75-300 ohm adapter, which will have screw posts for the u-shaped connectors and a coaxial cable connector for plugging into your TV's coax input.

The VCS should work on either channel 2 or 3. There's a switch on the back of most (maybe all?) models that selects between the two. You will need to have a cartridge plugged in to the VCS or you will only get the most appalling noise and weird banding patterns when you power up.

Elementary!

[Asteroidhead]

I knew I could count on you guys.

[Darth Sensei]

I knew I could count on you guys.

Welcome to the forums, Asteroidhead. Asteroids has always been one of my favorite games.

D

[Gunstarhero]

You need to buy one of these:

$7.99 @ RadioShack
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1268.jpg

[scooterb23]

http://tinyurl.com/2smzz

Or check these out...don't need the clunky box, and they work with and system that you'd use an RF modulator on...

Plus, as you can see...they are only $3.00 plus shipping (I imagine...it ends up about the same at Radio Shack, if you can find them). If you have a Parts Express or other Radio Shack-esque store in your area...you may be able to find them cheaper.

[bensenvill]

You need to buy one of these:

$7.99 @ RadioShack
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1268.jpg

I cringe at the sight of those things

~Tj

but thank god for radioshack for still selling that stuff

[Jasoco]

You need to buy one of these:

$7.99 @ RadioShack
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1268.jpg

I cringe at the sight of those things

~Tj

but thank god for radioshack for still selling that stuffThat's why I'm not into the really old systems right now. I don't like RF. And I don't have the time or expertise to do A/V Mods on all my consoles.