[Atari 2600 CleanComp Composite Mod - Feedback & Testing]

STILL waiting for fleaBay to deliver my recently purchased (gouged) NTSC Jr. Fingers crossed it's NOT a 1 chip, unlikely, but knowing my luck - that would be disappointing for this application. I've got a v2 board to test. I'm a bit keen on hopefully smoother install as there's also a light 6'er I've been wiring up for a UAV.... and it's spaghetti central.

[Setting up the unnamed 1970's console]

Apologies Thomas, I incorrectly recalled who mentioned it. I should be holding @Al_Nafuur partially responsible for me ordering more stuff (all good of course 🙂, exciting stuff). The Stelladaptor was mentioned some posts back and my brain tends to associate the phrase "Stella" with you automatically. 

[Setting up the unnamed 1970's console]

I have a new Pi 3b+ on order, along with a couple of Sullins EBC12DCWN cart connectors.... hope they're the ones! A pair of SN74LVC245AN .... and I'm *partially* blaming @Thomas Jentzsch for me now also ordering PCBs and the items in the BOM, needed for a pair of Stelladaptors. Those enclosures are cheap enough, but the shipping isn't! Might be heat-shrink wrapped by the looks of it.

 

I'll have to sort a breadboard and jumperwire next

 

 

[Setting up the unnamed 1970's console]

Would a Pi 3b+ be the path-of-least-resistance for mirroring the *something*Stella*something*'s (public) progress? I'm trying to source a new one, but they're a little scarce and less cost effective currently. 

[The new Atari 2600+ w/HDMI out and 2600/7800 support]

As someone who is tempted but still undecided on pre-ordering.... I may be swayed with any info on how good the new joystick is. Has this been mentioned somewhere? 

 

Paddle combo box is no longer available for pre-order (at least with Amazon AU / authorised AU distribution)!?

[Sega controller for 2600 JR.]

Even used SMS controllers are getting pricey where I am and I prefer the NES controller (especially as you can easily get cost-effective replacement silicon membranes for the buttons / d-pad). There are PCB designs available that let you wire up for SMS and (assuming) 2 button function with the 2600 - could be an option

[Aquarius MX]

I'm just throwing out a thank you to all involved with the MX (and the projects leading to it). I'm waiting on all the components and board needed to build one. I hadn't even considered an Aquarius until stumbling on to the Aquarius MX project (I'm also waiting on an original Aquarius). From that rabbit hole, I also spotted the awesome Aquarius Draw ...

 

Just the fact that so many resources have been made available to allow the home, semi-proficient DIY user to assemble what seems to be a VERY impressive enhancement / expansion for this extra-underdog(under-under-dog?), is completely amazing. I'll also mention the availability of DIY versions of the composite mod and a basic controller stand-in. This is a massive relief in the world of crazy shipping costs or complexity, escalating component prices, commercial/marketplace gouging etc.

 

All going well (it might take a little while to determine this), I'll be looking hard at the Aquarius+ instead of my usual "get a second old *insert vintage computer/console name here* as a spare". I've committed to a couple of commercially available Aquarius items and so far, one excellent new game (looking at you Dungeon Quest).

 

This little 8bitter and its enthusiastic and accessible community, really deserve more attention. Maybe not so-much attention that jacks the prices up for us non-US types trying to get into the Aquarius scene however 😏

 

[Intellivisionaries episode 46 is up!]

Excellent news! Are you guys considering adding in Aquarius coverage at all?

[Wizardry Proving Grounds v3.0 - Game code fixed and recompiled in Apple Pascal [Full Release]]

Just stumbling around looking at Apple II stuff and spotted this,

 

 

Wizardry Fan Page by Snafaru (zimlab.com)

 

Apologies if someone has already posted this somewhere, I did a quick search prior.

[Atari 2600 CleanComp Composite Mod - Feedback & Testing]

Indicating interest in a board once they are tested up. I have an ntsc light sixer that that I'd love to get composite and s-video from

[videopac.nl forums closing]

I recently signed up at videopac.nl. I managed to get a O2 and some games ( just need to find the time to do the repairs and composite mod ).

 

I'd endure using another discord server for O2 / Videopac content

[Coco 1 AV mod options (or RF fix)]

Ahh, apologies on that recommendation, I incorrectly assumed Coco1 and 2, it was just 2.

[Coco 1 AV mod options (or RF fix)]

I'm in a similar predicament. There's an excellent Modulator replacement (from 3rd party accounts), offered up by Ed Snider at TheZippsterZone

 

Unfortunately it's out of stock for the variant I need and I've yet to hear back on availability. 

 

It feels like chip/tech shortage/price gouging, plus increasing demand on these very talented people, might be taking its toll.

[Games play better using keyboard]

If you're looking at option on ACTUAL Atari hardware, this has potential (7800 targeted, but I think the pinout for the 7800 still works for 2600, just not registering the other button independently). 

 

 

C64-JoyKEY/adapters/Atari 7800 at main · tebl/C64-JoyKEY · GitHub

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

thank you @tf_hh - this additional info is excellent. Gotta keep these Jr's alive and performing well. 

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

Finally got to ordering a Basic board..... shipping is killing me ?

[New physical copy game Quartz's Quest now available :)]

just ordered..... aaaand now I wait

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

....CD4050 reinstalled, continuity from TIA checked - everything as expected, per your info @alex_79 (thank you again!).

 

I've tried some removal of header / jumper pins from my existing UAV (Plug in) with no decent progress for the effort (i only have braid, i'm also concerned with the heat i'm pouring into a tiny board). I'm going to order a basic UAV and continue work with that i think.

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

3 hours ago, alex_79 said:

I had some pictures of one of my Jr board on my PC (PAL-B, board CO21503, rev. F1). I've highlighted the traces going  from the luma and Sync TIA pins to the CD4050, and they match J.Sobola's schematic:

 

board (top)

 

bord (bottom)

 

 

You might be able to fix the mod with minor modifications, by removing all the jumper plugs and soldering short pieces of wire to connect the pins as in this picture.

 

 

There's still the problem that with the CD4050 removed, the gate in the CPU reset circuit (circled in blue in the schematic) is missing. Since your console is still working without it, I guess it's not strictly necessary, but if it was me I'd follow @DrVenkman suggestion and I would remove the mod board, reinstall the CD4050, and then simply connect the mod using wires to the needed signals (those pullup resistors connected to the TIA pins are perfect for this).

 

Verify that your board matches the one shown here by checking continuity between pins marked with the same colors. If it differs trace it to find the right spots where to pick the signals.

Note that I'm not familiar with the UAV board as I never installed one myself, so use these info at your own risk!

 

This is great information and very helpful - thank you @alex_79 .

 

I'll definitely reinstall the CD4050 as @DrVenkman has recommended. 

 

My board is the plug in style, but i'll see what i can do to desolder the headers from it as there's no a lot of spare room in a Jr case. All going well it might be a v1 upgrade. Bare board(s) will be ordered on proving this successful, for swapping in (i have other Jr's that could use svideo). Hopefully i'll get a chance this weekend (early Friday morning here right now) - I'll post updates back when i do.

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

I *might* have already kicked another project off, thinking the UAV was straightforward and was done....... I’ll try and do some tracing when I can get some time. See where that takes things. 

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

The CD4050 is removed. I’ll check the BnW output as soon as I can in the morning.

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

I'll have to get a picture of the image on my display, but in Pitfall! - I only get one shade of green for both the treetops and the background (the background is a lighter green in all imagery I've seen, but not on my Jr with mod). The background and treetops are both the darker green used for the treetops, no separation. The brown tree trunks are as expected. As previously stated - the quality is excellent. I've adjusted the colour ('color' for you US folk) pot and there's is no position that corrects the tree colours either.

 

I'm loading the PAL rom via a HC encore.

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

@alex_79 instructions were followed as per the 2600 jr specific parts of the included UAV guide, but yes - there is nothing indicating variations in jumpers for 2600 models or for a PAL B jr. I don't have the expertise to know more than the guides for these sorts of products. I have a rudimentary understanding of electronics, and can solder, desolder, replace through-hole style components, perform basic testing etc, but I'm not sure where to start on tracing functions.

 

I'll try reaching out to the The Brewing Academy for extra guidance also.

[Please Help: 2600 Junior PAL + UAV Rev.D]

@TheMontezuma Did this ever get a resolution? I’ve just finished fitting a rev d UAV + IAB into a PAL 2600 jr (well, I still have to work out top case refitting, but it’s useable)

 

It is exhibiting the same colour issues.... while the picture is sharp, colour is pretty much on par with the screenshots in this thread. Colour pot adjustment has been performed.

 

My UAV board isn’t getting hot or anything though. I’m using svideo output to a retrotink mini, connected to a Samsung Syncmaster LCD.