Just got my Atari 2600, but having problems, please help?

[KAZ]

I'm having interference problems with my Atari 2600. It is a black Vader model. I have a "coleco" adapter thing that hooks into the tv. It has a slider that says TV on one end, and GAME on the other end.

 

I think the problem is that I'm having to deal with antenna type connectors (I hate those)....my atari 5200 doesn't have any antenna connectors at all, it just plugs right in to the cable out of my tv.

 

It did come with a coxial adapter (it says "75-300 ohms") so that it does fit into the tv, but then I get all this interference.

 

I had space invaders in, and I could see the game (barely), so I know it is not the Atari 2600, but rather the shitty connections.

 

I'm thinking of going to comp usa, maybe they have a better coxial adapter...it is so hard to squeeze in...(it is the adapter that looks like a small square thing, with antenna connectors out one side, and the cable connector on the other.

 

It is ok, this is actually kind of FUN, trying to get this 2600 to work. I love electronic type stuff. I just don't really know what I'll do next to fix this issue.

 

Please God make this work....all I want is to play one game of pitfall!! rofl

 

[ 05-06-2002: Message edited by: KAZ ]

[smile_walle]

Ok, I have Atari 2600 Jr....I did bought from Radio Shack with two things....one gold Plated mimi A/B video switch and Gold Plated Video Adapter (Female "F"). The picture look very clear and great!

 

But for your darth vader just one thing you need to buy Gold plated Video Adapter (Male "M").

 

 

I hope this information is clear to you??

 

Just let me know soon...

 

thanks

 

Jason

 

[ 05-06-2002: Message edited by: smile_walle ]

[KAZ]

I got it working now, after I purchased some components from Radio Shack.

 

This is what I picked up:

 

TV/Video Game Signal Switch

Item number: 15-1269C

For switching between TV and video games

Inputs for both 75-ohm and 300 ohm

 

TV/VCR Matching Transformer

Item number: 15-1253C

Connects 75-ohm downlead to 300-ohm antenna

 

You see I already had these two components but the Signal Switch looked like it was really old (it said Coleco on it)

 

And the TV/VCR Matching Transformer might have had problems too.

 

Here's my next question.

 

If I have ANYTHING daisy chained in front of my Matching Transformer (like my Playstation or Super Nintendo connections), it will cause interference.

 

That little thing barely fits into the little area around either my VCR or TV hookup.

 

Maybe if I had some sort of signal enhancer, I could just have a cable coming off of that and into my VCR or TV?

 

I'm just happy it is working.

 

I also bought a Mini A/B Switch, but when I have the Matching Transformer hooked into it, it also causes interference (not alot, but enough to irritate me)

 

The only way I don't have intereference is when I have the matching transformer hooked directly to either the TV or VCR.

 

Would an FM trap help in this situation?

[BLIX]

I have a psx,dcast,ps2,xbox all daisy chained and i see no big diff.

[smile_walle]

Kaz quote:

quote:

---

If I have ANYTHING daisy chained in front of my Matching Transformer (like my Playstation or Super Nintendo connections), it will cause interference.

 

That little thing barely fits into the little area around either my VCR or TV hookup.

 

Maybe if I had some sort of signal enhancer, I could just have a cable coming off of that and into my VCR or TV?

 

---

 

Ok, for Playstation or Super Nintendo should have three output (video(yellow), red and white) can connect direct to TV (same way what DVD player does)....can also connect to VCR (if do have three inputs).

 

For Atari 2600....that what you bought mimi A/B switch, can connect to TV cable....

for your darth vader )Black consle...need to have "Male" Video Adapter...

 

 

Yeah, I know RF switch is very poor picture, sometime snowy sceen or not really clearly view on TV while playing on Atari 2600. Not too impressive, right??

 

 

Jason

[+Mitch]

Have you checked this page yet?

 

Mitch

http://atari7800.atari.org

[KAZ]

I see that I have the wrong part, and yet it is still working for me, based on Atariage's information.

 

My Signal switch doesn't have the extra cable coming out of it, it only has rabbit ears coming out of it. With the rabbit ears I had to get that matching transformer.

 

So I basically bought more parts than I needed because there was a more efficient way to do the same thing.

 

Matching Transformers seem to be nice to have around, so I'll probably keep that.

 

Oh no, do I have yet another excuse to visit the mall and radio shack? hehe