Okay - I know this isn't very flowcode related
I've just become the proud(ish) guardian of / wasted £10 on (delete as appropriate) a Sinclair micro TV.
Any one any ideas on how to test/use it???
McDonald's
Sinclair micro TV
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1002
- http://meble-kuchenne.info.pl
- Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:37 pm
- Has thanked: 106 times
- Been thanked: 519 times
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1189
- Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:57 am
- Has thanked: 289 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
Hi
Very cool, more so back in the day.
https://rk.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/televisions/tv1a.htm
Shame it failed, but if it hadn't we might not have had SoC products.....
I don't think it had any external connectors so I'm unsure if it is as easy as plugging in a VHS or the like. You would probably need to open it up and adapt (or even better build your own VHF/UHF transmitter )
I often thought "Space 1999" ripped the idea off for their "walkie-talkies"
If you find a way to get signals into it, it could make a cool mini oscilloscope, or a cool "lab display" showing rotating sine waves or the like.
Regards
Very cool, more so back in the day.
https://rk.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/televisions/tv1a.htm
Shame it failed, but if it hadn't we might not have had SoC products.....
I don't think it had any external connectors so I'm unsure if it is as easy as plugging in a VHS or the like. You would probably need to open it up and adapt (or even better build your own VHF/UHF transmitter )
I often thought "Space 1999" ripped the idea off for their "walkie-talkies"
If you find a way to get signals into it, it could make a cool mini oscilloscope, or a cool "lab display" showing rotating sine waves or the like.
Regards
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1189
- Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:57 am
- Has thanked: 289 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
Hi
Whilst on the Space 1999 subject, does anyone remember their "ray-guns"? You used to be able to get a torch in that shape from places such as "Woolies" to shoot your alien friends with. With today's LEDs it would be easy to re-fit but better.
Of course if you have an old soldering iron handy your already good to go for a ray-gun from Blakes-7......
Regards
Whilst on the Space 1999 subject, does anyone remember their "ray-guns"? You used to be able to get a torch in that shape from places such as "Woolies" to shoot your alien friends with. With today's LEDs it would be easy to re-fit but better.
Of course if you have an old soldering iron handy your already good to go for a ray-gun from Blakes-7......
Regards
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:37 pm
- Has thanked: 106 times
- Been thanked: 519 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
There is life in it!
Took the back off - someone had been there before - only one screw holding it together and connected a USB charger to the battery leads (its a TV80 from 1983 not a micro TV which was the old model ?)
Powered it up and there is static - albeit a bit off centre (which might be a problem as I think the final bend was by a permanent magnetic field)
I only remember Blake's seven from when there were six (no Blake) saw Space 1999 from the beginning though. They don't make TV like that anymore
Static doesn't show well - but the right hand edge of the display is clearly visible...
Martim
Took the back off - someone had been there before - only one screw holding it together and connected a USB charger to the battery leads (its a TV80 from 1983 not a micro TV which was the old model ?)
Powered it up and there is static - albeit a bit off centre (which might be a problem as I think the final bend was by a permanent magnetic field)
I only remember Blake's seven from when there were six (no Blake) saw Space 1999 from the beginning though. They don't make TV like that anymore
Static doesn't show well - but the right hand edge of the display is clearly visible...
Martim
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:37 pm
- Has thanked: 106 times
- Been thanked: 519 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
Just looking on ebay - and it seems I wasted £10 Seems to be very little market for these (or indeed early pocket LED TVs) - the microTV seems to be a bit more collectable. Found one of these for £4.99 start with no bids. I suppose lack of an analogue TV signal limits their appeal somewhat.
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1189
- Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:57 am
- Has thanked: 289 times
- Been thanked: 418 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
Hi
I still have a functional "Crown" portable B&W TV and Radio. It has an input socket so I know it still works. 5" screen and fond memories of watching "Soolin" (or should that be drooling) on it.
With no signal the entire screen is a bit like you describe, white noise, but it fills the entire screen. As you only have a line you may have horizontal problems?
As medelec35 suggested, any modulator with a wire attached to output placed near / wrapped around the antenna should be good enough to do a test with.
Regards
I still have a functional "Crown" portable B&W TV and Radio. It has an input socket so I know it still works. 5" screen and fond memories of watching "Soolin" (or should that be drooling) on it.
With no signal the entire screen is a bit like you describe, white noise, but it fills the entire screen. As you only have a line you may have horizontal problems?
As medelec35 suggested, any modulator with a wire attached to output placed near / wrapped around the antenna should be good enough to do a test with.
Regards
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:15 pm
- Has thanked: 81 times
- Been thanked: 30 times
Re: Sinclair micro TV
Hi Iain,
Just seen this post,
I can remember years ago Elektor made a test pattern generator.
I Think this is an updated version the project not sure if the original one is still around for download
https://www.elektormagazine.com/magazin ... 0011/16880
or the old 1993 issue ?
https://www.elektormagazine.com/magazine/elektor-199301
Could be an interesting flowcode project to use newer devices
Steve
Just seen this post,
I can remember years ago Elektor made a test pattern generator.
I Think this is an updated version the project not sure if the original one is still around for download
https://www.elektormagazine.com/magazin ... 0011/16880
or the old 1993 issue ?
https://www.elektormagazine.com/magazine/elektor-199301
Could be an interesting flowcode project to use newer devices
Steve