Widescreen CRT PC Portable - Computer Devices Dot from 1983
Added 2025-07-05 01:40:06 +0000 UTCHello!
This is a video I never would have guessed I would be able to make, I've been on the lookout for a Computer Devices Dot since my video on the origins of the 3.5in floppy disk. Well a couple of months ago, I managed to get one. This is the full story of the computer and the company that made it. I don't want to say too much more because I really think the history of this machine comes across well in the video.
I've been planning this video since I got it but another thing has come up about this computer very recently that forced it to the front of my queue. I've been working around the clock since finishing the mario kart map video to get this one done. I think I'm farther ahead of schedule than I need to be now so I can start to let off the gas a bit.
This video was also made in a fairly different manner for me. I was stuck waiting for mail to continue parts of it (you can guess when in the video). So I planned out the production where I was able to film and edit in segments. So I actually had the entire history section of this video finished before I even started filming the demo section. It was interesting to work on it in a different order but I feel like I remember less of the process this time and like I may have been more likely to make editing mistakes. So I don't anticipate doing this again unless I have to.
Video link: https://youtu.be/AR5i9BnJqlA
Comments
Thinking about the printer connector, I'm assuming that cable goes to a stepper motor? If so I think the motor connector pinout could wired in such a way that if the connector is reversed, the phases are energized in reverse order, thus reversing the motor. It could be that one of the procedures during the assembly phase was to plug in the connector, observe which way the motor turned at power on, and if it was wrong reverse the connector. Even if it goes to something else such as micro-switches, it could still be that they made the pinout symmetrical (assuming here polarity of signals doesn't matter), the the connector could then be plugged in either orientation, simplifying assembly.
Robert Yates
2025-07-05 22:00:12 +0000 UTCYou're such a lucky man! But wait - is this just the pilot of a 42-parts series of DOT-Streams on Twitch, replacing the DG series ;) ? Anyway, Thx a lot and regards, Robert (rhk77)
Robert Herschke
2025-07-05 14:40:38 +0000 UTC
