UK User just unearthed 2600 need connection help for dummies

[Poppy1972]

Hello,

 

I've just found my CX-2600 in my parents attic and want to get it hooked up to a modern TV but need help. So far all my internet research has thrown up advice from US users which seems to involve coaxial F-type adaptors but the connections shown don't look like the ones on my Atari or my TV. I am not very technically competent or a modern gamer (let's put it like this, the last time I played a computer game was 1982) so I need really basic advice without jargon or acronyms.

 

Can anyone take pity and be patient with my dunce-like self?

 

Thanks so much, Poppy.

[Raticon]

What type of contact do you have on your TV? In normal cases the cable from the atari just plugs straight into the same contact your tv-antenna cable or the like goes into the tv.

 

Im unfamiliar with the typer of contacts used in UK but if its the same as here in Sweden its really simple.

 

If you have a type of contact on your tv that need you to screw in the cable you will need an adapter.

 

Then its just a matter of plugging a game in, power up the console and finding the right channel. On some older ataris you have a small switch under the console that can be change between 2 different channel numbers. Try switching that if you dont get any picture after searching a while, but its usually a low number on the tv like 1 2 or 3.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Raticon

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

http://atariage.com/howto/connect.html

[UKRetrogamer]

http://atariage.com/howto/connect.html

Here in the UK, we don't use the same coaxial connectors as pictured in the link and very few TVs have the twin-terminal screws - I've not had a (portable) TV with screw-terminals for an antenna since the late 1980s.

 

To the OP: You might have more success plugging the Atari into an old, CRT-type TV if you have one. You'll generally get a clearer picture on an older (non LCD) TV and it'll be easier to keep the picture in tune. If they can actually tune into an old console, modern TVs tend to struggle to STAY in tune as their auto-tuning systems will constantly "hunt" for a stronger signal. If you have the option, turn OFF any auto-tune feature while using the console.

 

The lead which connects to the TV should be hard-wired directly into the console on the older types of 2600. On the newer 2600 Junior, the antenna lead connects to a silver (RCA-type) connector on the back of the console. The lead from here needs to go into the socket on the TV where the antenna usually connects.

 

You'll also need to re-tune one of the ANALOGUE TV channels. IIRC, the VCS should be somewhere around 34-40 but it's been a long time since I used anything which used RF and required tuning in, so I could be wrong on the channel range.

 

You'll need a cartridge inserted and the console powered on before you'll get a picture.

 

Good luck. Let us know if your 2600 works and which games you get to play.

 

Don't expect fancy graphics. You need to bear in mind you have a piece of hardware based on 1970's technology there.

[Poppy1972]

Thanks to all for the responses, it's much appreciated. Yep, the lead from the console fits straight into the back of the TV, so I fired it all up and popped a game cartridge in. The console itself seems to attempt some kind of auto tune on a blank channel, making a beeping noise as it goes (which I vaguely remember from the 80s) but so far no luck getting it up and running, even with a manual tune. I've flipped the channel switch on the bottom of the Atari between 'A' and 'B' to no avail too. Think it's our modern telly not liking it but I'll have another go.

 

Darn it, I'm dying to revisit Skydiver and Outlaw, and a mysterious looking Warriors game that I don't even remember buying back in the day.

 

Chopper Commander - no fancy graphics needed for me, heh heh, Atari is the only system I've ever played on so the modern ones scare me with their lifelike creations!

 

Thanks again all, really do appreciate the advice.

 

Poppy

[Master Phruby]

Sounds like dirty connection leads. Turn off the Atari. Blow on the connectors in the cartridge and reinsert. Try again. Repeat process by trying to reseat the cartridge and see if you get a picture. You could try some rubbing alcohol on the cartridge leads with a q-tip in order to clean them up. The lines and weird sounds mean the cartridge couldn't be read correctly.

[Raticon]

Yeah it sounds like a bad connection there. Try several different games too, and also try wiggling the RF-cable that go into the back of the TV too. Some times there could be a small damage inside the cable, dirt or perhaps corrosion on the connector inside the Atari or on the contact that goes into the TV. It has helped me at least once to wiggle and twist it gently.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Raticon

[UKRetrogamer]

Thanks to all for the responses, it's much appreciated. Yep, the lead from the console fits straight into the back of the TV, so I fired it all up and popped a game cartridge in. The console itself seems to attempt some kind of auto tune on a blank channel, making a beeping noise as it goes (which I vaguely remember from the 80s) but so far no luck getting it up and running, even with a manual tune. I've flipped the channel switch on the bottom of the Atari between 'A' and 'B' to no avail too. Think it's our modern telly not liking it but I'll have another go.

 

Darn it, I'm dying to revisit Skydiver and Outlaw, and a mysterious looking Warriors game that I don't even remember buying back in the day.

 

Chopper Commander - no fancy graphics needed for me, heh heh, Atari is the only system I've ever played on so the modern ones scare me with their lifelike creations!

 

Thanks again all, really do appreciate the advice.

 

Poppy

 

The console won't auto-tune -[it's too primitive for that]- it's MORE likely your modern TV's AFC trying to "hunt" for a stronger signal on a channel which is tuned close enough to barely pick up the weak RF signal from the 2600 .

 

IIRC, the A/B switch won't do anything on a PAL UK console. A/B was used to switch between 2 preset TV channels on the stateside models. I'm actually surprised yours has one fitted. I don't think my PAL heavy-sixer has an A/B switch and I'd need to check my light-sixer and Junior.

 

Again, I think it's more likely the telly which won't pick up the RF signal from the VCS.

 

Hope you can get it working.

[Raticon]

I have the channel switch on the bottom of my Scandinavian PAL light sixer. If I set it to one of the channels the picture on the TV will be distorted and i get lots of static noise. If I set ut to the other i get perfect video and audio. I am using a 10 year old small CRT.