Title: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on March 01, 2012, 16:44:41 PM
Post by: Carlos on March 01, 2012, 16:44:41 PM
Hi, I thought I would share my Blogpost about the AV mod I did on My VCS.
When researching how to do this I discovered that My Red PCB was never mentioned in the methods on the net ( maybe did not look hard enough ), so I used a mod and altered it for the best results that I could get on mine.
I hope its of some use to some of you all.
http://retrotext.blogspot.com/2011/11/atari-2600-composite-mod.html (//http)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rh6Mtl_E8b4/Trl4uegZ3MI/AAAAAAAAAK0/UtvxA8lK1E4/s320/100_2702.JPG)
When researching how to do this I discovered that My Red PCB was never mentioned in the methods on the net ( maybe did not look hard enough ), so I used a mod and altered it for the best results that I could get on mine.
I hope its of some use to some of you all.
http://retrotext.blogspot.com/2011/11/atari-2600-composite-mod.html (//http)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rh6Mtl_E8b4/Trl4uegZ3MI/AAAAAAAAAK0/UtvxA8lK1E4/s320/100_2702.JPG)
Title: Re: Atari 2600 composite mod
Post by: TL on March 01, 2012, 17:00:54 PM
Post by: TL on March 01, 2012, 17:00:54 PM
I really want my 7800 modded for RGB or composite but I cannot use a soldering iron to save my life 
Title: Re: Atari 2600 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on March 01, 2012, 17:02:47 PM
Post by: Carlos on March 01, 2012, 17:02:47 PM
Quote from: "The Laird"I really want my 7800 modded for RGB or composite but I cannot use a soldering iron to save my life :'(
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on April 09, 2012, 22:54:25 PM
Post by: Vyothric on April 09, 2012, 22:54:25 PM
Do you have any info on adding S-Video output to a PAL 2600 jr?
I already modded mine to output composite video and thought it'd be fairly straightforward to do S-Video, but apparently I have no idea what I'm doing with this oneÂ
I already modded mine to output composite video and thought it'd be fairly straightforward to do S-Video, but apparently I have no idea what I'm doing with this oneÂ
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on April 10, 2012, 17:47:56 PM
Post by: Carlos on April 10, 2012, 17:47:56 PM
Quote from: "Vyothric"Do you have any info on adding S-Video output to a PAL 2600 jr?
I already modded mine to output composite video and thought it'd be fairly straightforward to do S-Video, but apparently I have no idea what I'm doing with this oneÂ
I will have a look at some links that I have, I would have thought it would be just a matter of trail and error with the AV wires though?
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on April 11, 2012, 01:16:12 AM
Post by: Vyothric on April 11, 2012, 01:16:12 AM
Well I got composite video sorted, so I thought S-Video would be pretty straight-forward.
But I'm still figuring these things out as I go, so I must have misunderstood. I thought all I had to do was wire it up like this.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-video (//http) but I guess not.
The best I got was a scrolling image.
But I'm still figuring these things out as I go, so I must have misunderstood. I thought all I had to do was wire it up like this.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-video (//http) but I guess not.
The best I got was a scrolling image.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: TL on May 15, 2012, 18:40:18 PM
Post by: TL on May 15, 2012, 18:40:18 PM
I was going through my pile of busted 2600's the other day and found I have one with a faulty RF adapter so it looks like a prime candidate to be modded.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 13:54:55 PM
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 13:54:55 PM
Go On give it a try! 
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: TL on May 18, 2012, 13:55:44 PM
Post by: TL on May 18, 2012, 13:55:44 PM
Quote from: "Carl"Go On give it a try! :P
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 16:09:50 PM
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 16:09:50 PM
is it a jr or a full vcs / darth ?
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: TL on May 18, 2012, 16:22:05 PM
Post by: TL on May 18, 2012, 16:22:05 PM
Quote from: "Carl"is it a jr or a full vcs / darth ?
Its a Jr.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 16:28:33 PM
Post by: Carlos on May 18, 2012, 16:28:33 PM
I havnt done a Jr before, but I can give it a try if you want me to.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on May 19, 2012, 11:17:49 AM
Post by: Vyothric on May 19, 2012, 11:17:49 AM
The problem is trying to get the sockets to fit. You can use the existing RF socket for composite, but I couldn't get the audio ones to fit on the back so I had to put them on the side. Though I suppose you could just use a 3.5mm socket instead (if it fits) and just make a cable that connects it to SCART.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on July 06, 2012, 22:16:19 PM
Post by: Vyothric on July 06, 2012, 22:16:19 PM
Finally got round to adding S-Video output to one of my 2600's. It's not a massive difference from composite. Can't really tell anything from the pictures either. Still get some faint jailbars, but the overall sharpness is a bit better.
Might need to change a resistor or two as the colour is a bit weak - had to adjust the setting on my TV. Haven't added the audio yet.
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV2-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV3-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV4-s.jpg) (//http)
I followed the picture I found exactly as I was too lazy to re-design it, so it's a bit of a mess. I was also watching the tennis at the same time.
The S-Video socket fits without having to hack away at the case, which is nice.
Might need to change a resistor or two as the colour is a bit weak - had to adjust the setting on my TV. Haven't added the audio yet.
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV2-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV3-s.jpg) (//http)
(http://www.diffusedion.co.uk/images/C2/A2600SV4-s.jpg) (//http)
I followed the picture I found exactly as I was too lazy to re-design it, so it's a bit of a mess. I was also watching the tennis at the same time.
The S-Video socket fits without having to hack away at the case, which is nice.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Carlos on July 07, 2012, 08:19:59 AM
Post by: Carlos on July 07, 2012, 08:19:59 AM
Very nice work ;)
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on July 11, 2012, 18:48:51 PM
Post by: Vyothric on July 11, 2012, 18:48:51 PM
Quote from: "Carl"personally I am a fan of loads of wires mods, tidiness is showboating somewhat 8)
If I ever do need an excuse though, I'll just say I dropped my strawberry laces on it.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: zapiy on July 12, 2012, 12:00:55 PM
Post by: zapiy on July 12, 2012, 12:00:55 PM
I don't really do mods anymore, although i have plans a foot that might need some input real soon.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on September 24, 2012, 20:39:28 PM
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on September 24, 2012, 20:39:28 PM
I don't know if I could bring myself to mod my ZX81 or Atari 2600, I've done a few mods on xboxes and stuff but they are still ten a penny. Kudos to you guys who take a soldering iron to your old games in the quest for better connectivity to the tv 
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Spector on September 25, 2012, 13:13:44 PM
Post by: Spector on September 25, 2012, 13:13:44 PM
Quote from: "dougtitchmarsh"I don't know if I could bring myself to mod my ZX81 or Atari 2600
On the 2600 it's definitely worth it, Alan, as the colours are much brighter and stronger. More importantly you get the chance to play these old games the way they were intended- at full speed and full screen if you mod an NTSC model.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on September 25, 2012, 19:30:14 PM
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on September 25, 2012, 19:30:14 PM
Almost missed the Alan reference there SpectorÂ
I might look around sometime for an NTSC 2600 and then try the mod if one comes in at a decent price.
I might look around sometime for an NTSC 2600 and then try the mod if one comes in at a decent price.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Vyothric on September 25, 2012, 19:48:58 PM
Post by: Vyothric on September 25, 2012, 19:48:58 PM
A PAL 2600 will play NTSC games in 60hz. Apparently the colours are a bit off, but not having any other versions I couldn't tell.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: TL on September 25, 2012, 19:53:15 PM
Post by: TL on September 25, 2012, 19:53:15 PM
Quote from: "Vyothric"A PAL 2600 will play NTSC games in 60hz. Apparently the colours are a bit off, but not having any other versions I couldn't tell.
I have loads of NTSC games and as long as you have a compatible TV they play in 60hz. Some games (mainly Activision) have strange colours.
Title: Re: Atari 2600 and zx81 composite mod
Post by: Spector on September 26, 2012, 00:08:07 AM
Post by: Spector on September 26, 2012, 00:08:07 AM
Quote from: "The Laird"Quote from: "Vyothric"A PAL 2600 will play NTSC games in 60hz. Apparently the colours are a bit off, but not having any other versions I couldn't tell.
I have loads of NTSC games and as long as you have a compatible TV they play in 60hz. Some games (mainly Activision) have strange colours.
Yeah the colours are always off because of the difference in the two TV formats (green shows as blue, for example). It looks shit in a lot of games and is not really an option. You've gotta have the NTSC one.