Does hooking up an Atari through a VCR clean up the signal?

[y9784]

As the title says, would hooking the coax from the Atari (2600 or 5200 in my case) clean up any interference if output through the composite out on a VCR?

[ExedExes]

As the title says, would hooking the coax from the Atari (2600 or 5200 in my case) clean up any interference if output through the composite out on a VCR?

I've had my 7800 hooked through a VCR for years. It looked pretty good with minimal interference. I don't know if a VCR pass-through would make it any clearer, but it's worth a try. I am sure there are other conditions that would cause that screen fuzz since it is after all radio frequency.

[Cronozilla]

Generally? No. Going through more devices, when it comes to analog just gives more chances for signal degradation.

I mean, you're using the same cable, even, just putting it through more circuits.

If you really want to clean up the signal: get better shielding. Blocking out radio waves is the only thing that'll clear up the signal if it's due to signal loss in the transmission.

If it's instead because of a signal issue within the Atari, no amount of anything outside of it will help that.

Most coaxial cables have almost no shielding. You can also try a magnet on the cable if you can't replace it with a better shielded one. This should help make an EM field around the cable that will deter radio waves bouncing around the place.

[cookie monster]

You can try doing away with the switch box replace it with a coaxil end it then just screws on the back of the tv. You can find these on ebay or radio shack.

[BoneSnapDeez]

That's what I do with my 2600, cookie.

There was a time in my life when I had to run all of my consoles (even PS3) through a VCR because I had an old cheap ass TV. Good times.

[cookie monster]

That's what I do with my 2600, cookie.

There was a time in my life when I had to run all of my consoles (even PS3) through a VCR because I had an old cheap ass TV. Good times.

It sure beats using the factory box i even replaced some of the cables on my atari's and pongs with new ones.

[Duke.Togo]

Cronozilla has it exactly right. Pushing RF through another device is just going to degrade the signal. A well built cable with a connector like Cookie Monster shows (RCA female to F type) is going to help you get the best picture, outside of modding it.

[Zing]

I think the basic thing to understand here is that RF is simply a composite signal in radio frequency format. The TV will just "decode" it back to composite once the signal arrives. Connecting it to a VCR will just have the VCR doing this step instead of the TV.

I suppose there is a minute chance that the circuitry in the VCR is better at this than the TV, but as mentioned, the added length and circuits to the signal path will undoubtedly negate any possible benefit.