akator Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) This is the display from an Atari Super Pong on a Sony 21" CRT. I have no idea what is going wrong here: Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Edited May 20, 2011 by akator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devin Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) Do you have the television on the correct channel? It looks like you are getting a ton of interference. Either: The channel is wrong - those Pong systems broadcast over a couple channels at the same time (only one fully). The converter box is getting interference. If the channel is correct, then you might want to take a trip to Radio Shack. They have a coaxial to RCA converter for a couple bucks. It replaces that horrible little box. The wire is loose/damaged. I have one Pong console where the wire broke on the inside - and I lost the picture. I will have to eventually break it open and resolder. I'm looking forward to that a tad less than a prostate exam.... I hope you get it up and running. I have a couple Super Pongs. They are incredible fun. Edited May 20, 2011 by Devin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akator Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 Do you have the television on the correct channel? It looks like you are getting a ton of interference. Either: The channel is wrong - those Pong systems broadcast over a couple channels at the same time (only one fully). The converter box is getting interference. If the channel is correct, then you might want to take a trip to Radio Shack. They have a coaxial to RCA converter for a couple bucks. It replaces that horrible little box. The wire is loose/damaged. I have one Pong console where the wire broke on the inside - and I lost the picture. I will have to eventually break it open and resolder. I'm looking forward to that a tad less than a prostate exam.... I hope you get it up and running. I have a couple Super Pongs. They are incredible fun. Thanks for the reply. The console is plugged in directly the to RF input of the TV using an RCA-to-RF adapter (like the ones here at the AA store) that works with other systems. Channel setting is correct. So... the only other thing wrong is that something came loose in the console that requires fixing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodoreStaffen Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I've had this same problem with the same system for quite sometime. I haven't really found a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 It looks like the RF modulator inside the Super Pong may have drifted out of spec. Use a plastic hex wrench to adjust it. Also, before you do that make sure you are using fresh batteries. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylon Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'd try the above post first, but the module may be dead/dying. I might have one used. That style isn't available new anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodoreStaffen Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) After much experimenting, I've found that the problem lies within the VHF cable, not the FR modulator. I can move the cable around, changing the static noise and quality of the picture. I plan to fix this by replacing the cable altogether, hopefully, skipping over this problem. Edited June 6, 2011 by CommodoreStaffen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theredlineboss Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 I purchased one of these about a year ago & have had the same scrambled video problem. Finally decided to work on it this morning and found the same thing - moving the cable caused the output to change. Replaced the cable with one from a broken 5200 & it's back in business. I still have graphical issues (some flickering & distortion at the top/bottom), but it's playable. -Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjgsert Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I have the Sears super pong, and i have this problem too, but it seems isolated to certain tv's. I tried it on 5 different sets several times, and it always works perfectly on the same two tv's, and never works on the other three. Don't know if that helps, but there you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2236 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Sounds like shorted or pinched cables, or the RF mod unit in the system has changed frequencies due to age. As Mitch said you need to adjust it, but requires opening up the system and powering it up and adjusting while open. I just fixed up about 10 Telstars of different make and model I ended up replacing all video out cables with new ones and readjusting the RF frequency to newer tvs to get the best picture possible. -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 On my Samsung 52" LCD, I can go into the antenna setup and "fine-tune" with the remote. Helped my pic on the 7800... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awace Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 hmm mabie youre tv has IRC HRC AND STANDARD CABLE SELECT TUNING or its just BAD my freinds sony tv has crap on ch11 I would run it into a VCR on ch3 or ch2 and SEE what that looks like then you will know weather its the TV tuner or the Atari. there is a adjust for inside the Atari for channel witch might have got changed over years ... also DONT use batteries use 5v+ dc power pack or 6v DC power pack as batteries always DIE.. also there is a channel select switch INSIDE dang it now i have to open mine to see whats inside again!! this will give me someting to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awace Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Good thing there is a ch select switch INside ch2 or ch3!!! mabie its stuck on ch3 witch is why you can not tune on ch3 if thats the chanel you selected anyway mabie its stuck between ch3 and ch2 on the switch!.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awace Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 (edited) Almost forgot unless you FIND A SUPER security driver set you can use a snippers to loosen screws!... I replaced w long drywall screws and plastic standoffs cause those screws are to hard to open. Did you fix it ?? Edited October 22, 2011 by awace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovethevectrex Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 im sorry to say this, becasue i know how it feels to get a console that dosnt work (at first) i would unfortunantly sugest buying a new one. i think that the console is just old, messed up and broken very sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovethevectrex Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I have the Sears super pong, and i have this problem too, but it seems isolated to certain tv's. I tried it on 5 different sets several times, and it always works perfectly on the same two tv's, and never works on the other three. Don't know if that helps, but there you go. i agree with you if the tv is to modern, sometimes it just dosnt work. you can never know with these old consoles, its kind of what you have to expect from somthing this old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megaman Legends Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 The cords could be halfway in the tv or it could be the tv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willz06jw Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I have this exact same problem on my new Atari Ultra pong doubles. When I move the RF adapter closer to the TV, the picture clears up. If the adapter just hangs there it only displays static. Did anyone ever fix this issue? Thank you! Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willz06jw Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Thanks for everyone's help, I messaged Akator, and he told me what fixed the problem was changing the TV to an older 90s tube model. Unfortunately, I bought a "new" 90s tube TV and it still shows static until you move around the RF cables into EXACTLY the right spot -- it does work less badly than when I was connecting to my LG LCD 46 Inch though. I messaged Retro Rogue, and he suggested using a RF to RCA converter. He said that this intermediary device may remove this problem. I am using a RF to F-Type Transformer (commonly known as: RF to coaxial input) from an Atari Ultra Pong Doubles console. Any thoughts on how to fix the problem anyone? Thanks, Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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