Oric Atmos keys

[Manuel Teira]

Hello there,

I've recently purchased an Oric Atmos computer. I had luck and the
computer works (the original owner didn't know in what state it was).

The RF output is very noisy, and the image can be hardly seen. I plan
to build a RGB to Scart cable, and let's see if the problem is only
restricted to the RF output itself. Any recomendations or pinout to do
this?

The main problem is that its fantastic keyboard is missing the 'H'
keycap. It seems really hard to find an Oric to be sold for parts, and
I was wondering if somebody here could have some spare keycaps or is
aware of a similar keyboard or similar keycaps that could be adapted
somehow.

Thanks and best regards,
Manuel

[Andre Majorel]

On 2016-09-16, Manuel Teira <manuel...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I've recently purchased an Oric Atmos computer. I had luck and the
> computer works (the original owner didn't know in what state it was).
>
> The RF output is very noisy, and the image can be hardly seen. I plan
> to build a RGB to Scart cable, and let's see if the problem is only
> restricted to the RF output itself. Any recomendations or pinout to do
> this?

I don't remember the wiring off the top of my head but it's not
too complicated. The trickiest part is the DC voltage needed by
one of the Péritel inputs (commutation lente = switch = pin 8,
IIRC). The RGB-Péritel cables sold by the French importer had a
2.5 mm jack socket on the Péritel plug for a +12 V wall wart.

Apparently, lots of TV sets were happy with just +5 V into pin 8
so some people drilled a hole in the centre of the DIN 5 socket
and put in it a female contact wired to the Oric PCB's +5 V
rail.

The TV set I used at the time insisted on +12 V so I went for a
DIN 7 or 8. The extra pin brought the audio output of the Oric
to the TV.

If you can't find the specifics on the web, ask and I'll look
into it.

> The main problem is that its fantastic keyboard is missing the 'H'
> keycap. It seems really hard to find an Oric to be sold for parts, and
> I was wondering if somebody here could have some spare keycaps or is
> aware of a similar keyboard or similar keycaps that could be adapted
> somehow.

Bad luck ! The Atmos keyboard was made by a company named
Stackpole which was a supplier to other OEMs. A search for
"stackpole keycaps" may be worth trying.

--
André Majorel http://www.teaser.fr/~amajorel/
"Pauvreté n'est pas vice ! Parbleu ! Un vice est agréable."
-- _Passe-temps_

[Manuel Teira]

Thanks a lot André.

I ned to go to the local electronics shop to grab the DIN and SCART
connectors and lets see. ;-)

Best regards,
Manuel

[Manuel Teira]

Well, finally I was able to build the cable and trick my TV to switch
to RGB by wiring back a TV output into the detection pin, and adding a
filtering capacitor to flat the signal. It works perfectly and the
image is crisp and clear.

Regarding the key, no luck. I tried to "rework" a PC keyboard keycap I
found with a similar shape, but it doesn't have the same angle and
looks weird.

I have seen some tutorials in Internet to create a keycap mold using
silicone putty that look promising:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=23722.0

Maybe I give it a try.

Best regards,
Manuel