Amstrad CPC 464 - PSU and monitor?

Smiley · 13 November 2009, 03:04

Just got back from the pub. On my walk home I found a cardboard box containing a Amstrad CPC 464 and a ton of games.

I took it home. Turns out that crappy old TV looking thing next to it was the monitor

Also it has no PSU. My questions are, what can I use as a PSU? Just anything that provides 5v?

Is there anything easy I can solder up to attach this to my TV via scart or somehing?

Cheers! I heard Popeye is really good.

Dan Locke · 13 November 2009, 03:13

Sorry, but the CPC's monitor is the power supply.

EDIT: After a bit of digging, it seems that Amstrad eventually released something called the MP1, which was both an external PSU and a TV adapter.

Smiley · 13 November 2009, 03:22

I have a PSU I got with a TFT screen that powers it ok. It has a DC jack on the back.

Also, just found a easy guide on how to solder up a scart lead for it:
http://www.pcwking1.netfirms.com/helpage30.html

Looks like I should have it up and running by tomorrow.

Dan Locke · 13 November 2009, 05:02

Woo! Let us know how well it works!

And get Turrican II; the CPC has the second-best 8-bit version of it after the C64's.

dlfrsilver · 13 November 2009, 05:23

i use my CPC 464 on a TV with an external PSU + Scart cable

PS : Turrican 2 CPC is the best 8 bits versions, in term of code and converted version. The CPC version has been converted from the Atari ST version, and is 715kb compressed
and the object source code is 4000kb (biggest amstrad CPC game ever). Graphics are excellent, levels are huge, and speed effects are great (check shoot'em up levels

) !

viddi · 13 November 2009, 07:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Locke

And get Turrican II; the CPC has the second-best 8-bit version of it after the C64's.

Right! But he found a 464 and the tape version is a torture to load.

Anyway, great find.

Jope · 13 November 2009, 09:01

Well, you can connect a 3.5" drive almost directly to the 464..

viddi · 13 November 2009, 09:16

You still need an interface.

But hey, it´s a start. The CPC is an awesome machine and worth a look.

cosmicfrog · 13 November 2009, 11:53

I should have one of those psu tv thingys somewhere, if its needed

seuden · 13 November 2009, 11:56

My first computer was a 464, absolutely loved it!

Smiley · 13 November 2009, 12:44

Im just about to start soldering up a SCART lead but something is bugging me.

Why do the instructions call to have the SCART for video and a 3.5 jack for audio?

Is it possible to put the audio through the SCART pins instead? Would be a lot easier as older tellys don't have 3.5 input, only output.

viddi · 13 November 2009, 12:51

Yes!
So you don´t have to use the tinny CPC speaker anymore.

alexh · 13 November 2009, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley

Why do the instructions call to have the SCART for video and a 3.5 jack for audio?

Because the RGB socket on CPC does not have audio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley

Is it possible to put the audio through the SCART pins instead? Would be a lot easier as older tellys don't have 3.5 input, only output.

Erm I think you are confused. The 3.5mm jack plugs into the CPC _NOT_ the TV

viddi · 13 November 2009, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Erm I think you are confused. The 3.5mm jack plugs into the CPC _NOT_ the TV

Well, yes.

-> http://cgi.ebay.ch/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=360195745793

Smiley · 13 November 2009, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Erm I think you are confused. The 3.5mm jack plugs into the CPC _NOT_ the TV

Ah, I see.

I have wired up just the video bits from the CPC to the SCART and it doesnt work

When I turn the CPC on I get a quick flicker on the TV but nothing more. I take it the audio bit doesnt have to be wired and plugged in for the CPC to turn on?

Just rechecked my wiring and its all correct.

alexh · 13 November 2009, 18:26

You sure you've not wired the 6-pin DIN plug mirror image? Try swapping 5 & 1, 4 & 2 ?

If you have 4 wired wrong you'll probably get no picture as the TV will be in composite not RGB mode.

Code:

Function   CPC    SCART
---------+-----+-----------
RED         1       15
GREEN       2       11
BLUE        3        7
RGB         4       16
SYNC        6       20
GND         5       17

Smiley · 14 November 2009, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

You sure you've not wired the 6-pin DIN plug mirror image? Try swapping 5 & 1, 4 & 2 ?

I think you may be right. Maplins didnt have a 6pin DIN plug so I am just soldering to the protruding legs on the bottom of the motherboard.

Think I may have got confused with the layout. I will switch switch the outer wires around and see what I get.

Smiley · 14 November 2009, 18:08

Just swapped them around and still no image. It seems your CPC pinout is the reverse of the one in post number 11.

Either way I have tested both and both didnt work for me.

Does the GND pin of the SCART (pin 21) need to be connected to anything for this to work?

EDIT: Just found this. Completely different wiring method...

EDIT: This didnt work either

alexh · 14 November 2009, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley

It seems your CPC pinout is the reverse of the one in post number 11.

It is not MY CPC pinout, it is THE CPC pinout. You find it like this all over the internet.

And as for being reversed, it is just interpretation as to which way round you are looking at the connector, I feel the diagram in post 11 is misleading when it says "view from solder connections".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley

EDIT: Just found this. Completely different wiring method...

It is the same as what I have above. Pins 4 & 6 on CPC DIN are almost the same, you can interchange them.

The diagram does not use 4 or 6 (luma or sync) for RGB enable but use +5v & resistor instead.

I think you may have to face the fact the reason it was thrown out is that it is broken.

r0jaws · 14 November 2009, 20:06

If you're anywhere near Norfolk, you're welcome to the monochrome Amstrad monitor I have spare.

It works fine, but I've replaced it with a colour monitor now so it's just taking up space.

13 November 2009, 03:04	#1
Smiley Amiga-less! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,350	Amstrad CPC 464 - PSU and monitor? Just got back from the pub. On my walk home I found a cardboard box containing a Amstrad CPC 464 and a ton of games. I took it home. Turns out that crappy old TV looking thing next to it was the monitor Also it has no PSU. My questions are, what can I use as a PSU? Just anything that provides 5v? Is there anything easy I can solder up to attach this to my TV via scart or somehing? Cheers! I heard Popeye is really good.

13 November 2009, 03:13	#2
Dan Locke Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Posts: 111	Sorry, but the CPC's monitor is the power supply. EDIT: After a bit of digging, it seems that Amstrad eventually released something called the MP1, which was both an external PSU and a TV adapter. Last edited by Dan Locke; 13 November 2009 at 03:19.

13 November 2009, 18:26	#16
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,335	You sure you've not wired the 6-pin DIN plug mirror image? Try swapping 5 & 1, 4 & 2 ? If you have 4 wired wrong you'll probably get no picture as the TV will be in composite not RGB mode. Code: Function CPC SCART ---------+-----+----------- RED 1 15 GREEN 2 11 BLUE 3 7 RGB 4 16 SYNC 6 20 GND 5 17

14 November 2009, 18:08	#18
Smiley Amiga-less! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,350	Just swapped them around and still no image. It seems your CPC pinout is the reverse of the one in post number 11. Either way I have tested both and both didnt work for me. Does the GND pin of the SCART (pin 21) need to be connected to anything for this to work? EDIT: Just found this. Completely different wiring method... EDIT: This didnt work either Last edited by Smiley; 14 November 2009 at 18:31.

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13 November 2009, 03:22	#3
Smiley Amiga-less! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,350	I have a PSU I got with a TFT screen that powers it ok. It has a DC jack on the back. Also, just found a easy guide on how to solder up a scart lead for it: http://www.pcwking1.netfirms.com/helpage30.html Looks like I should have it up and running by tomorrow.

13 November 2009, 05:02	#4
Dan Locke Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Posts: 111	Woo! Let us know how well it works! And get Turrican II; the CPC has the second-best 8-bit version of it after the C64's.

13 November 2009, 05:23	#5
dlfrsilver CaptainM68K-SPS France Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melun nearby Paris/France Age: 46 Posts: 10,412	i use my CPC 464 on a TV with an external PSU + Scart cable PS : Turrican 2 CPC is the best 8 bits versions, in term of code and converted version. The CPC version has been converted from the Atari ST version, and is 715kb compressed and the object source code is 4000kb (biggest amstrad CPC game ever). Graphics are excellent, levels are huge, and speed effects are great (check shoot'em up levels ) !

13 November 2009, 09:01	#7
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	Well, you can connect a 3.5" drive almost directly to the 464..

13 November 2009, 09:16	#8
viddi Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Age: 44 Posts: 4,007	You still need an interface. But hey, it´s a start. The CPC is an awesome machine and worth a look.

13 November 2009, 11:53	#9
cosmicfrog The 1 who ribbits Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leek, Staffs, UK Age: 56 Posts: 3,557	I should have one of those psu tv thingys somewhere, if its needed

13 November 2009, 11:56	#10
seuden uber cool demi god Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent/England Posts: 2,073	My first computer was a 464, absolutely loved it!

13 November 2009, 12:44	#11
Smiley Amiga-less! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,350	Im just about to start soldering up a SCART lead but something is bugging me. Why do the instructions call to have the SCART for video and a 3.5 jack for audio? Is it possible to put the audio through the SCART pins instead? Would be a lot easier as older tellys don't have 3.5 input, only output.

13 November 2009, 12:51	#12
viddi Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Age: 44 Posts: 4,007	Yes! So you don´t have to use the tinny CPC speaker anymore.

14 November 2009, 20:06	#20
r0jaws Amibay fanboi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston, Lincolnshire Age: 49 Posts: 154	If you're anywhere near Norfolk, you're welcome to the monochrome Amstrad monitor I have spare. It works fine, but I've replaced it with a colour monitor now so it's just taking up space.

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