Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post Reply
Crayon21
Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 2:33 am

Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by Crayon21 »

I know the main motive was cost, but not a lot of families in NA could afford a C64 and would chafe at a TS1000, so it would've been nice to have the option of a American version of the Spectrum. So why didn't this happen, scratch that, why do i need to convert PAL to NTSC? Why not just have an internal switch that toggles both? wouldn't be that expensive :?:
In Heck, there are two options for perpetual torment:

Eat the Puckerberry and suffer for eternity:
drink nothing but a cocktail of The Last Dab and Mexican Cake blended and served with
habanero slices
:twisted:
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5103
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by 1024MAK »

It’s a bit more complex. PAL and NTSC colour encoding are different requiring different crystals and in some cases different encoding chips (depending on which chip type was used). Plus the timing of the vertical and horizontal elements of the display are different. So changes inside the ULA (different counters) are needed.

Making one universal design would cost more.

Sinclair did make a NTSC version of the ZX Spectrum, but could not sell them in retail stores due to the FCC regulations.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
User avatar
msch
Site Admin
Posts: 106
Joined: Sun May 19, 2013 11:39 pm
Location: Frankfurt/M, Germany

Re: Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by msch »

1024MAK wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:48 am Sinclair did make a NTSC version of the ZX Spectrum,
see here:
https://faqwiki.zxnet.co.uk/wiki/NTSC_Spectrum
Mathias

ZX-Team member and classic computer collector
Sinclairs-great
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2019 1:37 am

Re: Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by Sinclairs-great »

Is Europe or Britian and Ireland pal or NTSC
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5103
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by 1024MAK »

Most of Europe including the U.K. (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland uses/used PAL. France uses/used SECAM.

See the Wikipedia article here.

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Crayon21
Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 2:33 am

Re: Why did sinclair not add an option for NTSC output

Post by Crayon21 »

1024MAK wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:48 am It’s a bit more complex. PAL and NTSC colour encoding are different requiring different crystals and in some cases different encoding chips (depending on which chip type was used). Plus the timing of the vertical and horizontal elements of the display are different. So changes inside the ULA (different counters) are needed.

Making one universal design would cost more.

Sinclair did make a NTSC version of the ZX Spectrum, but could not sell them in retail stores due to the FCC regulations.

Mark
That reminds me...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdn56xf1EwU
In Heck, there are two options for perpetual torment:

Eat the Puckerberry and suffer for eternity:
drink nothing but a cocktail of The Last Dab and Mexican Cake blended and served with
habanero slices
:twisted:
Post Reply