I haven't ever been inspired to get a ZX81 but watching you go through this, the struggles and victories has really changed my mind about whether or not it's worth getting. I think this is pretty dang cool, especially when you look at its place in computing history.
Right on. Yeah, back in the day I had zero interest but that certainly changed as I've gotten a little older and interested in how we all got to where we are now. Especially in hearing stories of others. I really love hearing stories of how others got their first machines and what those experiences were like for them. Maybe a spectrum is next. Perhaps an og one but I really also like that mechtrum case Lee Smith has designed!
Great video. Appreciate the patience on this, especially without a desoldering station! I too wonder about mixing the power and audio jacks...it's a potential accident waiting to happen for me 😂
Thanks for watching! Yeah I need to get bite the bullet and get a proper desoldering setup. Maybe some others will chime in about the power/audio jack question.
Cool video qnd great work! Was laughing so hard when I saw Lee. He's a great guy! Too bad I didn't know you needed the RF to composite output. I would have sent you one for free. They are selling on Joe's Computer Museum site. Nice to that tiny computer working. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching and commenting! Yeah Lee is awesome! I remember you saying that about the composite out now! Doh! I know the version of ula this one has didn't do the back porch thing. Don't know if that matters or not for yours. Thx again!
@@JamiesHackShack Yeah, I've noticed that with some machines as well. I've got an Elgato USB device that I've had for ages ... composite and S-video in, designed for simply digitising video tapes I guess ... my latest VIC-20 doesn't like it either (making me think, initially that the VIC chip was NOK). I'm thinking I might use my Sony DVD/HDD recorder instead ... started using it for the SCART input needed on the Thomsons ... just record onto the HDD and then playback/capture via the Elgato afterwards ... basically let the Sony figure out the weird inputs ... and knowing the Sony will output a proper S-video signal.
Composite mod isn't too bad. There are some modern devices you can get for the expansion port that gives extra memory and tons of other features that requires no soldering. I briefly had a Timex branded one years ago. Wish I'd have held onto it. Thanks for watching.
I remember you saying that on X/twitter but in the moment when I realized I'd killed mine I just used the one I had. I may try to get the US overlay again. That tactile one you have looks pretty nice too.
That's why I was surprised by this being a US specific zx81. I originally thought all NA ones were the Timex branded ones. This was I guess perhaps one of the mail order ones before the TS1000s started here.
Jamie if you're interested in quirky ZX81 games you should check out a game called "Merchant of Venus" by Crystal software. I think Crystal had gotten the idea from "Elite" on the BBC micro and tried a similar theme set on a single planet. The player would have to pilot his "lander" over the landscape to various trading posts and mining instalations to conduct business. This was easier said than done as it was VERY hard to land at destination without (A) crashing or (B) landing so hard that your ship was effectively wrecked. The graphics weren't hi res but they were lovingly crafted and if it wasn't for the difficulty curve in piloting the ship, it would be a pretty compelling game...
@@JamiesHackShack It was infuriating, but I insisted, and (true story) one day as a 13 yr old or something with a severe cold, I sat there pushing the buttons. Too busy to manage my sneeze that I must have felt was coming, it all went out and hit the gap between the RAM expansion and the ZX81. From that day there was no ZX81, but I'm happy to say I got a Spectrum short thereafter.
I haven't ever been inspired to get a ZX81 but watching you go through this, the struggles and victories has really changed my mind about whether or not it's worth getting. I think this is pretty dang cool, especially when you look at its place in computing history.
Right on. Yeah, back in the day I had zero interest but that certainly changed as I've gotten a little older and interested in how we all got to where we are now. Especially in hearing stories of others. I really love hearing stories of how others got their first machines and what those experiences were like for them. Maybe a spectrum is next. Perhaps an og one but I really also like that mechtrum case Lee Smith has designed!
Love the display tent at the end and the quote by Lee. Once again. Great video!
Thx! I sought approval just to be clear! 😂
Such a quirky computer! I love reading about the games for it from folks like Ashens
💯. Ashens rocks!
Fabulous video and a whole lot of Z-X…err…Zed X fun. And by the way, great shirt!
One of my favorite shirts! 😄 Thx!
I'm inspired to dig out my ZX81. I had a lot of fun with it, including modding it to 2K.
Go for it! Thanks for watching!
Learned to code on this. In 1981 it was AMAZING to pay 100 USD for the kit!
Right on! I love hearing/reading about how folks got started on things. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Great video. Appreciate the patience on this, especially without a desoldering station! I too wonder about mixing the power and audio jacks...it's a potential accident waiting to happen for me 😂
Thanks for watching! Yeah I need to get bite the bullet and get a proper desoldering setup. Maybe some others will chime in about the power/audio jack question.
Cool video qnd great work! Was laughing so hard when I saw Lee. He's a great guy! Too bad I didn't know you needed the RF to composite output. I would have sent you one for free. They are selling on Joe's Computer Museum site. Nice to that tiny computer working. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching and commenting! Yeah Lee is awesome! I remember you saying that about the composite out now! Doh! I know the version of ula this one has didn't do the back porch thing. Don't know if that matters or not for yours. Thx again!
@JamiesHackShack Next, you should get a ZX Spectrum :)
@@RudysRetroIntel If there is a deal to be had I would not mind that at all! 😄
That's a pretty nice image after the composite mod! /Brett
It really is. However, whatever magic it does... does NOT agree with my little cheap composite capture. Its like super blink/flash city. :)
@@JamiesHackShack Yeah, I've noticed that with some machines as well. I've got an Elgato USB device that I've had for ages ... composite and S-video in, designed for simply digitising video tapes I guess ... my latest VIC-20 doesn't like it either (making me think, initially that the VIC chip was NOK). I'm thinking I might use my Sony DVD/HDD recorder instead ... started using it for the SCART input needed on the Thomsons ... just record onto the HDD and then playback/capture via the Elgato afterwards ... basically let the Sony figure out the weird inputs ... and knowing the Sony will output a proper S-video signal.
Still a doorstop though...
@@MrWaalkman 😂
It is from the UK so it is not "zee" but "Zed"
Yep, and as the CPU isn't from the UK, I call it a ZedX81 with a Zee80 CPU. :-)
Wish I could have all this done with my Timex Sinclair 1000.
Composite mod isn't too bad. There are some modern devices you can get for the expansion port that gives extra memory and tons of other features that requires no soldering. I briefly had a Timex branded one years ago. Wish I'd have held onto it. Thanks for watching.
Fun video! Dave aka Tynemouth has a keyboard overlay for your spare membrane with the US keyboard for a few bucks.
Thanks for watching sir!
I remember you saying that on X/twitter but in the moment when I realized I'd killed mine I just used the one I had. I may try to get the US overlay again. That tactile one you have looks pretty nice too.
I bought this in Canada as a "Timex Sinclair 1000" - I think the ZX-81 was the UK release. Bonus was the Timex had a whopping 2K of RAM.
That's why I was surprised by this being a US specific zx81. I originally thought all NA ones were the Timex branded ones. This was I guess perhaps one of the mail order ones before the TS1000s started here.
Jamie if you're interested in quirky ZX81 games you should check out a game called "Merchant of Venus" by Crystal software. I think Crystal had gotten the idea from "Elite" on the BBC micro and tried a similar theme set on a single planet. The player would have to pilot his "lander" over the landscape to various trading posts and mining instalations to conduct business. This was easier said than done as it was VERY hard to land at destination without (A) crashing or (B) landing so hard that your ship was effectively wrecked. The graphics weren't hi res but they were lovingly crafted and if it wasn't for the difficulty curve in piloting the ship, it would be a pretty compelling game...
Hey thanks for watching and commenting. I will put that on my list of things to try next time I get the ZX81 out. Thanks for the recommendation.
Not using the official 16k RAM expansion module is cheating! Nothing like loosing 2 hours of typing after you accidentally bump the computer slightly.
I've heard those stories. That had to be both sad and maddening!
@@JamiesHackShack It was infuriating, but I insisted, and (true story) one day as a 13 yr old or something with a severe cold, I sat there pushing the buttons. Too busy to manage my sneeze that I must have felt was coming, it all went out and hit the gap between the RAM expansion and the ZX81. From that day there was no ZX81, but I'm happy to say I got a Spectrum short thereafter.
@@AndersCandell Wow!
You should replace the power parts with a switching power supply. It will reduce the heat a lot...
@@jaycarlson2579 I've got a switcher type regulator and debated on doing it that go around. I should go ahead and swap it for sure.
The Americans Indeed! 😆
😂