Will this really help me get rid of the switchbox and get better picture?

[Gavica]

Does this Item really work? I want to use it on my atari 2600 to play on my lcd hdtv

 

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 400111998250

[Albert]

If you want to help support AtariAge, you can buy them directly from us here:

 

http://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42

 

They work much better than a typical switchbox, although results on an LCD television will vary depending on the quality of the set's RF tuner.

 

..Al

[Trinity]

It works just as well as a clean switch box. No better.

[Gavica]

thanks for the info, how can I clean my switch box? can I just open it up? and what do I use to clean it with?

[Trinity]

thanks for the info, how can I clean my switch box? can I just open it up? and what do I use to clean it with?

 

Radio shack 'control/contact cleaner and lubricant" #64-4351. A must have for cleaning the paddle controlers and switches. But it's $$$, And watch out, the can is under very high pressure. Just spray some in it and flip the switch about 100 times.

Edited April 5, 2010 by Trinity

[Herbarius]

Well, different people have stated you get less interference than with a switchbox. Which is plausible, IMO.

[DickNixonArisen]

It's already a clean, cheap and no-fuss solution. I personally have a two-way switch with one of these things screwed onto both inputs so I'm not even forced to unplug to play CV... schmancy

[Mirage]

I used to use various RF switches, both OEM and new aftermarket ones, but since I got one of those from the AA store, I've never gone back. I never got nearly as good of a picture with any RF switch as with the little coax adapter. You don't get as much pulling on the cable (box hanging off the back), get better contact obviously, and it's just simpler, so works much better overall. Definitely recommended.

[ls650]

In my own experience they are -much- better than an RF switchbox. I find the video is cleaner and sharper.

[tz101]

Its the best invention ever for the VCS/Intellivision/Colecovision, and is readily available at your local Radio Shack store.

[+atari2600land]

Definitely recommended. I've had one for a few years now (bought from right here, in fact), and have not had any problems. In fact, I find it WAY better than a switchbox. All my games are crystal clear on my old TV.

[phaxda]

I sell quite a few systems on eBay and I always include a direct adapter with them. More than one person has written to tell me how much easier that made it! (I include hookup instructions as well.) If anyone really thinks switchboxes are better, I have a bunch of them that I will gladly sell to you for the same price as direct adapters, $3.00 apiece... I would be shocked if I got any takers . The adapter is way better, but I am willing to put money where mouth is.

[+Nathan Strum]

$3?

[Zwackery]

The coax to female RCA is definitely the way to go. You will enjoy its ease of use and improved picture quality.

 

That said, I just bought a NIB Atari brand switchbox on eBay. I like Atari. I like boxes.

[DickNixonArisen]

Welll.... there is ONE advantage to switchboxes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

they have... colorful graphics?

[A-T-A-R-I]

If anyone really thinks switchboxes are better, I have a bunch of them that I will gladly sell to you for the same price as direct adapters, $3.00 apiece.

 

You should list those boxes on Ebay. Some idiot just paid $12.99 for one and $9.99 for another.

I just always shake my head about some people.

[cybercylon]

I really didn't notice a huge picture difference... switch box versus adapter. Less hassle with the latter since there isn't a switch box to mess with.

 

The contact cleaner that trinity mentioned... it is expensive, but it did fix the issue with my colecovision's power switch, and the switches on my heavy sixer.

 

Consider getting a small old tube TV from a trift,,, if it has av inputs too for newer systems, so much the better. Anything older than a PS2 just doesn't look good to me on an LCD screen, and even a PS2 is pushing it.

[Pioneer4x4]

I really didn't notice a huge picture difference... switch box versus adapter. Less hassle with the latter since there isn't a switch box to mess with.

 

The contact cleaner that trinity mentioned... it is expensive, but it did fix the issue with my colecovision's power switch, and the switches on my heavy sixer.

 

Consider getting a small old tube TV from a trift,,, if it has av inputs too for newer systems, so much the better. Anything older than a PS2 just doesn't look good to me on an LCD screen, and even a PS2 is pushing it.

What I need to pick up is one of these.

 

So the cable isn't sticking straight out the back waiting to get pinched against the wall, or break off the connector.

[Tanman]

Something I am looking for. Anyone have a link to two way switcher? I am tired of unplugging and replugging my 2600 and 800. Would rather just push a button to switch between the two. Even better if there was box that cold do 3,4,5 etc.. I just purchased a inexpensive Intellivision. That would make three....

[+Nathan Strum]

Something I am looking for. Anyone have a link to two way switcher? I am tired of unplugging and replugging my 2600 and 800. Would rather just push a button to switch between the two. Even better if there was box that cold do 3,4,5 etc.. I just purchased a inexpensive Intellivision. That would make three....

Standard A-B RF switch: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009W3F3?ie=UTF8&tag=atariage&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009W3F3

Push button version: http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=8928

Fancy-schmancy one with remote: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049643

3-way: http://www.google.com/products?q=Philips+SWV1010&aq=f

[Herbarius]

Be aware that most of these switches are far from "perfect"... For one thing, you may get a worse picture, just like when using the TV/Game-switchbox which comes with consoles. And also, say you connect your normal TV cable ("1"), Atari 800 ("2") and VCS ("3") to a 3-way switch and then to the TV, even if you say, switch it to 3, if there's signal on 1 and/or 2, it will still get through - faintly.

Edited April 8, 2010 by Herbarius

[bohoki]

Be aware that most of these switches are far from "perfect"... For one thing, you may get a worse picture, just like when using the TV/Game-switchbox which comes with consoles. And also, say you connect your normal TV cable ("1"), Atari 800 ("2") and VCS ("3") to a 3-way switch and then to the TV, even if you say, switch it to 3, if there's signal on 1 and/or 2, it will still get through - faintly.

 

 

i dont know what the story is behind all the 300-75 ohm matching transformers but on my switch box i am forced to use 2 of them the 75-300 for my cable and the 300-75 for the 2 conductor out of the box i figure every connection is one more portal to fuzz

 

i dont know if the rf out of the 2600 is 75 ohm or 300 ohm it seems that tvs dont really care most of the time

 

i use a switchbox cause i have other things hooked up so i want to switch with the tetanus inducing rust box slider

[A.J. Franzman]

i dont know what the story is behind all the 300-75 ohm matching transformers but on my switch box i am forced to use 2 of them the 75-300 for my cable and the 300-75 for the 2 conductor out of the box i figure every connection is one more portal to fuzz

 

i dont know if the rf out of the 2600 is 75 ohm or 300 ohm it seems that tvs dont really care most of the time

 

i use a switchbox cause i have other things hooked up so i want to switch with the tetanus inducing rust box slider

The 2600's RF cable is 75 ohm. 300 ohm RF cable is rarely seen anymore; the wire that comes out of the switchbox is about a 3 inch piece of it, but back when the VCS was new that twin-lead stuff was what almost every outdoor TV antenna in the U.S. was connected to a TV with. There are manual switchboxes available that have RCA and 75 ohm inputs and a 75 ohm output, which might give you a slightly better picture than what you get with that double matching transformer setup. But if you must have a switch, you should probably get an all 75 ohm A-B switch (most of which are of much better quality than the tin-plated sheet steel "game" switchboxes), and just use an RCA to "F" adapter for the Atari cable.