This involved removing the lid from the RF modulator, disconnecting the 5V power supply to the modulator PCB, disconnecting the video input to the modulator PCB, disconnecting the RCA jack inner pin from the modulator PCB, and redirecting it to the video input.
#Sinclair zx spectrum 48k professional#
In the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16/48k/48k+, it is possible to modify the RF modulator to output a composite video signal instead of modulated RF, which offers a much better image quality and is compatible with most modern displays.įollowing this guide, I installed a composite video modification neatly and in a professional fashion inside the RF modulator, using a low-profile 100uF 10V electrolytic capacitor instead of a wire jumper – this blocks any DC offset on the video signal, improving display compatibility and reducing power consumption. The Sinclair ZX Spectrum’s only video output is modulated RF via an RCA jack, as it was designed to be compatible with old-school televisions as opposed to expensive monitors – however, this limits its compatibility with modern displays and reduces the quality of the video signal, due to the degradation caused by modulation and subsequent demodulation. #5: Replace the original keyboard membrane. #4: Replace all the electrolytic capacitors on the mainboard. #3: Replace the original connectors with new parts. #2: Replace the original voltage regulator with a modern switch-mode equivalent. #1: Modify the RF video output to display composite video instead. There are several steps which I like to take when performing a complete restoration on a Spectrum, which include fixing factory or age-related problems, and future-proofing.Īs such, I planned out the servicing, preventative maintenance, and upgrades that I wanted to perform, as follows:
#Sinclair zx spectrum 48k tv#
ZX Spectrum 48k+ mainboard before restoration.Īt the time of this restoration I still had an old TV with an RF input, so I was able to give the machine a quick test – it seemed to boot up fine, but I couldn’t do much else as most of the keys weren’t working, a common problem. The Spectrum seemed to be all original, and featured a 1984 ISSUE 4S mainboard with 48 KB of factory-installed RAM – the ULA was socketed.
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k+ before restoration.
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k+ was one of the intermediate machines produced by Sinclair, and was the replacement for the ZX Spectrum 16/48k “rubber-key” in 1984 – they used the same mainboard so were functionally identical, but the 48k+ featured a larger case, a more traditional keyboard, and a reset button. The machine was in very good condition and came with several accessories as well as its original box, however it was sold as “untested”. A while back I got my hands on my first Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k+, yet another 1980s 8-bit computer to add to my collection.
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