Adam sound breaks up during gameplay?

[eebuckeye]

I have an Adam computer that works great except when it plays some sounds or music it sounds like it 'pops' or breaks up. The sound never stops playing but just does not sound correct during some music/effects. Most games play and sound terrific but for example the explosions in Zaxxon (Adam version) and the music do not sound correct. Other standard Coleco games also do this from my flash cart.

 

Any ideas? Is it possible some games use different parts of the sound chip or something? If I remember correctly Frogger II was also one of these games.

 

Thank you!

[nanochess]

Maybe the ADAM sound chip is about to go nuts...

[NIAD]

It makes absolutely no sense that some games will sound right while others will not, but perhaps there is some kind of intermittent problem that could be due to the sound chip or something in the RF sound output (RF circuit board in the Adam, RF output port, cable, switchbox or coaxial adapter) or sound output from the Aux. Video output port.

 

Maybe it could be the TV that you are using. Have you tried on another TV?

[eebuckeye]

Here is a video of my sound issue.. you can hear the sound break up during explosions and during the music at game over:

 

http://youtu.be/hsQ9HeZUljM

 

I tried a video cable that worked ok with the TI but I'm sure the quality/etc.. of the cable. It is strange since on the Adam the video line (at least what I marked as video for the TI) does not show a picture. One of the other RCA cables gives video but it is blurry (but is in color and looks pretty accurate overall). This video cable could be far from ideal.

 

I also noticed that when I use the RF output from the Adam the 3-4 channel selector is very touchy. If I slightly touch it or move it I can go from decent RF picture to no picture until I fiddle with it again.

 

Since the picture is fine when I get it set correctly with RF I'm not sure how that can cause my sound issue.

 

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

[Rey]

I can tell you that my ADAM does the same thing with RF when it comes to being really sensitive to any movement to the cable. I don't get any sound either from RF. Not sure if it's because I have it hooked to a very new HDTV or if it just has an issue. I don't get any of these issues using the component outputs for audio and video. eebuckeye, I'd use the 5 pin output which will probably take care of your sound issue and aside from that you'll enjoy better video output.

[eebuckeye]

I'd like to use the 5pin cable but the one I have is not working correctly. The video is fine with the TI but I have to use another RCA plug for the Adam to see video and it is very fuzzy (does not look correct).

 

I'm wondering if the 5pin cable I have is wired wrong but it works with the TI?

[Rey]

Where did you get the cable?

[eebuckeye]

It was in a box of computer/video game stuff I picked up from a garage sale. It does work with the TI but strange with the Adam. I would really like for a different cable to work that is for sure!

[Rey]

You're probably right, that cable may be wired differently. Here's a document with the correct wiring. Check to see if it's wired this way. Also there's one made for one of the commodore computers that works with the Adam. I'll see if I can find the info. I'm sure NIAD knows exactly which one it is.

[eebuckeye]

Thanks! Pin 3 buzzes out to red while the video for the TI was on the white RCA plug. Red is what I used to get some video from the Adam via composite but it did not look good. Maybe the grounding is different too? Where is a good place to get known good Adam composite cable? I see plenty on eBay but want to make sure it is correct for the Adam.

[NIAD]

You can try ADAMcon at his website (http://ann.hollowdreams.com/) or PM him here to see if he has a tested 5 or 7-pin DIN Monitor Cable. This will be the safest way to go. Otherwise you will have to roll the dice and buy one on eBay, etc. like I have done.

 

The cable that I have had the most success (now and BITD) with is the Commodore 5-pin DIN Monitor Cable that was made for the Vic-20 or C=64 and sometimes listed as for use with the Commodore 1702 Monitor. Even though the ADAM DIN Port uses a 7-pin connector, as you can see from the diagram above, only 5 are actually used and they are wired correctly for the ADAM. Make sure to get a cable with one Yellow RCA jack (video) and one White RCA jack (audio) seeing as these are the ones that have worked for me although it all depends on how the cable was made as I have seem cables with red and white RCA jacks (suggests it only for audio), but it's listed as for video and audio. Be very careful to stay away from cables that are listed as Chroma/Luma... they will not work.

[eebuckeye]

Great.. I contacted ADAMcon - hopefully that will fix my issue! The cable I have been using was included with other Commodore so hopefully it does involve Chroma which would make sense for it to be an issue for me.

[eebuckeye]

I received my composite cable from ADAMcon.. Works great!! Pictures is incredible and sound is perfect!!

 

Last thing I need to complete my Adam computer setup (besides new power supply) is an Adam box.. Anyone have one available?? :-)

[NIAD]

Great to hear that the Monitor Cable solved the sound issue. Thank heavens Coleco included alternate Video and Audio hookups with the Stand-Alone Memory Console.

 

As far as the Stand-Alone (blue) ADAM box, I know www.atari2600.com had one available a while back and due to the asking price, I would assume it's still available. I also saw it in their eBay store.

 

ED: found it...

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 131217905929

Edited December 24, 2014 by NIAD