For what it would cost for an adapter, which would introduce additional lag, you can just get an HDMI-based Flashback or equivalent (My Arcade, etc.), and have a better experience. If you really want the adapter, an OSSC series or Retrotink series are probably your best low-lag bets, but there are cheap composite to HDMI adapters out there that do work as well. Just make sure you have Game mode enabled on your display, although again, that doesn’t mean the conversion won’t introduce additional lag.

That’s not normal operation. It sounds like a defective unit.

If you bought the standard Atari Flashback 8 and not the Gold (which is HD and works over HDMI), then you need to plug the cables into the composite input on your TV. Yellow to yellow, white to white, and red to red. You then need to change inputs on your TV with your remote control.

If you’re unsure of how to do this, there’s a good chance your TV’s manual is available online.

I’m not sure what you’re saying. Paddle controllers work fine on these and in the upcoming 8 and HD models.

Since the controllers work via infrared, as long as they have line of sight with the console, they should work. If you believe you have a defective player 2 controller, definitely contact AtGames support.

Is there a special syncing process