Hi Joe, I can remember 2 ETI projects specifically (sort of - it was a while ago). One was an incredibly complex CDI ignition system that I never built but the errata just went on and on and on - along with modifications to allow different components to be used to replace the now unavailable originals. Also subject to a lot of complaints. EAs CDI unit was very simple and - just worked, but without the "Bells & Whistles". The second was some sort of timer or digital clock. It took its frequency reference from the mains and worked fine at home, but on the noisy mains at work would run significantly fast. I eventually fixed it by changing the comparator circuit that squared up the mains input to a Schmidt trigger. Cost 1 or 2 extra resistors and worked fine from then on. Styling is a matter of choice - I always thought of ETI as being a bit "Flashy". IIRC they tended to front cover highlight their amplifiers as XXXX watts - meaning "Peak Music Power Output", rather than EA's more conservative "RMS" power - based on a constant tone. (Although at 1% distortion level I think). I remember buying one copy of ETI because of the high power amplifier advertised on the front cover - only to discover that it wasn't actually that high power after all. I seem to remember that the EA "Musicolour 2" also had a few issues, but the original was pretty near bulletproof if a bit insensitive. re the micros, I never looked that them in those days, it was only when the Motorola D2 (6800 ?) and D5 (6805) kits came out that I got involved, and I was working for Motorola by then. When I returned to NZ we had a cable test set up that was bootloaded by programming by toggle switches - but that's a different story. Sorry - getting a bit off track. RP On 6 January 2013 21:02, IVP wrote: > > I had issues with every ETI project I ever attempted > > Funny how people's experiences differ > > My ETI builds started in the late 70s, mostly musically-orientated. > Pretty sure my very first "big" project was the dual stage strobe. > Being unused to large caps charged with mains, it was a memorable > project !!! > > Next was the ETI4600 synthesiser, which works flawlessly. Still > have it. Ditto the ETI480 50/100W amp, made several of those, as > well as the 300W. Refurbishing one at the moment. David Tilbrook's > pre-amps (the 4000 & 5000 series) were state-of-the-art > > About the same time was the ETI660. A little marvel for its time. A > CDP1802 micro with 4k RAM, colour (V2.0) and TV screen output > > What an introduction to machine code, all entered through a hex > pad !!! A BASIC ROM was available shortly after. Still have that > too. Should dig it out one day, some nice little games > > I always thought ETI a cut above EA, in styling for example. Some > of their stuff just looked old-fashioned. For example wooden cases, > whereas ETI tended towards metal, particularly black anodised, > which I like the look of > > However, the EA project which drew a line under them for me was > the video frame grabber. Possibly mid-90's ? The errors were being > published piecemeal for almost 18 months if I recall. The original > article should never have got into print. It was a serious investment > in people's time and effort, many complained bitterly > > Trust and reputation can't be under-estimated > > Joe > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .