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General Category => Other retro => Topic started by: Gryzor on 07:51, 25 October 13

Title: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Gryzor on 07:51, 25 October 13
Tynemouth Software Retro Computer Accessories by TynemouthSoftware (http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TynemouthSoftware?ref=l2-shop-info-name)


Expensive, but nice...
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: sigh on 10:07, 25 October 13
Nice indeed - but no CPC or MSX>:(

C64 looks the most useful as it has the F keys.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Gryzor on 10:16, 25 October 13
Well, technically you are correct, but a breadbin c64 is awful, ergonomically speaking. The c model was much better, but you can't do much typing on the first edition, F-keys or not F-keys.


I'd love to pair one of these with my media player in the living room - no worrying about ergonomics and f-keys there :)
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Bryce on 10:34, 25 October 13
I can't think of anything worse than using a ZX rubber keyboard on a PC! But they might be useful for Raspberry Pi users that are running ZX/C64 emulators?

Bryce.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Gryzor on 10:36, 25 October 13
The Atari 400 was not much better (but was much more beautiful!)
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: robcfg on 11:00, 25 October 13
I have to say that the sound and feel of my Atari 800XL's keyboard is unmatched to date  8)


The idea of these keyboards is nice, but so damn expensive....
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Gryzor on 11:02, 25 October 13
The 800 is a totally different beast, and yes it's lovely!


Yeah they are expensive; hope he doesn't gut functioning machines to make them. I guess each takes its own methodology to be produced?
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Bryce on 12:00, 25 October 13
I assume he has just created a small PIC/AVR PCB that can be configured to scan and read different matrix keyboards and translates them into USB packets. The same PCB with different firmware is probably in each keyboard.

The 800XL is easily one of the best 8-bit keyboards around, although the BBCs come close too (if they didn't keep breaking down). The 400 was as terrible as the ZX81.

Bryce.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: The Last Bandit on 12:01, 25 October 13
Its a waste of original hardware. Wonder how many of these were just picked up at carboots and the like cheap only to be gutted..
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: beaker on 12:40, 25 October 13
He does say on the site:

"I repair and refurbish a lot of classic 1980's computers, but every now and then, I get ones that cannot be repaired. This is a way of giving them a new life. I only make these from dead computers, no working Spectrum's were harmed in the making of these keyboards!"

I like the idea that if they're too far gone, at least they're getting a second life as a novelty item.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: beaker on 12:55, 25 October 13
Quote from: Bryce on 12:00, 25 October 13
although the BBCs come close too (if they didn't keep breaking down).

Don't worry, you're Elk to be still works perfectly  ;D

[attach=2][attach=3][attach=4]
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Bryce on 13:16, 25 October 13
Don't forget to send me all those little bits of plastic so that I can glue it back together later :)

Bryce.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: 00WReX on 13:42, 25 October 13
Wow, that Electron is in a sorry state...

But on the bright side, I do like your toothbrush holder  ;D

Not to mention how I admire your dedication to your retro computer room...don't even have to leave it to brush your teeth  :P


Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: beaker on 14:38, 25 October 13
That's Parcel2Go delivery service for you  :laugh: Fortunately we got compensation for it. Somehow the other one and the Plus 1 arrived in perfect condition despite being in the same box.

[attach=2]

Got a few Koalas floating around as well from a cheap tourist tat shop in Brisbane :) They're guarding the toothbrush so no one else uses it  :laugh:
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: sigh on 16:43, 25 October 13
CPC 6128 keyboard layout would be brilliant!

Never used an 800XL but that keyboard layout doesn't at all impress me like the 6128.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: joska on 17:02, 25 October 13
Quote from: Bryce on 12:00, 25 October 13
I assume he has just created a small PIC/AVR PCB that can be configured to scan and read different matrix keyboards and translates them into USB packets. The same PCB with different firmware is probably in each keyboard.

This can be done relatively easy with a Teensy 2+. I have converted an Atari Stacy keyboard to USB this way.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: TFM on 17:30, 25 October 13


Quote from: beaker on 12:40, 25 October 13
He does say on the site:


"I repair and refurbish a lot of classic 1980's computers, but every now and then, I get ones that cannot be repaired. This is a way of giving them a new life. I only make these from dead computers, no working Spectrum's were harmed in the making of these keyboards!"

So we can be glad not to see CPCs there.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: beaker on 18:00, 25 October 13
Eh? Oh bugger....  :laugh:

[attach=2]
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Gryzor on 18:03, 25 October 13
A 6128 or a 464 would be great, but these are way too long... maybe find something to do with the tape/disk area?
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: TFM on 18:09, 25 October 13
Well, maybe you can use them as a space for napkins. [nb]Which you will need when crying out the eyes, when watching a CPC getting abused for a PC.[/nb]
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: beaker on 18:55, 25 October 13
It's a British machine, so somewhere to rest your cuppa tea...
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: MacDeath on 20:22, 25 October 13
are those real old machines refurbished or are those replicae ?


I mean, you don't waste a piece of history jujst to get a fancy USB keyboard...








Would be like to cut La Joconde into pieces to get fancy bookmarks to me.


Of course you can with a speccy...
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: Bryce on 21:15, 25 October 13
Quote from: Gryzor on 18:03, 25 October 13
A 6128 or a 464 would be great, but these are way too long... maybe find something to do with the tape/disk area?

It's just begging to have a USB 3.5in drive or maybe even a USB 8in1 card reader. Something the PC can use.

Bryce.
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: The Last Bandit on 22:41, 25 October 13
Just stick in a pico ITX or Raspberry PI and be done with it  ;D
Title: Re: USB retro keyboards
Post by: sigh on 11:41, 26 October 13
Quote from: Bryce on 21:15, 25 October 13
It's just begging to have a USB 3.5in drive or maybe even a USB 8in1 card reader. Something the PC can use.

Bryce.

Exactly!
Even a hardrive caddy, CD drive would be equally cool.
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