827 replies to this topic

[Artlover]

Frotz, on Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:25 AM, said:

In my talks with Longhorn about circuit design, I identified three resistors that IMHO would be better replaced with pots. Two of them are to deal with differences between the 2600, 5200, and 7800. The remaining one needs to be very precise. Longhorn says that this would put people off having to do such adjustments. I say that if someone's keen enough to install one of these things, that someone should be just fine with adjusting some pots, particularly if the instructions are "set it to the middle and wiggle it around until the picture looks right". Opinions?

If the values are not going to be the same for each console, and it's intended to be universal, then yes pots would be a neccessity in my opinion.

I aggree that anyone capable of building and/or installing this themselves would be more then competent enough to deal with making adjustments.

To that end, lets see a new layout & schematic with the pots in place. (Or share with us which 3 resistors youre refering to.)

[batari]

Frotz, on Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:25 AM, said:

In my talks with Longhorn about circuit design, I identified three resistors that IMHO would be better replaced with pots. Two of them are to deal with differences between the 2600, 5200, and 7800. The remaining one needs to be very precise. Longhorn says that this would put people off having to do such adjustments. I say that if someone's keen enough to install one of these things, that someone should be just fine with adjusting some pots, particularly if the instructions are "set it to the middle and wiggle it around until the picture looks right". Opinions?

For the two resistors that are different for each console, couldn't you just provide a different set of resistors for each? And as for the accurate resistor, couldn't you just get a 1% tolerance resistor?

[classics]

I did a batch of 5200 video boards using the FMS6410 about a year ago and the results were pretty good. Good composite and s-video output and you can use both at the same time without any signal degradation, unlike most of the other boards.

Did you choose the FMS6400 over the 6410 for any particular reason?

Steve

[Longhorn Engineer]

The FMS6400 is half the price as a FMS6410 and looking at the datasheet they do basically the same thing.

I think the best thing to do is to use 1% resistors on the parts that need a tighter tolerance.

[Allan]

classics, on Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:46 PM, said:

I did a batch of 5200 video boards using the FMS6410 about a year ago and the results were pretty good. Good composite and s-video output and you can use both at the same time without any signal degradation, unlike most of the other boards.

Did you choose the FMS6400 over the 6410 for any particular reason?

Steve

Did you sell these? I never knew you did a video board.

Allan

[classics]

Allan, on Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:02 PM, said:

Did you sell these? I never knew you did a video board.

Nope, I only made 3 or 4 (hand wired) and put them into some excess 5200s that I sold here pre-modified.

Steve

[Longhorn Engineer]

Prototype Atari 2600 board. I will install it tomorrow.

[FeistyGirl]

Longhorn Engineer, on Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:21 AM, said:

Prototype Atari 2600 board. I will install it tomorrow.

DSCN3184.JPG

DSCN3187.JPG

So pretty!

Just tell me when and where to send my 2600 and it's on like Donkey Kong....

[DJBase]

Any progress lately? How to adapt this mod to an PAL 2600?

[Murph74]

DJBase, on Tue Sep 2, 2008 5:36 PM, said:

Any progress lately? How to adapt this mod to an PAL 2600?

No to thread Hijack, but has anyone else done the (2) 1k pot/22 Ohm resistor Composite mod? If so, did you loose RF by doing so? My composite mod seems to be working, but I lost the ability to output RF and didn't cut anything. I wanted to compare the pictures from my Home Theater projector. Thanks!

Murph

Also, ready to ship you an Atari to get an Svid mod done if/when you decide to accept orders again, Longhorn!

UPDATE: After modding 2 systems with this composite mod ( the (2) 1k pot/22 Ohm resistor Composite mod), I've found the same 'No RF output' on both after the mod. So, not sure where or how, but looks like it does kill the RF output when this goes into place. Please advise if you have had other results!

Edited by Murph74, Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:02 PM.

[Longhorn Engineer]

School has been kickin my ass recently. Don't worry I have only 1 more test to take and I should be free for awhile. Also most of my "other" projects are already done so the mods will be taking priority. The 5200 and 7800 designs are done and the 2600 are still a bit iffy. I might have to make some changes to the design to get it to work right.

[Prodos8]

I took my 4050 faq (composite/s-video) modded vcs to work, this past Saturday, and hooked it up to the LCD projector in one of the conference rooms and found it had annoying vertical lines. I'd never seen them in person as I only use CRT TVs at home. The lines showed whether I used s-video or composite. The lines are somehow in the chroma signal as I discovered if I only connected the luma signal the picture was crystal clear b&w. I wonder if there's some simple filtering circuit that could be added to the chroma signal to eliminate these lines?

Anyway I'm looking forward to possibly purchasing one of these new video mods for my un-modded 7800. I'm guessing I could just tack the fms6400 filter onto my modded vcs and 5200 and get good results.

[ckrtech]

Hey Prodos8 -

I have the same issue with my modded Atari 5200 - vertical lines across the TV (RP CRT). I am also curious if adding that filter would take care of the problem. I think that thing only runs like 85 cents, right?

[Thorsten Günther]

Prodos8, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 6:47 AM, said:

I took my 4050 faq (composite/s-video) modded vcs to work, this past Saturday, and hooked it up to the LCD projector in one of the conference rooms and found it had annoying vertical lines. I'd never seen them in person as I only use CRT TVs at home. The lines showed whether I used s-video or composite. The lines are somehow in the chroma signal as I discovered if I only connected the luma signal the picture was crystal clear b&w.

I experienced the same problem when using S-Video, but on my LCD TV the vertical lines disappeared in composite mode - which still hat a way better picture than Lynx' 0,68 Euro mod, though it is some more soldering required.. Thus, I intend to wire the Chroma and Luma together internally (perhaps with a resistor/capacitor - anyone have a hint what would be best?) and this will be my definite mod.


Thorsten

[SoundGammon]

Thorsten Günther, on Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:19 PM, said:

Prodos8, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 6:47 AM, said:

I took my 4050 faq (composite/s-video) modded vcs to work, this past Saturday, and hooked it up to the LCD projector in one of the conference rooms and found it had annoying vertical lines. I'd never seen them in person as I only use CRT TVs at home. The lines showed whether I used s-video or composite. The lines are somehow in the chroma signal as I discovered if I only connected the luma signal the picture was crystal clear b&w.

I experienced the same problem when using S-Video, but on my LCD TV the vertical lines disappeared in composite mode - which still hat a way better picture than Lynx' 0,68 Euro mod, though it is some more soldering required.. Thus, I intend to wire the Chroma and Luma together internally (perhaps with a resistor/capacitor - anyone have a hint what would be best?) and this will be my definite mod.


Thorsten

Hi,
On the skematic for the Atari 800 it shows a 100pf cap and a 18k resistor between the chroma & the luminance. Maybe that'll help!

[Chainclaw]

Longhorn Engineer, on Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:05 PM, said:

BigO, on Thu Aug 7, 2008 1:57 PM, said:

No, I don't suppose $300 will buy much in that arena. If that was all that was needed, I could cash in some aluminum cans for ya. Ah, college days. I miss the learning, but I don't miss only being able to afford one meal per day.

I hear ya on the China thing. Chinese quality control seems like it's all done by the end user.

I agree that keeping as much as possible through-hole would make it more friendly for the average electronics hobbyist. I can solder SOIC, but it gets on my nerves fairly quickly.

Well I think the mod will be offered 4 ways. Ordered in escalating prices.

1. Free Schematic and PCB design (online of course)

2. Bare PCB with component bag (SOIC soldered to board) (possibly through AA?)

3. Completed PCB (possibly through AA?)

4. Installation in Atari

Should give everyone what they want

Any idea of when some of these options might be available, and what the prices will be?

I've got 2 5200s, a 7800, a couple of 2600 Juniors, and giant pile of 2600 6-switchers, and would love to get as many of these upgraded to s-video as possible!

[Longhorn Engineer]

Chainclaw, on Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:13 PM, said:

Longhorn Engineer, on Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:05 PM, said:

BigO, on Thu Aug 7, 2008 1:57 PM, said:

No, I don't suppose $300 will buy much in that arena. If that was all that was needed, I could cash in some aluminum cans for ya. Ah, college days. I miss the learning, but I don't miss only being able to afford one meal per day.

I hear ya on the China thing. Chinese quality control seems like it's all done by the end user.

I agree that keeping as much as possible through-hole would make it more friendly for the average electronics hobbyist. I can solder SOIC, but it gets on my nerves fairly quickly.

Well I think the mod will be offered 4 ways. Ordered in escalating prices.

1. Free Schematic and PCB design (online of course)

2. Bare PCB with component bag (SOIC soldered to board) (possibly through AA?)

3. Completed PCB (possibly through AA?)

4. Installation in Atari

Should give everyone what they want

Any idea of when some of these options might be available, and what the prices will be?

I've got 2 5200s, a 7800, a couple of 2600 Juniors, and giant pile of 2600 6-switchers, and would love to get as many of these upgraded to s-video as possible!

I wish I knew. My modding schedule is based directly on my class work. Currently taking two EE classes that should be taken in separate semesters. Fun times!

[Chainclaw]

Yeah, I'm not trying to rush you or anything, and It's awesome that you are willing to do something like this for the community.

I was just curious if you had a vague ETA, and estimated pricing, so I could get my ducks in a row. Are we talking weeks, months, years? I find that my dollar goes a lot farther if I plan everything ahead of time instead of living on impulse purchases.

[Thorsten Günther]

SoundGammon, on Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:16 PM, said:

Thorsten Günther, on Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:19 PM, said:

Prodos8, on Wed Oct 8, 2008 6:47 AM, said:

I took my 4050 faq (composite/s-video) modded vcs to work, this past Saturday, and hooked it up to the LCD projector in one of the conference rooms and found it had annoying vertical lines.

I experienced the same problem when using S-Video, but on my LCD TV the vertical lines disappeared in composite mode - which still hat a way better picture than Lynx' 0,68 Euro mod, though it is some more soldering required.. Thus, I intend to wire the Chroma and Luma together internally (perhaps with a resistor/capacitor - anyone have a hint what would be best?) and this will be my definite mod.

On the skematic for the Atari 800 it shows a 100pf cap and a 18k resistor between the chroma & the luminance. Maybe that'll help!

Nope, that gave me a much worse picture. Oh, BTW, the vertical gridding disappeared giving me a good picture when I connected the s-video cable via an s-video/video to SCART adaptor like this one, but not using this s-video to video adaptor.

Thorsten

[Longhorn Engineer]

Been awhile.......

Ok the 5200 and 7800 versions of the mod are complete. I have had pretty good results with those and the people I have sent the mod out to said it looks great.

On the 2600 side of things.

I am getting strange results.

Unlike the 5200 and 7800 versions the FMS6400 chip seems to emphasize the vertical scan lines. I am currently trying to figure out what is causing the issue. The goal of the project is to have the design ready and pcbs made by Christmas. Maybe even shipping by the 21st? Maybe? At its current state all that is needed is to solder 8 wires to the Atari PCB. No cutting required. It can output the original RF, Composite, and S-Video all at the same time. This may change if i find the cause of the problem to be feedback but we shall see. Will post again tonight with a status update on the mods.

[Longhorn Engineer]

Good News Everyone!

I figured out my little problem. I was over amplifying the Chroma Signal! /Duh

The image is fantastic. There are still some faint vertical lines but I think they will be impossible to remove without damaging the sharpness of the image. Will be posting pictures and a schematic and hopefully a PCB layout. If I get that done I will start taking orders for PCBs and Kits. (Should have it all priced out to)

[mimo]

Congratulations Parker,
cant wait to order a couple for my PAL and NTSC 7800s

[Bratwurst]

Very interested in this, I will be keeping an eye in here!

I had attempted the 2600 Jr. mod described in the faq hosted here and it just didn't work, but it did give me some insight into mounting a mini-din connector in place of the RF port on the board, I think that's about as stock you can get without drilling holes in the case. alex_79 had the clever idea of mounting the connector with a grommet in the premade hole in this thread:

http://www.atariage....howtopic=128279

[ckrtech]

For those of us that use the Longhorn Engineer A/V board "original release," do you have a set of instructions of components to add/change to get it up to the latest revision?

[Christophero Sly]

Looking forward to the 2600 mod being available.