🇬🇧 Sinclair ZX Spectrum & Interface 1: Part 1 (First look & test) [TCE

Chapter marks and then full description below ...
00:25 ... "40 Best Machine Code Routines for the ZX Spectrum" Kickstarter book
01:10 ... first look at the keyboard & case
05:00 ... opening it up
11:05 ... ZX Interface 1
11:20 ... AC power supply
12:30 ... removing keyboard from case
17:00 ... "The ZX Spectrum ULA" book
21:15 ... different ULA versions
22:38 ... nice thank-you card from St. Wilfrid's Hospice (refer earlier rambling about a Spectrum+)
24:10 ... back to the Speccy board
25:00 ... composite video mod. starts
29:00 ... RF modulator can is removed from board
31:20 ... composite mod. completed
32:33 ... first power-on test
33:20 ... testing with a keyboard (TS1500)
36:30 ... checking heat with thermal imager
38:30 ... replacing 7805 linear regulator
39:10 ... board closeup
41:40 ... opening up the ZX Interface 1
I don't think I've ever done a video on an original/genuine Sinclair ZX Spectrum ... I've got a Spectrum +2, a Timex Sinclair TS2068 and loads of Soviet/post-Soviet clones, but this is my first genuine 48KByte Speccy. This one is an Issue 2 board.
{Updated as per ‪@1337Shockwav3‬'s comment, thanks}
I thought it might be a little more interesting to look at one that came in an after-market case by Fuller ... the "Fuller Desktop System" or FDS. In this, ahem, "case" it has been modified on the back to accomodate the ZX Interface 1 expansion.
{Corrected as per ‪@markevans2294‬'s comment, thanks}
It also comes with a "ZX Interface 1" that provides MicroDrive, RS232 serial and "ZX network" interfaces.
I'm planning to replace the original ULA (6C001E-6) with vRetroDesign's vLA82 with RGB output, so to test if the machine is working I did the simple composite modification ... well, I stripped out the contents of the RF modulator can and installed a 100µF electrolytic capacitor.
And it seems to be working. I used the keyboard for a TS1500 to test it a little further (the case & keyboard were still drying from their beauty treatments).
I replaced the 7805 linear regulator with a PSU2-5 from EZSBC.
To be continued.
Relevant links (not sponsored):
"40 Best Machine Code Routines" book:
www.hueygames.com/40-bmcr-zx-...
Tynemouth Software's always excellent repair blog (Dave):
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2...
Composite modification:
spectrumforeveryone.com/techn...
vRetro for replacement ULAs & other goodies (Charlie):
www.vretrodesign.com
EzSBC for replacement regulators (Daniel):
www.ezsbc.com

[@Brfff]

{Updates/Errata because no-one reads the Video Description 🤭}
{Updated as per @1337Shockwav3's comment, thanks}
The case is by Fuller and is called the "Fuller Desktop System" or FDS, in this ... ahem ... "case" modified on the back to accomodate the "ZX Interface 1" expansion.
{Corrected as per @markevans2294's comment, thanks}
The "ZX Interface 1" provides MicroDrive, RS232 serial and "ZX network" interfaces.

[@preferredimage]

Thats got an interface one docked in it from the looks of it (just started watching)

[@markevans2294]

The 9 pin connector on the ZX interface 1 is RS232 serial rather than a joystick. There will also be two 3.5mm sockets for the ZX network. Which is, sort of, compatible with that on the QL.

[@Brfff]

Ahhh … thanks, I’ll correct the Video Description. Ah, of course … joystick would’ve been a male DE9. Duh.

[@dominikschutz6300]

A Kickstarter on this case would be nice and i think it would be successful. Maybe A1200 would do such thing :)

[@1337Shockwav3]

Yay, a Fuller FDS keyboard. I have one of those and it has pretty much become my favorite 3rd party keyboard ever since.

[@Brfff]

Ah huh! Thanks for IDing it. So looks like they did some case modification to accommodate the Interface 1?

[@1337Shockwav3]

@@Brfff Let me check, I've only seen the thumbnail so far. On mine (which is unmodified to my knowledge) an IF1 doesn't fit externally.
EDIT: Yup, that backpanel is definitely modified. Might take me a day or two but I can post a picture of an unmodified one on discord.

[@NigelsWorkbench]

I've got one of these keyboards. I need a Spectrum to go in it though😊

[@WacKEDmaN]

heh that speccy case is more chunky than the cpc464s case!
...that joystick port...looks reversed to standard joysticks!.. female connector is usually on the joystick cable..im guessing its serial/rs232...

[@whetphish]

Bear in mind, before you try to power it on, that the Speccy is 9V centre NEGATIVE 😉

[@Brfff]

Yep, verified the ground before plug-in her in! 🫣

[@gshingles]

It's pronounced New Zulund. All vowels become a U if they don't sound like one already ;)