Classic gaming fanatic Nicole Branagan has upgraded an Atari 2600jr to lastly provide a video output with larger high quality than the inventory RF modulator, giving it S-Video capabilities — a step up from the standard composite mod.
“The Atari 2600jr, like all different 2600s, depends on an inside RF modulator,” Branagan explains of the problem with the console household, which launched in 1977 because the Atari Video Laptop System. “Which means I’d need to depend on my RF demodulator, which is… not good. Since an RF modulator wants a composite sign to modulate, any RF modulator-using system should be doable to composite mod. However what if you would like the very best high quality video output?”
From snowy mess to crystal readability: it is wonderful what an S-Video output can do for a classic console. (📷: Nicole Branagan)
There are present tasks to adapt the Atari 2600’s inside composite video into a high quality output, together with Tim Worthington 2600RGB. “[But] that bypasses the 2600’s colour’s circuit and recreates it. Shade is the 2600’s robust suite, so it would be good to maintain it unique,” Branagan notes. “Truthfully although, my extra sensible objection is that putting in a 2600RGB in a 2600jr requires soldering to a flex cable, amongst different issues that I might be very prone to foul up.”
The answer, then, is one thing else: The Brewing Academy’s Final Atari Video mod board, which intercepts video indicators from beneath a non-inverting buffer chip and converts them into S-Video and composite outputs. The distinction between the inventory RF output, and even a composite output, is staggering — and, Branagan notes, has the benefit of full compatibility with all 2600 video games, together with some which Atari’s recently-announced 2600+ emulator cannot play.
The mod board required a little bit rewiring to work with this explicit 2600jr console. (📷: Nicole Branagan)
Branagan has additionally detailed deliberate future upgrades, together with flush-mounting the S-Video connector, enhancing the ability port, and changing the ability regulator and heatsinking. “Whereas placing issues collectively and testing I burned my finger barely on the ability regulator, a linear 7805. This factor will get sizzling,” Branagan notes. “I’ve received the components for this within the mail and can set up them as quickly as I get them, as a result of this doesn’t really feel fairly protected.”
The total venture write-up, together with a deep-dive into the console itself, is accessible on Branagan’s web site.