2600 vs. 7800 picture quality, and some questions

[MaximRecoil]

I have a "light sixer" 2600 and a 7800.

 

The 7800 has less interference (using direct RF connection, no TV/Game switchbox with either one). In fact, the 7800 has hardly any interference at all; almost as good as the RF from an NES frontloader, while the 2600 has interference that is quite noticeable on most colors of screens (aside from solid white or black screens). I've even tried using the exact same RF cable for both of them, and the results were the same. Is there any way to fix this? Would replacing the 2200μF/16v filter capacitor in the 2600 make any difference?

 

The 7800 has less saturated colors (which I prefer). The 2600's colors are over saturated; reds look almost orange and blues are too light/bright. The over saturation also results in more color bleed, which further degrades the picture quality. I've adjusted the color pot that is accessable through a hole in the shield, but that only seems to affect hue rather than saturation. Is there any way to adjust the saturation (I don't want to do it through the TV because that would mess the settings up for every other game console, DVD player, etc)?

 

So why don't I just use the 7800? I like the 2600 because of nostalgia, its convenient difficulty switches, and the fact that all of my catridges fit perfectly in the slot. The 7800 doesn't like Activision cartridges. It will play them but the fit is so tight that it feels like something is going to break every time I put one in the slot

Edited April 2, 2012 by MaximRecoil

[Rex Dart]

Consider: If the cart slot broke, the carts would only fit better. S'how it is with my cracked-slot 7800.

[MaximRecoil]

Consider: If the cart slot broke, the carts would only fit better. S'how it is with my cracked-slot 7800.

 

I know. I could make a cut in each corner of the cartridge guide to fix the problem (it would have been nice if someone at Atari and/or Activision could have figured out how to use a ruler properly in the first place), but I don't want to hack the machine. Plus, regardless of the Activision thing, I still want to use the 2600 for 2600 games; I just wish I could improve the picture quality to at least match the 7800.

[mtshark7]

Try this:

SYMPTOM:

Screen becomes snowy and/or no color after several minutes of play.

Reset cures problem but only for a while.

 

REPAIR:

CX-2600 [six switch] owners, try replacing the .22 ufd capacitors,

(they look like green Chicklets) on the upper PCB near the ON/OFF

switch (Replace with .22ufd 100 volt cap).

 

CS-2600A [four switch] owners, should replace the .1ufd capacitor,

C241 (it also looks like a green Chicklet) in the lower left hand

corner of the PCB. (Replace with .1ufd 24 volt cap.)

[snstay]

You know i have the opposite problem. My 7800 colors look more dull to me than my 2600. Now i did mod my 2600 so im sure that has something to do with it, and i would rather just use my 7800 but im waiting to get it modded to see if it helps.

I have a later model 7800 i dont know if that has anything to do with it. And i think if the mod helps my 7800 look like my 2600 ill more than likely just get rid of the 2600 with hopes of a hrmony 2 cart in the future.

 

Scott

[MaximRecoil]

Try this:

SYMPTOM:

Screen becomes snowy and/or no color after several minutes of play.

Reset cures problem but only for a while.

 

REPAIR:

CX-2600 [six switch] owners, try replacing the .22 ufd capacitors,

(they look like green Chicklets) on the upper PCB near the ON/OFF

switch (Replace with .22ufd 100 volt cap).

 

CS-2600A [four switch] owners, should replace the .1ufd capacitor,

C241 (it also looks like a green Chicklet) in the lower left hand

corner of the PCB. (Replace with .1ufd 24 volt cap.)

 

Interesting. It is not a case of snow though, it just has more interference patterns than the 7800 does (faint shadowy ever-fluctuating lines):

 

 

 

The first picture is the 2600, and you can see the shadowy lines throughout the image. The second picture is the 7800; no lines; much cleaner. The 7800 occasionally gets those interference lines (as most RF devices do from time to time), but they are less noticeable and they only last for a second or two.

 

You know i have the opposite problem. My 7800 colors look more dull to me than my 2600. Now i did mod my 2600 so im sure that has something to do with it, and i would rather just use my 7800 but im waiting to get it modded to see if it helps.

I have a later model 7800 i dont know if that has anything to do with it. And i think if the mod helps my 7800 look like my 2600 ill more than likely just get rid of the 2600 with hopes of a hrmony 2 cart in the future.

 

Scott

 

You would probably consider my 7800 colors to be too dull too. Some people like highly saturated colors like my 2600 has, but I'd like to tone it down a notch. A saturation level somewhere between where it is now and where the 7800 is would be about right.