Timex is well known for building ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers at its Dundee, Scotland facility. The Timex/Sinclair 1000 computers, on the other hand, were assembled by Timex Portugal. While Timex usually did all their own work, they did sometimes subcontract to other producers. One of those subcontracts resulted in “Made In Spain” printed circuit […]
“Made In Spain” ZX81 and TS1000 PCBs Read More ยป
Not long after the TS 2068 came out, some enterprising users figured out that they could replace the internal ROM with a Spectrum ROM and run almost all Spectrum software. There were essentially two methods: replace the internal ROM chip with something like the ROMSWITCH or use a Spectrum ROM on a cartridge. Initially both
How Did TS 2068 Users Make a Spectrum ROM? Read More ยป
Or “I finally learned how to use more memory” Often while folks gather and talk about their computers I hear something like this, “Why don’t you try this” and the almost standard reply is “I didn’t know you could do it that way, thanks” This article is the result of my being in that same
How To Enjoy an Expanded Timex 2068 Read More ยป
Here are some of the tools and programs I’ve been using to archive cassettes and disks for Timex/Sinclair computers. Audacity Available for Windows, Linux and Mac computers, Audacity is my go-to for converting cassette tapes to digital files. Audacity can record from just about any audio input source on your computer. My MacBook does not
Modern Tools for Working With TS Computers and Software Read More ยป
The TS 1500 video signal includes the back porch, a part of the video signal important to setting the black level and overall contrast. This is an improvement over most Sinclair ZX81 and some Timex/Sinclair 1000 computers, which did not produce the signal. Composite video output is available on pin 53 of the TS 1500 standard cell
TS 1500 Composite Video Output Read More ยป
In the late 1970s, computer hobbyists in Chicago set up the first public-access computerized bulletin board system (BBS). Inspired by physical bulletin boards in grocery stores and other public locations, bulletin board systems offered computer enthusiasts a way to communicate directly outside of user group meetings. Many BBSes provided an private user-to-user email system, open
Bulletin Board Systems Read More ยป
What Was CP/M? CP/M was a command-line disk operating system, initially developed for Intel 8080-based home and small business computers. Gary Kildall, who developed it, brought features and tools heโd used on mainframes and minicomputers to small computers with CP/M. CP/M offered a universal, consistent interface to between the hardware, operating system and software. Instead
CP/M for the Timex Sinclair 2068 Read More ยป
Two power supplies in the TS 2068 provide the 5 volts necessary for the computer’s CPU, ROM, RAM, SCLD, logic chips, and 12 volts for the video modulator. The primary power supply uses the LM78S40 switching voltage regulator to produce 5 volts. This voltage regulator has an op amp that drives the internal speaker. The
Upgrading the Power in Your Timex/Sinclair 2068 Read More ยป
This week I began reading and using โTimex Sinclair Color Graphicsโ by Nick Hampshire. I mentioned this book in my first blog entry. As a reminder, you can find a description and a pdf of the book here. As far as I can tell, all of these BASIC programs are available in the original version of the
Overview: Timex Sinclair Color Graphics, Chapter 1: โColour Plottingโ Read More ยป
I have not always been a fan of the Timex/Sinclair 2068 computer. Maybe this isn’t the best way to begin my first blog entry on David Anderson’s TimexSinclair.com website. Yet, that first sentence does show a bit of hope, don’t you agree? I haven’t always been an admirer of this relatively rare home computer from the
Timex Sinclair Color Graphics Read More ยป
In 2021, Neil Cohen sent a few TS 2068 computers in various states of repair. One computer had a home-brew RGB converter built inside and around the composite video output jack. Here’s what it looked like when I opened the case. I extracted the board, disconnected it and traced the circuit as best I could.
An RGB Converter for the TS 2068 in the Wild Read More ยป
In late 1983, an employee at an energy company submitted a request for improved performance maps for a gas compressor. The employee felt that the existing maps were inaccurate and prevented him from doing his job correctly. Keith Watson, a shift supervisor at the time, saw an opportunity to use his Timex/Sinclair 2068 to generate
Plotting Compressor Performance with the T/S 2068 Read More ยป
by George Green Itโs been 39 years since I wrote the adventure game โThe Tridentโ and submitted it to Timex for inclusion in their software collection. Back then, I had played all of the Adventure International games by Scott Adams, Zork, the Original (Colossal Cave) Adventure with all its various enhancements, to name just a
โThe Tridentโ Adventure Game for the Timex 1000 Read More ยป
Without Clive Sinclairโs vision, none of this would exist. I am deeply in debt to his intellect, vision and inventions. Home computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair dies aged 81
RIP Sir Clive Sinclair, 1940-2021 Read More ยป
Daniel Roy’s interest in computers started in high school, where he encountered his first computer. It had a video camera attached to it and he had his photo taken. It was enough to get him hooked. Years later, he received a Sinclair ZX81 as a Christmas gift from his wife. Working late into the evenings,
Designing a Video Interface with No Prior Experience Read More ยป
Timex had several companies to work with in 1983 when they designed the replacement for the Spectrum ULA in the Timex Sinclair 2068. We know that Timex eventually selected NCR to make the SCLD in the 2068 that replaced the ZX Spectrum’s ULA. According to Rex Naden, VLSI Technology actively encouraged Timex to consider their
VLSI Technology SCLD Engineering Samples Read More ยป
I recently purchased a Timex/Sinclair 2068 that had an 8-pin DIN socket on the back. I figured it might be a connection for an RGB monitor and, as it turns out, I was right. This circuit looked nothing like the other RGB designs I’ve seen. Most of those use transistors to generate the sync signals;
DIY RGB Monitor Connection for T/S 2068 Read More ยป
The Sinclair ZX81/TS1000 keyboard was widely acknowledged as one of the more challenging aspects of using the computer. As a result, many commercial keyboard replacements were available in the UK and US. A number of the replacements available in the US were imported from the UK, like the dk’Tronics keyboard. The E-Z Key and Suntronics
DIY Keyboards for the ZX81 and TS 1000 Read More ยป
Jim Payne was one of many small, cottage industry supporters of Timex/Sinclair computers. He wrote several programs for the 1000 and 2068 and started a mail order business to sell them after Timex exited the market in 1984.
Jim Payne and Pheonix Enterprises Read More ยป
