An Atari 8-bit computer produces a single video display channel and a single
(monophonic) audio channel. The 400/800 models also produce some sounds
(primarily the keyclick and system buzzer sounds) by way of an internal
speaker.
Most Atari computers provide both their audio and video channels in a single
Radio-Frequency (RF) modulated audio/video signal, equivalent to a standard
(of the time) analog television (TV) NTSC or PAL encoded color broadcast
signal. The Atari's RF signal may be used on a television that:
- Supports use of an external RF aerial antenna for receiving terrestrial TV
broadcast signals
- Can decode an analog NTSC M, PAL I, PAL G, or PAL B color TV broadcast
RF signal, matching the RF signal output by the computer
NTSC M Atari computers (North America) use:
- 55.25MHz video/59.75MHz audio - TV Channel 2 standard
- 61.25MHz video/65.75MHz audio - TV Channel 3 standard
PAL I Atari computers (UK) use:
- 591.25MHz video/597.25MHz audio - TV Channel 36 standard
PAL G Atari computers (Europe) use:
- 591.25MHz video/596.75MHz audio - TV Channel 36 standard
NOTE: If a PAL I computer connected to a PAL G TV, or PAL G computer is
connected to a PAL I TV, the result is normal video but lacking audio.
PAL B Atari computers (Germany, Finland) use:
- 55.25MHz video/60.75MHz audio - TV Channel 3 standard (400, some 600XL)
- 62.25MHz video/67.75MHz audio - TV Channel 4 standard
(SECAM Atari computers (France) do not output an RF signal.)
The Atari's RF signal is accessed in one of the following places on the
computer:
400/800: Built-in coaxial cable with male phono plug (NTSC computer
versions) or male Belling-Lee TV aerial plug (PAL computers)
XL/XE: Switch Box / Television jack (phono jack - female)
Domestic 400/800/XL/XE computers (NTSC M) shipped with a TV Switch Box
(CA010112 / CA014746 packaged). This includes a phono jack (female) for RF
signal input from the Atari, input connector(s) for your TV/cable/satellite
antenna, and 75-ohm and/or 300-ohm output connector(s) for connection to the
antenna input on the television. (For optimal signal quality, a simple
adapter (phono socket - female to F connector plug - male) in place of the
standard TV Switch Box may be preferred.)
Domestic XL/XE computers (NTSC M) shipped with a coaxial RF Cable / TV Video
Cable (1200XL: CA061177 - 12 feet; other XL/XE: CA024624 toroid cable
Domestic/NTSC versions). The input end is a phono plug (male) that plugs into
the Switch Box/Television jack on the computer; the output end is also a phono
plug (male).
PAL/UK XL/XE computers (PAL B/G or PAL I) shipped with a coaxial RF Cable / TV
Video Cable (CA024624 Toroid Cable PAL versions). The input end is a phono
plug that plugs into the Switch Box/Television jack on the computer; the
output end is a TV aerial plug (Belling-Lee plug - male).
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