To a/v mod or not to a/v mod? - should I mod my 2600 Jr. or not?

[BIGHMW]

I am in quite a quandary,

 

I own an a/v-modded 4-port 5200

 

I also own a non-modded 2-port 5200 as well, but, it does not power on regardless of which 5200 power adapter I use

 

I also own a VCS cartridge adapter I purchased for use with the non-modded 2-port 5200

 

and I also own a non-modded 2600 Jr. with the short rainbow that I was thinking of getting a/v-modded to go with my already-a/v-modded 4-port 5200

 

so what should I do......

 

ditch the a/v-modded 5200 and also my 2600 Jr. and get the 2-port 5200 fixed so I can use the VCS adapter with it and both my AtariAge Harmony Encore 2600 SD multicart and also my Atarimax 5200 SD multicart

 

but........

 

I would have to settle for the poor picture and sound quality that we know Channel 3 RF has that has been notorious for delivering for decades.

 

or......

 

ditch the 2-port non-modded 5200 and the VCS Cartridge Adapter, and simply get the 2600 Jr. a/v-modded for the best quality picture and sound as only an a/v-modded unit can provide, to go along with my a/v-modded 5200???

 

In other words, which would be cheaper to do???

 

Fix the 2-port 5200 so I can use my VCS Cartridge Adapter and technically have only one unit that does it all

 

or.......

 

a/v-mod the 2600 Jr. and have to switch between the two separate units but, with the best overall audio and video.

 

ATTENTION MODS:

 

(This post is being deliberately posted simultaneously on both the 5200 and the 2600 forums, in order to get a broader response from both parties)

[atari-dna]

I am in quite a quandary,

 

I own an a/v-modded 4-port 5200

 

I also own a non-modded 2-port 5200 as well, but, it does not power on regardless of which 5200 power adapter I use

 

I also own a VCS cartridge adapter I purchased for use with the non-modded 2-port 5200

 

and I also own a non-modded 2600 Jr. with the short rainbow that I was thinking of getting a/v-modded to go with my already-a/v-modded 4-port 5200

 

so what should I do......

 

ditch the a/v-modded 5200 and also my 2600 Jr. and get the 2-port 5200 fixed so I can use the VCS adapter with it and both my AtariAge Harmony Encore 2600 SD multicart and also my Atarimax 5200 SD multicart

 

but........

 

I would have to settle for the poor picture and sound quality that we know Channel 3 RF has that has been notorious for delivering for decades.

 

or......

 

ditch the 2-port non-modded 5200 and the VCS Cartridge Adapter, and simply get the 2600 Jr. a/v-modded for the best quality picture and sound as only an a/v-modded unit can provide, to go along with my a/v-modded 5200???

 

In other words, which would be cheaper to do???

 

Fix the 2-port 5200 so I can use my VCS Cartridge Adapter and technically have only one unit that does it all

 

or.......

 

a/v-mod the 2600 Jr. and have to switch between the two separate units but, with the best overall audio and video.

 

ATTENTION MODS:

 

(This post is being deliberately posted simultaneously on both the 5200 and the 2600 forums, in order to get a broader response from both parties)

The Junior has pretty good RF picture in its own right, there is a torroid on the PCB—it should produce a good image without tinkering.

I wouldn’t recommend using the 5200 as a main console if your playing a lot of 2600 games though, that is a bulky and inelegant way to game if you’re playing mostly VCS titles. If you favor the 5200 library, it might be a better option. I’m biased on video modifications as I prefer stock, and I use some ferrite cores on my cabling to suppress ambient interference. Go with what suits your play preferences. If you want to discuss the non functional 5200, I may be able to repair it.

Edited March 31, 2018 by atari-dna

[Hank Rearden]

UAV s-video mod is the way to go. Composite isn't much of an upgrade in my opinion. I can't unsee the difference anymore.

[zylon]

1st place I'd suspect in the non-functional 5200 is the little flip-flop IC near the power switch. It's a very common problem and seems to hit 2-ports more often than the 4-ports systems.

 

4013BEXV

Edited April 1, 2018 by zylon

[atari-dna]

1st place I'd suspect in the non-functional 5200 is the little flip-flop IC near the power switch. It's a very common problem and seems to hit 2-ports more often than the 4-ports systems.

 

4013BEXV

This was part of the problem, some dead transistors in the power path as well—Q8, Q9, Q10. Then some upgrades for longevity, now it’s better than new.

 

 

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