Editing Amstrad MP-1

{{Infobox computer peripheral
| name         = Amstrad MP-1
| image        = [[File:Amstrad MP-1.jpg|260px|frameless]]
| caption      = MP-1 with its DIN, 5&nbsp;V DC and aerial leads
| manufacturer = Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc
| type         = UHF TV modulator and power supply
| interface    = 6-pin DIN (MONITOR socket), 5&nbsp;V DC plug, UHF aerial plug
| compatible   = [[Amstrad CPC 464]] (MP-1); [[Amstrad 6128]] (MP-2)
| power        = Mains (MP-2: 220–240&nbsp;V 50&nbsp;Hz)
| model        = MP-1 (CPC 464); MP-2 (CPC 6128, adds a socket for the computer's 12&nbsp;V lead)
}}
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The '''Amstrad MP-1''' is a mains power supply and UHF modulator that lets an [[Amstrad CPC 464]] run without an Amstrad monitor and display on a domestic colour television. It takes the place of the monitor: it powers the computer through the 5&nbsp;V DC socket and takes the video from the 6-pin DIN socket marked MONITOR. Amstrad offered it to owners who had bought the CPC 464 with the GT64 green-screen monitor and wanted the computer's colours.<ref name="ui464">Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc, ''CPC464 Colour Personal Computer'' user manual, retyped edition. Hosted as [[:File:Amstrad CPC 464 User Manual.pdf]], described at [[Amstrad CPC 464 User Manual]]. Safety notes (PDF p. 4); Foundations 1, section 1.3, "AMSTRAD MP1 Modulator/Power supply and a domestic (UHF) Colour TV receiver" (PDF pp. 11–12); section 1.1.3 "The MP1 TV Modulator/Power supply"; Appendix IV, section 1.2 (PDF p. 232).</ref> The MP-2 is the equivalent unit for the [[Amstrad 6128]].<ref name="ui6128">Amstrad, ''CPC6128 User Instructions'' (1985), Foundation Course chapter 1, pp. 1–5: fitting a mains plug, connecting to an MP2, switching on with the MP2. Scan at [https://archive.org/details/amstrad-cpc-6128-user-manual archive.org]. Retrieved 2026-10-02.</ref>

== Connections ==

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:left;"
|+'''MP-1 and MP-2 leads (user manuals)'''
! Lead !! Goes to
|-
| Larger plug, 6-pin DIN || Computer socket marked MONITOR
|-
| Smaller plug, DC power || Computer socket marked 5V DC
|-
| Aerial plug || Television aerial socket
|-
| MP-2 only: socket on the rear of the MP-2 || The computer's own 12&nbsp;V DC lead
|-
| Mains lead || Mains supply, with a 5&nbsp;A fuse in a 13&nbsp;A plug; the CPC 6128 manual gives 220–240&nbsp;V 50&nbsp;Hz for the MP-2
|}

Amstrad's manuals ask for the unit to sit to the right of the computer, close to the television and the mains socket.<ref name="ui464" /><ref name="ui6128" /> The CPC 6128 needs 12&nbsp;V as well as 5&nbsp;V for its disc drive; on the computer the 12&nbsp;V comes in on a lead fixed to the back of the computer, which plugs into the monitor or the MP-2.<ref name="ui6128" /><ref name="sm6128">Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc, ''CPC6128 Service Manual'', circuit diagram, 12&nbsp;V lead marked inner ground, outer +12&nbsp;V. Described at [[Amstrad CPC 6128 Service Manual]].</ref> The [[Amstrad DDI-1]] user instructions show the MP-1 between the computer and the disc drive, and ask for drives to be kept 20&nbsp;cm from the screen.<ref name="uiddi">Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc (AMSOFT), ''Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1'' user instructions, © 1984, retyped edition, Foundation section F1.4. Hosted as [[:File:Amstrad DDI-1 User Instructions.pdf]], described at [[Amstrad DDI-1 User Instructions]].</ref>

== Use ==

With the computer switched on, the television is tuned to a spare channel; Amstrad gives the signal as approximately channel 36. The CPC 464 manual shows the start-up message, "Amstrad 64K Microcomputer (v1)", in gold or yellow on deep blue, varying with the television's alignment.<ref name="ui464" /> The CPC 6128 manual gives the same channel for the MP-2.<ref name="ui6128" />

Amstrad notes two things that are normal with a modulator. The 80-column text of mode 2 may not be clear on a television, and Amstrad suggests mode 1 for text entry. On the CPC 464, which has its own loudspeaker, hiss from the television with its volume turned up is normal.<ref name="ui464" />

[[File:Amstrad CPC 464 with MP-1 on a television.jpg|thumb|360px|A CPC 464 on a television through an MP-1 (right), showing the BASIC 1.0 start-up screen]]

== Background ==

Apart from the GX4000, the CPC range has no RF or composite output, only the RGB DIN socket for the Amstrad monitor, so a modulator was needed for a television. Wikipedia notes that RF television adapters were sold as a first-party accessory, and illustrates the MP-1.<ref name="wpcpc">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC "Amstrad CPC"], section "Video". Retrieved 2026-10-02. The RGB DIN connector, the lack of RF or composite output on the computers, and the external RF adapters.</ref> The CPC 464 manual's technical appendix lists the MP-1 as an optional power supply and UHF modulator.<ref name="ui464" />

The MP3 covered in Amstrad's [[Amstrad CPC 464 / CPC 6128 / GT65 / CTM644 / MP3 / CT1 Service Manual Amendment|amendment service manual]] is a different product: its alignment instructions start with a test signal fed into an aerial socket, and the manual describes a tuner board and a video output stage.<ref name="amend">Amstrad plc, ''CPC464 / CPC6128 / GT65 / CTM644 / MP3 / CT1 Amendment Service Manual'', MP3 section pp. 31–34. Described at [[Amstrad CPC 464 / CPC 6128 / GT65 / CTM644 / MP3 / CT1 Service Manual Amendment]].</ref>

== Repair ==

The [[Amstrad MP-1 / MP-2 Maintenance Guide]] covers the leads, checks and safety. The MP-1 and MP-2 contain mains voltage. Amstrad's service manuals for the CPC 464 and CPC 6128 cover the computers and their monitors, not these units.<ref name="sm464">Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc, ''CPC464 Micro Computer / CTM640 Colour Monitor / GT64 Green Monitor Service Manual''. Described at [[Amstrad CPC 464 Service Manual]]. Title and contents; fault chart p. 9.</ref><ref name="sm6128" />

== Related pages ==

* [[Amstrad MP-1 / MP-2 Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Amstrad CPC 464]] · [[Amstrad 6128]] · [[Amstrad CTM-640]] · [[Amstrad CTM-644]]
* [[Amstrad DDI-1]]

== References ==
<references />

{{Navbox-Amstrad|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Amstrad]]