luvit
Experienced Member
I found a cool 1977 b&w tv. But all my micro computers support color. What models of 1970s (or 1980s) computers do not have a built-in display, but only support black & white output?
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I got a cool B&W TV. Looking for [B&W only] computer.
- Thread starter luvit
- Start date
Oh come on... No pictures? :D
I have almost never used a color monitor with Apple ][s.
My first few years with a Commodore 64 were with a small black and white TV (which I still own!). When I finally did get a colour monitor, the colorburst crystal went out anyway.
Else, the ZX80 didn't have colour, I think.
I have almost never used a color monitor with Apple ][s.
My first few years with a Commodore 64 were with a small black and white TV (which I still own!). When I finally did get a colour monitor, the colorburst crystal went out anyway.
Else, the ZX80 didn't have colour, I think.
ClassicHasClass
Veteran Member
Yep, was going to suggest a Timex Sinclair 1000. A lovely computer that also makes an excellent doorstop, as Commodore once used them for after they got too many in a trade-in promotion. (Commodore versus Spectrum flame war ... starts ... NOW!)
krebizfan
Veteran Member
TRS-80 Model 1 is another system that doesn't provide color and needs a TV.
Eudimorphodon
Veteran Member
+1 on the TRS-80 Model I. The majority of units were sold with the matching monitor, but Radio Shack did sell them separately. (Mostly the $399 Level I BASIC config.) More than one early issue of 80 Microcomputing had articles about either building an RF modular or hacking the TV to bypass the tuner/RF section. (The TRS-80's 64 column display is only moderately readable after being stuffed through RF modulation.)
Another *seriously* retro option would be something like a VDM-1 board in an S-100 box.
Another *seriously* retro option would be something like a VDM-1 board in an S-100 box.
FishFinger
Experienced Member
Nor did the ZX81 (or the various Timex equivalents more likely to be found in the US)
luvit
Experienced Member
I added pics to the OP.
the blurry pic best represents the 1977 tv.
These are great recommendations.. if I ever get a model 1, I'd be seeking out a matching monitor.
A timex & ZX8* did cross my mind, but I never researched the color support. That's one computer I've never touched.
I hope bumping this thread has some other feedback from more members on other b&w computers.
the blurry pic best represents the 1977 tv.
These are great recommendations.. if I ever get a model 1, I'd be seeking out a matching monitor.
A timex & ZX8* did cross my mind, but I never researched the color support. That's one computer I've never touched.
I hope bumping this thread has some other feedback from more members on other b&w computers.
Stone
10k Member
FWIW, every TV does B&W.
FWIW, every TV does B&W.
Almost. I have encountered rare TVs without colour killers.
HoJoPo
Veteran Member
An Apple ][ or ][+ with the internal RF modulator would work great with that TV as the monitor. Color isn't necessary to use an Apple ][ or play most games, the ][ does very well in monochrome, and colors dither out nicely into grayscale.
If you don't already have a ][+, they are fairly inexpensive and occasionally have the channel 33 (UHF) SUP'R'MOD RF modulator inside them. Wozniak designed the ][ to have an internal RF modulator, but due to FCC approval issues Apple left that for third parties to build.
If you don't already have a ][+, they are fairly inexpensive and occasionally have the channel 33 (UHF) SUP'R'MOD RF modulator inside them. Wozniak designed the ][ to have an internal RF modulator, but due to FCC approval issues Apple left that for third parties to build.
Stone
10k Member
Why would you need to kill the color on a B&W program or signal? What color is there to be killed if you're watching a B&W broadcast? Don't you get TCM where you live?
Why would you need to kill the color on a B&W program or signal? What color is there to be killed if you're watching a B&W broadcast? Don't you get TCM where you live?
Without a colour killer (or with a malfunctioning one) any true black and white signal (which no broadcast TV or cable has been for decades) will be full of multicolor snow.
I don't think I get TCM, but most of what little I watch is black-and-white, but, it doesn't come out of the digital discombobulator that way, it puts out a colour signal that just looks black and white.
tipc
Banned
There's no real difference between color and black and white signals (but for the color information). Otherwise how would a black and white tv display color broadcasts, and properly?
There is no colour component in a black-and-white signal, nor in a black-and-white TV. So black-and-white and colour signals look the same.
When there's no colour information in a black-and-white signal, there's no colour reference for the colour TV. So, the colour is random, due to the gain in the colour amplifiers and the fact that there is always some amount of noise at those frequencies; especially with all the other information going round.
When there's no colour information in a black-and-white signal, there's no colour reference for the colour TV. So, the colour is random, due to the gain in the colour amplifiers and the fact that there is always some amount of noise at those frequencies; especially with all the other information going round.
Mr.Amiga500
Experienced Member
I too have been looking for a good B&W only computer for my 70's portable B&W TVs. I can't think of any computer that will do. It must display white on black, have a good keyboard and not be beige. (which rules out Sinclair, Apple II, TRS-80, Vic 20)
I had the TI-99/4A connected and it looked like a nice combination (see photo), but the display is black on light background - so doesn't have the look I'm going for.
View attachment 24339
I thought maybe Memotech MTX 512, but they're usually PAL. NTSC ones are uber rare and expensive.
I had the TI-99/4A connected and it looked like a nice combination (see photo), but the display is black on light background - so doesn't have the look I'm going for.
View attachment 24339
I thought maybe Memotech MTX 512, but they're usually PAL. NTSC ones are uber rare and expensive.
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Eudimorphodon
Veteran Member
In ruling out "TRS-80" are you thinking of the Color Computer with its Black on Green display and chicklet keyboard? Because the Model I has a white on black display, a keyboard that was arguably at least the best of the "Class Of 1977" (far better than the original PET, at least), and is black and silver, not beige.
Mr.Amiga500
Experienced Member
No, I'm ruling out the TRS-80 because it doesn't have a good keyboard. Well, the second version with the ALPS keyboard is good (first was Hi-Tek, which I don't like) but I never liked TRS "slivered plastic", which always wears off and looks hideous.
Edit: ..but now that I think of it, maybe I will try to find an ALPS TRS-80 in decent condition.
Edit: ..but now that I think of it, maybe I will try to find an ALPS TRS-80 in decent condition.
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Mr.Amiga500
Experienced Member
Yeah, but Bell & Howell always goes for obscene prices. I could always spray paint my Apple II black, but then I'd need to find some black keys.
I want something... non-Apple. (and don't want to change C64 colours
)
Eudimorphodon
Veteran Member
Man, picky picky.
(I personally sort of like the Hi-Tek keyboard, at least compared to the dull clunkiness of the KB Apple used in the II. Do wish the sliders were less fragile but when you consider the existence of monstrosities like the Sinclair ZXs you can't call it a "bad keyboard". Mediocre, maybe, but better than most out of the box keyboards today I'd say.)