Atari 2600 Disassembly, Cleaning & Composite Video Modification w/ Internal Connections

This video details step by step how to disassemble, clean and install a composite video modification with internal connections (no holes drilled in the case).

[@MattHaynie]

Thanks for taking us inside. It's sort of hard to believe there was that much empty space inside the unit. The amount of magic it brought to me in the 80s meant that surely every square inch of the volume was kick-a graphics POWER. :)

[@TheRealScooterGuy]

The earliest version had much less extra space. Like other electronics, Atari was able to shrink the PCB during later revisions, but chose to keep the same familiar formfactor throughout the life-cycle of this product line.

[@dwightdixon8508]

This is a very informative and well thought out mod video. Ive seen AV modded 2600’s with holes cutout in the rear and the RCA type inputs added but I really like the fact that this mod console case isn’t modified leaving it in its original look. Good job

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Thank you for checking out the video and for the kind words. I agree, the 1st few of these mods completed I did drill the holes in the case, but it hit me that there's no need to do it.

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

Awesome video. Simple, clear to understand instructions. Well done. You should have thousands of subscribers!!👍

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback and kind words.

[@petersattler22]

I owned one of these back in 1982, so it was interesting to see the inside. Thanks!

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Very cool, there are pleanty of great games on the platform. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@TwinTV_NY]

Pretty cool stuff man!

[@iamimiPod]

If I could suggest using a 3.5 stereo jack plug. You can mount it without drilling any extra holes and then use a splitter to separate the video and audio (since it only outputs mono, you should only need one audio cable). Other than that this was a great mod video.

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

That's a great idea. I have a few more consoles to do, I may try this on the next one!

[@iamimiPod]

@@Wildsamsquanch7 I did this on a 7800 that the rf wasn't working on. I personally think it looks better without the dangling cable.

[@TheDarkSolja]

Also, why are you doing so much destruction to the RF circuitry ? You could easily just take some extra time to de-solder the RF box and the 5 pin plug and either keep with the case for someone that may want it in the original condition or sell it on ebay for someone looking to replace their possibly broken one. Otherwise, nice video :)

[@PersuaderboatsGoFast]

OK I see why you added the board now. Thanks.

[@patkelley8293]

Looks like a fun project! I think you can get cap kits for these as well.

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

I believe you're correct. There are some other videos i'd like to put together about the Atari. Thanks for watching!

[@shaundad16]

Other than council/console it was a great vid. 😂

[@MotownBatman]

Well Done Sir! New Sub; Dryden, Mich. I really need to do this to my 7800, Unfortunately, when I had to move my dad in, I had a slight accident and need to reassemble the case. When I do, I want to do a Proper RCA mod, but I have also been holding out to see if someone comes up with a HDMI mod, kinda to counteract the new 2600+

[@adognamedspot]

Very concise video! Just curious why you didn't cut the ends off the composite cable and solder them directly to the mod board.

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! That is certainly an option. I chose to plug the cable in opposed to cutting & soldering just in case it ever needs to be replaced it would be as simple as removing the electrical tape and unplugging.

[@user-dq2ul4bu2v]

Yes my friend

[@BrewerBomb]

You know I bought a 2600 4 Switch woody earlier in the year and one problem I had with it is that if any sound was made from the games it would cause a huge cover of static over the screen. I did this AV Mod and it was no showing composite but the static was still very relevant. I then though replacing the caps with the kit from Console5 would help, but after doing that all I get now is Black and White output regardless of the position of the second switch. Do you have any idea what it could be? I've put it aside for a long while.

[@BrewerBomb]

I've adjusted the color pot to no avail and also resoldered the wires and board.

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Tough to say without seeing it, I would start by going back through all of the work you did to ensure that there are no shorts, circuits or wires touching one another or broken solder joints. You could also check and clean all of the switches as well as seen in the video. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is possible interference w/ a nearby switching power supply, have you isolated the Atari and tv to an area with no other electronics nearby?

[@BrewerBomb]

@@Wildsamsquanch7 I have a lot of electronics in my area so it's really hard to isolate it. The power adapter I got with mine is a Retro-Bit generic adapter and I think that could be a problem with it like it's not getting clean or good enough power. Maybe it's the actual converter board I'm using since I know those are generic and have lots of reproductions on sites like eBay. Maybe one day I'll get one of those RGB boards and go for RGB, which would bypass the problems I've seen with my unit.

[@eltrylogis]

I can not understand why cut parts in the motherboard, but not cut the RCA plug and join the wires?, i never understand that way to do

[@FelinoAnticomunista]

I have an 800XL... It was ok but I started a memory test that took many times. I cancelled that but now it can't start.... I get other used dram and now it try to start with glitches and got freezed. :/

[@Romain-la-loutre]

Salut et merci pour cette vidéo. Ça fonctionne sur une pal dark Vador également ? Tu as acheté où ton PCB ?

[@zx9rninja105]

Super vidéo vraiment génial est ce possible la même chose mais sur une pong ? Sinon la référence du composite ont peut l'acheter où ? J'ai la 2600 que du bonheur 👍😜

[@berniemackattack86]

Came here because id say i have a one of a kind Atari 2600 thats gutted and ports were cut open and it is running a Raspberry Pi 3 B the little game select lever / button fell inside and the aesthetic of the missing lever was bothering me..

[@TopRetroGames]

OK

[@Penfold8]

Heat shrink would have been better than using that electrical tape. Over time that tape can slide due to temperature changes. Also, if you have to remove it a couple of years down the road you will have a sticky film on the wires and jacks from the tape

[@Z64bit]

I don't think I'd do this unless the consoles video was already not working. Seems like too much work for something that already works

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

It's a bit of work, when you do a few at a time it goes quick though. I'm all for keeping a system original, but a lot of people need the ability to connect an Atari to their TV's via an "RCA" connection. I offer them with or without the mod and seldom move the unmodded systems. Thanks for watching!

[@Z64bit]

@@Wildsamsquanch7 most modern tvs have rf and HDMI but not composite

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

@@Z64bit I still have a CRT in my game room but the last few TV's I've purchased (all Samsung) don't have a RF, they have HDMI and come w/ a dongle that plugs into what looks like an audio jack and has female RCA ports. Again, i wish i could move them w/o modding but it is what it is. My buddy owns a Video Game store and he asked me to do his for the same reason.

[@Penfold8]

You should have cut down the wires on the mod. The shorter the wire the less likely it will act like an antenna and possibly interfere with other components on the board and it gives it a more aesthetic look instead of seeing all the extra wire hanging around. I am sure you could put a collet (plastic collar) on that hole to give it a more finished look.

[@JuzzyQld]

Flux on the RCA socket....seems excessive

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Maybe, but it can't hurt! My soldering skills are far from that of an expert and flux always seems to help the finished product.

[@thrjfi5360]

Flux me flux u me now you've gone and done it.... You turned it into an MSX

[@ichemnutcracker]

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I'm pretty sure most people pronounce it as "console" as in "I need to console a good friend after their loss" and not "council" as in "the city council keeps raising my taxes".

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Haha, all good my friend. Several people actually pointed this out. I'm fully aware of the difference, but obviously not aware it sounds different when I say it. The things you learn when the camera is on. 😜 I appreciate you checking out the video and sharing some feedback!

[@sonoma4525]

you could hhave: 1. hdmi mod it 2. hack it to have games built in

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Unfortunately, I haven't found any solution to HDMI mod an Atari 2600. There are S Video and RGB kits though. Most people, like myself are seeking a basic way to play the 2600 on displays w/ composite video connections. The kit to do this is cheap and it's a fairly easy install. Playing on an old CRT with via composite inputs makes for a more stable connection and looks better than RF! As far as "hacking it", there's not much to hack on a 40+ year old console. Games for Atari are very affordable for the most part. There are tons of emulation options but that would be a separate video to cover that. Thanks for stopping by!

[@fatmansbellybutton]

Will RF still be usable after the AV mod? Edit: 5 minutes in “OH” 😂

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

Yeah, that part of the process of fairly crude. I'm not a fan of cutting and breaking off the small part of the board, but it is what it is I guess... 😜

[@drivenbyfate]

​@@Wildsamsquanch7Retrosix now makes the cleancomp for the 2600 which does not require removing anything from the original board. I like it much more for that reason alone.

[@Wildsamsquanch7]

@@drivenbyfate thanks for the heads up. I'm gonna order one and give it a try. I have a dozen or so 2600's sitting. 🤣