help Atari video full of static?

[+xucaen]

I hooked up my Atari today and video was full of static and has banded white dots. I'm not really sure how to explain it, so I made a video. The Atari is connected to the TV using a coax adapter from radio Shack (pictured below).

 

I thought maybe the games were just dirty, so I cleaned all my cartridges and cartridge slot. Picture looks better but as you can see in video it didn't fix the problem.

 

I'm not sure what else to try. I read somewhere on this forum about replacing a capacitor.. Can anyone tell if the white dots are due to a failed capacitor or something like that? Or is this being caused by my coax or adapter?

 

Thanks everyone!

 

http://youtu.be/K_n3QMxWVGI

 

 

[Wickeycolumbus]

Looks like it's just some interference (pretty common), could be from a bad connection. What model is it? If it's a woodgrain model, you could try opening it and disconnecting/reconnecting the video cable to make a new connection.

[+xucaen]

It does have the wood grain (also has the channel selector on the bottom). When you say reconnecting, do you mean soldering or no?

 

edit:

 

in any case, I'll open it up tomorrow to see what I can see... at the very least it could use a good cleaning. Thanks! \\//,

 

Edited April 24, 2014 by xucaen

[thecrypticodor]

 

Do you have a switching power supply plugged in like a laptop charger? Switching power supplies can create radio noise that can create interfere with a RF video source.

[+xucaen]

I think I may have found the problem. I took apart the 2600, and inside, a part of the coax was exposed, possibly broken.

 

My options are:

 

cut out the bad part and splice it.

buy a new coax.

 

So, I'll try splicing it first. If that doesn't work I'll search for a new cable. Any tips on where to find one?

 

 

 

My image from my first post got messed up, I'm including it here again for posterity.

 

[Wickeycolumbus]

Splicing may make it worse than it already is. You might want to try covering it with some electrical tape first and perhaps clean the internal RCA connector.

[kamakazi]

They are right about any computer-related power supplies. Just getting my laptop too close to my 2600 JR causes those lines. I also remember way back when I use to take my Atari to my grandmother's house her microwave would cause that same interference. I don't recommend splicing the coax to fix it. I've done the same thing and it only made the problem worse. Just use electrical tape as recommended and try that. These cables are old and they do wear out. It might be time for a replacement. Check the rest of the cable extending from the console for any other trouble spots as well.

[+xucaen]

Too late..

 

I took apart the 2600 and cleaned it. Someone actually spilled some kind of soda in it at some point. Took a lot of scrubbing to get it out. I also cut and spliced the RF cable.Video is a bit sharper now and no more white dots, but there is still that blue static. I don't know what could be causing that. Is it because of the 50" 1080p TV? Perhaps a new, shielded RF coax might do the trick?

 

 

http://youtu.be/Kt7Jib9X_1g

[Wickeycolumbus]

Glad the picture is better now The issue with splicing a cable like this is that it has a ground shield around the wire. Splicing it could make the quality go down a bit. Did you make sure to also reconnect the shield? Did you solder it or just make a mechanical connection?

[+xucaen]

Glad the picture is better now The issue with splicing a cable like this is that it has a ground shield around the wire. Splicing it could make the quality go down a bit. Did you make sure to also reconnect the shield? Did you solder it or just make a mechanical connection?

 

Yup, both the inner and outer, wrapped everything in electrical tape. yeah, it's a hack job. But even though it works, I'm thinking a brand new shielded cable might get rid of the blue static. I have no idea what is causing that.

 

 

[kamakazi]

The shield keeps the signal not only safe from outside interference but from escaping the system as well. By splicing it there might be just enough "gaps" for the signal to escape causing the blue lines. I've seen this more than once on various yard sale models that previous owners have done this to. Almost every other one had this issue with the same problem being the RF Cable being spliced or having splits (latter part due to age). It's not uncommon but a new cable might do the trick.

 

That cable is almost the same grade as the coax cable most cable companies use. You might be able to hack one together a bit cheaper using the ends of the original cable somehow. The center wire is literally soldered to the end of the center pin of the connector. It's a job but might be worth trying. If you have a spare audio RCA cable you can test your VCS and TV with one of those. Might be a good idea to make sure it is not your VCS before getting another cable. I have spares if you need them but I am not sure of their operating condition. They came with my JR model and since I use an adapter (opposite of what you have; mine has the RCA end to fit into the back of the console) I have no use for the cables. You are welcome to them if you need them.

[+xucaen]

After almost a week, I finally was able to fix the issue. There were problems along the way, and just when I thought I was going to have to scrap the how thing, I tried one last time to salvage my Atari. I made another video to show how clear the picture is. Compared to the videos above, this a marked improvement.

 

I... may have gone overboard on this video. I was so excited that I got my Atari working again, I put some of that excitement into making this video. This is my Ode to Atari 2600.

 

http://youtu.be/nrx61oT-lo0

[Wickeycolumbus]

Looks great!