Best cord to go from system to TV?

[SpendTooMuchOnAtari]

I am having trouble with my 7800 and am wondering if the cause is the cord that goes from the system to the TV. The picture is all fuzzy. Could the "wrong" cord be the cause of this? What is the best cord to use and where can I get one? On a side note, I am using the direct connect RF adapter thing. Thanks for any help.

[Rybags]

The RF cord is much the same for 2600, 7800, the Atari computers (8-bit and ST) and others like the C64.

 

I've found the one with the RF suppressing coil like the XLs have is better, it does get less interference.

 

The problem (and probably what's wrong with yourse) though I've found with practically all my old gear is that the RF jacks on the computers themselves tend to be made from pretty crap material and get oxidisation.

 

The solution is to get some contact cleaner into it. Best way would probably be to spray it onto a cotton bud then rub it into it.

[fiddlepaddle]

Try a good quality RCA cable with gold plated connectors that is made for video rather than one made for audio (the video cables usually have more shielding, look for a thicker cord). Also, use 91% alcohol or Deoxit to clean the female RCA connector on the game machine. You might also see if you can fine-tune the TV channel a little better.

[Rex Dart]

I say forget the thin RCA cable and use some thick RG6 coax cable. Works so well for me, I'm not sure I want to bother adding composite video output to mine.

[thegamezmaster]

When I hook up my 7800, I get intermitant rf interferance. I'm thinking I need a shielded RCA cable and am going to check all the ground connections on the RF modulator. Don't know if this will help yours.

[SpendTooMuchOnAtari]

Thanks for all the help. It's not a huge deal because I have another working system that I can use but wanted to get this one working good as well. I think the output part on the system that the cord plugs into needs a cleaning but it looks like I would have to take the system apart to do this. Do I just take the screws out on the bottom and that's it?

[Rex Dart]

Yessir.

Maybe even give the connector a bit of a polish with some fine-grit sandpaper. What do you experts think, would that be a good idea or would the possibility of metal dust in the system make my idea a bit dumb?

[Chris Leach]

Could you just use a sega or nintendo adapter?

 

Just wondering as Ive never tried to....

[Rex Dart]

I've never tried, but the general consensus is "no". Something about those switchboxes expecting an additional 5v from the system to "kick" the switchbox over to Game mode, but the atari consoles not providing that 5v that the later NES and Sega systems do.

[Madaracs]

Could you just use a sega or nintendo adapter?

 

Just wondering as Ive never tried to....

 

I'd bypass the RF box completely and plug directly into the Coax connector on the TV with the Coax/RCA adapter. See if that helps with the fuzz. If that's not it and upgraded cable doesn't fix it maybe mod it since you have another working machine.

Edited August 2, 2010 by Madaracs

[eightbit]

An old style RF shielded cable (like the ones that were included in the box with the 7800, Colecovision, etc) is what you need in conjunction with a coax adapter as stated above. If you are not using one of these and are rather using a plain old a/v plug, you are going to get bad reception. If you wanted to go a step further and have near composite video from rf, combine the shielded rf cable and coax adapter with a amplified video selector (like Archer/Radio Shack used to sell) They are hard to come by, but have their own power and really clean up the signal significantly.

 

BTW, if you need a shielded RF cable, let me know. I have a spare that you can have for little more than shipping.

[satan165]

i am dealing with a similar problem on my 2600 and have been discussing here

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/167110-diagnosis-of-poor-video-quality/page__pid__2066442#entry2066442

 

i got the same recommendation regarding an RF cable...how much more shielding does it really contribute? more importantly, where can i get one? would the shack really have such an item? i used to have some but i guess they got tossed.

[Underball]

A/V mod that thing.

[satan165]

A/V mod that thing.

 

ironically (as referenced in the other thread) this system was originally a/v modded but i had a problem and tore it out. ironically the problem was small and my own fault but i was in a pinch and needed the system working so it was easier (and solved my frustration) to desolder it out

 

looks like it may be the best solution in the end

[eightbit]

i am dealing with a similar problem on my 2600 and have been discussing here

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/167110-diagnosis-of-poor-video-quality/page__pid__2066442#entry2066442

 

i got the same recommendation regarding an RF cable...how much more shielding does it really contribute? more importantly, where can i get one? would the shack really have such an item? i used to have some but i guess they got tossed.

 

 

You need the old style rf cable. You cannot just use a composite cable and expect to get any kind of a clear picture. Please see the pictures I have just taken. One is of the type of cable you NEED for clean video over RF, the other two are of the video selector I was speaking of earlier that uses its own power and amplifies the signal even more. You do not need the amplified selector of course, but it does help further and it is great for multiple classic consoles.

 

The video I get from using the old rf cables in conjunction with the coax adapters is on par with composite...no joke.

[Rex Dart]

 

You need the old style rf cable. You cannot just use a composite cable and expect to get any kind of a clear picture. Please see the pictures I have just taken. One is of the type of cable you NEED for clean video over RF, the other two are of the video selector I was speaking of earlier that uses its own power and amplifies the signal even more. You do not need the amplified selector of course, but it does help further and it is great for multiple classic consoles.

 

The video I get from using the old rf cables in conjunction with the coax adapters is on par with composite...no joke.

 

I've had similar results, as I posted above. The only reason I'm still considering a composite video mod is simply for convenience's sake. You don't necessarily need an old RF cable, but you surely can't use 50¢ Chinese A/V cables and expect a clear signal from anything.

[BigO]

I am having trouble with my 7800 and am wondering if the cause is the cord that goes from the system to the TV. The picture is all fuzzy. Could the "wrong" cord be the cause of this? What is the best cord to use and where can I get one? On a side note, I am using the direct connect RF adapter thing. Thanks for any help.

 

Thanks for all the help. It's not a huge deal because I have another working system that I can use but wanted to get this one working good as well. I think the output part on the system that the cord plugs into needs a cleaning but it looks like I would have to take the system apart to do this. Do I just take the screws out on the bottom and that's it?

 

You don't know if the cable is the problem, but you have another working system. If that other working system is RF, not A/V modded then switch the cables to see how much, if any, of the fault is in the actual cable.

 

I think some of the cheap cables are not quite the right impedance (not to mention high signal loss). Like someone else mentioned, I've used a high quality RG-6/U cable terminated with high quality F connectors and RCA adapters to achieve excellent picture quality with some old consoles. Unfortunately, that stuff is really stiff and awkward in comparison to the thinner, more supple cables that were originally used with the systems.

[satan165]

 

You need the old style rf cable. You cannot just use a composite cable and expect to get any kind of a clear picture. Please see the pictures I have just taken. One is of the type of cable you NEED for clean video over RF, the other two are of the video selector I was speaking of earlier that uses its own power and amplifies the signal even more. You do not need the amplified selector of course, but it does help further and it is great for multiple classic consoles.

 

The video I get from using the old rf cables in conjunction with the coax adapters is on par with composite...no joke.

 

I've had similar results, as I posted above. The only reason I'm still considering a composite video mod is simply for convenience's sake. You don't necessarily need an old RF cable, but you surely can't use 50¢ Chinese A/V cables and expect a clear signal from anything.

 

i am not using a 50 cent chinese a/v cable, as i said these are the cables comcast supplies with cable boxes so its certainly enough to carry an HD television signal.

 

no matter - im perfectly willing to give this a try, but i dont see where i can possibly source one of these besides from someone elses old atari.

[BigO]

Yessir.

Maybe even give the connector a bit of a polish with some fine-grit sandpaper. What do you experts think, would that be a good idea or would the possibility of metal dust in the system make my idea a bit dumb?

I'd be more concerned about sanding through any plating that might be protecting that connector. Instead, I think I'd first try applying Deoxit and rotating the RCA connector of a cable plugged into the connector to try to clean oxidation from the critical areas of both parts.

[Underball]

The video I get from using the old rf cables in conjunction with the coax adapters is on par with composite...no joke.

No, it isn't. It might be more static free than other's here, but it is NOT even close to what a proper composite video signal cam provide.

[satan165]

it seems that perhaps that the ataris RF signal is more susceptible to interference then a regular composite signal

 

so a cable that works just fine for high quality composite is not successful when used with the adaptor sold in the AA store and elsewhere (female RCA to male coax)

 

if that is the case, why do more people not use this item?

 

http://www.cablewholesale.com/specs/f-pin-to-rca/30x3-03120.htm

 

with this adaptor you could use a piece of coax and adapt the one end to RCA-style and plug it into your atari

 

on the surface it seems that we are talking about '6 of 1, half a dozen of another' or two ways to do the same thing

 

but if the signal type is the issue, i would imagine good coax cable will have far better shielding then a similar quality/price piece of composite cable

[Underball]

it seems that perhaps that the ataris RF signal is more susceptible to interference then a regular composite signal

 

so a cable that works just fine for high quality composite is not successful when used with the adaptor sold in the AA store and elsewhere (female RCA to male coax)

 

if that is the case, why do more people not use this item?

 

http://www.cablewholesale.com/specs/f-pin-to-rca/30x3-03120.htm

 

with this adaptor you could use a piece of coax and adapt the one end to RCA-style and plug it into your atari

 

on the surface it seems that we are talking about '6 of 1, half a dozen of another' or two ways to do the same thing

 

but if the signal type is the issue, i would imagine good coax cable will have far better shielding then a similar quality/price piece of composite cable

I used those before I put the composite mod in.

 

It really isn't any better than a standard Atari coax cable.

 

The cable is NOT the really even issue. It's the RF converter in the Atari that is susceptible to interference. RF output from nearly every TV/Game device known is susceptible to RF interference.

[satan165]

It really isn't any better than a standard Atari coax cable.

 

yes, but since i am currently using a piece of composite cable (which has been identified as part of if not the root of my problem), a standard piece of coax is easily sourceable, whereas an original atari RF cable with RCA ends is not

[eightbit]

The video I get from using the old rf cables in conjunction with the coax adapters is on par with composite...no joke.

No, it isn't. It might be more static free than other's here, but it is NOT even close to what a proper composite video signal cam provide.

 

 

Actually, it is extremely close. I have a few a/v modded systems (take Colecovision for example) and while composite is of course the winner here, RF is VERY close in clarity when used with correct equipment.

[Hatta]

RF can be quite good, if you can avoid interference. I run RF systems (2600, 600xl, colecovision) through the stock 600xl RF cable with the coil, into an RCA-F connector adaptor, into an SD Sony Wega Trinitron. RF doesn't get much better than that, and it's pretty good. Colors are bright, and sprites are crisp. However there's still noticeable noise in the picture, and I find myself having to move the cable around to minimize the moire effect from RF interference. Not a huge problem, and I'm not terribly motivated to composite mod these systems right away. But composite would still be a noticeable improvement.