Acorn BBC Micros

From: Julian Richardson <JRichardson_at_softwright.co.uk>
Date: Mon Nov 9 05:51:56 1998

>
>> Of course few people exploit teletext to its full. It's sent as ASCII
>> data (with in-line attribute characters for setting colours, etc) in the
>> vertical blanking interval. This means that it's possible to connect a
>> teletext decoder chip up to a computer, store/analyse/print the info,
>> etc. But few people have tried that. There was a teletext decoder box for
>> the BBC micro (to tie in the start of this thread), and there were even
>> plans to distribute BASIC programs for that machine on some teletext pages.

Hmm, I have the teletext decoder for the BBC somewhere, but no software
to run it. I expect it's in working order (the ROMs were missing when I
got it, but I managed to create copies from another box).

Interestingly, we used to get teletext sent over the same network that
connected all the computer equipment when I was at university - instead
of logging in to the computer network you could use a standard comms
program / terminal emulator to connect to the teletext system. It got
turned off though whilst I was there - I heard a rumour that it was a
commercial service for which the university were supposed to pay, but
they had been using it for years before they found out! :)
 
>> To keep this on the topic of the thread, I *am* interested in getting a
>>BBC.
>> I guess I'd need a PAL monitor and a 220-volt, 50-hz power supply to run it

I used to know someone with a US spec BBC; I seem to remember that the
power supply was different (the whole layout was slightly different
inside) but would switch to UK mains rates.

I also think that there was a jumper (or more than one) on the system
board that would at least change scan rates for the video connectors,
but not the modulator. My memory's really fuzzy on this one, I could
probably contact the guy who had the machine if you really need it, but
BBC's were *very* flexible in what they could do and what could be
modified easily.

I missed the original post, but if it was a UK reader and they just
wanted a BBC machine then they'd be better off contacting a few local
schools, who are bound to have a few lurking around unused in cupboards.

cheers

Jules
>
Received on Mon Nov 09 1998 - 05:51:56 GMT