ATARI Computers HDMI, VGA, COMPONENT VIDEO, S-Video, Composite video and RF

[HDTV1080P]

While RF channel 2 and 3 output offers the worse possible picture and sound quality, this is information on the best cable to use with the ATARI Computers if one still wants to use RF

Internally modifying ones ATARI computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, or component video is better than using S-Video, composite video, or RF channel 2 or 3. However for various reasons one might want to use the legacy RF connection on a very old TV that does not offer S-Video or composite video.

 

The disadvantage of the ATARI 400 and 800 computer is that the 22 gauge RG-59 cable is built into the console. Therefore, for most users that do not want to open up the console, the best solution is to use an F-type Coax Plug to RCA female jack adapter. However, the advantage of the ATARI 800XL, 1200XL, 65XE, and 130XE computer is that those computers have an external channel 2 and 3 RF RCA jack that allows one to install a RG-11 14 gauge, RG-6 18 gauge, or RG-59 22 gauge 75 ohm cable. I successfully tested a 100 feet RG-6 QUAD Shield cable on the ATARI 130XL, and it offered almost the same exact picture and sound quality as a 3 feet RG6 QUAD shield cable (The 3 feet connection was a little bit better than the 100 feet cable, but not by much). While RG-11 is better quality cable because of less signal loss per foot, it is also a much more expensive cable and for someone that is looking to run their ATARI computer 200+ feet over RF.

 

If one purchases a Gold plated RCA male to F female adapter for around 82 cents, this adapter can be plugged directly into the ATARI Computers RF output jack (As mentioned before well not work with the original ATARI 400 and 800 computers). Doing this allows one to use any standard RG11 or RG6 QUAD shield cable with male F connectors on each end, and with any length of cable between 1.5 feet to 100+ feet. For example, a 100 feet QUAD Shield RG-6 cable with male F connectors works great with the ATARI Computers and only costs $12.99 .

Edited August 1, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[phoenixdownita]

You should GoldPlate your hands and stop typing ... just saying king Midas!

Why would you need a 100feet cable for an A8 is beyond me, do you live in a freaking stadium or something, at 200+ feet I have no idea what is the scenario.

[HDTV1080P]

You should GoldPlate your hands and stop typing ... just saying king Midas!

Why would you need a 100feet cable for an A8 is beyond me, do you live in a freaking stadium or something, at 200+ feet I have no idea what is the scenario.

People are getting projectors that are over 100 inches and are sitting further from the display. Also some people route cables in walls when remodeling and need long cables. Its good information to know a 100 feet cable can work on the ATARI computers. Some people might only need 35 or 50 feet, but if 100 feet works all the lengths below 100 feet well also work.

Edited August 1, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[256 colors]

All my retro systems are setup in the main living room for my HDTV so everybody can use them

I don't want CRT setup sitting in a dark corner being anti social

Edited August 1, 2018 by 256 colors

[HDTV1080P]

Internally modifying ones ATARI computer so that it offers native HDMI, VGA, RGB, or component video, is better than using S-Video, composite video, or RF channel 3 and 4. However, for various reasons one might want to use the legacy composite video output that does offer a better picture and sound quality when compared to RF channel 2 and 3.

 

Cables Online has released a couple of high-end composite video/audio cables for the ATARI computers

These high-end Cables Online cables are 100% compatible with the ATARI 800, 800XL, 1200XL, 65XE, and 130XE computers. This is a high-end cable with shielded wires, one end of the cable uses a metal neutrik connector with all 5 pins on the DIN connector being gold plated, the second end of the cable uses two metal RCA connectors with yellow for video and white for audio (RCA connectors are gold plated). When the white RCA connector is connected to the left audio input jack on a stereo TV/monitor, 99% of stereo TV/Monitor’s will internally split the mono audio signal to both speakers. On the rare 1% of stereo TV/Monitors from the 20^th Century that do not internally split the mono audio to both speakers when a cable is plugged into the left audio input, this 53 cent gold plated RCA plug splitter can be plugged into the back of ones stereo TV/monitor to hear mono audio out of both speakers.

 

(1 ) The high-end 6 feet Cables Online ADX-506 composite video cable with audio for the ATARI computer is now $24.95 plus free shipping.

 

(2) The high-end 6 inch Cables Online ADX-300 Audio/Video adapter cable for the ATARI computer is now $20.95 plus free shipping. This ADX-300 cable ended up being the best quality composite video option when used with two high-end RG-6 double shielded cables (one RCA cable for video and one RCA cable for audio). High quality RG-6 cable with two RCA connectors on each end can be purchased directly from Monoprice in lengths between 3 feet and 100 feet (Monoprice offers a lifetime warranty on this quality cable).

 

I tested this ADX-300 cable over a 100 feet connection using RG-6 cables and the picture and sound quality at 100 feet was excellent (3 feet slightly better picture then 100 feet). The purpose of the ADX-300 cable is that it allows consumers to have their ATARI home computer connected to any length of RG-6 cable between 3 feet and 100 feet in length.

[NISMOPC]

I feel like I am reading some spam/scam advertisement and not a subject thread. What the #$%@^ is this?

 

[Level42]

Come on NismoPC, buying a 100" 4K flatscreen TV or beamer really needs an RF input......man that will look LOVELY

[Mathy]

Hello HDTV1080P

 

Please stop using different font sizes and different colors in your messages.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

[+Stephen]

Hello HDTV1080P

 

Please stop using different font sizes and different colors in your messages.

 

Sincerely

 

Mathy

Lousy presentation for lousy content? Garbage in, garbage out?

[+DrVenkman]

I feel like I am reading some spam/scam advertisement and not a subject thread. What the #$%@^ is this?

It sounds more to me like someone is coming into a long-standing community of passionate enthusiasts and making grandiose pronouncements based on some self-perceived authority.

 

[Osgeld]

 

It sounds more to me like someone is coming into a long-standing community of passionate enthusiasts and making grandiose pronouncements based on some self-perceived authority.

 

idontknow-how-to-put-this-but-sim-kindofabig-deal-memes-17536238.png

 

 

well the thing is, they have multiple posts of the exact same thing, every freaking time they have a though cross their brain

[Gunstar]

Skipping all other comments for the moment, and first making it clear that I don't give a rat's arse about RF anymore, is this a sales pitch by the seller (presumably HDTV1080p) or is he just telling us this stuff is available from someone else? His posts are to confusing and obtuse for me to follow, or even bother to finish reading, I'm just going by the stuff in different colors and larger fonts that catch my eye in all that mess of a post...

 

I think I've seen the name HDTV1080p on youtube before, with videos recorded of Jaguar games in high-def like it's something special, when it's just the same old 320x224 graphics displayed in 1080p mode, it doesn't look better than playing them in 480p, 720p or whatever, it's still the same 320x224 resolution being displayed, no matter what definition is used on the TV...I never got that either...I have my 8-bit going through a VGA converter that's output is set to 1024x768, but it still looks like the same old 8-bit resolution there too, but maybe I should make some videos claiming Atari 8-bit in VGA 1024x768?

Edited August 2, 2018 by Gunstar

[HDTV1080P]

Skipping all other comments for the moment, and first making it clear that I don't give a rat's arse about RF anymore, is this a sales pitch by the seller (presumably HDTV1080p) or is he just telling us this stuff is available from someone else? His posts are to confusing and obtuse for me to follow, or even bother to finish reading, I'm just going by the stuff in different colors and larger fonts that catch my eye in all that mess of a post...

 

I think I've seen the name HDTV1080p on youtube before, with videos recorded of Jaguar games in high-def like it's something special, when it's just the same old 320x224 graphics displayed in 1080p mode, it doesn't look better than playing them in 480p, 720p or whatever, it's still the same 320x224 resolution being displayed, no matter what definition is used on the TV...I never got that either...I have my 8-bit going through a VGA converter that's output is set to 1024x768, but it still looks like the same old 8-bit resolution there too, but maybe I should make some videos claiming Atari 8-bit in VGA 1024x768?

I have never taken the time to create a YOUTUBE video, so that person you are mentioning is someone else. This is just a thread on the different connection options for the ATARI computers. While I would be interested in the future upgrading the ATARI computer to a HDMI output, for now I am playing around with the 130XE's S-Video, composite video, and RF output. Cables Online created a state of the art high quality composite video cable for the Coleco ADAM computer. That same quality Cables Online cable construction was ported over to composite video cables for the Atari Computers, Commodore computers, and Texas Instruments computers.

 

This thread in the Atari forum is just my testing results using high quality cables. This information might be useful to some people wanting the best connection for their ATARI Computers.

[Gunstar]

Good to know your not the same person. I'm happy for you that you found some quality cable to use for RF at long distances, but since it IS RF (radio frequency) wouldn't it just be so much easier for long distances to use one of these?

 

http://www.ambery.com/58ghzwiautrk.html

 

Plus, you don't even have to use RF out, you can use the separate A/V and audio outputs for even better quality than any cable will give you with RF source.

Edited August 2, 2018 by Gunstar

[HDTV1080P]

Good to know your not the same person. I'm happy for you that you found some quality cable to use for RF at long distances, but since it IS RF (radio frequency) wouldn't it just be so much easier for long distances to use one of these?

 

http://www.ambery.com/58ghzwiautrk.html

 

Plus, you don't even have to use RF out, you can use the separate A/V and audio outputs for even better quality than any cable will give you with RF source.

Wireless is not as good of quality when compared to a physical cable. RF interference can mess up ones connection. Also a 100 feet cable is better quality and cheaper then wireless.

 

I do agree RF is the worse connection to use. In the following link in this thread I reported my experience with a 100 feet RG-6 RCA to RCA connection over Composite video using Cables Online 6 inch composite video DIN adapter for the ATARI computers.

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/281415-atari-computers-hdmi-vga-component-video-s-video-composite-video-and-rf/?p=4083401

Edited August 2, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[HDTV1080P]

One day all classic 70’s and 80’s videogame and computer systems well need a native HDMI output

When computer monitors and TV’s break most consumers end up purchasing a new model if the display is 10+ years old instead of getting the display repaired. And sometimes even if one wants to get the display repaired it is not possible to get the display repaired because the parts needed to repair the circuit board went out of production and can no longer be found in stock from parts supplies . Therefore, the reality is consumers always end up with new models of electronics for various reasons.

 

Around 3+ years ago, I mentioned that all desktop computer monitors in production have only a digital HDMI input and sometimes also digital Displayport input (but no analog video inputs at all on desktop computer monitors). The work around to the issue was consumers instead were purchasing flat panel TV’s and projectors that offered both HDMI and analog video inputs. Around the year 2010 the S-Video jack was removed from all new displays and A/V receivers. Therefore, consumers have gone through 8 years of TV models that no longer offer 480i S-Video jacks. But in general back in 2015 (much less true in 2018), flat panel HDTV’s especially the higher-end models came with at least one component video input good for 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and sometimes 1080p resolution, at least one 480i composite video input, and a RF input that worked with NTSC/ATSC/QAM signals (basically everything except the S-Video input).

 

However, in the year 2018 new models of displays are changing rapidly. Normally the high-end top of the line models of HDTV’s well have more input jacks when compared to lower end and lower priced flat panels. Displays can be made cheaper if they have no analog inputs or less analog input jacks on them. On some of the high-end top of the line 2018 LG OLED Ultra HDTV’s and some other HDTV’s on the market from various companies there is no longer any component video input jacks at all. What happen to S-Video back around 2010 is now happening to many 2018 Ultra HDTV’s when it comes to no longer offering analog component video inputs. Some of the 2017 or 2018 TV models that do still offer component video input require a special 3.5mm to RCA adapter plug to be used to feed component video into the display. Now the latest 2018 LG Ultra HDTV’s still have the legacy 480i composite video feature but to use that feature a special 3.5mm to RCA composite video adapter needs to be used. So at least on the 2018 models from LG and some others, composite video input is possible with the correct adapter connected. Also LG still makes RF tuners that handle a channel 2, 3, and 4 NTSC modulated video and audio signal from a classic 70’s and 80’s videogame and computer system (but that well not be the case in the future). Looking at the specs for this year’s 2018 high-end Samsung Ultra HDTV that cost around $2,800, there is no analog video inputs at all, not even the legacy 480i composite video inputs. To make matters worse Samsung has dropped the NTSC feature from their built in tuners according to the spec sheets I was looking at. In reality for over a decade all full power TV stations in the United States have been broadcasting in digital ATSC. In addition, all or most all Cable TV companies are now 100% QAM with no more NTSC channels. So it’s very logical to not offer analog NTSC tuners in all new TV’s and instead only offer 100% ATSC/QAM tuners. However, there are some consumers that have videogame systems, computer systems, and VCR’s from the 20^th Century that need a RF input with a NTSC tuner built in. Yes, one can purchase a digital ATSC RF modulator with both a HDMI input and a composite video input but the problem is those ATSC RF modulators cost around $895 (ATSC RF modulators one day in 5-10+ years might cost under $100 when all future TV tuners in 2020+ only offer ATSC/QAM and drop the NTSC feature). NTSC RF modulators that sale for around $20 or $30+ well become useless non-compatible item when connected to a new flat panel TV that only offers ATSC/QAM tuners. One needs to really hunt to find a 2018 TV that has all three of the following features on a flat panel: component video, composite video, and analog NTSC.

 

What all or most 2020+ flat panels TV’s well have in regards to input jacks (say goodbye to NTSC RF that ColecoVision, ATARI, and other people have used over the decades)

Because of inflation and because manufactories are looking to produce flat panels and projectors at cheaper prices. Most likely somewhere around 2020+ all or most flat panels including the top of the line Ultra HDTV models well no longer offer any component video inputs, no longer offer composite video inputs, and no longer offer NTSC RF tuners (And this is starting to happen on the latest top of the line models in 2018). Also in the future with the new ATSC 3.0 standard we are looking at all new built in TV tuners to be exclusive ATSC/ATSC 3.0/QAM models with no NTSC feature offered (again NTSC not needed since all or most cable TV companies have converted to QAM) and full power broadcast TV stations have been 100% ATSC for over 10 years.

 

What this means is on all or most 2020+ flat panel TV’s and projectors, the only way one is going to be able to connect their classic 70’s and 80’s videogame and computer system is if they externally or internally modify it to have a HDMI output (some systems have expansion module interfaces that would allow a hardware developer to make a native external HDMI graphics card for their favorite videogame and computer system). Now there is 480i composite video to HDMI converter boxes on the market for around $14.99 but that is not as good as solution as having a native HDMI output. There is also the issue of classic 1982 ColecoVisions, and 70’s videogame systems from ATARI and others that only have a RF output. If one is going to have to modify their classic videogame system for composite video so that they can use an external composite video to HDMI adapter, it is much more logical to just go in and remove the RF NTSC modulator and install a HDMI output on all the classic 70’s and 80’s videogame and computer systems that cannot have native HDMI output from its expansion interface (some videogame systems like the ATARI 2600, 5200, and many others do not have an expansion module interface).

[Omega-TI]

This is freaking annoying to see the same commercial cross posted in multiple threads. We are hobbists not customers here as your target audience. I dislike seeing Atariage abused like this.

 

I'll personally never buy anything linked from these messages, in fact I'll go out of my way to purchase a like item elsewhere.

[HDTV1080P]

This is freaking annoying to see the same commercial cross posted in multiple threads. We are hobbists not customers here as your target audience. I dislike seeing Atariage abused like this.

 

I'll personally never buy anything linked from these messages, in fact I'll go out of my way to purchase a like item elsewhere.

Post number 16 is not selling anything. Its a very factual article regarding the direction the industry is going with the latest TV sets. It is useful information for some people who plan on connecting their 70's and 80's equipment to modern displays.

Edited August 14, 2018 by HDTV1080P

[256 colors]

Spam thread

[Osgeld]

Spam

 

And none of your posts are informitive its just endless word vomit

Edited August 14, 2018 by Osgeld

[NISMOPC]

Hmm... Now I am seeing these "kits" on ebay. RIP-OFF!!!!!!!!!!

 

This thread is nothing but SPAM spewed with BS!

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RF-TV-connection-kit-for-ColecoVision-ADAM-and-some-ATARI-Commodore-systems/113168505536?hash=item1a595e5ac0%3Am%3AmreH7PaKkS6heCQqGppfoDQ%3Asc%3AUSPSFirstClass%2143035%21US%21-1&var=413472023793&_sacat=0&_nkw=atari+rf+kit&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

[_The Doctor__]

funny thing is lot's of times you will get a better looking picture using lower quality cables on an Atari... the video seemingly having been tuned to deal with crappy wires and switch boxes of the day...

 

I hear monty python in my head... spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam de spam the... er ....

eggs and spam, bacon and spam, spam spam spam..

 

 

had to do it before the lock! please report spam for what it is because I've had my spam for the day and am not sure if I've any more room as I feel I've just had the spam spam spam beans spam spam spam and spam spam special... although I do think the beans were a little off....

Edited August 14, 2018 by _The Doctor__

[flashjazzcat]

Well, that's why spam is called spam, so the reference is far from tenuous.

[+Allan]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ColecoVision-ADAM-Ultimate-SD-Wafer-Drive-with-Mario-Brothers-and-Mr-Chin/113168481593?hash=item1a595dfd39:g:KhkAAOSwbqtbclgU:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!06492!US!-1

 

I want one of these Wafer drive carts. They're so much better than Steve's/Classic's SD carts.

 

 

[HDTV1080P]

funny thing is lot's of times you will get a better looking picture using lower quality cables on an Atari... the video seemingly having been tuned to deal with crappy wires and switch boxes of the day...

 

Sometimes this is true when a RF modulator does not have a automatic gain control. Some videogame systems have their RF modulator db gain set very high since the videogame and computer system shipped with RG-59 22 gauge cable that sometime was un-shielded. I did run into one ColecoVision system that had a better picture and sound quality with a 100 feet RG-6 18 gauge cable when compared to a 3 feet RG-6 18 gauge cable (Because the RF modulator was set so high that the signal was to strong). However all the other ColecoVison/ADAM's I tested worked fine at 3 feet using RG-6 over RF. The ATARI 130XE Computer I use does not have any issues with RF at 3 feet or 100 feet. A nice internal RF modulator in that computer. Maybe this would be more of a issue with the RF modulators in 70's computers like the original ATARI 400 at 800. Its only when using RF that sometimes longer and lower quality cables can offer a better picture quality because of the systems RF modulator putting out to strong of signal

 

However when one goes to composite video the better quality RG-11 14 gauge and RG-6 18 gauge cable makes a noticeably improvement between 3 feet and 100 feet when compared to RG-59 cable.

Edited August 14, 2018 by HDTV1080P