Timex Computer (European: TC2048/3256)
European Timex Computer models — TC2048, TC2068, TC3256, and Portuguese/Polish market machines.
59 threads · 526 messages · 2002-05-23 → 2026-10-16
The Portuguese side of Timex is the group's main source on the European machines. Joao Encarnado (Johnny Red), Joao Diogo Ramos of the LOAD ZX Museum and Bruno Florindo explained that after Timex USA left the market, Timex Portugal kept building computers for Europe and other markets. The TS2068 became the TC2068 on a reworked board with many fixes, and the TC2048 used the 2068 SCLD and video modes with a Spectrum-compatible ROM and a Kempston port. Bruno noted that the TC2048 sold well in Portugal around 1986 while the silver TC2068 was rare. Oscar Koepke added that black-cased units went to Poland as the UK2048 and UK2068, and Polish owners later added upgrades such as 128K compatibility. Joao Diogo Ramos also said all TS1500s were assembled in Portugal and that Timex Portugal probably handled the TS1000/TS1500 FCC work. Bruno's 1986 Correio da Manhã factory photos and the 2025 RTP documentary (with English subtitles at loadzx.com/timexdoc) document the operation. The unreleased TC3256, a Timex Portugal prototype from about 1987, came up through Johnny Red's timex.comboios.info pages and Portuguese press reviews.
On hardware differences, Claudius explained that the TC2068 SCLD differs from the TS2068 one. RGBI and CSYNC come out on the edge connector, so RGB output needs only a few resistors and diodes, while the US chip lacks the "I" signal. The TC2048/2068 /INT is also 15 T-states earlier than a Spectrum's (14321 versus 14336), which breaks top-border effects on Don Dindang's Harlequin-based TC2048 clone. Paulo Leite converted a black TC2068 to NTSC by moving two jumpers and changing the crystal, using Jarek Adamski's schematics. Alvaro Lopes at the LOAD ZX Museum reverse-engineered the TC2068/TC2048 SCLD into a drop-in CPLD replacement under an open license.
Software compatibility is a recurring stumbling block. TC2068 Spectrum emulator cartridges are taller than TS2068 ones, Zebra sanded them down to fit, and they need OUT 244,3 because the TS2068 uses the ROMSC pin for refresh (Ariel Ranieri). Tygrys, author of the Timmy demo, explained that it targets TC2048/TC2068 at 50Hz and fails on the NTSC TS2068's ROM and RAMTOP. Carl Miles's Argentine Czerweny CZ2000 and CZ1500 purchases led to a TS2000-prototype replica project. Several threads only drifted into the topic: the 2009 NTSC Spectrum and Zebra/EMC import discussion, the rare-items estate thread, the Fun Golf box-art thread (Johnny Red's TC2068 sleeve), the Ferranti files (NTSC ULAs found with former Timex Portugal staff), meeting reminders, and Super2068.
Key threads
- Any TS 2068 main PCB updates? (#581 on groups.io) — Johnny Red on the TC2068 board fixes and Polish upgrades, Don Dindang's TC2048 clone, and Claudius on the /INT timing difference.
- Interesting announcements from last night's Load ZX Museum livestream (#874 on groups.io) — Alvaro Lopes's CPLD recreation of the TC2068/TC2048 SCLD, and Claudius on TC versus TS SCLD differences (RGBI, 50/60Hz).
- Timex Computer 3256 Prototype (#824 on groups.io) — The unreleased Timex Portugal TC3256, with Johnny Red's photos and Portuguese press coverage.
- NTSC Spectrum (#1849 on groups.io) — How TC2068/TC2048 machines reached the US through Zebra and EMC, and Paulo Leite's jumper-and-crystal NTSC conversion.
- Help with Timmy Demo for 2068 (#1507 on groups.io) — Explains the TC2048 (2068 SCLD, Spectrum ROM, Kempston), and the demo's author on why TC software fails on the TS2068.
- Finally found an emulator (#881 on groups.io) — TC2068 Spectrum emulator cartridges: sanded down by Zebra, and they need OUT 244,3 because of the ROMSC/refresh pin.
- Online User Group Meeting Feb 7 9pm EST (#1451 on groups.io) — Testing David's RGB-to-HDMI adapter on the TC2068, and Claudius on its simpler edge-connector RGB.
- Timex Portugal in 1986 (pictures) (#1584 on groups.io) — Factory photos from Correio da Manhã, and the UK2048/UK2068 machines sold in Poland.
- Timex Portugal documentary now with English subtitles (#429 on groups.io) — The 2025 RTP documentary on Timex Portugal's Spectrum and Timex Computer production.
- Sadness for Timex Computer Corp. (#1344 on groups.io) — Why the US machine failed while the TC2048 succeeded in Portugal, and the Bruno Florindo/Andrew Owen "American Cousins" article.
All threads (59)
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