+Larry Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I've never owned a 600XL, but now I've got one! I've also never thought of the 600XL as particularly "small," but sitting next to my 1200XL's -- WOW. So I'm looking for all manner of info to help "bring me up to speed" on this "junior XL." For now I've used a RAM 320XL module to bring up the ram. BTW, the REMAP feature worked perfectly on my 16KB XL. For now, I'll also use an internal flash MyIDE as the hard drive. That just leaves the video in need of upgrade. I have a KJMann S-Video upgrade V2.0 module, and S-Video is all I want or need, so I plan to install it. This is where the fun begins. I have downloaded the docs from the KJMann web site, and I also remember that there were some photos here at AA (which might even be the same ones as are at his web site), but they appear to have been removed. In fact, I can't find the original threads at all, but maybe I'm just using the wrong search words. (?) So... has anyone successfully installed one of these in an NTSC 600XL? Anyone know where the original thread(s) are? Related question: I'm planning on removing the RF modulator. How is the best way to do that? Lift the upper "lid" then remove the innards, and finally desolder the base? That is a lot of solder on there! Thanks, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 To pull a modulator, I just 'cam' it out. You slide a small screwdriver tip under the base, near a solder lug, heat the lug with a good-sized (40 watt) iron and force the board away from the lug and let it solidify again. You are basically bending the PCB, so take it in very small steps, starting at the edge of the PCB. Work your way around the different lugs, prying carefully. After 6 or 8 cycles, the modulator will be free. The signal pins - I normally just cut them loose from the board before I start on the lugs. Hope you aren't planning on re-installing the old modulator... By the way, if you pull the modulator on a 1200XL, you have to add a ground jumper from the modulator ground pin to the ground plane. Don't know if a 600XL would need that or not. Bob I've never owned a 600XL, but now I've got one! I've also never thought of the 600XL as particularly "small," but sitting next to my 1200XL's -- WOW. So I'm looking for all manner of info to help "bring me up to speed" on this "junior XL." For now I've used a RAM 320XL module to bring up the ram. BTW, the REMAP feature worked perfectly on my 16KB XL. For now, I'll also use an internal flash MyIDE as the hard drive. That just leaves the video in need of upgrade. I have a KJMann S-Video upgrade V2.0 module, and S-Video is all I want or need, so I plan to install it. This is where the fun begins. I have downloaded the docs from the KJMann web site, and I also remember that there were some photos here at AA (which might even be the same ones as are at his web site), but they appear to have been removed. In fact, I can't find the original threads at all, but maybe I'm just using the wrong search words. (?) So... has anyone successfully installed one of these in an NTSC 600XL? Anyone know where the original thread(s) are? Related question: I'm planning on removing the RF modulator. How is the best way to do that? Lift the upper "lid" then remove the innards, and finally desolder the base? That is a lot of solder on there! Thanks, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 By the way, if you pull the modulator on a 1200XL, you have to add a ground jumper from the modulator ground pin to the ground plane. Useful info Bob. It's something I didn't do when removing the modulator from mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HatNJ Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Seems Kjmanns account here is gone I need the Pics/instructions for the 600xl install I have 2 to install and finally getting time but the pics/inst are gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 HI- I'll be happy to compare notes with you passing on anything useful I find. I probably won't do any actual installation work for a couple of weeks yet ('til our weather turns sour!). For now, here is a link to his web site with the "docs" zip: http://atari-sales.c...ore/frames.html Click on "Hardware Upgrades" -Larry Seems Kjmanns account here is gone I need the Pics/instructions for the 600xl install I have 2 to install and finally getting time but the pics/inst are gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 and his website has bee re-named Atari Rage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 kjmann is not 'gone' he has changed his nick when he stopped coming here... his nick is now '.....' http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/178089-kjmann-s-video-upgrade/ sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 his nick is now '.....' intriguing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 kjmann is not 'gone' he has changed his nick when he stopped coming here... his nick is now '.....' http://www.atariage....-video-upgrade/ sloopy. Care to elaborate? I know he was taking a beating here some time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 kjmann is not 'gone' he has changed his nick when he stopped coming here... his nick is now '.....' http://www.atariage....-video-upgrade/ sloopy. Care to elaborate? I know he was taking a beating here some time ago. no idea, he was getting flak for making carts of recently (within the last 2-3 years) of stuff, and didnt ask for permission from the authors, is the way i understand it... for the detail, i would guess search the archives... (the only reason i noticed the nick change is i had a msg from him, saw the nick and didnt recognize it, and looked into it, and then realized who it was...) sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi Sloopy- Thanks for the link. I do remember that thread. The V3 looks a lot simpler than my V2. It would be interesting to see how they compare in performance. BTW, I refer to your listing & pinout of Atari major IC's all the time. Really useful, and so handy to have all the info on one sheet! -Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi Sloopy- Thanks for the link. I do remember that thread. The V3 looks a lot simpler than my V2. It would be interesting to see how they compare in performance. BTW, I refer to your listing & pinout of Atari major IC's all the time. Really useful, and so handy to have all the info on one sheet! -Larry yeah i use it alot, i have added to it.... and still waiting for someone to point out the error in it :') sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Is the updated version available for download? BTW, my guess because it caught my eye on the sheet -- is Freddie a 40-pin IC? I didn't remember it being a "big one." yeah i use it alot, i have added to it.... and still waiting for someone to point out the error in it :') sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 when i pretty it up, i will post it... mostly just added the ports, and such... sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Is the existing 600XL RF video jack a regular 75 ohm connection? So with the proper adapter, a cable could go directly to an RF input on a TV or other video device? -Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox-1 / mnx Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 when i pretty it up, i will post it... mostly just added the ports, and such... sloopy. Sloopy, Has this been updated yet, or are you still getting it prettied up? I could use it before I begin my U1m upgrade. Since this upgrade uses the OS socket I will be taking out the MyIDE internal upgrade. Or even a link to the original... IF it hasn't been updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 when i pretty it up, i will post it... mostly just added the ports, and such... sloopy. Sloopy, Has this been updated yet, or are you still getting it prettied up? I could use it before I begin my U1m upgrade. Since this upgrade uses the OS socket I will be taking out the MyIDE internal upgrade. Or even a link to the original... IF it hasn't been updated. when i pretty it up, i will post it... mostly just added the ports, and such... sloopy. Sloopy, Has this been updated yet, or are you still getting it prettied up? I could use it before I begin my U1m upgrade. Since this upgrade uses the OS socket I will be taking out the MyIDE internal upgrade. Or even a link to the original... IF it hasn't been updated. the main thing is the IC's dont show the their names, for some reason the 'layer' with their names is under the 'layer' with the block outline, and it hasnt been a high priority to fix, as i can tell which IC is which by what lines they have... I will ask a minion to pretty it up bit, and then post it... also, only one person has noticed the mistake on it so far... sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 KJMann's video mods are now downloadable DIY projects, here: http://www.karaokeportland.com/svid.html I've been tweaking these mods a bit while upgrading a couple of 600XLs over the weekend, and I'll be writing up the changes shortly. Suffice it to say I think KJMann's mods - slightly augmented - provide unsurpassed s-video quality. Best looking 600XL picture I've ever seen on a modern LCD, older LCD, and 1084S. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I just need to get it working on a PAL 400, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I just need to get it working on a PAL 400, About the only machine I don't own to do tests on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 KJMann's video mods are now downloadable DIY projects, here: http://www.karaokepo...d.com/svid.html I've been tweaking these mods a bit while upgrading a couple of 600XLs over the weekend, and I'll be writing up the changes shortly. Suffice it to say I think KJMann's mods - slightly augmented - provide unsurpassed s-video quality. Best looking 600XL picture I've ever seen on a modern LCD, older LCD, and 1084S. Hey Jon, is the parts list/schematics available for this upgrade? I'd like to build one for my 600XL, the link you provided is for installation but does not have parts/schematics listed. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 ...is the parts list/schematics available for this upgrade? I'd like to build one for my 600XL, the link you provided is for installation but does not have parts/schematics listed. There's really no more to it than what you see in the 600XL installation docs: 47 ohm resistor (luma) 22uf 16v cap (chroma) And if you want the chroma switch: 75 ohm resistor It's so simple that I often wondered how the mod ever warranted being placed on a PCB in the first place. In-line components and two lengths of wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) Wow, ok, that sounds simple enough....I may even be able to scrounge the parts from my donor 130XE. Thanks Edited February 9, 2013 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari8warez Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) I've done this upgrade but my results are less than satisfactory (see the videos). The pros of the upgrade are, easy to do, sharp and well defined letters in s-video (may not be obvious from the videos below) , and more connectivity options, however the picture has strong vertical banding and some waves scrolling from bottom to the top, sometimes from top to bottom. I've used two 150 ohms resistors in parallel since I did not have a 75 ohm handy, and I used some of the unpopulated motherboard vias (after checking that they are not connected to anywhere on the motherboard). I've also used a monitor jack to connect the signals to (from a donor 130XE). I wonder if these might be the cause of my banding and wave problems. Problems seem to occur on my LCD monitor only, CRT display on my SONY 32" TV is crisp and clear with no visible bands or waves. I use an EasyCap video capture device on my laptop and banding is always a problem with that capture device/LCD combination (although more pronounced in this 600XL upgrade than any other Atari computer I have), but waves, i never experienced before so it makes me think that something has gone wrong with the upgrade. I've only used a 47 ohm resistor on Luma line, a 22 uf capacitor, and the 75 ohm resistor (2x150 ohm in parallel) on Chroma Line. Audio is from pin 2 of the now removed RF modulator and I have a switch on the Chroma line which connects the 75 ohm resistor to ground for Composite output (which is not currently connected to the 5 pin DIN). Please check the photo(s) attached to see if you can locate a problem with the upgrade. Composite is not currently connected and my guess is I would need diods on the Luma and Chroma lines before I combine them (no mention of this in kjmann's documentation) http://youtu.be/BliaIaQvAVI http://youtu.be/4JXdYXFv6mE Edited February 10, 2013 by atari8warez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.