But I can't get it to work! The TV turns on, and gives me "snow" but when I screw the antenna to coax converter thing (the thing with the two prongs on it) in (using a Magnavox T-26 since it's the only one I have that does that), it doesn't really do anything. When I turn the 2600 on the "snow" changes slightly like it's doing something.

I checked the connections, all are nice and tight. I tried channel 2 and 3. I set the 2600 to B&W since it's a B&W TV. But no signs of life. I know that 2600 works as it's one I've used in the past.

Help?

The TV is a RCA Model AR122W. Made in 1973. If that helps any?

Oh and anyone know anything about old TVs in general? It gets pretty warm quickly and I'm wondering if that's a hazard. Also wondering if someone can tell me what one of these dials does. It's above the TV channel dial and it has numbers from 14 to 83. It spins around instead of clicking like the channel dial and seemingly does nothing when I spin it. Ah and one last thing, the TV has a black bar along the bottom that I can't seem to get to fill in with "snow" I tried adjusting the picture on the back but it doesn't really help it.

Wondering if I bought a junk TV lol. It was only $5 but I was hoping it would work.

One of these?


Can you take a picture of the connection? Those old TVs get warm. As long as it isn't like hot, like you can't hold your hand on it for long hot, you should be fine.
  Those are for analog UHF channels. The lower knob probably has a U setting, which allowed you to tune a channel on the upper knob. Largely went the way of the Dodo when analog OTA shut down.

 

Try channel 4.

Are you sure the Atari actually powers on? What you describe is exactly what happens if I switch on my Nintendo and forget to plug it in.

The 14-83 dial is just that, it's for channels in those numbers. (UHF, yes like the movie) To use it you would have to turn the VHF (2-13) channel dial to U.

How hot does the TV get?

Jinx!   ​

We got it all on UHF...

"Where did you find this guy?"

"Me? I thought you hired him."

Do you happen to have an actual TV/Computer switch instead of the Magnavox one?

You want one of these.

Might not even need that. Doesn't the Atari switch box have the screw prong connectors? 

That's why I want to see a picture of Astor's setup.

 

Unless you have a 2600 Jr, or that TV is so old it isn't "cable ready" (just has the antenna input screws)
 

Did you have experience with the Atari working on another TV? I remember the heavy sixers I owned had the garbage power connection on the toggle switch. I would power on my console and have to tap the toggle left/right to get a solid image.  

I'll test the 2600 later on another TV but I'm 85% sure it's working. The TV doesn't get burning to the touch hot but it's somewhat noticeable...

Did not know that about the dial, so thanks for that...neat.

And the TV is so old...it literally only has the input screws.

As for a switch...nope. That Magnavox one is the only one I have. Could it be dead?

are you sure you are screwing the box in the correct place? On an old tv I had, it had two sets of screws, one for uhf, and one for vhf. I've always had bad luck with those switch boxes, so I'd argue that it could be the box. On top of that, make sure you are actually setting it to channel 3 or whatever you have it set to. In terms of heat, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you start smelling the magic smoke.

check out the av mod for a 2600. Inexpensive if you are handy with a soldering iron

You don't have the switch box? Post a picture of the connection.

 

What he said. You want one of these regardless if you have the Switch box or not as they are often no longer working. Even if they do, they will still introduce additional video noise.

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not, but it made me laugh. 

Classic. "Okay....is it on channel three or four? 3? Try 4!"
 

Not. OP said she tried channels 2 and 3. Most RF consoles give you the choice of 3 or 4. My Atari 2600 doesn’t have a switch for that, but I don’t know of any US consoles that output on 2’s frequency. 

 

Yeah there's two prongs, I screwed one into UHF and one into VHF. That's the correct way right? I set it to channel 3 both on the 2600 and on the TV.

My 2600 has a switch for channel 2-3 right on it. Which is why I said I tried 2 and 3. TBH I tried EVERY channel...but none of them showed anything.

So you're talking about the Magnavox dongle, right. What then do you have it connected to?



 

!     That's it. Well maybe it's not the only it, but that is wrong. You want both prongs on VHF.

^ thats what i was thinking but havent had an old tv forever.

Ok update. Atari works fine, plugged it into a TV I know works using that coax thing that someone posted a picture of earlier in the thread. I've had one all along, it's just that old TV doesn't have an outlet for that.

Anyways so I know it's not the Atari...which is good lol. I tried putting both prong things on VHF...nothing. Same "snow" and now a buzzing sound. So going to assume that the prong thing is dead?

Any recommendations on getting a switch box prong thing? I'm assuming eBay's my best bet right?

Every pre-NES console used 2-3.