Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 - Review & Overview

This is a review and overview of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 computer, the only one that came with a built in disk drive.
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#RetroGaming #TechReview #ZXSpectrum

[@LeoVKMusic]

Great overview of the +3. I think the other non-Amsoft disk you had (with the untextured case) was one manufactured by Maxell - who were the other main producer of the 3” disks.

[@frankowalker4662]

I do a lot of programing on the +2 (grey), the really annoying thing is the EDIT key. It's too easy to accidently press it, so I removed it. LOL. Also the MIDI port can only be used from BASIC and is'nt suported by any comercial software, they use a MIDI interface add-on, for some reason. So I wrote my own software for it. It plays my Casio keyboard and Yamaha drum machine. :)

[@TheLairdsLair]

Interesting, I didn't know that. Is that why the Magnum Light Gun had a software loader written in BASIC?

[@frankowalker4662]

@@TheLairdsLair Could be. (?) By the time I got a Light Gun I had already swapped over to LCD T.V's. So I've never experimented with one.

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

wasn't the midi 1 way? a mate of mine at the time programmed a minutes long tune that the spectrum sent to his clavinova with painstaking attention.

[@MrLtia1234]

Bit of a missed opportunity, in a way. The one thing the Speccy never got was disk-only games that the C64 had - Pool of Radiance etc. I'd have got one if that'd been the case. I suppose in the C64's case, disk was the main format in the US making such games viable. I don't think there were ever any +3 only games?

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

it's funny how back in the day a floppy disk drive was considered a super fast format. had a plus 3, in fact I still do somewhere. the plus 3 had a design flaw which meant the audio was horribly distorted, it can be fixed with a bit of soldering. . always thought the 128k was a missed opportunity. no new colour clash free graphics mode, same old processor and a sound chip that was very limited compared to a sid chip

[@MrLtia1234]

Amstrad infamously dropped the research into a 'new' 3rd iteration of the Speccy. The Loki! In reality it was likely little more than a list of specs, but we actually have it now in the form of the Spectrum next.

[@TheLairdsLair]

@@MrLtia1234 The Loki became the Konix Multi-System, which was also cancelled albeit at a much later phase. Flare Technology then designed the Atari Jaguar.

[@MrLtia1234]

​@@TheLairdsLair Yeah, that was such a shame. We did also get the Sam, of course.

[@jamesjesterng7659]

I went from the ZX Spectrum 48k+ to the Atari 520STFM So I skipped this. But just seen one of these for sale at local auction.

[@TheTurnipKing]

15:58 No multiload was a double edged sword. All it meant was that the levels were all loaded at once, which meant it took the game longer to load, even if you were rubbish and never got past the first level.

[@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp]

The rings on the bottom of the computer are where the leads were wound up underneath and have gassed and the chemical reaction has melted the plastic.

[@dreamcaster4754]

I think this is the only Spectrum I dont actually own, I should probably rectify that at some point.

[@chriss2664]

I get a bit confused with the models. I have a black +2B ZX works great but seams like some games dislike the 2B or 2A... heard it has some kind of sound fix from the +2A. But I'm thinking the original +2 would be the best model for compatibility??? Is that right if anyone knows be appreciated. Thanks.

[@TheLairdsLair]

Yes, the grey +2 is your best bet for overall compatibility, I have done a video on that too if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5W0pHx7fNd3m68

[@chriss2664]

@@TheLairdsLair brilliant. Thank you so much

[@chronixchaos7081]

How did you manage to get your dog to lie so still?

[@leonbrown59]

The Famicom in Japan also used 3 inch disks.

[@TheLairdsLair]

The disks are not the same though.

[@leonbrown59]

@@TheLairdsLair It's worth checking this: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk_variants Rumour has it that Amstrad only used the 3 inch disks because they were able to get a ton for cheap if they bought them upfront. That sounds like Amstrad. Ha.

[@TheLairdsLair]

Yep, that's a true story!

[@sam_64]

You need more subs.

[@andre0000000007]

lol 20 GOTO 20 classic :)

[@nickblackburn1903]

Er no the Sinclair Spectrum +3 doesnt have DOS

[@TheLairdsLair]

Yes it does, it has +3DOS, as I said in the video: second.wiki/wiki/2b3dos