Colecovision help.

[retrogamer343]

I have added s-video and composite out to my colecovision. Looks amazing!

[evilevoix]

I would love S-Video! How does one do that? Does it work for all Atari Games?

^
Could you divulge your source for CV repairs? Might be good for future reference. That sounds like a nice price.

Thanks.

TZ

This dude...

http://www.youtube.com/user/toddtoledo

Subject:
Re: ColecoVision Issues
Date:

05/07/12
Message:
It is either the VDP going out or the RF module that is likely causing your color problem. The color is fine on the Atari module because it is simplify passing the signal thru the ColecoVision. $40 repair if you want to send it to me. Contact me thru yurkie@live.com if you want to send it to me for repair.

[tz101]

This dude...

http://www.youtube.com/user/toddtoledo

Subject:
Re: ColecoVision Issues
Date:

05/07/12
Message:
It is either the VDP going out or the RF module that is likely causing your color problem. The color is fine on the Atari module because it is simplify passing the signal thru the ColecoVision. $40 repair if you want to send it to me. Contact me thru yurkie@live.com if you want to send it to me for repair.

That's Yurkie from Atari Age. He does nice work. I think he will only do his custom A/V composite output mod though, no S-video, if i remember right.

[tz101]

I have added s-video and composite out to my colecovision. Looks amazing!

Do you know a source to buy mod kits for CV? I want to do my own game pause switch, controller knobs, straightened controller cords, skip BIOS, and composite A/V jacks. I know where to get the controller knobs and skip BIOS kit, along with how to straighten controller cords, but the pause and composite kits still elude me.

[eddiespruce]

My Colecovision has a problem where vertical white lines go through the screen sometimes. I've been told that the only way to fix this problem is to take it apart and lubricate, or replace the power switch, which dries up over time.

[retrogamer343]

I would love S-Video! How does one do that? Does it work for all Atari Games?

http://www94.pair.com/jsoper/cv_svideo.html
http://www.a1k0n.net/projects/coleco/howto.html

I had to add a switch to go between s-video and composite. I will add detailed instructions for all these mods to my site as soon as I can. And as for atati games I don't believe the mods work.

Do you know a source to buy mod kits for CV? I want to do my own game pause switch, controller knobs, straightened controller cords, skip BIOS, and composite A/V jacks. I know where to get the controller knobs and skip BIOS kit, along with how to straighten controller cords, but the pause and composite kits still elude me.

I just used the instructions in the links above with a slight modification to go between s-video and composite. I was never aware of any kits.

My Colecovision has a problem where vertical white lines go through the screen sometimes. I've been told that the only way to fix this problem is to take it apart and lubricate, or replace the power switch, which dries up over time.

Yes the power switch can cause more problems than you would think including bad picture. I completely took mine apart and cleaned all metal with my dremal then lubed it all up. Worked great!

I also replaced a couple of chips inside the system that helped with controller issues.

[eddiespruce]

Yes the power switch can cause more problems than you would think including bad picture. I completely took mine apart and cleaned all metal with my dremal then lubed it all up. Worked great!

I also replaced a couple of chips inside the system that helped with controller issues.

I would attempt to take my Colecovision apart, but there's screws hidden underneath the front sticker of the console, and I don't want to rip it off.

[retrogamer343]

I would attempt to take my Colecovision apart, but there's screws hidden underneath the front sticker of the console, and I don't want to rip it off.

Yes but you can take it apart without taking the front off. It's a pain but can be done. It just requires a little finesse. I would never tear the sticker off of anything.

[tz101]

The Colecovision comes apart with a little trial and no need to remove the front decal. Just be patient and resourceful.

Eddie: A known issue with CV consoles is the power switch. Here is a little trick I used on one of my Intellivision consoles. Go to Radio Shack or electronics store (don't know if you have Radio Shack stores in Newfoundland) and buy a can of aerosol electronic parts cleaner. It is a bit pricey at about $10 US a can, but very good stuff. With the power unplugged, spray large amounts of it into and under the Cv power switch. Then, flip the switch back and forth multiple times until you are comfortable that the internal contacts are clean. This did wonders for the power switch on my Intellivision and fixed a black screen issue I was having.

[ApolloBoy]

I just used brute force on mine. Just tilt the front of it towards you and it should come out, it won't break unless you really manhandle it.

I had to add a switch to go between s-video and composite. I will add detailed instructions for all these mods to my site as soon as I can. And as for atati games I don't believe the mods work.

Ben Heck's composite mod for the CV (which is what I used for mine) is actually compatible with the Atari module since it taps composite video from the RF modulator. If you want audio from the Atari module you'll also have to tap the audio from the modulator instead of the SN76489. S-video won't work since it obviously takes the video from the VDP chip.

I also replaced a couple of chips inside the system that helped with controller issues.

The CV is an incredibly fragile beast, not only do the power switch and controller ICs go bad, but the RAM is notorious for going out as well. I think the main flaw of the CV is its cobbled together nature (it's made up entirely of off-the-shelf parts) as the system uses three different voltages, two of which are only used for the RAM. You can easily convert the CV to run off standard 5V RAM chips which improves the reliability and makes the system run cooler as well.

[SEGACOOL]

When I had problems with my Coleco it was caused by the power supply. I tried several. One caused lines on the tv screen, another caused humming and finally one gave me a perfect RF picture and sound. I know thats not politically correct on this site but I grew up on RF so it was fine by me.

[tz101]

@evilevoix: When you get the refurbed console back from Yurkie, please post some pics. He does cool mods.

[ApolloBoy]

When I had problems with my Coleco it was caused by the power supply. I tried several. One caused lines on the tv screen, another caused humming and finally one gave me a perfect RF picture and sound. I know thats not politically correct on this site but I grew up on RF so it was fine by me.

The power supply tends to be crappy on the CV and is sometimes the first thing to go. Unfortunately it's a regulated power supply so you either have to find a working CV power supply or hack up another power supply as a replacement. Theoretically speaking you could use a 5V regulated power supply once you do the 5V RAM mod.