800XL video RF vs Composite question.

[Geoff78]

After fixing my 1050, thank you all for that, my attention has been turned to the video output of my computer.

 

I've tried both RF and Composite and in my opinion, the RF is far better. The reason being is that there are rising horizontal lines when using the composite out and it looks terrible.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a CRT to try it on so I have tested it on two separate LCD TV's, Samsung and Toshiba.

 

I have also tried my second 800XL and the same problem exists. Is this normal when using a modern TV set? I still would have expected the Composite to look a bit better than the RF.

 

I bought the Comp cable from here https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/atari-8bit-800xl-65xe-130xe-800xlf-1400xl-1450xld-1200xl-composite-video-av-tv-lead-cable?search=Atari . Could it be the cable at fault? It gets much worse when the audio cables are disconnected.

 

Here are the YouTube links to my videos too.

 

RF

https://youtu.be/08b_Z6Gr83A

 

Comp

https://youtu.be/22BQhdPblGM

 

Cheers.

Edited January 9, 2018 by Geoff78

[Rybags]

The usual is that RF is inferior to the point of making composite or SVideo well worth the effort.

Looks like interference is an issue. Also modern LCD TVs seem to be somewhat bad at presenting the standard types of Atari video output. Every little glitch that's barely noticable on a CRT seems to just get amplified on an LCD.

[Level42]

You are not using an Ignot type power supply for your XL, right ?

 

Also, does this cable have some proper screening ?

Edited January 9, 2018 by Level42

[Geoff78]

I made my own power supply using a switched mode power supply and soldered a new DIN plug on. I still have a couple of old original power supplies, both are still working fine (for now that is).

 

I could give one of the old power supplies a try to rule out the new power supply perhaps. I'll check the output first mind you.

 

According to the retro gaming cables site, the individual cables are fully screened. It's just strange how pulling the audio cables makes it worse, makes me think that this cable is not as well made as it should be.

 

Geoff.

[Geoff78]

Well I take my criticism of the video cable back completely and pin the blame firmly on my power supply - Oops!

 

Tested the 800 using the original power supply and the video is flawless.

 

https://youtu.be/6Oo9Cwf66mA

 

Can anyone recommend a better power supply that I can easily get in the UK? The one I bought was just a cheap 5v SM 2A jobby, probably something similar to an old mobile phone charger.

 

Has anyone opened the original psu and restored it successfully?

[_The Doctor__]

Most USB wall power supplies are as dirty as they come.... I will never connect them to my stuff... some look like pulsed modulation on a scope... it's scary!