Stuff and Things.

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
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mrbombermillzy
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by mrbombermillzy »

Well, troubleshooting differences in UHF and composite video/audio encoding is a bit above my paygrade :lol: but it does appear like that is the solution for this crazy problem. :)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 04 Jul 2025 18:24 Well, troubleshooting differences in UHF and composite video/audio encoding is a bit above my paygrade :lol: but it does appear like that is the solution for this crazy problem. :)
I guess time will tell, but I love a good problem to solve 😁
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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stephen_usher
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by stephen_usher »

What happens if you plug the UHF into an analogue telly? None of this crazy digital sync fun and games.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 04 Jul 2025 22:44 What happens if you plug the UHF into an analogue telly? None of this crazy digital sync fun and games.
That's a good question, I may well try it tomorrow.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Not had a chance to plug into my old CRT analogue TV yet, but the CleanComp looks like it's going to be delivered today.

The good thing is that the CleanComp fits directly to the TIA, so UHF will still be available so I can try with my olde worlde TV later anyway :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Thanks to a hint from @raspberrypioneer I have a LOCI now for my sadly neglected ORIC Atmos :)

IMG20250719114447.jpg

And it has a neat menu accessed via the red button:

IMG20250719114451.jpg

The black button being a very convenient reset.

Next up I need to go and get some cassette and disk images to try it out :)
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Very quick test of the LOCI and it is fantastic!!!

Some very 'English' games:

IMG20250719124635.jpg
IMG20250719124229.jpg

It's a point n click graphical adventure

IMG20250719124359.jpg

And this is a bit like Knight lore or ones of a similar ilk.

IMG20250719124536.jpg

Not to mention one from The 8 Bit Guy:

IMG20250719124717.jpg

Which is actually a free full game from the shareware centre on his website.

Guess I need to get downloading a few more, but so far so good.
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

If you have a 2600+ or a 7800+ I can very much recommend upgrading the firmware using the tools found here: Firmware download and install instructions

The latest updater is a huge improvement on the old one and adds some features to both consoles secret menu that can be accessed by holding down select and reset at the same time with the console powered on, but no cartridge inserted.

Additionally it increases compatibility. For example, Defender II doesn't work properly in that it has a rolling screen with the title on it making it unplayable. With the latest firmware this is fixed.

Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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exxos
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by exxos »

I'll have to do mine if I ever find it again :lol:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Stuff and Things.

Post by rubber_jonnie »

exxos wrote: 19 Jul 2025 16:10 I'll have to do mine if I ever find it again :lol:
You really should before you use it again.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...

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