This week, much of the gaming world focused the release of GTA V from Rockstar Games. I found some spare time to get an old Atari system cleaned up and working by installing an atari 2600 composite output mod.
After 20+ years in a closet our well loved Atari 2600 was a little worse for wear. The console has accumulated grime and the reset switch is no-longer springy. Besides cleaning off the dust and replacing a faulty reset switch I wanted to improve the video output.
The stock Atari 2600 produces an RF modulated video/audio signal as output. On old TVs the RF signal connects to the antenna-in jack. On modern TVs it is often easier to hook up a composite video input. Eliminating the RF modulation should also improve the picture quality.
A few different hardware hacks that produce composite out from an Atari are described on various websites. The output board I selected is one of the better composite output circuit designs.
Parts list
- S-video and Composite video board from electronicsentimentalities.com
- Replacement original Atari switches from best-electronics-ca.com
- Rainbow ribbon cable with header jacks from an ebay seller
- Header pins
Original console:
While dismantling I found the remains of a previous home-made repair – an elastic band to add springiness to the reset switch. The original spring seems to have gone missing over the years. While the console was dismantled I replaced the reset switch with a new old-stock part.
After installation:
The video mod board is in the lower right with the rainbow ribbon cable going from the motherboard (inside the thick aluminium RF shield box) to the video mod then a second ribbon cable running up the right side to the composite and s-video output jacks. A couple of pieces of kapton tape hold the video mod board securely in place.
New ports:
Results
Photograph of Pole Position game on Atari 2600 heavy-sixer console before hardware modification. (Photograph of LCD TV screen.)
Photograph of Pole Position game on Atari 2600 heavy-sixer console after hardware modification.
Overall the mod is a resounding success. RF noise is eliminated, image colors have better saturation, and the console can be connected to standard composite input jacks thereby eliminating the need to re-tune the TV. Installing the video mod involved bypassing the RF modulator and removing the original coax cable.
Basic testing with Pole Position and Pac-Mac during reassembly showed normal operation. I’ll update this post when I’ve tested with other games.