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How to Modify an Atari 2600 for a Modern Television

Nostalgia for the games you played as a kid may have you dusting off that Atari 2600 console. Or, perhaps you've found one of the many 2600 "hacks and homebrews" available for sale on the websites of modern-day programmers. But when you go to hook up your Atari to your current TV, you find that the connections are different. A 2600 can still be used on a modern television, it just requires the purchase of some inexpensive hardware.

Things You'll Need

Direct connect phono to F coaxial adapter
Working Atari 2600 system
Atari 2600 power supply
Game cartridge
TV

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a phono to F coaxial adapter from an electronics supply store. Make sure the adapter has a male F connection and a female RCA (or phono) connection.
- 2
  Screw the male end of the cable into the coaxial port on the back of your TV. You may see two ports, above which will be the words "cable" or "antenna." Either of these ports will work.
- 3
  Remove the UHF/VHF slider from your 2600 system, if it came with one. You are making a direct connection to your TV's coaxial port, so this slider is no longer necessary.
- 4
  Insert the RCA cable that previously plugged into the slider box into the female end of the adapter sticking out of your TV. Plug in the Atari's power supply to an electrical outlet near the TV.
- 5
  Insert a cartridge and set your TV to channel 3. Turn on the game switch on your 2600 console. If you don't see an image, try channel 4. When you have an image, you're ready to play.

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