VCS with no colour

[Chaotix]

I've just picked up a 6 switch wood VCS. Upon connecting it to my Television I've found I have a picture only in black and white. possible problems? could it be the way I'm connecting it to my TV? I'm from the UK if that makes any difference. I'm not very technically minded so please help.

[CPUWIZ]

Where did you get the unit from ? If you got it from eBay it might be a NTSC machine.

[Chaotix]

No, I bought it from a local market- it was cheap- but I've no idea where it orginates from, anyway to find this out? The stall holder will give me a refund- but I'd rather keep it if I can get it working.

[BeerGnome]

allright, allright.. first things first.. we're going to follow the K.I.S.S.* process here.

have you located the color switch yet?

it's the switch on the unit that allows you to set the unit for either a color or B&W TV.

 

if the position of the switch makes no diffrence in the video output, then there may be issues with the RF signal generating domahthingamajig chip.

 

Now, I will say one thing Ive noticed is that the signal can be adversly effected by the quality of your RF switch, the thing that connects the unit to the television with the selctor switch..

If the RF switch is bad, it could be effecting the end out put.

 

Try using one of the direct RF to COAX adaptors, convenitly avialble at a reasonable price from the Atari Age Store ( to the Editors )

these tend to provide the best Image in most cases anyways

 

 

 

* K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid

[Lumpbucket]

If the RF switch is bad, it could be effecting the end out put.

 

Its most likely that the Atari won't have an RF selector switchbox. Most games consoles in the UK don't have them (i've only ever seen them with Intellivisions and Master Systems. None of my Ataris have one). Usually, they just plug into the aerial socket on the telly. (i think european tv's have different connectors to american ones).

 

 

Try using one of the direct RF to COAX adaptors

 

Once again, I don't think these are too useful in the UK, since the aerial input on UK televisions is already coax. I would try a different Atari to TV cable though, I've got a few bad ones. Luckily most old systems use the same cable, so if you have another atari or commodore system, try the cable from that.

 

Alternatively, you could try the composite video mod on VCSp site, and connect it to your TVs SCART socket.

[BoOchan!]

If you are using a new TV, you will need to fine tune a lot to get color. With My 2600, I have to fine tune it every time I put a game in. Fine tune it till you get Color, If you Get color and the TV makes a fuzzing noise, tune back a little. Just much around with the TV tuning controls to try and Get Color with your 2600.