It was very similar to zx81, it only contained more ram 2k and had ntsc tv modulator with switch allowing to switch between channel 2 and 3. The lowly sinclair zx80 has now morphed into the semiuseable timex sinclair 1500, sporting a brandnew keyboard and much more internal ram. For programs and samples, visit the ts software library. Rare unassembled vintage sinclair zx80 computer kit pre timex. Zx81 hardware and software news ts horizons short notes on zx81ts. The ts was a slightlymodified sinclair zx81 with an ntsc rf modulator instead of a uk pal units sold in portugal have a pal rf modulator device and the onboard. The first year of the magazine was republished in the. By contrast, its us partner timex showed no such reluctance and produced an extensive range of addons for its range of timexsinclair computers. Timex claimed to have sold 600,000 tss in the us by early 1983, and other companies imported localized versions of british software. Supplied as either a full version for the expanded sinclair zx81, timexsinclair ts and ts1500 min 4k ram, a 2k version for an unexpanded timex 2kb of ram and a 1k cutdown version. I say something about the history of the computer, go over its hardware and software. Home, collection, tournaments, tests, computers, whats new, links. Ian dees was first bitten by the programming bug in 1986 on a timex sinclair, and has been having a blast in his software apprenticeship ever since. The choice of partnership was natural, as timex was already the main contractor for manufacture of sinclairs zx81 and zx spectrum computers at its scottish plant in dundee.
Even by 1981s standards, it was slow but it also cost a mere 100 bucks, making it an attractive entry point. Feb 22, 2018 i am continuing to go through my vintage computers to test them. Over the next year or so the timex sinclair got used less and less because of this and eventually i got rid of it and moved on. If i plug in my sinclair 16k ram pack into my real timex sinclair, wrx graphics will not work. Ian currently writes gui code for field instruments as a software engineer at tektronix. My grandmother has an old, old rca xl100 analog television that barely works vhf is all staticy with just the regular antenna attached, uhf comes in fine, but its a faded, washed out image. Byte magazine volume 08 number 01 internet archive. Timex corporation and sinclair research continued their joint venture and released the timex sinclair ts and 1500 ts1500 variants of the zx81 for the us market in july 1982 and july 1983 respectively. The zx81 is a home computer that was produced by sinclair research and manufactured in.
They are nearly identical, except for the name on the front, and minor motherboard layout differences. I couldnt use a zx81 keyboard for two reasons, one the connectors are spaced apart like a spectrum. It was designed and built to be inexpensive and, as such, it was a very common first computer for many people. Ts 1016 the ts 1016 is a 16k ram expansion module, fitted externally to the ts. Rare unassembled vintage sinclair zx80 computer kit pre. The primary video camera i used then 80s 90s was a full size vhf tape affair that sat on ones shoulder heavy. The ts was the american version of the sinclair zx81 which followed the successful sinclair zx80. I say something about the history of the computer, go over its hardware and software capabilities, give a demonstration, and take a look at the. Ian dees was first bitten by the programming bug in 1986 on a timex sinclair, and has been having a blast in his software apprenticeship ever since since escaping rice university in 1996 with engineering and german degrees, he has debugged assembler with an oscilloscope, written web applications nestled comfortably in highlevel frameworks, and seen everything in between. In this video we take a look at the timex sinclair, a lowcost microcomputer from the early 1980s. The timex sinclair, with the optional 16k ram pack accessory, is a compact computer with all the power and highperformance capacity you are likely to need for personal use.
Even by 1981s standards, it was slow but it also cost a mere 100 bucks, making it an attractive entry point for aspiring hobbyists who couldnt spend a thousand. The ts is basically a zx81 with a bit more shielding and a different tv modulator. Two menudriven front ends for cpm author christopher o. Timex sinclair oh dear god, this was my first personal computer my dad owned the swank trs80.
There was no way you could touch type on it at all. Nov 19, 2016 following on from the previous post on zx81 composite video modifications, the same can also be done on the timex sinclair. Timex sinclair user manual by olivier boisseau issuu. Eightyone is designed to run on windows xp, but should work on windows 98 and above.
I have no way of testing it,as you need a tv with vhf inputs i dont, so it is sold as is. Although still identical to the sinclair zx81, it will now be known as the timex sinclair. Thanks to the enthusiasm shown for the sinclair zx81, we are working to release new and replacement hardware for the humble zeddy. By 1986, their mailing list included more than 3,000 timex sinclair readers. The popularity of these machines was driven by their low price.
Sinclair vintage computers and mainframes for sale ebay. Way back i was tasked with filming my wifes family gatherings and a few of my own, summer picnics, christmas festivities, thanksgiving dinners, birthdays and countless other occasions. Every keyword and function is explained carefully and thoroughly. Some sample programs can be found in the software library. I still have it, but the keyboard ribbon is cracked. The timex sinclair or as it was known in england sinclair zx81 was the second machine to be released by sir clive sinclair. I am continuing to go through my vintage computers to test them. Zx81 emulator written in visual basic can you believe it windows. Personal computer software for timex sinclair dataquester personal finance planner timex computer corporation phrase challenge funtech software pick em stuart software picture plot bob lucasbarlog software pinball timex computer corporation plane frame zeta software plotting work sheet ezra group ii plotting work sheet.
This is a fullyfunctional emulator, reproducing the early80s timexsinclair sinclair zx81 in a browser. Finally, in july 1983, the transformation is complete. If no external ram pack is plugged in on the real machine, i have 2k of internal ram and wrx hires graphics works fine, as long as the program fits in 2k. This is an educational program based around mathematics, which tests your skills at. The sinclair zx81 is a personal computer developed in britain and released in 1981 that is known for introducing the personal computer into the mainstream. Feb 15, 2008 ive recently acquired a complete timex sinclair computer, complete with power supply, switch box, and cables. Ram packs and memory expansion for the zx81 and ts. You posted the link i started from in post 5 of this thread so i thought you would be working from the same schematic. Scripted gui testing with ruby by ian dees the pragmatic. Ok, let me chime in here since i own a real timex sinclair and two ram expansions. This resulted in the machine crashing out when it was nudged. One thing i didnt get for my timex sinclair was a tv. The fastest way to become a software developer duration. The timex sinclair is the first personal computer featuring our new microchip design.
Keyboards and keyboard accessories for the zx81 and ts. In 1981, sinclair released a computer at a price that is still crazy 30 years later. The timex sinclair was a budget entry into computing and is harder to find one complete and working these days. Astronomy on your computer on free shipping on qualified orders. Basic on timex sinclair stage 1 happy hobbyist my father bought a timex sinclair, a cousin of the better known sinclair zx81. Much of its popularity is attributed to its affordability, as its predecessor the zx80 was much more expensive. This machine did not have a 32k ram upgrade as you stated it actually had a 16k ram upgrade that connected to the zx81 via a flimsy port at the rear. Jul 31, 2015 in this video we take a look at the timex sinclair , a lowcost microcomputer from the early 1980s. Unfollow timex sinclair to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. This is a 16kb expansion for timex sinclair computer. Since escaping rice university in 1996 with engineering and german degrees, he has debugged assembler with an oscilloscope, written web applications nestled comfortably in highlevel.
Sort of an experimental unfinished zx81 emulator windows. Eightyone source code is released under the gnu gpl. In july 1982 watch maker timex began selling the timex sinclair clone of. The timex sinclair ts was the first computer produced by timex sinclair, a joint venture between timex corporation and sinclair research.
The zx81 was an upgrade to the zx80 which had half the rom. By contrast, its us partner timex showed no such reluctance and produced an extensive range of addons for its range of timex sinclair computers. The timex sinclair, also known as the zx81, was small, ran on basic, and offered a mere 2kb of ram to go with its 3. Basic programming snippets for the timex sinclair and sinclair zx81 computer. The timex sinclair , also known as the zx81, was small, ran on basic, and offered a mere 2kb of ram to go with its 3. I will never forget staring at that keyboard looking for characters. It even supports z80 assembly language and authentic speed, so most anything you could do on a ts, you should be able to do here.
He also found the zx81 to be alarmingly unreliable, having to have his first two test machines replaced before getting one that worked properly. Describes and provides examples of each word in the ts basic vocabulary. Short example programs illustrate the use of each command in its syntactically correct form. Started in late 1984 by tim woods and others, time designs magazine, was a bimonthly magazine that had aimed fill the void created by the departure of sync, timex sinclair user, and syntax. Tynemouth software llp old computers, new computers, bespoke web design and software development, computer repairs, it and media services uk.
If the emulator does not respond when you type, try clicking on the emulators window. If you are looking for information on the zx81, including emulators and downloads, a good place to start would be the sinclair zx81 webring, as well as the sinclair zx80 and zx81 computer forums. New sinclair zx81 timexsinclair timexsinclair 1500 hardware. Multimachine emulates a whole range of 8 bit machines. The timex sinclair 100 old school personal computing circa the timex sinclair they dont make them like that any more.
In spite of the flaws in the early versions, half a million units were sold in the first six months alone. Excerpts taken from timex sinclair box back the new computer from timex represents a major breakthrough, a real computer at an almost unreal price. Timex sinclair was a joint venture between the british company sinclair research and timex corporation in an effort to gain an entry into the rapidly growing early1980s home computer market in north america. Timex sinclair 1500 computer steves computer collection. Since escaping rice university in 1996 with engineering and german degrees, he has debugged assembler with an oscilloscope, written web applications nestled comfortably in highlevel frameworks, and seen everything in between. Jun 09, 2019 a timex sinclair retro revisit june 9, 2019 by rlaude w ay back i was tasked with filming my wifes family gatherings and a few of my own, summer picnics, christmas festivities, thanksgiving dinners, birthdays and countless other occasions. Special notes provide insight to subtleties and extra features of each basic word. This issue includes brief info on larken, compusa, aerco and oliger 2068 disk systems. The timex sinclair ts was the first computer produced by timex sinclair, a jointventure between timex corporation and sinclair research. The first computer i ever used was a timex sinclair when i was in 1983. So to use it i had to use the family tv or borrow a portable tv from my grand parents. This time klingons were flying through space with a ship full of goldpressed latinum for the empire. Even calculators and cash registers are more powerful. Timex sinclair ts timex sinclair is a result of joint venture between sinclair research ltd and timex corporation.
The zx81 also became known for having many problems. The sinclair zx81 also sold by timex as the timex sinclair was a very compact z80 based machine with a membrane keyboard. I had always figured they would be handy for controller purposes. Please respect this licence and feed back any changes into the project. Supplied as either a full version for the expanded sinclair zx81, timex sinclair ts and ts1500 min 4k ram, a 2k version for an unexpanded timex 2kb of ram and a 1k cutdown version.
Please respect this licence and feed back any changes into the. Part of that order included replacement capacitors for the electrolytic capacitors in the timex sinclair. Recap and 16k internal ram travis durf retro computers, sinclair december 16, 2019 december 25, 2019 6 minutes today my order from jameco came in. And one user, a kolorworks owner, mentions writing a tms9918 toolkit for the zx81. The timex sinclair ts was a rebadged version of sinclairs zx81, with a few minor changes.
Basic programming snippets for the timexsinclair and sinclair zx81 computer addeddate 20150 05. The timex sinclair is the north american version of the sinclair zx81, from british based sinclair research ltd. Over the years a lot of vhf tapes 40 or so were produced and gathered. Special thanks to steven mcdonald for his patience beta testing this version. Ian dees was first bitten by the programming bug in 1986 on a timex sinclair , and has been having a blast in his software apprenticeship ever since since escaping rice university in 1996 with engineering and german degrees, he has debugged assembler with an oscilloscope, written web applications nestled comfortably in highlevel frameworks, and seen everything in between. New sinclair zx81 timex sinclair timex sinclair 1500 hardware. The sinclair zx81 timex sinclair computer youtube.
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