Thanks for the videos, Paul! Found them out a little while ago and now (during my 3 weeks summer holidays) I have watched each and everyone of your "Spectrum Show"-episodes! My history with Spectrum goes far away in to my childhood. Finland was always C64-country (it was nicknamed as "The Computer Of Republic of Finland" here). I was a little different (Mattel Aquarius, Oric Atmos, Spectrum 48k, Atari STfm, Atari STE and Atari Falcon...). Anyway, the first computer I saw, was Spectrum that my friend had (cannot remember was it 16 or 48, but I think it was 16k model). I remember it was on the table, keyboard facing down and I though it was a book ;D Until he turned it over and I saw the keyboard! If I don't remember wrong, first games I saw were some Space Invaders clone and maybe Horace goes to Skiing. Later, one of my best friends had a large collection of Spectrum things and the reality, that I did not have enough money to buy C64, I got my own Spectrum (though it was later, for some strange reason (That I don't remember why) I got an Oric Atmos from my parents... And it was not cheap). Top games for Spectrum to me: Jet Pac, Bruce Lee (I LOVE IT! Still... Tried on emulator and I can still go through it without any problems!) and one I really want you to cover -> Action Reflex (it's still totally awesome!). I also remember loving Rambo and could just run through it easily, though not anymore ;) Anyway, just 20 minutes ago I won ebay-auction and soon I have a real Spectrum again ;) 128 +2 coming my way. Have to buy an RGB-cable, fix the audio and buy a loader cart. Thanks for the run down the memory lane, keep it up. I'll be here watching.... And maybe occasionally commenting too. Ps. I may have a large collection of Spectrum things coming my way, I asked from my friend (that I mentioned earlier), if I could buy his old Spectrum stuff... And there is a lot... For example I remember that he had an dk'tronics Type 2 Keyboard or then it was a Fuller keyboard... Time has passed and one cannot remember every detail anymore ;)
Very interesting to see the clones - that TK95 feels like it was inspired by the Commodore Plus/4 (in particular the rear styling). Interesting to see how they adapted them for the market. Also such a throwback with that PC laptop. Reminds me when I first started tinkering with Speccy emulation via X128 (on a 486 which was a tad faster than the laptop). Funny how far things have come in the last 20 years, when you go back to look at it all :) Wonderful episode as always too!
If you're going to keep that compaq laptop, I'd recommend putting a CF to IDE adaptor in and ditching that spinning rust! Also, PCMCIA network adaptors are fairly common (you might need a non-cardbus type for that machine), and freedos might be able to help you with networking etc. If you get stuck for one, I can dig one out of my pile of old bits. Great episode! Thanks.
Great video, as always Paul! The TK90X was also very popular here in Argentina, and the version sold here didn't have the speedup problem as it ran the video at 50 Hz. You triggered me a lot of memories with Warajevo! I've used it a lot in the late 90s, was an amazing emulator and the backstory of its creation is amazing (it was written by a couple of bosnian guys during the siege on Sarajevo in the early 90s).
Great show, Paul! This one really took me back to childhood days, as I cut my computing teeth on the brazilian TK95. The 50/60hz issue was really noticeable on the music. Ironically, the MSX ports of Spectrum games ran closer to the original speed because the MSX's slower execution was offset by the video frequency speedup.
Thanks. I wanted to buy one of those TK95 machines, but they sell for large amounts! Big thanks to the people who helped putting that feature together.
TK90X was avalable in Argentina under the brand TALENT. It was the same but rebranded, run at 50hz and output video in PAL N, so speed wasn´t an issue, was my 3rd computer (1st a ZX-1000 then a ZX1500 (same as ZX1000 but 16k RAM and better keboard). One of the best features of the TK90 was that sound was sent throug TV instead of internal speaker, at the time a great improvement over Spectrum. As compatibility I´ve never had any issues, TK 90 run every game I could afford made for Spectrum. I wish I kept it
14:30 Ha, ha! I was just about to say how great the music was when you said it was 'quite annoying'... But to squeeze the whole Bach's Toccata & Fugue D minor (the BWV 565 one) out of the Spectrum beeper? It beats the game itself IMHO! Great vid, as always, by the way :-)
I had a TK90X and a TK95 in late 80's. I still have my TK90X, but it doesn't work anymore (since mid 90's). I only keep it because it was my first computer and because of it I chose to be software developer (improving my skills since that time). The TK90X was compatible with more spectrum games than the TK95, so I ended up selling the last one to by a MSX computer. You did a very nice research about them :-)
No idea if this was mentioned in the comments, the TK90X/TK95X can easily be jumpered to PAL-N mode, which is running at 50Hz. The ULA also outputs RGB (contrary to the S-Video like of the original ULA). It's quite a nice clone tbh - shock megademo almost runs perfectly.
I bought a IBM Thinkpad G40 laptop for the same purpose as you did with the Compaq. I liked it so much I ended up with another one, along with a G41. I've also got one of those USB adapter interfaces to plug my 1980s joystick into, and that works fine although you need to have the latest firmware to use Win 7 and above. I prefer XP so I just left it as it came. It works with a variety of old joysticks and can be found here www.retronicdesign.com/en/ and also their Ebay shop item number: 181514462569 and also dual versions too.
Ha yes, was just about to post the same thing :) I also remember something odd, I always remember on my friends grey Spectrum +2 there was music on one of the levels that my version didn't have (I had a +3), not sure if it was machine or release specific but always seemed odd. Renegade is a fantastic game for the spectrum, crazy to think of the year it was released and it's still really playable today, watch out for 'steam roller' on level 3!
paul i can get to Boris but I've never been able to make it back, i think its possible but with a random element, that is there are enough refills but the placement of certain enemys will mean your chance of getting out again are Nill. so even after map is mastered, there is still a huge thrill is trying to get out. put it this way i had to skip the end of the antics section of your vid incase you did get out ! I've been trying so long lol.
Had bad experiences with Warajevo. Also don't like the fact it outputs in EGA colors. Back in the 90s my emulators of choice were the JPP and a cracked Z80. Both were blazing fast even on a 486SX 25Mhz PCs... Man, those were the days (no, not really: )
I wanted to try something I had not seen before. Z80 and X128 will be familiar to most Speccy fans, so I opted for Warajevo due to it's low spec requirements.
Hi Paul, love the series. Can I ask a noob question: in episode 17 you describe a program called "du54" to format disks, do u install this program on the PC or on a Spectrum +3?
Your guest who did the JSW section is popping his mike left, right and centre. It's pretty unbearable if you have your computer hooked up to speakers with bass. Kinda shakes the room each time! :/
Thanks. That feature came about by viewers of the show doing a lot of work and working with me to pull things together. I was as interested as you were. Very surprising what happened outside of the UK back then. Would love to do something similar for the US / Times stuff.
In fact most Brazilian clones were manufactured by using former plastic injection molds from some other foreign equipment. The TK95 had a Plus/4 case, the Dynavision 2 (NES clone) had an Atari 7800 case, the CP400 (TRS-Color clone) had a Timex 2068 case... the list goes on.
Great show Paul I loved the Laptop section, I'd have gone for the JPP as my DOS emulator of choice :). The section on the Brazilian clones was great too.
Can you explain me, why does the website worldofspectrum.org ask the FTP login credentials, please ? I would like to download some stuff from there. I remember, it was not like this few years ago.
Because WOS has been moving their archive for the last few years and have closed certain parts. you can go to the mirror : wos.meulie.net/pub/sinclair/emulators/ to get the files.
Thanks for the videos, Paul! Found them out a little while ago and now (during my 3 weeks summer holidays) I have watched each and everyone of your "Spectrum Show"-episodes!
My history with Spectrum goes far away in to my childhood. Finland was always C64-country (it was nicknamed as "The Computer Of Republic of Finland" here). I was a little different (Mattel Aquarius, Oric Atmos, Spectrum 48k, Atari STfm, Atari STE and Atari Falcon...). Anyway, the first computer I saw, was Spectrum that my friend had (cannot remember was it 16 or 48, but I think it was 16k model). I remember it was on the table, keyboard facing down and I though it was a book ;D Until he turned it over and I saw the keyboard!
If I don't remember wrong, first games I saw were some Space Invaders clone and maybe Horace goes to Skiing. Later, one of my best friends had a large collection of Spectrum things and the reality, that I did not have enough money to buy C64, I got my own Spectrum (though it was later, for some strange reason (That I don't remember why) I got an Oric Atmos from my parents... And it was not cheap).
Top games for Spectrum to me: Jet Pac, Bruce Lee (I LOVE IT! Still... Tried on emulator and I can still go through it without any problems!) and one I really want you to cover -> Action Reflex (it's still totally awesome!). I also remember loving Rambo and could just run through it easily, though not anymore ;)
Anyway, just 20 minutes ago I won ebay-auction and soon I have a real Spectrum again ;) 128 +2 coming my way. Have to buy an RGB-cable, fix the audio and buy a loader cart.
Thanks for the run down the memory lane, keep it up. I'll be here watching.... And maybe occasionally commenting too.
Ps. I may have a large collection of Spectrum things coming my way, I asked from my friend (that I mentioned earlier), if I could buy his old Spectrum stuff... And there is a lot... For example I remember that he had an dk'tronics Type 2 Keyboard or then it was a Fuller keyboard... Time has passed and one cannot remember every detail anymore ;)
Very interesting to see the clones - that TK95 feels like it was inspired by the Commodore Plus/4 (in particular the rear styling). Interesting to see how they adapted them for the market.
Also such a throwback with that PC laptop. Reminds me when I first started tinkering with Speccy emulation via X128 (on a 486 which was a tad faster than the laptop). Funny how far things have come in the last 20 years, when you go back to look at it all :)
Wonderful episode as always too!
I still remembered all those DOS commands too!
If you're going to keep that compaq laptop, I'd recommend putting a CF to IDE adaptor in and ditching that spinning rust! Also, PCMCIA network adaptors are fairly common (you might need a non-cardbus type for that machine), and freedos might be able to help you with networking etc. If you get stuck for one, I can dig one out of my pile of old bits.
Great episode! Thanks.
Yes, did look into PCMCIA cards, but not sure if I can keep it yet! I may have to hand it back for 'secure disposal'.
Great video, as always Paul!
The TK90X was also very popular here in Argentina, and the version sold here didn't have the speedup problem as it ran the video at 50 Hz.
You triggered me a lot of memories with Warajevo! I've used it a lot in the late 90s, was an amazing emulator and the backstory of its creation is amazing (it was written by a couple of bosnian guys during the siege on Sarajevo in the early 90s).
Great show, Paul! This one really took me back to childhood days, as I cut my computing teeth on the brazilian TK95.
The 50/60hz issue was really noticeable on the music. Ironically, the MSX ports of Spectrum games ran closer to the original speed because the MSX's slower execution was offset by the video frequency speedup.
Thanks. I wanted to buy one of those TK95 machines, but they sell for large amounts! Big thanks to the people who helped putting that feature together.
Should have used a PCMCIA memory card on the Compaq, I use them on my Amiga A1200 when I download software.
I have one in my A600 too.
0:44
Hahahaha! I almost choked on my drink!
On the 128k renegade, there's an extra "throw" move that the 48k doesn't have
Yep... I am hoping someone comes up with a nice feature about 128k game differences... any takers?
TK90X was avalable in Argentina under the brand TALENT. It was the same but rebranded, run at 50hz and output video in PAL N, so speed wasn´t an issue, was my 3rd computer (1st a ZX-1000 then a ZX1500 (same as ZX1000 but 16k RAM and better keboard). One of the best features of the TK90 was that sound was sent throug TV instead of internal speaker, at the time a great improvement over Spectrum. As compatibility I´ve never had any issues, TK 90 run every game I could afford made for Spectrum. I wish I kept it
Brilliant show, brilliant episode. Cheers!
Thanks.
14:30 Ha, ha! I was just about to say how great the music was when you said it was 'quite annoying'... But to squeeze the whole Bach's Toccata & Fugue D minor (the BWV 565 one) out of the Spectrum beeper? It beats the game itself IMHO! Great vid, as always, by the way :-)
I had a TK90X and a TK95 in late 80's. I still have my TK90X, but it doesn't work anymore (since mid 90's). I only keep it because it was my first computer and because of it I chose to be software developer (improving my skills since that time). The TK90X was compatible with more spectrum games than the TK95, so I ended up selling the last one to by a MSX computer. You did a very nice research about them :-)
No idea if this was mentioned in the comments, the TK90X/TK95X can easily be jumpered to PAL-N mode, which is running at 50Hz. The ULA also outputs RGB (contrary to the S-Video like of the original ULA). It's quite a nice clone tbh - shock megademo almost runs perfectly.
I bought a IBM Thinkpad G40 laptop for the same purpose as you did with the Compaq. I liked it so much I ended up with another one, along with a G41. I've also got one of those USB adapter interfaces to plug my 1980s joystick into, and that works fine although you need to have the latest firmware to use Win 7 and above. I prefer XP so I just left it as it came. It works with a variety of old joysticks and can be found here www.retronicdesign.com/en/ and also their Ebay shop item number: 181514462569 and also dual versions too.
Wow, Wanderers absolutely blows my mind. One of the most impressive micro-computer games I've seen to date!
Yes, an excellent game, and very engrossing.
Renegade 128 is not just Renegade 48 with better sound. It contains an extra level which is absent in 48 version.
... and an extra throwing move.
Ha yes, was just about to post the same thing :) I also remember something odd, I always remember on my friends grey Spectrum +2 there was music on one of the levels that my version didn't have (I had a +3), not sure if it was machine or release specific but always seemed odd.
Renegade is a fantastic game for the spectrum, crazy to think of the year it was released and it's still really playable today, watch out for 'steam roller' on level 3!
I apologise for that error! Maybe there is a feature waiting to be written about the differences in games between 48 and 128. Any takers?
super show thanks. antics is one of my favourites.
Glad you enjoyed it. Did you ever complete Antics? I never did!
paul i can get to Boris but I've never been able to make it back, i think its possible but with a random element, that is there are enough refills but the placement of certain enemys will mean your chance of getting out again are Nill. so even after map is mastered, there is still a huge thrill is trying to get out. put it this way i had to skip the end of the antics section of your vid incase you did get out ! I've been trying so long lol.
thanks for another episode, i've been waiting too long and... finally!!!! thanks again :)
Thanks for watching.
I always loved you could knee the ladies.
The TK95 was my first computer :)
Had bad experiences with Warajevo. Also don't like the fact it outputs in EGA colors. Back in the 90s my emulators of choice were the JPP and a cracked Z80. Both were blazing fast even on a 486SX 25Mhz PCs... Man, those were the days (no, not really: )
I wanted to try something I had not seen before. Z80 and X128 will be familiar to most Speccy fans, so I opted for Warajevo due to it's low spec requirements.
Another great show, many thanks.
Hi Paul, love the series. Can I ask a noob question: in episode 17 you describe a program called "du54" to format disks, do u install this program on the PC or on a Spectrum +3?
It's a Spectrum tool that runs on the Plus3.
Your guest who did the JSW section is popping his mike left, right and centre. It's pretty unbearable if you have your computer hooked up to speakers with bass. Kinda shakes the room each time! :/
Sorry about that... should be fixed for future episodes...
Another enjoyable half hour. I found the Brazilian clone feature especially informative.
Thanks. That feature came about by viewers of the show doing a lot of work and working with me to pull things together. I was as interested as you were. Very surprising what happened outside of the UK back then. Would love to do something similar for the US / Times stuff.
The clone computer at 7:56 has the styling of the Commodore Plus/4, but with ZX Spectrum internals!
In fact most Brazilian clones were manufactured by using former plastic injection molds from some other foreign equipment. The TK95 had a Plus/4 case, the Dynavision 2 (NES clone) had an Atari 7800 case, the CP400 (TRS-Color clone) had a Timex 2068 case... the list goes on.
Great show Paul I loved the Laptop section, I'd have gone for the JPP as my DOS emulator of choice :). The section on the Brazilian clones was great too.
Oi - get back to work...
:)
Excellent episode Paul. Nice work!
Thanks for watching.
TK90X >>>> ZX Spectrum
The show keeps on getting better and better with really interesting features, looking forward to the next one.
Thanks. Builders in the street causing havoc while trying to record audio for the next episode :-(
Vectrex Roli send me here
A fantastic series. Very high quality presentation. I love it.
Fascinating show as always, top notch production values.
naughty micro digital! fascinating feature.
Cheers mate.
Loving that old laptop. First thing I'd have done is install Doom on it.
Great show. An old laptop is a great platform retro games.
I may have to give it back soon...
Horay!
another great edition! thanks
Long time no see mate
Nah.. only four weeks. Back next month.
LOVE THIS SHOW :)
Thank you.
can i have a few links to spectrum emulator please
www.worldofspectrum.org/emulators.html you should find plenty of option there.
Can you explain me, why does the website worldofspectrum.org ask the FTP login credentials, please ? I would like to download some stuff from there. I remember, it was not like this few years ago.
Because WOS has been moving their archive for the last few years and have closed certain parts. you can go to the mirror : wos.meulie.net/pub/sinclair/emulators/ to get the files.
Thank you for the mirror link.