I Restored This Junk Atari 2600 JR Console and Composite Mod Retro Atari Console Restoration
I Restored This Junk Atari 2600 JR Console and Composite Mod Retro Atari Console Restoration
In this video, I restore and mod an Atari 2600
1970's Gaming Console Restoration Atari 2600
Atari 2600 is a very old and antique gaming console from the '70s. It was introduced by Atari, Inc. I bought this console from eBay and trying to restore it.
The Atari 2600, branded as the Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS) until November 1982, is a home video game console developed and produced by Atari, Inc. Released in September 1977, it popularized microprocessor-based hardware and games stored on swappable ROM cartridges, a format first used with the Fairchild Channel F in 1976. The VCS was bundled with two joystick controllers, a conjoined pair of paddle controllers, and a game cartridge—initially Combat and later Pac-Man.
This video is a start to finish walkthrough of doing an AV mod on an Atari 2600 JR.
Lots of tips, tricks, and info on how to add composite and stereo to the JR.
The AV board is capable of s-video
The ATARI 2600 comes with an ugly old-school RF type connector, the ones you used to have to tune and fine-tune until you get something acceptable… The cable comes out of the unit without a chance to unplug it, so the unit is far from transportable. The other problem is that this kind of connection is obsolete, and many modern TVs or Flat screens don´t even allow it anymore, so hooking the device might be not even possible in the first place for many people.
For a long time, I wanted to try and change the Video Output and use a Composite Video instead. There are numerous Kits available online ranging from super simple to more complex ones, that even add Super Video connections.
There are many tutorials depending on what exact version you have, NTSC, PAL, 4 Switch, 6 Sitch
The 2600 uses a 7805 voltage regulator and needs at least 7 volts DC (technically up to 30 volts) and 500 mA or higher current capability.
The 7805 is a fixed voltage linear regulator that outputs 5V at up to 1A current with an input voltage range of 7 – 35V.
There is an input to one of the chips which controls the color output, derived in part from the unregulated power input, so you might notice a slight color change if you use a different input voltage from the original adapter, but this is nothing to worry about.