PAL in a land of NTSC: what are you using?

[courtesi96]

Even though quite a few quality emulators exist for the Sinclair Spectrum I am still interested in using the real deal. What sort of electric converters are you using? There are a ton of choices and would like to know the best one to get.

Also, how do you get around the PAL signal issue? These things in particular only had RF video output.

Thanks in advance!

[Gapporin]

Bump. I'd like to know as well, as I've been eyeing a ZX Spectrum myself for awhile now. I just kinda threw an emulator and some tape files together one day because I had never tried it before, and I instantly liked it. It'd be a treat to play Manic Miner or Jet Set Willy on a real machine.

There's also ways to convert .tap files into actual MP3s and play them through the Spectrum, or so I'm told...

[courtesi96]

Bump. I'd like to know as well, as I've been eyeing a ZX Spectrum myself for awhile now. I just kinda threw an emulator and some tape files together one day because I had never tried it before, and I instantly liked it. It'd be a treat to play Manic Miner or Jet Set Willy on a real machine.

There's also ways to convert .tap files into actual MP3s and play them through the Spectrum, or so I'm told...

I know it's nuts but I love the way that most Spectrum games look. I believe it's a 16 color machine but I like the way most games are sort of monochrome.

I'd also add that the Spectrum isn't the only computer I'd like to use in the US, but also the Amstrad CPC and BBC Micro.

[pootle]

You'd be better off buying a Spectrum 128 (or a +2 or +3), they have a monitor connector as well as RF output. The pinouts are easy to find on the web, try www.worldofspectrum.org for the 128 manual. Grab yourself an old RGB monitor that supports 50hz, make yourself a cable and you're away.

The power supply won't be a problem either, the 128 and +2 use an external 9V DC PSU. The +2A and +3 have a more complex power supply (they need +5V, +12V, and -12V) but it's easy enough to modify an old PC AT PSU to do the job.

Both the BBC Micro and Amstrad CPC also have RGB video outputs.

Kind Regards, Andy.
http://vectrex.playntradeonline.com - New Vectrex Games and Multicarts:)

[courtesi96]

Thanks for the tip! I'm also looking at importing a Phillips Videopac 7400

[SamuraiSmurfette]

I play mine via my computer. I have a capture card, and can connect anything. Most have an option to let you manually select the Hz and refresh rate. And I can switch back and forth at whim depending on what I want to play.