New to the Forum, Not new to Colecovision. Bunch of questions

[secretsubmariner]

Hello, so excited to have found you all.

Last week I dug out my Colecovision from the closet. It's a 2400 model, I think. I have expansion module 1, a suncom slik stik, 1 super action controller, both original controllers, and about 20 coleco+atari games, including river raid, burgertime, donkey kong, etc.

 

I stumbled upon this thread as I searched online for methods to repairing the awful picture I'm getting. I found a PDF that described best how to disassemble the console without destroying it. It's been taken apart and everything has been meticulously cleaned, and I'm about to reassemble it. The only thing is, the picture hasn't improved at all. The top is off of it, and I have it hooked up to the TV. I'm using a NES RF switch. I have used 2 different NES RF switches, and the picture does not improve, although the picture is fine when I use the RF switch on the NES itself.

 

From doing a bit of reading, the picture issue seems to be consistently related to power not being evenly distributed across the mother board? If that's the case then it could be the power supply, the soldering connections at the board itself, etc. There is also a woven metallic strap that runs from the circuit board and up and around the metal housing, and a soldering point has broken away, so the strap flaps freely from the housing. Is this interfering with my picture display? Also, there is a small soldering point that has snapped right where the upper housing rests near where the big, black power cord runs across the circuit board. Is that big black wire supposed to be soldered to the upper housing and the circuit board?

I hope that's not confusing, I'll post photos of my coleco's areas in question very soon.

 

I'd like to return tonight with some photos of what my set up is right now, and what kind of picture I'm getting.

 

Just wanted to introduce myself and see if you all had any suggestions on how to fix the picture without mods or extra equipment.

 

Also, what is the CORRECT RF adapter for the Coleco? lol

 

Thanks!

 

Tony

 

 

[NIAD]

While RF video is the least desireable, for a stock system that has not been modded for Composite, Component, VGA, etc. video output... it is the only option. So with that said, ditch the NES RF adapter and just use an RF cable with an RF-to-Coaxial Adapter that can be bought at any electronics store for roughly $1.50. This will eliminate the need for an A/B Switchbox and should hopefully improve the picture quality.

 

The woven metal strap should be reconnected to the metal shielding.

 

Welcome the the Forum.

[secretsubmariner]

Sage advice, thanks NIAD. Can't wait to get a decent picture and REALLY start to enjoy this thing.

[Hannacek]

If you have a CRT TV from the 80's, the rf picture will look a lot better. Otherwise, any CRT will make rf look better than a modern TV.

Don't use an automatic switching rf box like from the NES, SNES, SEGA Genesis, ect. The automatic switch boxes are not meant for system from the 70's and early 80's. Only use a switch box with a manual switch, or just buy a coax to RF screw on adapter.

 

For some unknown reason my ColecoVision has great rf picture using the rf cable that came with it, but bad quality if I use an rf cable that is meant for something else such as Atari or Commodore. Try to get a Coleco rf cable if possible, or another rf cable from the early 80's such as one from an Atari or Commodore. It's difficult to tell what they came from, because none of the rf cables have any branding on them.

Edited July 8, 2015 by Hannacek

[AlexKIDD]

I agree Colecovision looks much better on my early '80's crt TV than any of my newer ones. Same goes for the Nes. I believe that is the way they were meant to be played.

 

Also I've never heard of hooking up a Coleco with an Nes rf. I just use the same kind of coaxial adapter mentioned above that I also use with my 2600 systems.

[+Yurkie]

You might want to get one of my DIY composite video mods if you can do some simple soldering. Composite is way better than RF.

 

At the least get a quick connect and dump the switch box like NIAD suggested.

 

Happy Gaming. Welcome to ColecoAge , er I mean AtariAge.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Yurkie