63 replies to this topic

[cwilkson]

Well, since it's hit the AA news page, I'll go ahead and start a thread here.
My A/V mod, the CyberTech S-Video Card, is now available for ordering over at Atari2600.com.

Yay!!!

You can order just the assembled video card, ready to install, or you can send your console
to Atari2600.com and they'll install the video card and calibrate it for you!
You can get more information from the link above.

I'll be following this thread closely to answer any questions that arise.

Thanks everyone for your continued support and above all, thank you for your PATIENCE! |style_emoticons/atariage/icon_innocent.gif

-Chris Wilkson

[bjk7382]

74, just for the kit? Seems like just the kit would be cheaper.

Any kind of AA member discount?

[cwilkson]

The assembled and calibrated video card is only $49.95.
The $74.95 includes optional installation in your Atari 2600, calibration
to spec after installation, and a general checkup for your console.
In both cases there is a 90 day warranty for the product and/or service.

Edit: Sorry, no discounts. Unless you want to order 100 of them. Then let's talk!
-Chris

[bjk7382]

OH, that isn't too bad then, I have replaced the riot chip in my heavy sixer before, so I think I could handle installing this. I don't have the cash laying around right now, but it definitely seems like and end-all solution. (not that I am bashing Jeff's (povlok1) mod) I would probly need first hand experience with both of them to tell, but this one is good just for ease of installation. (and not to mention s-video!)

[Joe Stella]

very cool.

my order is in. i'll be happy to report back to the board when i have some test results.

[Esc]

This product looks awesome! I tried to find some more details on that site but could not. Could you answer a few questions:

1. Does this mod fit properly in a 2600 Jr? or is it specific to the 6 and 4 switch models only? and if it does fit in a 2600 Jr, I guess you would have to drill a hole to have the wires come out , or remove the RF output?

2. Does it work in a Sears Telegames II / Atari 2800 Unit?

3. Does this mod disable the RF output? Could I switch between the two if I wanted to? For example, I move the system to a TV set without any S-Video or Composite RCA jacks? This is not a big deal, but might something worth mentioning.

4. Have you tried a S-Video->RCA adapter to see if it will function on TVs without S-Video? Although newer TVs all have the S-Video jack, some older models only have the three RCA jacks.

5. Are you shipping starting Dec 19, or BY the 19th if we order now? In other words, will be able to have one for the holidays?

[cwilkson]

Esc said:

This product looks awesome!

Thank you!

Quote

I tried to find some more details on that site but could not. Could you answer a few questions:

1. Does this mod fit properly in a 2600 Jr? or is it specific to the 6 and 4 switch models only? and if it does fit in a 2600 Jr, I guess you would have to drill a hole to have the wires come out , or remove the RF output?

EDIT:
The CyberTech Video Card will work with any Atari 2600 that uses the NTSC TIA graphics processor. This includes all 6- and 4-switch models, and 99% of Jr.'s. The video card also works with the Atari 7800, in 2600 mode only. (7800 games will be limited to RF output.) The mechanical design for the 2600 Jr. is still in the finishing stages. But the plan is to make it, like all the other models, non-destructive...the plastic case will not be cut if it can be avoided.

EDIT:
Note 1: PAL/SECAM support is unconfirmed. If you have a non-NTSC 2600 or 7800 that I can use for testing, please contact me.

EDIT:
Note 2: If you have one of the "single chip" Jr.'s, I'd love to trade for it!

Quote

2. Does it work in a Sears Telegames II / Atari 2800 Unit?

It works with the Telegames II. If you have an Atari 2800, send it to me and I'll test it!

Quote

3. Does this mod disable the RF output? Could I switch between the two if I wanted to?  For example, I move the system to a TV set without any S-Video or Composite RCA jacks?  This is not a big deal, but might something worth mentioning.

The 2600's RF output will be disabled, in a non-intrusive, non-modifying manner. If the video card is removed, the RF output will function normally. A VCR can be used to interface the upgraded 2600 to an older TV.

Quote

4. Have you tried a S-Video->RCA adapter to see if it will function on TVs without S-Video?  Although newer TVs all have the S-Video jack, some older models only have the three RCA jacks.

These adapters have been tested. They work, but there may be "fuzzies" where one color meets another color. This is an example of "color artifacting", or false coloring, and is not uncommon in high resolution displays.

Quote

5. Are you shipping starting Dec 19, or BY the 19th if we order now? In other words, will be able to have one for the holidays?

Orders will start shipping near the beginning of December, in the order received. My understanding is that orders received by December 19th will be shipped to arrive on or before December 24th. Of course shipping outside the USA will take longer, so order soon!

-Chris

[Cropsy]

cwilkson said:

The CyberTech Video Card will work with any Atari 2600 that uses the TIA graphics processor.  This includes all 6- and 4-switch models, and 99% of Jr.'s.

Can you confirm wether this will work on PAL units or not? I assumed not but the line above seems to imply it will.

[GrizzLee]

I saw this at CGE this year. I can vouch for the clarity and picture quaility.
I'll be ordering one.

Now, Chris, are you working on a 7800 Video Mod? :wink:

Take care,
-Lee

[cwilkson]

Cropsy said:

cwilkson said:

The CyberTech Video Card will work with any Atari 2600 that uses the TIA graphics processor.  This includes all 6- and 4-switch models, and 99% of Jr.'s.

Can you confirm wether this will work on PAL units or not? I assumed not but the line above seems to imply it will.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. PAL units haven't been tested. I believe it will work fine, though there will have to be a separate PCB design due to the differing pinout of the PAL TIA chip. I've corrected my earlier post.

If anyone has a PAL 2600 that I can use for testing purposes, please contact me!

-Chris

[cwilkson]

Lee Krueger said:

I saw this at CGE this year. I can vouch for the clarity and picture quaility.
I'll be ordering one.

Now, Chris, are you working on a 7800 Video Mod?  :wink:  

Take care,
-Lee

Thanks for the support Lee!

Yes, I'll be working on a dedicated 7800 version. But I need to wrap up the 2600 model first. Could be a couple of months before I get to start it...PAL 2600's may require a signicant change from the NTSC version. But once I get started on the 7800, it should progress quickly.

-Chris

[Eckhard Stolberg]

cwilkson said:

If anyone has a PAL 2600 that I can use for testing purposes, please contact me!

I think I sent you a PAL 2600 Jr some years ago. If you can find it again, you might be able to use it for testing. I don't remember if it's TIA was socketed though.


Ciao, Eckhard Stolberg

[cwilkson]

Eckhard Stolberg said:

I think I sent you a PAL 2600 Jr some years ago. If you can find it again, you might be able to use it for testing. I don't remember if it's TIA was socketed though.

Yeah, I know. I've been looking for it for years, everytime I go home. But I can't find it anywhere! I fear it may have been lost in the massive move from California to Boston, back in '98.

It won't matter if the TIA is socketed...I can safely remove it and add a socket if I need to. I just need to find one. I'm going to look again soon. I'll be home again for like 3 hours while on a business trip. Wish me luck!!

-Chris

[Nathan Strum]

Very cool! It looks like I'll be sending them a check though, since my browser can't seem to establish a secure connection with their store (not cool). I e-mailed them a note about it.

[bjk7382]

I can't wait to hear some first hand reviews of it once people start getting them.

[Mitch]

cwilkson said:

Yes, I'll be working on a dedicated 7800 version.  But I need to wrap up the 2600 model first.  Could be a couple of months before I get to start it...PAL 2600's may require a signicant change from the NTSC version.  But once I get started on the 7800, it should progress quickly.  

-Chris

I have a PAL 7800 I could loan you when you're ready to do your 7800 version.

Mitch

[Susuwatari]

That is great. If we choose to install the S-Video board ourself and we happen to have a 2600 or clone that doesn't have socketed TIA, what kind of socket would be needed? 40 pin or...?

I hope mine *is* socketed. Desoldering all those pins are a major PITA especially since replacement TIA aren't available anywhere other than other 2600s.

Last one: could the 2600 adapter for Colecovision or Intellivision work with the S-Video board? From what I understand, the adapter merely feeds the RF signal through the connector to the console's RF modulator. I doubt this would be practical but wanted to cover every possible questions.

[cwilkson]

Susuwatari said:

That is great.  If we choose to install the S-Video board ourself and we happen to have a 2600 or clone that doesn't have socketed TIA, what kind of socket would be needed?  40 pin or...?

Yes, 40-pin soldertail socket, preferably with dual-wipe contacts. Radio Shack part #276-1996 is a good example. (though it's overpriced, as usual)

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I hope mine *is* socketed.  Desoldering all those pins are a major PITA especially since replacement TIA aren't available anywhere other than other 2600s.

Yes, desoldering a 40-pin IC is quite a pain. Repacement TIA chips are available from a few people here and from Best Electronics. But yes, there is a finite supply.

Quote

Last one: could the 2600 adapter for Colecovision or Intellivision work with the S-Video board?  From what I understand, the adapter merely feeds the RF signal through the connector to the console's RF modulator.  I doubt this would be practical but wanted to cover every possible questions.

It *might* work. But it hasn't been tested. I want to concentrate on the various 2600 models first. If it did work, it would be similar to the 7800 case. I.e. only 2600 games have improved outputs. All other games would still use the RF output of the Colecovision or Intellivision. The 5200 adapter will probably fall into this category as well.

-Chris

[cwilkson]

Nathan Strum said:

my browser can't seem to establish a secure connection with their store (not cool). I e-mailed them a note about it.

What browser are you using? I know nothing about how the Atari2600.com store is set up, but it definitely works with Internet Explorer. If you have access to a Windows machine, you might try that.

I'm looking forward to seeing the CyberTech Video Card added to your 2600 video comparison web site.

-Chris

[cwilkson]

bjk7382 said:

I can't wait to hear some first hand reviews of it once people start getting them.

Heehee. Me too! While I can provide cold hard facts for people, I'm not in the best position to be objective.

-Chris

[cwilkson]

Mitch said:

I have a PAL 7800 I could loan you when you're ready to do your 7800 version.

That would be too cool! How about when I'm ready to finish the PAL 2600 in a couple of weeks? Once the differences between PAL and NTSC are understood for the 2600, I can use an NTSC 7800 for both 7800 versions.

-Chris

[Adrian M]

Wow! This is incredible...an S-Video mod for classic 2600 consoles!

Bear with me...I've been away from Atariage for awhile, but I've gotten back into Atari gaming lately. The last I remember was that a composite video mod was in the works, but now S-Video! Great news and very interesting to say the least!

Something I may defintely look into!

[Esc]

What is the shipping charge for this mod? to usa ? and to canada?
Thanks!

[Mitch]

cwilkson said:

Mitch said:

I have a PAL 7800 I could loan you when you're ready to do your 7800 version.

That would be too cool! How about when I'm ready to finish the PAL 2600 in a couple of weeks? Once the differences between PAL and NTSC are understood for the 2600, I can use an NTSC 7800 for both 7800 versions.

-Chris

Email me when you want it.

Mitch

[cwilkson]

Esc said:

What is the shipping charge for this mod?  to usa ? and to canada?
Thanks!

I'm not involved with the shipping, so I don't know....sorry.
Just to be safe, you should contact Atari2600.com with shipping questions.

-Chris