Thank you for bringing back some wonderful memories. I was a electronic engineer for Mattel Electronics during 1982-83 and was among those '600' laid off at the end. Albeit, I did not work for the group that made the Aquarius. I was part of their Strategic Product Development Group and my last work was designing a VLSI IC for an add-on device to the Intellivison Game system. It was a TELTEXT interface with hopes to connect that video game to the outside world. I remember talking to banks about doing online banking using the Intellivision. Naturally that TELTEXT device never saw the light of day. Upon closing I was able to snag one of those little Aquarius thermal printers and I used it for many years as my printer on a SYM-1 6502 SBC. Along the way I sold or gave away that printer, but I do have the SYM-1 still.
@HoboVibingToMusic5 жыл бұрын
Interesting story. ^^
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Lovely to see you in the comments thank you for sharing your story
@infinitecanadian5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for bringing us the Mattel Intellivision.
@shelby38225 жыл бұрын
Imagine doing your banking and your kid grabs a paddle 🤣
@edgeeffect5 жыл бұрын
The keyboard overlays are actually quite good. Cat says "I don't care if my foot's luck or not... HANDS OFF!!" :)
@Wesleyrpg5 жыл бұрын
what a beautiful looking cat!
@andrethib5 жыл бұрын
enjoyed the video as usual. with regards to removing the power cable -- that bushing is easily replaceable and inexpensive, you can remove it without fear of damaging it. the generic name is "strain relief bushing" although i've often seen them referred to as heyco bushings (after a company that makes them, among other things); they're available in a wide variety of sizes.
@douglasbollinger86785 жыл бұрын
You can also buy special pliers that make it much easier to remove and install the Heyco strain relief bushings.
@BertGrink5 жыл бұрын
How lovely to see that among Neil's many great qualities he's also an animal lover :D Cool cat.
@joncrawford34855 жыл бұрын
Ah, a book of code from Tim Hartwell. From what I remember he had books of code for nearly every home computer going. I remember learning more about ZX-81 basic from one of his books than from anything else - looking up for info about him now I'm a bit shocked to find he passed way in 1991 from the Big C.
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Oh that's sad I didn't know that
@izzieb5 жыл бұрын
Every time you say IPA i think you are cleaning it with an Indian Pale Ale.
@JG-nx3jg5 жыл бұрын
Dont be stupid, he uses a rich stout to get the grime off.
@cleetusmacfarland94534 жыл бұрын
I made a comment on an other video about that, here they spell out Isopropyl Alcohol, but if you go to the beer store every brand of India Pale Ale, just says IPA, also if you go to a shop and ask for IPA you get a blank look, or get told they don't sell that there, even if a can of Isopropyl Alcohol is on the shelf behind them, maybe the powers that be are afraid if Isopropyl Alcohol just said IPA everyone would drink it to. (:
@draggonhedd5 жыл бұрын
Hey Just for future projects like this, ISO alcohol will immediately release hot glue so no cutting is necessary. You should also look into adrian black's blue-light retrobright options since you're in a place the sun scarcely visits.
@spawnlink5 жыл бұрын
I found an Aquarius set in the box in the 90's for ~$20. Didn't come with a tape deck but did have the printer and a few carts. Don't recall if it had the memory expansion. The printer as I recall is just RS-232 and I was able to create a sub D9 to 3.5 mm adapter and got it working on Linux with cups. Might be worth trying out though who knows if that setup is still supported. It's been over 20 years since I did that. It took a bit of tweaking but wasn't too hard. Unfortunately, my pretty extensive computer collection was sold or thrown away after college after being left in storage at the family business when it was sold.
@PaintsAreOp5 жыл бұрын
My parents threw away my old computers and CRT's in 2010, I lost two 3dfx Voodoo 2 12mb cards...
@mesterak5 жыл бұрын
Ratto Poika ouch!
@cleetusmacfarland94534 жыл бұрын
@@mesterak most of the schools here had a host of Commodore machines, various models of pets, C64's the occasional C128, and Amiga 500's and 2000's, then in the mid 2000's due to mold and asbestos's and no money to clean them dozens of schools were closed and the kids bussed to other schools, which meant unused class rooms and storage rooms were cleaned out to make room for the new kids, my son was going to my old high school when they started cleaning out some unused class rooms that were stacked ceiling high with those old machines and he was one of the students tasked with taking them all out to a dumpster, all his requests to save some were refused! from what he was told they were going to land fill, not even for e-waste, not sure how many other schools still had theirs, and had them go in the bin too.
@Monkey_SK5 жыл бұрын
What a fantastic result! Neil that clean up job was masterful, well done.
@Dvlx15 жыл бұрын
These kind of videos are the absolute essence of what KZbin is all about.
@SledgeFox5 жыл бұрын
I enjoy every visit in your cave, thank you very much for inviting us. 👍
@NeverlandSystemZor5 жыл бұрын
The highlight of our day... CLEANING MONTAGE! :D LOL Love these old retro machines you salvage, clean, repair, and talk about! Keep up the great work!
@mesterak5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video series. I definitely know now how to go about restoring my Aquarius, which is quite dirty and yellowed. It still works though. Maybe by part 3 I will have it fixed up to report how it turned out.
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Excellent to hear, please do let me know how it goes. Retromancave@gmail dot com
@jbolleman745 жыл бұрын
The same datasette was sold under the brand 'Slipstream' in beige, for the C64. Those ridges (and height) also match the breadbin pretty well, but it's nice to see where the original design is from. Thanks Mr. RMC!
Your production quality is so professional, amazing content to watch for someone born in 1973 :-)
@WindmillGS5 жыл бұрын
13:08 While the hot glue is on the inside where a scratch or two from a knife don't really matter, I'd still recommend using IPA to remove it. Soak the glue with IPA and start peeling it off. Let IPA get between surface and the glue as you go and it should come off in one piece without leaving a mark :)
@k001daddy5 жыл бұрын
Can't wait for part 3!!
@calmac37235 жыл бұрын
This was my first computer, I didn't have the 16k extension but did have that D&D game and also had Tron, the keyboard was atrocious but the keyboard templates were a nice idea. My parents got it from a indoor market type shop that sold loads of tat and it was the only place I saw any kind of support/games (not many), this computer wasn't for sale in the usual electronic shops. I was glad to get a spectrum the following X-mas!
@RogueBrit3 жыл бұрын
It was such an exciting time soo many different micros coming out nearly on a weekly basis Tatung Einstein anyone ?
@chriscrossan80345 жыл бұрын
I think Gizmo should be a regular guest.
@NathanChisholm0415 жыл бұрын
Chris Crossan YES!
@jinxterx5 жыл бұрын
More Gizmo!
@SirWussiePants5 жыл бұрын
This is perfect timing. Was doing some cleaning in my basement this week and found my old Aquarius computer/printer/tape deck along with my TRS-80s, Atari 800, Atari 800xl and Atari STs. Will wait for part 3 to see if it worth cleaning up and seeing if it boots.
@JamesPotts5 жыл бұрын
Depending on how the rubber has changed, I've had good luck with "rubber roller restorer." It's a spray used by techs to recondition rollers in laser printers. It won't help rubber that's changed to goo, but for parts that have "gone hard," it can do wonders.
@benjaminramsey46955 жыл бұрын
That tape player rubber band goo was AMAZING! It was like watching a car crash, something unbelievable happening right before my eyes.
@Colin_Ames5 жыл бұрын
I don’t think I have ever seen a drive belt turn to goo like that. Nasty! Interesting video, as usual, and I am looking forward to part 3.
@m.k.81585 жыл бұрын
There was at least 1 more peripheral available for the Aquarius-a 300 BPS modem. This hooked to the HANDSET cord of a standard(for the time)telephone. I know this was released, as I remember picking one up for a friend when they started to show up in closeout stores very cheaply.
@Phoenix_1982_MD5 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot for your videos. I dig them every time! Great parts of history, greatly presented by a British gentleman :) keep it comming, relly looking forward to see more of our computer history. Take care mate!
@NeilGrevitt5 жыл бұрын
I had a cassette player from WHSmiths. Complete with Tippex on the volume control at just the right place!
@zxkim81365 жыл бұрын
Yet another quality production Neil can't wait for pt3 mate 😁😁 Kim 😁😁
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Cheers matey!
@Sinisteve5 жыл бұрын
That’s looking fantastic Neil! Love this series All that time stripping it I thought the Aquarius would’ve been waterproof ha Great job
@NathanChisholm0415 жыл бұрын
Came for the tech! Stayed for the kitty...
@Floopy65044 жыл бұрын
You have a nice one, the one sitting under my desk has an RF shield on top of the board that is soldered to the PCB.
@user-te1le7ck6b4 жыл бұрын
Brilliant content as usual Honestly putting other channels to shame with your professionalism and good nature Keep up the good work and perhaps if I could request some newer machines to be featured for 2020 like 90’s era consoles etc
@merlin45965 жыл бұрын
The Mattel Aquarius, the Action man (GI Joe) of 8-bit machines. The Mini Expander made a hell of a difference to any game you played.. Better sound, joysticks and extra memory etc.
@MakotoIchinose5 жыл бұрын
Can't mistaken for that BBC test card background. Also, yeay, Gizmo!
@jongant5 жыл бұрын
Neil, your production techniques and overall quality continue to improve exponentially - truly inspiring! A tape counter - such luxury! We used to have to count on a stopwatch on our 48k Speccy....
@3dhYT5 жыл бұрын
_Translator:_ I like to watch how you fix old computers. Good job 👍
@deepestdub5 жыл бұрын
Very interesting and entertaining as usual. The Aquarius had almost gone from my mind but I used to sell them in one of WH Smiths first dedicated home computer stores in Birmingham. They really were so poorly put together that the staff joked about them being an actual toy with reference to their maker. As I recall, we sold very few of them and most seemed to return with one fault or another. That printer was special in that it made the ZX Printer look like a lazer printer! Awful print quality and really unreliable - as you have already found out.
@fsddevelopment45133 жыл бұрын
Another fascinating episode. Love the background music, very Caterina Barbieri.
@Neffers_UK5 жыл бұрын
This came out looking stunning, great job Neil.
@NibblePibbly5 жыл бұрын
I always wanted an Aquarius but never saw one in the wild. Great video
@RetroRecollections5 жыл бұрын
An interesting and little talked about platform. Looking forward to seeing some software running, especially PAC Mr. 😀
@mushroomsamba825 жыл бұрын
Every time I see anything about the Aquarius I get that damned song stuck in my head
@morph-x71535 жыл бұрын
How do you do it, Neil? I never had any knowledge nor would i have any interest in the Mattel Aquarius. But the way you present it has me glued to the screen. As always, stunning production value, great commentary, wonderful fitting music and just an overall absolute joy to watch. Don't tempt me to further up my Patreon subscription! Thank you and i have to say, i'm looking forward to part three and the chronicles of Pac Mr.
@barrettgpeck5 жыл бұрын
Love the music on your videos, as well as the trash to treasure. Might look up 8-bit guy's retro brighting procedure. Instead of cream its a liquid that goes in.
@desiv11703 жыл бұрын
Same issue with my Aquarius tape belt, and yes. It does make a huge mess that takes a while to properly clean up. :-) Other than that, everything works and was in great shape, I am guessing because it probably wasn't used much. ;-) It's an interesting device to own now, but I can't even bring myself to consider putting in the work to composite mod it (which I did with my TS-1000). I think it will mostly just sit on the shelf. There's a multi-cart and a 32k RAM cart available, but I can't see spending the money for those on this system. Partially because I never had or wanted one back in the day, but also because I am not sure it is worth it... ;-) Great vid.
@charleschamp98265 жыл бұрын
Maybe the cassette deck was placed where it was in photos due to space restraints in catalogs?
@andrewpercival14273 жыл бұрын
Great quality content...would love to see a neo geo in the cave, imagine there aren't many left.
@marksterling82865 жыл бұрын
I loved my WHS CPD8300 data recorder. It may not have matched the styling of the 48k spectrum but it felt special every time I used it.
@SimoWill755 жыл бұрын
The 'Data Recorder' is photographed behind to make it look smaller.
@Lucasrainford5 жыл бұрын
This soothes my soul Neil :)
@PierreVonStaines5 жыл бұрын
Bone idle Billy once said...”It’s a nice day for a white vinegar wedding” and he was right.
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Billy is never wrong Pierre
@DubiousEngineering5 жыл бұрын
Fantastic cleanup job Neil!! Looks amazing... shame about that printer!
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Cheers Howard, you can come and play on it whenever you like xD xD
@TheAnkMan5 жыл бұрын
Awesome episode, like always. Apropos COLECO I especially love to see retro videos when it comes to more obscure computers and consoles, like the Aquarius. The COLECO Adam is another. Looked great on paper.They even sponsored a scholarship. But the machine was plagued with bugs. The Tatung Einstein, Camputers Lynx, Memotech and Jupiter Ace are other rare 8-bit micros, to pitch some ides. Keep am coming. :-)
@whollymindless5 жыл бұрын
To remove hot glue - IPA. No scratching, no problems.
@frankowalker46622 жыл бұрын
Nice job on the restoration.
@lestat1uk5 жыл бұрын
So relaxing just watching these videos.
@The.Doctor.Venkman5 жыл бұрын
This was brilliant! I find your videos so relaxing and cathartic. It could be the slick video production and your silky smooth, reassuring voice and soothing music? It makes me want to run a hot soapy bath, grab a chilled German Weiss Bier, a cigar and just chill-out! ;-) (just to be clear: I'm happily married with four kids, OK)
@Da40kOrks5 жыл бұрын
@11:10 on the left mention of the Timex/Sinclair 2068.
@NozomuYume5 жыл бұрын
I prefer the sequel Ms. Pac Mr.
@colepdx1875 жыл бұрын
I had almost every home/hobbyist computer from the Altair to the Apple //e. This is one I passed on. I had a go with the TI99 and was sorely disappointed with it and the two seemed quite similar.
@godzilla123323 жыл бұрын
Just got a brand new late model Aquarius and the part of the box about the floppy drive is covered by a sticker.
@GeorgesChannel5 жыл бұрын
This is really nice channel and a well done show. I really like the Aquarius.
@Nukle0n5 жыл бұрын
This thing is constructed incredibly insensitively for the time. I didn't think they started doing the stupid riveted together keyboard until the 00's.
@1973Washu5 жыл бұрын
I think the Spectrum using a third party cassette recorder for data fit with the low-cost ethos of Spectrum.
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
It would certainly have kept the cost down, although later Spectrum models had the tape recorder built into them
@sffpv96715 жыл бұрын
Looking great Neil. I'm trying the "sun only" method of retro brighting on an Amiga 500. Going ok but northern climate doesn't lend itself too well to this method! Are you off to Blackpool Play Expo this year? Si
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
I'll be there all weekend yes, hope to see you there!
@danielson95794 жыл бұрын
That is a nice looking data corder 🙂
@BBfanfun5 жыл бұрын
in Canada 1980-84, most families got a console, got bored with it's limits. the key is PRICE & Value ... (Atari, Intellivision & Coleco all promised full featured keyboard computers or add-ons) But after Star Wars & TRON, kids got the idea of "writing your own games"/code programming. (remember LOGO ?) From School , we knew the Apple II, commodore PET & TSR-80 (Bulky learning machines, complicated graphic programming) Atari 400/800 was just frustrating (would not run 2600 carts !), still complicated Basic Texas Instruments Ti-99/4 (calculator company) limited code possibilities Vic-20 was promising, but replaced with C64 so quickly (that might be outdated by next year as well ?) Aquarius did not appear as practical as Coleco Adam (all-in-one, plays old carts as well!) it should be said that cassettes really didn't appeal to us as reliable recording media, nor the esoteric Peek/Poke commands. So we got a used IBM PCjr for 400$(both keyboards & monitor included);the notion of PC-compatible for at home use was strong Mac (overshadowed Apple IIc/IIe & IIGS ,all too pricy) - B&W text apps, great for work though Looking back, we should have got a C-64, or even a Tandy. All those machines have their limited charm . Marketing was strong back then, the quality we saw progress in the Arcade games just created greater expectations for home consoles. that's why it Crashed. we were unaware of what was happening in Japan or Europe. Only the best are successful, right? Investing in a computer seemed like more of a creative, productive & fulfilling way to spend your time.
@RobA5005 жыл бұрын
Car shampoo, scrubbing brush, ipa and general purpose cleaner - I was waiting for you to come up with some safe cracking explosive MacGyver style.
@jasejj5 жыл бұрын
To be fair the Aquarius was far from alone when it came to BASIC interpreters lacking commands. The C64 and VIC20 were very similar in that regard, although having to poke and peek absolutely everything on those machines did give a good grounding for using assembler instead as you were doing much the same things to get anything to work.
@andrewgwilliam48315 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Neil!
@colinstu4 жыл бұрын
retrobrighting foot, lol
@Kawa-oneechan5 жыл бұрын
Gizmo!
@mrroobarb5 жыл бұрын
Can we play Pac Mr. - I NEED to know, oh the tension is too much for me. :-) Great work, as ever - many thanks for creating and sharing, Bruce.
@give_me_my_nick_back5 жыл бұрын
To avoid getting any marks and overall best results of retrobrighting you should use liquid hydrogen peroxide with water and completely submerge your plastic. I know it's not that popular as liquid h.p. is not exactly legal in the USA but it's much easier to buy in the EU, in some states you can buy freely 35% h.p. for next to nothing (I paid 10€ for 5L bottle) in other states. Edit: yup you can freely buy it in the UK too!!! so why are you wasting money and risking damages by using these creams :D
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
This is good advice and you'll find I use the liquid in other restorations. I find the cream is find on smaller jobs if you pay careful attention to keep massaging it until the job is done. For larger jobs I use liquid, and being the UK with little sunshine for most of the year that's usually in a vacuum sealed bag turning in a vat of sues vide warmed water. You can find this method on the channel if you search for retrobriting indoors
@Jamal_Tyrone5 жыл бұрын
So many weird old computers, so little time.
@blinkinglightsandsmokingcaps5 жыл бұрын
Was there a system that Tim Hartnell didn't write a book for?
@thaddeusmcgrath5 жыл бұрын
I remember an Easter egg playing the Aliens game cassette backwards causes it to load the Atari 2600 game E.T. That version had E.T. saved Atari from bankruptcy instead of the phone home ending which would have brought a smile to my little face then if this was true. Sorry, got carried away with my rambles again. Cheers!
@46danz5 жыл бұрын
Quite a smart looking thing.
@eightzerofour99575 жыл бұрын
That cleaning montage music sounds inspired by Jean Michel Jarre from Zoolook
@DoRC5 жыл бұрын
They may have put the tape recorder behind the computer to use perspective making it look smaller.
@therushden5 жыл бұрын
Have you tried magic erasers, melamine sponges? Great for stubborn marks and general cleaning.
@anumeon5 жыл бұрын
Oh the irony of a belt being designed to ensure tapes don't stick (Loading wise that is) getting sticky..
@Skull_Gun5 жыл бұрын
Excellent fix up, btw what's the best way to remove the old grease from gears? just wipe it off or use IPA as well?
@DEMENTO015 жыл бұрын
PERFECT TIMING!!!
@cr0m9695 жыл бұрын
Love the videos and love the Cat
@Tim_31005 жыл бұрын
I like these videos the cave rocks 🙂
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tim!
@thedungeondelver5 жыл бұрын
I have a book on programming text adventures for 8-bit machines, also written by Tim Hartnell.
@stevethepocket5 жыл бұрын
I think I have the same book. His name immediately rang a bell. I remember being frustrated that the games weren't properly optimized for the Commodore 64-they used a couple variables that conflicted with the built in functions and occasionally overflowed the 80-character-per-line limit.
@thedungeondelver5 жыл бұрын
@@stevethepocket I have a vague recollection of that, too. is your book one with a very nice illustration of a dragon winding up the title letters on the side?
@stevethepocket4 жыл бұрын
@@thedungeondelver Yep. It's this one: www.atariarchives.org/adventure/
@SomePeopleCallMeWulfman5 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure about CP/M on the Aquarius. Even with the 16K expansion...
@MarkTheMorose5 жыл бұрын
I don't think they were referring to the operating system, probably an internal joke: Calamitously Poor Micro?
@rbrtck2 жыл бұрын
To get the game going, just follow the instructions, which say to press the "any" key. I thought every 8-bit micro had one. 🤔😉
@projectfanboy5 жыл бұрын
I had a school yard compilation cassette for the 48k as a kid but it didn't have the times for the games, Treasure Island Dizzy was in the middle so I had to load each game turn the computer off and then load the next one a couple of times till I got to Dizzy.
@RisingRevengeance5 жыл бұрын
It might just be me but I quite like the marbling effect. But I suppose it's not desirable if you want it all original.
@RMCRetro5 жыл бұрын
There is always an argument for keepign the "patina" of the machine and this is something that comes up in a future episode when we fix up an arcade cabinet.
@javilarg5 жыл бұрын
This is the dawning of the age or Aquarius ☮️ ✌️
@Jamal_Tyrone5 жыл бұрын
Naïve as it may sound, I had no idea you could copy games tape to tape around the time of the C16 and C64, I thought they were a different breed of tape for computer data only.
@freds6900695 жыл бұрын
I believe I have the expander cart sitting in a box here.
@herbiehusker18895 жыл бұрын
*This computer is awesome
@TheTurnipKing5 жыл бұрын
The Speccy, of course, wasn't really designed with the intent that you'd be using a tape recorder. Sinclair really wanted us all using Microdrives eventually..
@starsiegeplayer5 жыл бұрын
Do you think that the printer problems might be fixed with a simple Recap like the computer was?
@flyingbananatree56615 жыл бұрын
Special thanks to gizmo there making a cameo appearance :)
@JJernqvist5 жыл бұрын
What's the name of your Sony Monitor? I've been wondering this for a while...