🇺🇸 Timex/Sinclair TS1500: Part 2 [TCE #0532]

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The Clueless Engineer

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Published on October 15, 2024 4:20:10 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsmg6yEJhew

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24

Thanks to a suggestion by ‪@lilbill6089‬ I've been able to slightly improve the video output from the first TS1500. I've also fixed the transistor wiring in the second TS1500 so that we can get a video signal now, but the machine doesn't seem to be booting.

I found some footage of when I worked on these machines originally ... June 2021 when I had just two subscribers (I wonder who they were and if they're still around?)

Finally, I prised the fascia off the 2nd TS1500 and replaced the membrane. Just need to figure out the best way to re-attach the fascia now.

00:00 ... Checking current video output
01:48 ... Checking video output after adding 100µF capacitor
03:25 ... Side-by-side comparison: before & after
03:40 ... Keyboard membrane of TS1500 no. 2
04:45 ... Checking wrong wiring of transistor of TS1500 no. 2
06:20 ... Found footage: June 2021
07:10 ... Testing TS1500 no. 2
11:19 ... Start replacement of broken membrane in TS1500 no. 2
13:10 ... Fascia is off
14:20 ... New membrane is in
16:29 ... Channel outro/thanks

Background on the TS1500:
https://www.timexsinclair.com/computers/timex-sinclair-1500/

I've implemented a simple baseband video modification that requires just a single additional 2N3904 transistor, as documented here:
https://www.timexsinclair.com/timex-sinclair/ts-1500-composite-video-output/

I also tested the TS1500 with the ZXPAND+ and 3D Monster Maze.
https://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk/zx812.html

I actually didn't find the rubber keyboard all that responsive ... I think the original membrane keyboard of the ZX81/TS1000 was superior ... ?

The ZXPAND+ isn't listed as working with the TS1500 but so far it seems okay. It includes 32KB of RAM, a joystick interface and AY sound module. It'll be interesting to try those out with some modern games ... ?

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