Other Sinclairs
17 messages · 2007-01-23 → 2007-06-16 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: Al Hartman, Peter Lakatos, jboatno4, Luis Alberto D'Ardis, John Von Draugr, Bill Loguidice, Fred, Edwin Krampitz, Jr., William McBrine, Glen Goodwin, zxbruno, Louis Florit
Preserved from the Timex/Sinclair 2068 Yahoo Group (2001–2019), which is no longer online. Text reproduced from the archive.org archive; email addresses masked.
Messages
1. Other Sinclairs
John Von Draugr · Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:33
Hi. I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, but I was curious to know
if any of these other Timex Sinclair computers like the Spectrum, ZX81,
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 128k were ever released in America, or if it is
possible to
get them to work on American TVs or RGB monitors? Also, which system is
the best to look into if a user wants to be able to use as much of the
Sinclair software as possible as well as the different hardware modules
for the systems. While I'm
looking to get a TS2068 because I had one as a kid in 1983/84, I'm
curious to check out the Spectrum based systems, but I believe they were
Europe only. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks
John*
2. Re: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
Peter Lakatos · Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:24
Hi,
As I know there was a ZX 81 sold in the US (and/or Canada) before they
started to sell the Timex Sinclair 1000.
The motherboard of the Timex Sinclair 1000 has the ability to switch between
PAL and NTSC.
I don't know any other original Sinclair computer which has NTSC output.
Except, earlier was mentioned a NTSC Sinclair ZX Spectrum North American
prototype on this list, but we didn't get more info or even photos.
Peter
On 1/24/07, John Von Draugr <[email]> wrote:
>
> Hi. I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, but I was curious to know
> if any of these other Timex Sinclair computers like the Spectrum, ZX81,
> Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 128k were ever released in America, or if it is
> possible to
> get them to work on American TVs or RGB monitors? Also, which system is
> the best to look into if a user wants to be able to use as much of the
> Sinclair software as possible as well as the different hardware modules
> for the systems. While I'm
> looking to get a TS2068 because I had one as a kid in 1983/84, I'm
> curious to check out the Spectrum based systems, but I believe they were
> Europe only. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
>
> Thanks
> John*
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
3. RE: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
Bill Loguidice · Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:46
You can import just about any UK-based system and have it work in the US if
you get a power converter (step up/step down), power plug adapter (sometimes
built into the power converter) and a way to hook the system into a
compatible RGB monitor, such as the Commodore 1084S. I've also seen dual
NTSC/PAL TV's on eBay, though I have no experience with them. I've stuck
mostly with importing Japanese systems myself, since these only need a
simple power converter, but I've had luck with UK systems as well using the
method described above. I haven't tried systems from other countries, like
Germany, yet, but it's the same basic concept. Some systems supposedly have
timing issues when you don't use the origin country's power specification,
but I haven't come across anything as of yet that's affected.
Honestly, you can easily get a TS2068 with a compatibility cartridge for
cheap and run most cassette software from the Sinclair with no issue. Only
if you want 100% compatibility, compatibility with 128K software or
compatibility with specific peripherals is it worth dabbling in a UK system
in my opinion. I try to purchase stuff from overseas as little as possible
due to the very unfavorable exchange rate. I was quite lucky though in
getting a huge box of Spectrum tapes at once in one eBay transaction from
the UK. This way I only took the monetary hit once. Occasionally you will
find US sources for some of this stuff, but it's quite rare for obvious
reasons.
======================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
(A PC Magazine Top 100 Website)
======================================
<http://www.armchairarcade.com/> http://www.armchairarcade.com
_____
From: [email] [mailto:[email]] On Behalf Of
John Von Draugr
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:34 PM
To: [email]
Subject: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
Hi. I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, but I was curious to know
if any of these other Timex Sinclair computers like the Spectrum, ZX81,
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 128k were ever released in America, or if it is
possible to
get them to work on American TVs or RGB monitors? Also, which system is
the best to look into if a user wants to be able to use as much of the
Sinclair software as possible as well as the different hardware modules
for the systems. While I'm
looking to get a TS2068 because I had one as a kid in 1983/84, I'm
curious to check out the Spectrum based systems, but I believe they were
Europe only. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks
John*
4. Re: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
Peter Lakatos · Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:55
Hi Bill,
Yes, you are right with the conversion methods, but I believe the original
question was:
"...ever released in America..."
He wanted to know that were there any US (NTSC) version of the Sinclair
computers?
Peter
5. Re: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
Fred · Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:50
The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who
said he had a prototype NTSC machine.
Fred
On 25/01/2007, at 2:55, Peter Lakatos wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> Yes, you are right with the conversion methods, but I believe the
> original question was:
>
> "...ever released in America..."
>
> He wanted to know that were there any US (NTSC) version of the
> Sinclair computers?
>
> Peter
>
>
>
6. Re: [ts2068] Other Sinclairs
jboatno4 · Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:30
There was a company on the east coast in 1982-3 called English Micro
Connection that advertized ZX Spectrums for sale, but the advert didn't
indicate that the computer was NTSC.
On Thu, January 25, 2007 5:50 am, Fred wrote:
> The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
> machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who said
> he had a prototype NTSC machine.
>
> Fred
>
>
> On 25/01/2007, at 2:55, Peter Lakatos wrote:
>
>
>> Hi Bill,
>>
>>
>> Yes, you are right with the conversion methods, but I believe the
>> original question was:
>>
>> "...ever released in America..."
>>
>>
>> He wanted to know that were there any US (NTSC) version of the
>> Sinclair computers?
>>
>>
>> Peter
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
7. Re: Other Sinclairs
Edwin Krampitz, Jr. · Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:23
I believe I posted some time back that I heard a very few NTSC ZX
Spectrums were sold in Canada after Timex US killed the 2068. Would
be interesting to see if this rumor has any truth. Wouldn't these
machines be the holy grail for US Timex and Sinclair computer buffs!
Also, some reported years ago that PAL signals from a UK Spectrum can
be picked up fairly well on one of the US NTSC UHF channels (I forget
which, but it's high up in the channel numbers)but in black and
white only, of course, as the color generation specifics differ
between PAL and NTSC. So in a pinch you could check a UK Spectrum
for proper function (i.e., does the machine work at all?) with this
method.
Ed
--- In [email], Fred <fredm@...> wrote:
>
> The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who
said he had a prototype NTSC machine.
>
> Fred
8. Re: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
William McBrine · Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:37
On Wed, 21 Feb 2007, Al Hartman wrote:
> P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a composite
> video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those of us who are
> too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
>
> They will be $19.95 including shipping.
Does that plug in to the expansion port, or what?
--
William McBrine <[email]>
9. RE: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
Luis Alberto D'Ardis · Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:41
plase post a photo.
ty
regards.
>From: "Al Hartman" <[email]>
>Reply-To: [email]
>To: [email]
>Subject: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
>Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:22:45 -0000
>
>I don't know where it came from exactly, but I have an NTSC Spectrum.
>
>It's labeled Sinclair, and NOT Timex/Sinclair.
>
>I don't know where Stuart got it from, except possibly from Timex
>Portugal or from his contact who bought a warehouse full of Timex
>stock which were returns from Deptartment stores and the like.
>
>Al
>Phila, PA
>
>P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a
>composite video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those
>of us who are too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
>
>They will be $19.95 including shipping.
>
>--- In [email], "Edwin Krampitz, Jr." <ekrampitzjr@...>
>wrote:
> >
> > I believe I posted some time back that I heard a very few NTSC ZX
> > Spectrums were sold in Canada after Timex US killed the 2068. Would
> > be interesting to see if this rumor has any truth. Wouldn't these
> > machines be the holy grail for US Timex and Sinclair computer buffs!
> >
> > Also, some reported years ago that PAL signals from a UK Spectrum can
> > be picked up fairly well on one of the US NTSC UHF channels (I forget
> > which, but it's high up in the channel numbers)but in black and
> > white only, of course, as the color generation specifics differ
> > between PAL and NTSC. So in a pinch you could check a UK Spectrum
> > for proper function (i.e., does the machine work at all?) with this
> > method.
> >
> > Ed
> >
> > --- In [email], Fred <fredm@> wrote:
> > >
> > > The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
> > machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who
> > said he had a prototype NTSC machine.
> > >
> > > Fred
> >
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Charla con tus amigos en línea mediante MSN Messenger:
http://messenger.latam.msn.com/
10. RE: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
Luis Alberto D'Ardis · Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:44
i mean please heheh
>From: "Al Hartman" <[email]>
>Reply-To: [email]
>To: [email]
>Subject: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
>Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:22:45 -0000
>
>I don't know where it came from exactly, but I have an NTSC Spectrum.
>
>It's labeled Sinclair, and NOT Timex/Sinclair.
>
>I don't know where Stuart got it from, except possibly from Timex
>Portugal or from his contact who bought a warehouse full of Timex
>stock which were returns from Deptartment stores and the like.
>
>Al
>Phila, PA
>
>P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a
>composite video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those
>of us who are too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
>
>They will be $19.95 including shipping.
>
>--- In [email], "Edwin Krampitz, Jr." <ekrampitzjr@...>
>wrote:
> >
> > I believe I posted some time back that I heard a very few NTSC ZX
> > Spectrums were sold in Canada after Timex US killed the 2068. Would
> > be interesting to see if this rumor has any truth. Wouldn't these
> > machines be the holy grail for US Timex and Sinclair computer buffs!
> >
> > Also, some reported years ago that PAL signals from a UK Spectrum can
> > be picked up fairly well on one of the US NTSC UHF channels (I forget
> > which, but it's high up in the channel numbers)but in black and
> > white only, of course, as the color generation specifics differ
> > between PAL and NTSC. So in a pinch you could check a UK Spectrum
> > for proper function (i.e., does the machine work at all?) with this
> > method.
> >
> > Ed
> >
> > --- In [email], Fred <fredm@> wrote:
> > >
> > > The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
> > machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who
> > said he had a prototype NTSC machine.
> > >
> > > Fred
> >
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Charla con tus amigos en línea mediante MSN Messenger:
http://messenger.latam.msn.com/
11. Re: Other Sinclairs
Al Hartman · Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:22
I don't know where it came from exactly, but I have an NTSC Spectrum.
It's labeled Sinclair, and NOT Timex/Sinclair.
I don't know where Stuart got it from, except possibly from Timex
Portugal or from his contact who bought a warehouse full of Timex
stock which were returns from Deptartment stores and the like.
Al
Phila, PA
P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a
composite video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those
of us who are too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
They will be $19.95 including shipping.
--- In [email], "Edwin Krampitz, Jr." <ekrampitzjr@...>
wrote:
>
> I believe I posted some time back that I heard a very few NTSC ZX
> Spectrums were sold in Canada after Timex US killed the 2068. Would
> be interesting to see if this rumor has any truth. Wouldn't these
> machines be the holy grail for US Timex and Sinclair computer buffs!
>
> Also, some reported years ago that PAL signals from a UK Spectrum can
> be picked up fairly well on one of the US NTSC UHF channels (I forget
> which, but it's high up in the channel numbers)but in black and
> white only, of course, as the color generation specifics differ
> between PAL and NTSC. So in a pinch you could check a UK Spectrum
> for proper function (i.e., does the machine work at all?) with this
> method.
>
> Ed
>
> --- In [email], Fred <fredm@> wrote:
> >
> > The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
> machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who
> said he had a prototype NTSC machine.
> >
> > Fred
>
12. Re: Other Sinclairs
Glen Goodwin · Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:51
I have built the same circuit out of one common transistor
and one resistor, for a total cost of US$0.30.
If anyone wants the schematic email me off-list.
Glen Goodwin
Al Hartman wrote:
> These adapters will attach with clips to three points inside the unit
> and double stick tape to the top of the RF Modulator. You can then run
> one wire outside the unit for the video.
>
> I'll post pics this weekend..
>
> Al
>
> --- In [email], William McBrine <wmcbrine@...> wrote:
>> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007, Al Hartman wrote:
>>
>>> P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a
> composite
>>> video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those of us
> who are
>>> too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
>>>
>>> They will be $19.95 including shipping.
>> Does that plug in to the expansion port, or what?
>>
>> --
>> William McBrine <wmcbrine@...>
>>
>
>
>
13. Re: Other Sinclairs
Al Hartman · Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:28
These adapters will attach with clips to three points inside the unit
and double stick tape to the top of the RF Modulator. You can then run
one wire outside the unit for the video.
I'll post pics this weekend..
Al
--- In [email], William McBrine <wmcbrine@...> wrote:
>
> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007, Al Hartman wrote:
>
> > P.S.: Tom (another ex-Zebra Employee) and I, have available a
composite
> > video adapter for TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 Computers. For those of us
who are
> > too technology challenged to make one ourselves.
> >
> > They will be $19.95 including shipping.
>
> Does that plug in to the expansion port, or what?
>
> --
> William McBrine <wmcbrine@...>
>
14. Re: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
jboatno4 · Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:02
I previously posted that a company called English Micro Connection (EMC)
imported Spectrums, Interface 1 & Microdrives for a short time to the US.
I believe they were NTSC & 110 volt. I think this was just prior to the
time that Zebra Systems began importing the TC2068 (Silver Avenger) &
Timex FDD/FDD-3000.
Also I know that Zebra imported at least one NTSC TC2048. It's still
working and lives in Tennessee, or did a year or so back.
Jack
On Tue, February 20, 2007 9:23 pm, Edwin Krampitz, Jr. wrote:
> I believe I posted some time back that I heard a very few NTSC ZX
> Spectrums were sold in Canada after Timex US killed the 2068. Would
> be interesting to see if this rumor has any truth. Wouldn't these machines
> be the holy grail for US Timex and Sinclair computer buffs!
>
> Also, some reported years ago that PAL signals from a UK Spectrum can
> be picked up fairly well on one of the US NTSC UHF channels (I forget
> which, but it's high up in the channel numbers)but in black and white
> only, of course, as the color generation specifics differ between PAL and
> NTSC. So in a pinch you could check a UK Spectrum
> for proper function (i.e., does the machine work at all?) with this method.
>
>
> Ed
>
>
> --- In [email], Fred <fredm@...> wrote:
>
>>
>> The only reference I've ever seen to an actual NTSC ZX Spectrum
>>
> machine was the gentleman on this list who used to work at Zebra who said
> he had a prototype NTSC machine.
>>
>> Fred
>>
>
>
>
15. Re: Other Sinclairs
Al Hartman · Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:35
LOL!
But did you include the cost of the video out cable, the double stick
tape, spring loaded clips, making and producing the documentation, the
labor to build and test the unit, and the cost to box and ship it?
A LOT more than .30
Al
--- In [email], Glen Goodwin <acme_ent@...> wrote:
>
> I have built the same circuit out of one common transistor
> and one resistor, for a total cost of US$0.30.
>
> If anyone wants the schematic email me off-list.
>
> Glen Goodwin
16. Re: [ts2068] Re: Other Sinclairs
Louis Florit · Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:08
Just a heads up, there is a difference between a power converter and a
transformer; I've fried electronics by using a converter and not
knowing the difference...
But I agree, a radio shack/frys electronics store run should give you
what you want.
L
On 6/16/07, zxbruno <[email]> wrote:
> --- In [email], "Bill Loguidice" <bill@...> wrote:
> >
> > You can import just about any UK-based system and have it work in
> the US if
> > you get a power converter (step up/step down), power plug adapter
> (sometimes
> > built into the power converter)
>
> A simple adapter from Radio Shack does the trick, as long as it 's
> the right voltage and provides enough amps. I have one 48K working
> that way. I see no need for power converters or PC power supplies.
>
> Al, could you please post pics of the NTSC Spectrum? Thanks.
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
--
Louis Florit
AIM: lflorit MSN:[email] Y!: indygolunaria
GoogleTalk: [email]
17. Re: Other Sinclairs
zxbruno · Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:53
--- In [email], "Bill Loguidice" <bill@...> wrote:
>
> You can import just about any UK-based system and have it work in
the US if
> you get a power converter (step up/step down), power plug adapter
(sometimes
> built into the power converter)
A simple adapter from Radio Shack does the trick, as long as it 's
the right voltage and provides enough amps. I have one 48K working
that way. I see no need for power converters or PC power supplies.
Al, could you please post pics of the NTSC Spectrum? Thanks.
Indexed under
TS1000 / ZX81 / TS1500 · ZX Spectrum · Other retro computers