Table Of Content!

1. Y our ATARI 5!200 >

z. installing tne i v Antenna bwitcn box 3

3. Setting Up the Console 10

4. It lserting a Game Cartridg e 12

5. U sing the 5200 Controllers 13

6. P eturninc Vnur T\/ Cal

I
1
n Dri 1<>

7. IV laintaining Your ATA Rl 5200 16

8. T roubleshooting Checklis t 1(
1. Your ATARI 5200

Congratulations on your purchase • 5200 Console Unit

of one of the most exciting video • Game Cartridge
game systems available. We sug- • Two 5200 Controllers
gest you read this Owner's • TV Antenna Switch Box
Manual thoroughly before setting • Power Adapter
up your ATARI 5200. • 300 OHM to 75 OHM TV
Switch Box Adapter
NOTE: Read this manual care- • 75 OHM to 300 OHM TV
fully, and completely set up your Switch Box Adapter
ATARI 5200 before plugging in
the power adapter. Note: Your ATARI 5200 is pack-
aged with a protective coating.
When you remove your ATARI To remove the plastic, refer to
5200 from the box, you will have: page 10 of this Owner's Manual
2. Installing the TV Antenna Switch Box

UHF Adapter 2

® <s>

VHF

Adapter 1
300 OHM 75 OHM
The TV Antenna Switch Box is Your TV Antenna Switch Box is
Basy to attach to the VHF anten- packaged with two different
na terminal on the back of your Switch Box Adapters:
elevision set. Carefully inspect
he antenna connection at the 1. INPUT 75 OHM/
uacK or your television set to OUTPUT 300 OHM
determine whether your present 2. INPUT 300 OHM/
antenna is 300 OHMs (flat twin- OUTPUT 75 OHM
lead wire) or 75 OHMs (round
cable). Some television sets require that
you use both adapters, others re-
Follow the instructions, on pages quire one adapter, and some re-
5 through 9, which most closely quire no adapter.
apply to your television set anten-
na. If your television set is 300 CAUTION: Do not use this TV
OHMs, you will need a flat-blade Antenna Switch Box with any
screwdriver to install the switch unit other than the 5200. Severe
box. THE TV SWITCH BOX damage to the unit can result if
ADAPTERS ARE NOT NECES- this Switch Box is used with
SARY IF YOUR TELEVISION any other unit. Use only with
SET IS 75 OHMs genuine Atari 5200 parts and
accessories. Use of any other
products may cause damage to
the unit.

3
 • Stick theTV Antenna Switch
Box on an area near the anten-
na terminals at the back of
your television set.

On the bottom right side of the

TV Antenna Switch Box, you will
notice a switch labeled
STANDBY/ NORMAL. The NOR-
MAL position is the correct posi-
use of your
tion during regular
ATARI 5200. Changing this
switch to the STANDBY position
allows you to view regular televi-
The TV Antenna Switch Box can sion programs while the 5200
be left attached to your televi- power is still on. This feature
sion set without interfering with allows you to save a high score
television program viewing or on the screen. It also allows a
reception. game to continue running or the
computer to take its turn while
To attach the TV Antenna Switch you watch television. To return
Box permanently to the back of to the game playfield, simply
your television set: move the switch to the NORMAL
position.
• Peel off the protective paper
on the back of the TV Antenna
Switch Box.

Extra TV Antenna Switch Boxes

If you attach a TV Antenna to room. Extra TV Switch Boxes

Switch Box to each television set are available through your local
in your home, you will be able to ATARI dealer.
move your ATARI 5200 from room
Television set with VHF screws and twin-lead wire
antenna:

1. Disconnect the tw n-lead 2. Connect the twin- lead wire of

antenna wire from me DaCK OT switcn box Adapter l to tne
your television set VHF screw terminals on your
television set

Connect the antenna cable of Connect the television twin-

the TV Antenna Switch Box to lead antenna wire to Adapter
the 75 OHMconnector of 2. Attach the 75 OHM con-
Switch Box Adapter 1. Secure- nector on Adapter 2 to the 75
ly tighten the connection. OHM connector on the
Antenna Switch Box
B. Television with U-shaped slider switch and
twin-lead wire:

UHF

VHF

1
!< i
©

Disconnect the twin-lead Connect the twin-lead wire of

antenna wire from the VHF Switch Box Adapter 1 to the
screw terminals. Move the VHF antenna screws on the
U-shaped slider right to make back of your television set.
a connection between the two
screws.

Connect the antenna cable of Connect the television twin-

the TV Antenna Switch Box to lead antenna wire to Adapter
the cylinder-shaped 75 OHM 2.Attach the 75 OHM con-
connector on Switch Box nector of Adapter 2 to the 75
Adapter 1. OHM connector of the TV
Antenna Switch Box.
c. Television wit h 75 OHM/300 OHM slide switch and
twin-lead wire

1. Disconnect the twin-lead 2. Slide the switch to the 300

antenna wire from the VHF OHM position and follow
screw terminals. steps B-2 through B-4.

D. Television with a short round cable and twin-lead wire:

NOTE: For some televisions, the
75 OHM connector may not work
correctly. In this case, no
playfield will appear after you
insert a cartridge and press the
POWER switch on. To correct
this problem, simply treat your
television as though it is 300
OHMs. Then follow steps A, B,
C, or D.

Connect the short round cable

to the cable connector directly
next to it on your television
set. Then follow steps B-2
through B-4.
E. Television with 75 OHM antenna cable and VHF screws:

1. Disconnect the antenna cable 2. Connect the antenna cable of

from the cable connector or the TV Antenna Switch Box to
impedance-matching adapter the cable connector of your
(balun) on the back of your television set or the imped-
television set. ance-matching adapter. Secure-
ly tighten the connection.

3. Connect the antenna cable of

your television set to the 75
OHM connector of the TV
Antenna Switch Box.

8
Television with round antenna cable and
no VHF screws:

1. Disconnect the round antenna 2. Connect the antenna cable of

cable from your television set. the TV Antenna Switch Box to
the 75 OHM (cylinder-shaped)
connector on the back of the
television set.

Connect the television anten-

na cable to the 75 OHM con-
nector on the TV Antenna
Switch Box.
3. ! Setting Up the Console

1. Peel off the protective coating 2. Check the channel selector

on the top of the console unit. switch at the back left side
of the console to be sure it
is set to the • position.

3. Set your television channel

selector to Channel 3. If
Channel 3 is broadcasting in
your area, set the television
channel selector switch to
Channel 2 and change the
channel selector switch on
the console unit to the
position.

4. Plug the Game Cable on the

console unit into the TV
Antenna Switch Box GAME
connector.
 WARNING: Make sure the Game
Cable is plugged into the TV
Switch Box before plugging the
Power Adapter into the TV
Switch Box.

6. Plug the Power Adapter into

any convenient 120-volt AC
electrical wall outlet,

IMPORTANT: Use only the Power

Adapter packed with your ATARI
5200. Use of any other power
supply could damage the con-
Insert the Power Adapter
sole unit.
cable jack into the POWER
plug on the TV Switch Box. 7. Turn your television set on
and set the volume control to
a comfortable level.

Press the POWER ON/OFF

switch at the lower right side
of the console to ON. A red
light (LED) glows when the
POWER is ON. When the
POWER is OFF, the Switch
Box automatically switches
back to regular television
viewing.

NOTE: Always turn the POWER

OFF when the game is not in
use.

9. If your television set has an

automatic fine-tuning control,

turn it off and manually fine-
tune for the best picture.
However, if your television
set will not receive color
unless the automatic fine-
tuning is on, leave it on.

11
 10. Plug the 5200 controllers into
the controller jacks at the
front of the console unit. Use
jack 1 for one-player games;
use jacks 1 and 2 for two-
player games.

4. Inserting a Game Cartridge

1. Hold the game cartridge so

the name on the label faces
you and reads right-side-up.

Carefully insert the game car-

tridge into the slot at the
center of the console. Be sure
the cartridge fits firmly in the
slot but DO NOT FORCE IT.

Make sure the console

POWER is ON. A bright, color-
ful ATARI logo will appear on
your television screen, followed
by the game playfield.

12
5. Using the 5200 Controllers

The ATARI 5200 includes two

!>200 controllers. These con-
trollers allow you to move the
play ploces in any direction on
thi! semen right, left, up, down
diagonally, and all around.

dug tho controllers into the

jacks at the front of the console
unit. Each jack is numbered. Use
|ack 1 for one-player games; use
jacks 1 and 2 for two-player
games. The jack is designed to
fit only one way. Be sure the con

nection is firm, but do not try to

force It.

Some controller functions vary

with different games. Be sure to
chock the appropriate game in-
structions for different controller
functions.

Each controller has two fire but-

tons on either side. The lower
buttons are used as fire but-
tons for all games. The upper
buttons are used for other func-
tions depending on the particular
game. See your game instructions
for different controller functions.

The right or the left buttons can

be used, whichever is more com-
fortable for you.

The START, PAUSE, and RESET

buttons on the controllers per-
form the following functions:

13
START Press START to begin Press RESET only when
game play. you want to start the
game over from the
PAUSE Press PAUSE to stop all beginning.
game action. This
feature allows you to
leave the game without These controller buttons
interrupting the game or are used to select differ-
score. Press PAUSE ent game options. Refer
again when you are to your game instruc-
ready to resume playing tions for further details.
the game.

Keypad Overlays

All game cartridges come with tions. These functions may vary
two keypad overlays. The over- from game to game. Refer to
lays fit directly over the keypad your game instructions for more
buttons to indicate keypad func- information.

When not in use, your keypad

overlays can be stored on the
back of your game cartridge.
Simply slip the tabs into the slots
that are provided on the cartridge.
Controller Storage

When not in use, store Wind the controller

the 5200 controllers inside cable around the joystick.
tho console unit as follows: Open the controller storage
area at the top of the console.
• Unplug the 5200 controllers
from the jacks at the front of
the console.

Place the cont rollers face • Gently close the cover of the
down (head-to- heads in the controller storage area
storage area.
6. Returning Your TV Set to Television Program Viewing

Press the console POWER If you turned off the automatic

switch to OFF. The TV Anten- fine-tuning, turn it back on.

na Switch Box automatically
switches back to program
viewing.

7. Maintaining Your ATARI 5200

Your ATARI 5200 will bring you There are no user-serviceable

many years of enjoyment. To parts in your ATARI 5200 con-
keep in good working condi-
it sole, controllers, or cartridges.
tion, please remember the Therefore do not disassemble
following: or alter the console, con-
trollers, or cartridges.
• Always turn the POWER
switch OFF when you are not Do not use any power adapter
using the ATARI 5200. other than the Power Adapter
packed with your ATARI 5200.
• Do not try to force the game You could damage the elec-
cartridge into the cartridge tronic components in the con-
slot. sole unit.

Do not spill liquids on the con- Unplug the Power Adapter

sole, cartridges, or controllers. from the electrical outlet when
not in use.
Do not lift the 5200 console or
5200 controllers by the con- Do not use any TV switch box
necting wires. You could bend other than the TV Antenna
or crimp the wires and break Switch Box packed with your
the internal insulation. ATARI 5200. You could
damage the electronic com-
Be careful not to drop the con- ponents in the console unit.
sole, controllers, or game
cartridges. Clean the exterior surface of
the console with a soft and
Do not expose the console, slightly damp cloth (use water
controllers, or game cartridges only).
to extreme or excessive heat.
NOTE: Your ATARI 5200 is engi-
neered to eliminate phosphor
momory or "burn in" of the Turn down the contrast of your
playfiold and score digits on television set.
your television screen. We
suggest, however, these
• Turn the ATARI 5200 OFF
procautions:
when not in use.

Compliance with FCC regulations

To comply with Federal Com- • This equipment generates and uses

radio frequency energy, and if it is not in-
munications Commission* (FCC)
stalled properly, it may cause interference
regulations, and to keep your to radio and television reception. It has
ATARI 5200 from interfering with been type tested and found to comply
television reception on nearby with the limits for a Class B computing
device in accordance with the specifica-
television sets, please observe
tions in Subpart J of part 15 of FCC
the following: Rules, which are designed to provide rea-
sonable protection against such inter-
• Do not install a longer antenna ference in a residential installation. If this
equipment does cause interference to
cable from the TV Antenna radio or television reception, which can
Switch Box to the antenna be determined equipment
by turning the -

connection on your television off and on, try to correct the interference
set. The antenna cable sup- by one or more of the following methods:
plied with the TV Antenna • Reorient the receiving antenna.
Switch Box is the correct • Relocate the computer with respect to
length that complies with FCC the receiver.
regulations. • Move the computer into a different
outlet so that the computer and
receiver are on different branch cir-
Do not connect the antenna cuits.
output cable on your TV
If necessary, consult the dealer or an ex-
Switch Box directly to any
perienced radio/television technician for
television antenna or Cable TV additional suggestions. You may find the
outlet. following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful:

Do not attach loose wires to "How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV

Interference Problems."
your television antenna ter-
minals when you are using the This booklet is available from the U.S.

ATARI 5200. Government Printing Office, Washington,

DC 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.

17
8. Troubleshooting Checklist

The following list is supplied to

help you troubleshoot any pos-
Symptom
sible problems in setting up your
• ATARI logo and playfield image
ATARI 5200. Always disconnect
do not appear on the screen.
the Power Adapter before check-
ing any electrical connections.
Probable Cause- Remedy
Console POWER switch not ON
Symptom Game cable not properly
plugged into TV Antenna
Switch Box.
• Game picture and playfield are
fuzzy or the sounds are
Power jack not connected to
the TV Antenna Switch BOx.
distorted.
Connection on 75 OHM televi-
sion not functioning. Change
Probable Cause- Remedy
to 300 OHM using the Switch
Box Adapter.
• TV Antenna Switch Box not
correctly connected to tele-
TV Antenna Switch Box not
correctly connected to televi-
vision antenna.
• Television set not fine-tuned
sion antenna.
for the best picture. Make sure Game cartridge not properly
inserted.
the automatic fine-tuning is off
for the
Power Adapter not plugged
and manually fine-tune
into wall outlet.
best picture. However, if your
Interference on Channel 3.
television receives color only
when the fine-tuning is on, Change console channel selec-
tor switch to and change
leave it on.
television channel selector to 2
• Interference on Channel 3.
Change console channel selec-
tor switch to , and change
television channel selector to 2.
Symptom
• No regular television program
viewing.
Symptom
• No game sounds. Probable Cause- Remedy
• Television antenna not correctly
Probable Cause- Remedy connected to TV Switch Box.
• Turn up the volume on your
television set.

18
 ATARI® 5200™ GAME CARTRIDGE
LIMITED NINETY DAY WARRANTY

ATARI. INC. ("Atari") warrants to the original consumer purchaser that your ATARI® game
cartridge is free from any defects in material or workmanship for a period of ninety days
from the date of purchase. any such defect is discovered within the warranty period,
If

Atari's sole obligation will be to replace the cdrtridge free of charge on receipt of the
cartridge (charges prepaid, if mailed or shipped) with proof of date of purchase at
either the retail store where the cartridge was purchased or at one of the ATARI Regional
Service Centers listed below: eittJ?
Atari, Inc. •g
1312 Crossman Ave 12 B World's Fair Dr.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Somerset, NJ 08873
Atari, Inc.
2109 East Division St.

Arlington, TX 76001

This warranty shall not apply if the cartridge (i) has been misused or shows signs of ex-
cessive weor, (ii) has been ddmdged by being used with dny products not supplied by
ATARI, or (iii) hos been ddmaged by being serviced or modified by anyone other than an
ATARI Regional Service Center.
ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS, ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO NINETY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. CONSEQUEN-
TIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A BREACH OF ANY APPLICABLE EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED.
Some states do not ollow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or do not allow
the exclusions for limitations of incidental or consequential ddmages, so the above
limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.

Thiswarranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.

When not in use, your keypad overlays can be stored on the back of your 5200 game
cartridge. Simply slip the tabs into the slots that are provided on the cartridge.

®
ATARI
^ A Warner Coimmunications Company

ATARI, INC., Consumer Division

P.O. Box 427, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

C019794 REV. 3 © 1982 ATARI, INC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Printed in U.S.A.
 -

I JI
II 1

®
MMIvl
c
V^ A Warner CommiininafinnR Cnmnanv

ATA Rl, INC., Con siimpr f )i\/i<? inn

1312 Crossn ian,l
! Box 61657
oui iny v die, atuoo
O2081 I REV. 1 S1983 ATAF II, INC. FOR GRAPHICS , AYOU T ON LY. F 'RINTED IN TAIWAN
983, 4, G.Y. ALL right:5
!
RESERVED