Telstar Arcade picture problems

[wufners]

Anyone know much about these things?

When I turn on my Telstar Arcade, the picture does not come up. It DOES send a video feed, because channel 3 goes from snow to more of a grey and black static-y screen (and yes, the Telstar IS set to channel 3 and I have tried channel 4 too--same deal.) Sometimes I can even see the faint silhouette of the graphics. And if I twist the system just right, a complete and perfect video feed will flash on the TV for a split second before slipping back into the grey and black mess.

The system still produces audio just fine.

Thanks for the tips, if you've got them!

[thetoxicone]

Picked one of these up cheap awhile back maybe it is time to try to hook the thing up myself and see what happens on my tv

[dcescott]

Look out for a Magnavox TV switcher box. The RF tip is different if I am not mistaken, it's not the same as an Atari 2600 switcher box. It's much bigger and bulkier. That should help the video if you find one, that's the hard part.

[FABombjoy]

Sounds like he's got it hooked up already, but there is a break or short in the cable.

[dcescott]

That's not good. It wouldn't hurt to track down another RF switch. What about trying it on an older TV?

[wufners]

Yep, it's hooked up and it's a standard RCA connector.

The switchbox I'm using is good, but I'll try a different one just in case the Telstar Arcade isn't playing nice with it.

The RCA cable appears to be solidly connected on the inside, but perhaps as FABombjoy suggests the cable itself as a short.

I was hoping to avoid opening the thing up again and taking it apart even further, but it's probably time to take off my lazy pants and try a new cable.

[FABombjoy]

If moving the console caused the image to briefly appear clearly, then it's almost guaranteed to be a break/short, cold solder joint, other other mechanical issue. Should be easy to trace down.