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Starglider01

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Posts posted by Starglider01

  1. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    Update: The colour came back. I did nothing specific to cause this. It may or may not be happening due to the composite cable that runs to the TV (I've tried another and am none the wiser), and also touching the voltage regulator heat sink can cause the colour to come and go. Why? As you can see, the colour doesn't look great (lots of interference). Could removing some resistors reduce the interference? Perhaps my mod is not totally isolated from the circuit causing some audio interference? And to be clear, sometimes it goes back to B&W again. Any and all ideas welcomed!

    imageproxy.php?img=&key=f4dcc336a70d5c6820200928_200601.thumb.jpg.12a045eb458259cbad35b9c7f8274b98.jpg

  2. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    Hi guys, hope you're all doing good. I'm trying to figure out a problem for a video about my 37 year dream to finally play The Empire Strikes Back on the VCS (strange, I know, but it'll make sense later.) 

     

    I have read through this other thread on the same subject but it was for a different model & sort of ran away in different directions, so I felt it best to go back to the start with my issue of no colour after doing a composite mod.

     

    My machine is an NTSC Sears Video Arcade Heavy Sixer, Revision B, and I'm using the composite mod from TFW8B. Unfortunately the shop and the creator aren't offering support on it (I did offer to pay for his time but apparently the mod is causing too many support requests and they just don't want to go there any more 🤷‍♂️)

     

    After fixing an issue with no video which turned out to be a faulty TIA chip, I now get a crystal clear black & white image and great sound.

     

    The weird thing is, when moving the wires that go into the mod's white plug (pictured below), I suddenly got a full colour picture!

     

    412284725_ScreenShot2020-09-28at19_31_55.thumb.png.6df96cf399b918b481d3ce9b1152187c.png

     

    Then after moving the wires again, it was gone forever :-( I'm wondering if I added some resistance with my fingers. I have only been able to recreate it once since, and it took a lot of time.

     

    Fearing a faulty socket on the mod, I wired a new composite (yellow) wire directly from the VCS to the mod board's socket pin, bypassing the plug and cable, but it's still just B&W.

     

    Here is a photo of my board showing the mod as I have done it. This is different to any of the instructions on their site, as they don't show the heavy sixer and some of the resistor part numbers are different.

     

    20200928_193552.thumb.jpg.aa3547f2242e562f0d288b55c9296695.jpg

     

    Click here for hi-res image

     

    • Removed RF modulator
    • Removed red inductor coil and soldered +5V DC (red) to it
    • Removed Q202
    • Removed R209 and soldered audio (white) to it
    • Removed R215 and soldered composite (yellow) to it
    • Soldered ground (black) to a spare pad [I also tried ground on the top of R210 after removing that resistor but no change]

     

    I also recapped the board using the Console5 kit, replaced and tested the voltage regulator, etc.

     

    Any ideas what could be going on here guys? Help me AtariAge, you're my only hope....

     

    Starglider aka Perifractic

  3. Posted

    Hi guys, in my big Team 17 wrap up video I give news about where the recently discovered Team 17 Amiga 4000 has ended up, and launch a contest and charity auction so you can have a chance to own some 1990s artifacts from Team 17's offices.

     

    Some of the auction items are still at $0.99 at the time of writing this

     

    Proceeds go to Cura Orphanage, Kenya (details in video).

     

    Watch the video:

     

    Bid: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fretrorecipes%2Fm.html%3Fitem%3D362807006065%26rt%3Dnc%26_trksid%3Dp2047675.l2562&campid=5338319429&toolid=20008

  4. Posted

    I know using peroxide to remove yellowing is old news at this point, but I thought this is pretty telling of what actually could be done with it. This console was the worst I've ever seen and I was amazed at just how well it turned out. I used clear liquid developer, completely submerged the casing in the sun for a day.

    Before and after:

    attachicon.gifbefore.jpg

    attachicon.gifafter.jpg

    I did end up getting some minor burning on the dark gray area, I guess from leaving it in too long and decided to paint it since there was no text that would be covered.

     

    Hi, I run a small retro channel at http://youtube.com/perifracticand would love to feature some of the media from this URL and credit you with a thank you link in the description. It seems to be marked on Google Images as public domain.
    Whilst I have no doubt you'd be agreeable, I always like to check in with people in advance. But of course if you'd rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to say so too :)
    Thanks so much for your contribution to the retrocomputing community.
    Your friend in retro,
    Perifractic

  7. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    Edit: Found

    https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/listing/569862977/vintage-prince-brand-tv-italy

     

    Hey guys, I'm trying to find out the make and model of this monitor.

     

    The only source I have for it is this original pinterest link, captioned "Príncipe TV": https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/311803974193223731

     

    I believe it was a green display in monochrome and that I used it with the Apple //e and other machines back in the eighties. Thanks!518089cee7b04080fcf0a6d165d77b20.jpg

     

     

    Thanks!

    Starglider aka Perifractic http://youtube.com/perifractic

  8. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    Hi all, thanks for your assistance in this project. Here's the conclusion and outcome to the retrobriting and ultimately the respray. I hope you enjoy it. I'm sharing it here with you all a day ahead of the public release. ️

     

    https://youtu.be/JG_9W-LzWXc

     

    In conclusion I prefer a light spray paint to retrobriting. It takes literally 60 seconds instead of the hours, possible streaks, and mess of retrobriting, and the UV yellowing won't come back, unlike retrobriting.

     

    That said I respect all opinions and methods. There are no "wrong" ways to love and care for our retro gear.

     

    Thanks!

    Starglider aka Perifractic http://youtube.com/perifractic

    • Like 3

  12. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

     

    You're welcome, Chris. Yes you may use them in your Atari 400 retrobrighting video. I'd be honored. I sub to your channel and have been enjoying your videos from beginning to end. Please do credit this post thread. I'll look for the original high resolution photos. Are you looking for 4k resolution photos? Which images do you want?

    Thanks for your kind words and agreement! Much appreciated. Image 102 and 90 would be great. Any resolution above 1280p is ideal but not a deal breaker. Doesn't have to be 4K.

     

    I'll be sure to credit you. ️

     

    Thanks!

    Starglider aka Perifractic http://youtube.com/perifractic

  13. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    A friend of mine recently got an 800 that was used for a few hours (if at all) and then packed away and stored in a basement for nearly 35 years. The owner recently passed away and many unused (?) computer products were found. Presumably he was a computer hoarder. The machine does work. I took these photos on the 8th of March 2018. In one photo the color can be compared with a yellowed 800.

     

    In the spirit of appreciating the beauty of the 800 and sharing here on the forums, I am granting limited rights use of the photos. You may use them freely for personal non commercial use and for archiving and for free use here on the forum. They may not be used them for commercial or monetary gain. The photos may be used at Atari gatherings for non monetary purposes. I retain all other copyrights to the images besides the limited rights granted here.

     

    The machine is date coded 203 (20th week of '83) so it is one of the last made.

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! May I use 2 on my channel in a video about Atari 400 retrobriting color matching if I credit this post's URL in the description?

     

    If so would you be able to send hi res versions? [email protected] (remove TEETH to email me)

     

    Thanks!

    Starglider aka Perifractic http://youtube.com/perifractic

  15. Posted

     

    Very, very close to how I remember my 400, purchased in 4/1983 (still have the original invoice).

     

    NEVER saw any of these units too far from this, in the gazillions we sold back then.

    Thanks. In my view all that matters is it's better than it was, and matches our individual memories. Each machine is for us to enjoy, and if we're happy with it that's all that is important. #nostalgia

     

    Thanks!

    Starglider aka Perifractic http://youtube.com/perifractic

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    Restoration and video/audio upgrade complete. For the first time ever, even when I was 10, I finally have a decent image out of the first computer I owned.

     

    I'm delighted with the result and can't wait to share the video of the job with you all.

     

    cc18dc21be2f25feec7b6dea7c3d3c9a.jpg

     

    And I can confirm the color is "Camouflage Khaki". In the photo the flap button was not sprayed. Also in the video I'll show the exact color match compared to the inside of the case that did not see UV, and the commercials of course.

     

    Thanks for all the help! ️

     

    Thanks!, Starglider aka ԹҽɾíƒɾɑϲԵíϲ's RҽԵɾ๏ RҽϲíԹҽs

    ️ http://youtube.com/perifractic

    ️ http://patreon.com/perifractic

    • Like 5

  20. Posted · Edited by Starglider01

    Amazing that Lowe's knew. Did they scan, match and custom mix it, or was it a spray can?

     

    Also, what experiences have people had with paint? Any problems with rubbing off, flaking?

    The guy at Lowe's might have been acting But the color was off the shelf not custom. The match is unbelievable. (video soon.)

     

    I owned a 400 in 1983 and it looks perfect. Not gray, but khaki.

     

    A good quality paint applied to a clean surface should not flake of under normal use.

     

    Thanks!, Starglider aka ԹҽɾíƒɾɑϲԵíϲ's RҽԵɾ๏ RҽϲíԹҽs

    ️ http://youtube.com/perifractic

    ️ http://patreon.com/perifractic

  24. Posted

    That looks great. One thing I did discover when working on the machine featured in this video (which was very yellow before treatment) was that if we assume the aftermarket keyboard's base plate was a good match for the original colour, the 400 (and 800) plastics were a lot less beige than many assume:

     

    https://youtu.be/FILXpqTrXdE

    Yes, this paint matched the inside color of the case which hadn't seen UV. It's still pretty beige I'd say and seems to match the commercials of the time.

     

    Thanks!, Starglider aka ԹҽɾíƒɾɑϲԵíϲ's RҽԵɾ๏ RҽϲíԹҽs

    ️ http://youtube.com/perifractic

    ️ http://patreon.com/perifractic

  25. Posted

    Thanks guys!

     

    I'm starting to dislike retrobriting more and more, in favor of a very light paint spray.

     

    I went to Lowe's (American for "Homebase") and they knew the exact color match for the Atari 400, somehow. Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GjFoicKos9KEFvBZA

     

    Here's the end result! Full details coming up in my next video at my little channel. Thanks again friends! 584fbe674a94ba83472ce27b34fb9c2d.jpg

     

    Thanks!, Starglider aka ԹҽɾíƒɾɑϲԵíϲ's RҽԵɾ๏ RҽϲíԹҽs

    ️ http://youtube.com/perifractic

    ️ http://patreon.com/perifractic

    • Like 5
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