volume level changes when playing 2600

[jcleverly]

has anyone ever come across this on their 2600's? i notice occasionally that if i don't have a good connection with the cart and the system or whatever, the game volume will come through louder or softer without changing the tv volume.

 

most games this doesn't happen, but on a couple like pitfall 2 (which my copy had to be cleaned real well to play), it will do this. seems to be more on games with worn out connectors on the cartridge that you have to mess with to get to play.

[SlowCoder]

I've not personally noticed this. But a lack of conductivity can definately do weird things. What I find strange is that it happens on more than one game for you. You sure it's not your console or TV doing it?

[jcleverly]

You sure it's not your console or TV doing it?

 

i'm almost thinking it may be a poor connectivity thing. i have a copy of seaquest that when i first got it before i cleaned it, would show up in black and white half the time you'd turn it on. once i cleaned it it was fine. i do occasionally notice stuff seems slightly louder but i will note that when i'm watching tv it seems some shows come in quieter than the commercials and what not.

 

i haven't noticed it lately but i've gone through all my carts and cleaned them out. however, is there a way to clean the cart socket on the console?

[+thegoldenband]

I noticed this big-time on my sister's LCD when I gave her one of my Ataris -- mainly, each game would get louder and louder as it progressed. The same console did not exhibit that behavior on my CRT, so I'm guessing it had something to do with quirks of analog volume autodetection (maybe a voltage spike?), RF input conversion, or some other weirdness.

 

BTW I know of no way that cart connectivity or contact cleanliness could affect this, with the possible exception of Pitfall II.

[jcleverly]

I noticed this big-time on my sister's LCD when I gave her one of my Ataris -- mainly, each game would get louder and louder as it progressed. The same console did not exhibit that behavior on my CRT, so I'm guessing it had something to do with quirks of analog volume autodetection (maybe a voltage spike?), RF input conversion, or some other weirdness.

 

you know, the tv it is on is an lcd, so i would almost think that is an lcd issue doing that rather than the atari issue. it would make sense, the way it 'tunes' to the channel once the feed is available.

[mtshark7]

Usually on my LCD if I'm using the RF input I have to switch channels to refresh the signal...in other news heres how to clean the cartridge slot:

1)Get a broken game that has the PCB showing and is missing the dust cover thing...or use a game thats like that

2)Use a q-tip with alcohol and layer it on the contacts of the cartridge

3)Insert and remove the cartridge from the console, cleaning ane reapplying alcohol to the cart contacts as needed

4)Let it dry for 15 min then you'll be good to go