TS 1000: Hardware Reviews

• $99! Computer - Review of the TS 1000 and overview of software and hardware available for the computer.
• 1510 Command Cartridge Player
• 1510 Command Cartridge Player - Reprint
• 6 Keyboards Compared: Which is the one for you? - Add-on keyboards are available for your T/S — but which one should you buy?
• 8K Non-Volatile Memory Kit - Review of Hunter board. The Non-Volatile memory (NVM) kit is a battery backup powered RAM board that is primarily designed to fill the transparent address area between 8K and 16K in the Sinclair ZX80/81. The key feature of this product is that with the onboard battery, the routines stored in NVM are retained even with
• 8K ROM Board for the TS 1000 - Review of the Hunter 8K ROM board.
• A Door-Opening Board - Product announcement for Computer Continuum’s high-speed analog interface board for the Timex-Sinclair 1000. Works with other Z-80 computers but plugs directly into the TS1000.
• A Loading Aid That Works - You may be interested in a TSZX loading aid which really works; further, it allows one to easily align ones tape heads (the latter has been the source of all my load problems with the TS1000): no tape recorder has been properly aligned when purchased.
• A Modem for the Timex 1000 or ZX-81 - Review of Byte-Back modem.
• AERCO FD-ZX Floppy Disk - AERCO’s disk system consists of three major components: interface board, disk drive and power supply.
• At Your Fingertips - Review of KOPAK Creations’ Touch-A-Matic.
• Back-up system for data - Short overview of the ZX-99 RS232C and tape control system.
• BB-1 8-Bit Input/Output Module Kit - Two Intel 8212 8-bit I/O port chips are the heart of the BB-1. Byte-Back’s module is compatible with both ZX and Timex units and neatly uses memory locations 32764 and 32766 to store input and output information.
• Blippo Sound Effects Generator - The Blippo sound effects generator is a low-cost add-on module for the ZX81 or TS1000. It connects through the computer’s rear expansion port, and as all sensible peripherals, provides another expansion port at its rear.
• Byte Back MD-2 Modem Kit
• Byte-Back M-64 Memory Expansion - Review of the RAM pack.
• Byte-Back Modem
• CAI/ESF Stringy Floppy
• Color Video on a Black and White Video Display? - Software package and filter that creates color through persistence of vision effects.
• Comlink I
• Computer Keyboards Professional Keyboard Kit and Enclosure for ZX81 - Review of Gladstone’s keyboard and enclosure.
• Devices Delivers - Review of L-Monitor.
• DK Tronics Keyboard
• DK Tronics Keyboard
• DK'Tronics 16K Uncased Memory Board - Review of the uncased memory board for use with the same company’s keyboard. Product is flawed, according to reviewer.
• DK'Tronics Keyboard - Review of the keyboard.
• E-Z Key 60 Keyboard - The keyboard is well designed, comfortable to use, is completely consistent with the style of ZX/TS computers and improves entry.
• E-Z Key 60 Keyboard
• Extended BASIC
• Extended Basic for Your TS 1000
• Fix the ZX-81/TS1000 Loose Jack Problem - Technique for adjusting the tightness of the jacks.
• Fiz-zy Floppy - Review of Floppy Interface for ZX81 (FIZ) from Macronics Systems.
• Game Changer Interface - This unit cross-connects your Atari 2600 VCS and TS1000, allowing either to take control of whole blocks of shared memory. That “shared” memory includes the ROM inside the Atari game cartridge, and shadow copies of that ROM in the TS1000 RAM.
• Game Changer Interface
• Game Changer Interface
• Gemini 10X/Memotext Review
• Hardware News: New peripherals - Memotech Corporation announces the Memotech Keyboard for Timex/Sinclair 1000 and ZX-81 microcomputers. The direct-connect, typewriter-style keyboard has Sinclair legends on the keypad and comes with an interface device. The interface is buffered and is housed in a Memopak case, which plugs into the back of the Sinclair.
• Hardware News: Z-Dubber - Bytesize Computer Products introduces the Z-Dubber, an interface between the Timex/Sinclair 1000 or Sinclair ZX81 and its cassette recorder that allows you to load cassette programs easily. The Z-Dubber also permits users to connect two cassette recorders to create backup copies.
• Hardware Review: Buffered Buss/Development Board "Expansion Board" - Computer Continuum’s buffered expansion board kit is a buffered backplane, providing four 44-pin edge card connectors with the same pinout as Sinclair’s except the slot.
• Hardware Review: Joystick Adaptor - Zebra’s plug-in joystick adaptor, a small module, lets you attach an Atari-style joystick to your ZX/TS.
• Hardware Review: Memotech High Resolution Graphics Pack - Short review of the hardware add-on.
• Hardware Review: MULE Electronics Keyboard Overlays
• Hardware Review: MultiForth EPROM Chip - Review of Tree Systems’ Forth EPROM, comparing it to IPS Forth.
• Hardware Review: ROMPAK Instant Load Software
• Hardware Review: The Parrot, Voice Synthesis Module - The Parrot, produces 64 separate allophones. R.I.S.T. used Voicetech’s general purpose speech development kit combined with chips and software to produce a cost effective ZX/TS speech unit.
• Hardware Reviews - Author describes experience installing Tree-Forth in his ZX-81, changing to a UHF modulator and reviews the A&J Microdrive.
• Hardware/Software Reviews - Exatron stringy floppy with interface, Hunter 2K-8K non-volatile memory board, Z-XLR8 fast load program.
• Hi Res Solution - Review of Memotech’s Hi-Res Graphics module.
• In Praise of ZX Printers - Semi-sarcastic review of the ZX Printer.
• In search of a golden memory - Reviews Memopak 16K, Sinclair 16K and ZX-Panda. All fall short of perfection.
• In this Corner... - The battle for supremacy among very-low-cost microcomputers heats up as Texas Instruments’ 99/2 goes head to head with the Timex Sinclair 1000; and the TS2000 and Mattel’s Aquarius square off against the Commodore VIC-20 and the TI 99/4A.
• Incredible Add-On Device Turns TS1000, ZX81 and PC8300 Into Versatile and User Friendly Computers - Review of Weymil’s Delta Device, a 32K non-volatile RAM extension.
• Input/Output Board lets you add on peripherals - Micro Developments’ I/O boards.
• Inside the T/S1000, ZX81 - Description of the hardware that makes up these computers.
• JK Audio Model JK-310 I/O Board with Real Time Clock - JK-310 is ideal for your applications and projects that require a real-time clock. JK-310 uses an OKI MSM5832 real-time clock chip.
• Joysticks to the World - Review of the Zebra joystick interface and Atto Soft joystick, which solders directly to the motherboard.
• Kempston Joysticks
• Keyboard Quickness - Review of auto shift keyboard kit for ZX/TS from Research Applications Products.
• LARKEN TS1000 Disk Drive Interface - Disk interface with built-in DOS for ZX81/TS 1000 computers. User supplied power supply and compatible disk drive.
• Letter from England (Sync v3 n1) - One of the advantages of living in England, home of Sinclair Research, is that we get to try out some of the “extras” before anyone else. Here are some of the things that may cross the Atlantic from England for the ZX81.
• Link to the real world - Review of Down East Computing’s VOTEM, an all-purpose voltage and temperature measuring system designed to interface with the TS1000, ZX81 computer or any Z80 based system.
• M-16 Memory Module - Review of the RAM pack.
• Making A Good Thing Even Better - Review of dk’Tronics’ replacement keyboard.
• Mass Storage for the TS-1000 Has Arrived! - Overview of load utilities and mass storage systems including ZXLR8 Fasload, Winky Board, A & J Microdrive, and Aerco and Larken disk systems.
• MD-1 Direct-Connect Modem and RS-232 Port - Review of Byte-Back’s modem.
• MD-2 Modem - Review of the Byte-Back modem for the TS1000.
• Memopak High Resolution Graphics Module - The Memopak High Resolution Graphics Module, in dull black matching the computer, fits in between the Memopak parallel printer interface and the 64K memory module. Velcro tape or double sided adhesive tape comes with each unit to ensure a wobble-free set-up.
• Memopak: Expand the Memory of your ZX-81 to 64K - Review of the Memotech Memopak 64K unit.
• Memory with a Memory - Review of the Hunter 8K non-volatile RAM board.
• Memotech Centronics Parallel Interface and the Seikosha GP-100A Printer - Review of the interface and printer.
• Modem and Serial I/O - Review of Byte-Back MD-1 modem.
• More Hardware: BASICare - Review of BASICare by Microsystem Ltd.
• More Hardware: Clock/Calendar, Winky Board II - Reviews of Clock/Calendar Board by JK Audio, Winky Board II by G. Russell Electronics.
• Now your computer talks back - Brief of the DCP Speech pack.
• Printer Review - Sinclair ZX Printer, Mindware MW-100.
• Programmer's Utility EPROM - Review of the product from Delphic Enterprises.
• QSAVE - Aids in loading balky tapes and the time saved in loading long programs is certainly worthwhile.
• Report Generator
• Report Generator Board
• Review of VOTEM
• Review: Sinclair ZX81 - The Sinclair ZX81 is reported to be the world’s most popular computer. It has been produced at a rate of 50,000 units per month since mid-1981.
• Review: The Timex Sinclair 1000 - Timex Corporation has joined the ranks of manufacturers offering personal computer by making a close relative of the Sinclair ZX81 under agreement with Sinclair Research.
• ROMPack
• ROMPack
• ROMPAK ROM Card - ROMPAK permits you to use many programs instantly—cartridges in the rough. An adaptor plugs onto your ZX/TS and provides a socket to contain the program ROM. A simple machine code routine in the ROM moves the program into RAM in under a second, and you’re ready to go.
• Science and Your Timex-Sinclair - Brief review of the FDZX1 Interface Board from Group Technology. Board allows for automatic measurement, data acquisition and instrument control.
• Sinclair Timex Add-Ons - Memotech RAM add-ons, High-Resolution Graphics Pak, Centronics Parallel Printer Interface, RS232 Interface.
• Speech Pack - Speech Pack gives you computer-generated speech through your ZX/TS. Speech Pack is a black box with a special processor and ROM containing words. It has three other sockets so other word ROMs can plug in.
• Stringy Floppy for the Timex 1500 - Review and overview of the A&J Micro Drive stringy floppy system.
• Strong and Durable - Review of Memotech’s keyboard.
• Sun KD-81 full-size keyboard conversion for the ZX/TS - Review of the keyboard kit.
• Suntronics Keyboard Review
• Talking Timex
• The Aerco Disk Drive System - The disk drives sold by Aerco are Pertec FD 250 units. Any Shugart type drive could be used, but at $189 each from Aerco I felt this was the best price around. The Aerco disk drive unit transfers data at a rate of 250,000 bits per second. Disks (soft sectored, double density, double sided) accommodate
• The Floppy Alternative - Review of the CAI Stringy Floppy.
• The GP-100A From Memotech
• The Intercontroller - Review of Intercomputer’s Intercontroller HV bus device.
• The ROMPAK System - Review of a expansion board that supports EPROMs in the 8-16K block; board uses a ZIF socket. The company had several programs on EPROM.
• The Thurnall System - The TE devices are a sound investment: They are well built and at a reasonable price for Sinclair expansion. If you do not have any electronic experience or applications along those lines, you will probably be interested only in the parallel port and the joysticks.
• The Timex/Sinclair 1000, a low-cost, book-size micro - The cheapest computer on the market that offers BASIC and a TV output is the Timex/Sinclair 1000. Marketed by Timex through tens of thousands of retail outlets in many countries, it is also one of the best-selling computers.
• The Votem - The Votem, to play on James J. Carr’s book Digital Interfacing to an Analog World (Tab Books, Summit, PA. 1978), is an analog interface to Sinclair’s digital world. Analog/Digital Conversion Analog (related to analogous) refers to relationships by ratios. The analog device relates numbers to a turn on a wheel such as our rapidly disappearing
• The Winky Board II - Review of the Winky Board II.
• The ZON X-81 Sound Generator - The Bi-Pak ZON promises a “huge range of possible sounds.” It certainly has great potential, but that potential is not so easily realized.
• Thomas J. Bent's ZX81/TS1000 ROM Upgrade
• Tiny invention makes perfect saves & loads - Review of the Winky Board 2.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? - Reviews of ES-II system switch box by Electronic Shop, ZXFORTH by the Forth Dimension, Memotech keyboard.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? Firmware - Review of Memotext by Memotech.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? Hardware - Reviews of Mindware MW-100 printer, Crash Guard from Expense Cutter Products, Power Line Filter from HB Industries.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? Hardware - Reviews of E-Z Keyboard from E-Z Key, Timex 2040 printer, Battery Backup from SyncWare.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? Hardware - Review of Memocalc by Memotech.
• To Buy or Not to Buy? Hardware - Review of Hunter Board.
• TS1000 Test and Review - Syntax purchased and tested the TS1000.
• Turning Your Sinclair-Timex into a Smart Terminal - Review of Byte-Back MD-1 and MD-2 modems.
• UM-64 Memory Module - Using bigger memories creates opportunities for greater losses in a crash. Byte-Back’s battery-back-up scheme cuts this risk. You’ll also get the possibility to have your operating system in RAM (all but the characters), compatibility with the TS1500, switch-selectable banks in the 8-16K area, an EPROM socket you can switch-select into 8-16K, and reasonable documentation from
• User Report: Insight's 16K RAM Pack - At first glance you might ask, “Is that all there is to it?” I opened the shipping box to find a small black plastic case that obviously plugs into the rear of a ZX80/81 or MicroAce computer.
• VOTEM interface board - VOTEM stands for voltage and temperature, and that’s what this new interface from Down East Computers is all about.
• When the lights go out ... - Cramic-81 is a low-power, battery-backup RAM.
• Winky Board II - Winky Board’s designer bills it as a tape sound conditioner that lets you save bad tapes and copy any ZX/TS tapes, but Winky copies better than it saves.
• Winky Board II
• Word processing potential - Brief article about the Memotech parallel printer interface.
• Zebra Joystick - Review of the joystick adaptor.
• Zebra Joystick Adapter
• Zebra Joystick Adaptor
• Zebra Light Pen - Zebra’s pen consists of a wand about 6″ long with photocell assembly. It plugs into a board containing input jacks for the pen and ZX/TS 9V power supply, output plugs to power your computer and send the pen’s signal to the EAR port, and hardware to condition the pen’s output.
• Zebra Talker
• Zebra-Talker Speech Synthesizer - Review of the Votrax SC-01-based speech synthesis unit.
• ZX 81 News and Resources - ZX81 hardware expert Bruce Taylor, of Budget Robotics & Computing, has announced the release of his book, Build a Microcomputer-Controlled Robot and Other Computer Control Projects. David Clifford has Westridge 2050 boards available along with Mini-Xmod 1.7; is working on Mini-Xmod for the 2068. Review of Aerco’s FD-ZX Floppy Disk System. British companies supporting the
• ZX81 - The New Standard - For only $149, you now get 8K BASIC, continuous display, the choice of channel 2 or 3 and a newly styled case.
• ZX81 Cassette Interface - The Winky Board II is a cassette interface for Timex Sinclair computers that filters electrical interference to yeild clean easy loading tapes, has a LED volume level indicator, can save a program on two tape recorders simultaneously, and contains a program duplication system.
• ZX81 Keyboard from Memotech - The keyboard duplicates Sinclair’s keyboard, but with full-travel keys and an extra shift key in the top right corner.
• ZX81 News & Resources - Note about a bug in the AERCO CP2.2 ROM. Report on the John Oliger TMS9918 Video Upgrade.
• ZX99 Tape Control System - Review of the system available from data-assette.
• ZXTalker Review