Fuzzy picture on my 4-switch 2600

[Atari2008]

I've noticed that the image from my 4-switch woodgrain 2600 is not as clear as that from my 5200 or 7800. I've noticed it more in bright colorful games like Pitfall II, there seems to be some noticeable fuzziness in the picture it looks like lines or boxes of lines in the background. Nothing that gets in the way of gameplay or distorts the images, its just a bit distracting and things don't look as sharp. I'm not sure what the issue is although I know that I've never changed the RF cable since I've owned it (25 years), could it be time to replace the cable? I see the cable comes from inside the system, will I have to unscrew it and swap in a new one? Will any ole RF cable from Radio Shack do or is there a 2600-specific cable?

 

Thanks!

[midnight8]

I've noticed that the image from my 4-switch woodgrain 2600 is not as clear as that from my 5200 or 7800. I've noticed it more in bright colorful games like Pitfall II, there seems to be some noticeable fuzziness in the picture it looks like lines or boxes of lines in the background. Nothing that gets in the way of gameplay or distorts the images, its just a bit distracting and things don't look as sharp. I'm not sure what the issue is although I know that I've never changed the RF cable since I've owned it (25 years), could it be time to replace the cable? I see the cable comes from inside the system, will I have to unscrew it and swap in a new one? Will any ole RF cable from Radio Shack do or is there a 2600-specific cable?

 

Thanks!

 

This has been gone over before but you have to open the system to change it. Just any rca cable wont do. It has a short center pole and a regular one wont sit properly and will be loose. Find an rca cable with a short center or what I do is I use heavy duty RCA or Monster brand rca cable and cut the center pole down with a dremel. Also if the connector itself i long it wond let the top go back on. An rca type cable that has a 90degree end is easiest to use. Alos when I have this problen I take the rf shield off the board and use a small buffer wheel on a dremel to clean the oxidation off the area where it makes contact with the shield. Hope this helps.

[Atari2008]

I've noticed that the image from my 4-switch woodgrain 2600 is not as clear as that from my 5200 or 7800. I've noticed it more in bright colorful games like Pitfall II, there seems to be some noticeable fuzziness in the picture it looks like lines or boxes of lines in the background. Nothing that gets in the way of gameplay or distorts the images, its just a bit distracting and things don't look as sharp. I'm not sure what the issue is although I know that I've never changed the RF cable since I've owned it (25 years), could it be time to replace the cable? I see the cable comes from inside the system, will I have to unscrew it and swap in a new one? Will any ole RF cable from Radio Shack do or is there a 2600-specific cable?

 

Thanks!

 

This has been gone over before but you have to open the system to change it. Just any rca cable wont do. It has a short center pole and a regular one wont sit properly and will be loose. Find an rca cable with a short center or what I do is I use heavy duty RCA or Monster brand rca cable and cut the center pole down with a dremel. Also if the connector itself i long it wond let the top go back on. An rca type cable that has a 90degree end is easiest to use. Alos when I have this problen I take the rf shield off the board and use a small buffer wheel on a dremel to clean the oxidation off the area where it makes contact with the shield. Hope this helps.

 

Sorry about that I probably should've done a forum search. Thank you for your suggestions, I didn't realize that changing the RF cable on a 2600 is this involved. I've never used a dremel so I think I'll probably just get a 2600-specific RF cable which should make it a lot easier. I'll do a search on the forum so people don't have to repeat themselves, thanks!