Recently, I was temporarily loaned the above devices to blog them on then website, but also to secure backups of the EPROMS, in both of these devices. Should the unthinkable ever happen and the EPROMS become corrupted or lose their configured state, there will be backups for anyone who requires them.
This mainly all came about as I mentioned, despite asking around, I'd never be able to obtain pictures of all the previous standards convertors for my blog article. Not even dates of when they appeared, just the chronological order of appearance. I believe there have been some articles in the past where a couple have been fully peer-reviewed, I'm not attempting to replicate those efforts in any shape or form.
Note: My blog article is purely attempting to be a high level, meaning these are the convertors, this is when they arrived on the scene, designed by and finally this is what it looks like inside and out. See link below.
https://www.radios-tv.co.uk/standards-converters-from-pye-to-the-aurora/
As you can see from the blog article, I've got a photo of the professional PYE PVT, the chap at the back of the photo was a member here many moons ago. I've also a picture of the Aurora, but nothing else in between. I thought I'd start a thread here that might reinvigorate interest in this task and facilitate discussion by Ratters, anyway, to the devices in front of me.
The Pineapple Standards Convertor
So, to the second amateur standards convertor to be released and the first one I've managed to obtain to document, the Pineapple convertor. Anyway, back to the Pineapple, this was designed by David Looser & Jim Daniels. The owner also bought a couple of spare EPROMs at the time as a belt and braces backup. I'm quite relieved as that means to make a backup I won't have to remove the originals from the convertor to back up.
As can be seen above this one has lost its leatherette fascia, this was due to being stored for many years in a garage where moisture cause it to bubble. It now resides in a heated workshop.
The EPROMs used are TMS-27C256
The R.T.Russell Test Card generator
The second device mentioned in the thread title I know is not a standard's convertor, but a test card generator. I thought however this was a good opportunity to also document that too.
I had heard a lot about over the years, and actively sought, but none have ever turned up for sale. What I have found interesting is I was only aware of one in my mind, that was colour had teletext abilities and user programmable test cards via an interface and software.
This one is before me is B&W Test Card C, 625, no teletext and with no ability to change via an interface and software.
The EPROMs used are TMS-27C020
As mentioned above, I shall be backing all these EPROMs up and storing the .BIN files on the server. I'm also curious, and I'm sure it won't work, but if one of the Test card EPROMs might work in my B.A.T.C. generator. Fear not, no original chip will be harmed. Once backed up, I will burn a copy and use that to see, as I say I seriously doubt it will work but no harm in seeing what occurs.
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I'd send you my last-generation Dinosaur to look at but given recent issues with various carriers I've had of late, I'd not trust them to get it safely to/from you - apparently Royal Mail are the latest hold-up in getting my car back on the road again.
If I ever get back in a car again and go to play trains at Shildon though...
I'd send you my last-generation Dinosaur to look at but given recent issues with various carriers I've had of late, I'd not trust them to get it safely to/from you
Good God, me neither! RM around here are a total farce, lost count now the number of parcels lost, then the one which had been opened and the contents removed. Shildon Railway Museum, used to go there loads with my lad
CrustyTV Television Shop: Take a virtual tour
Crusty's TV/VCR Collection: View my collection
Crustys Youtube Channel: My stuff
Crusty's 70s Lounge: Take a peek
@crustytv Having thus said, DHL took over three weeks to get something from Spain to the UK for me...
Pineapple EPROM1 & EPROM2 are backed up so if any owner of a Pineapple needs them, they know where to come. Also, my idea of burning one to see what my B.A.T.C generator would make of it was stupidity in the extreme.... Durr 256K EPROM data won't fit into a 64K EPROM. 🙄
Note:
These EPROM backups will not be released for public use, they are only for existing owners who may have experience problems with failed EPROMS. This is to respect the IP of the original designer. If, however, the original designer was happy for them to be generally released, only then would I do so to proven existing owners.
CrustyTV Television Shop: Take a virtual tour
Crusty's TV/VCR Collection: View my collection
Crustys Youtube Channel: My stuff
Crusty's 70s Lounge: Take a peek
You can get photos, schematics and details about the Darius converter here. It was wholly designed by Darius Mottaghian using CXL5508M charge coupled delay line chips. I built one based on this design and it works very well. Several others also built it but I don't know the numbers.
Peter
