The TELSTAR Videotex Service - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

john_newcombe · 20th Oct 2020, 8:55 pm

I have just seen a few posts littered around this forum relating to V23 modems and Prestel etc. so I thought I would just introduce the TELSTAR videotex system for those that are not familiar with it.

The TELSTAR videotex system, developed in 2018, is a modern application that provides a simple viewdata/videotext platform similar to those that were prevalent during the 1980s such as Prestel. The aim of the system is to provide a Viewdata experience for anyone who is interested in how things 'used to be'. Services in the past typically provided access via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) connection and this is indeed how Telstar works, however, Telstar also makes use of a simple internet connection for modern internet modems.

Full details of the system and how to connect etc. along with some videos showing how to connect with devices such as the BBC Micro, Spectrum, Apple II and a Tandata terminal, can be found at the link below.

Enjoy!

https://glasstty.com/wiki/index.php/...ideotex_System

electronicskip · 21st Oct 2020, 11:04 am

This is right up my street, thank you for the link, its of particular interest to me because of the Prestel element.

Reelman · 21st Oct 2020, 12:38 pm

A “hello” in advance to fellow Micronet 800 users then. Sounds fun.
Peter

Dave Moll · 21st Oct 2020, 2:58 pm

As mentioned by John Newcombe in this thread, the system can be accessed from a V23 modem on 01756 664433, though I haven't had a chance to try it yet - other than to confirm that it does appear to give the right sort of whistles when rung.

john_newcombe · 21st Oct 2020, 5:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Moll

As mentioned by John Newcombe in this thread, the system can be accessed from a V23 modem on 01756 664433, though I haven't had a chance to try it yet - other than to confirm that it does appear to give the right sort of whistles when rung.

The only thing that I would mention is that from the 14th November 2020 the dial-in service will be switched off as I am moving house during the following week and I will have to package up the modem rack for the removers. If all goes well it will be down for a week, if we end up in temporary accomodation, then its anyones guess.

TELSTAR can always be accessed over the internet using a WiFi modem or whatever as the main system runs in a data cenre in london as close as I could get to Baynard House.

Code:

glasstty.com:6502
glasstty.com:6503

see https://glasstty.com for more details.

john_newcombe · 22nd Oct 2020, 8:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reelman

A “hello” in advance to fellow Micronet 800 users then. Sounds fun.
Peter

Jusr for fun TELSTAR also includes a packet switching type PAD which is on 01756 664434. This is detailed at the end of the Introducing the Telstar Videotex Service - Part 2' video, and allows dial in access to any internet/telnet BBS systems.

Enjoy!

Eidolon · 20th Nov 2020, 7:49 pm

I have this accessible on the ZX Spectrum Next via the NXTel program, but it, along with the other Prestel services other than NXTel itself, doesn't work right as of yet. I'm hoping an update will sort it out in time, as currently it only loads small parts of pages on most occassions.

john_newcombe · 20th Nov 2020, 8:19 pm

Just so that I am understanding, are you saying that Telstar fails when accessed over the internet with the NxTel client?

I vaguely recall that the NxTel client relies on each frame being transmitted in a single packet. Telstar doesn't have this restriction and uses variable length packets. I imagine what you are seeing is the first packet returned from Telstar and the NxTel client is assuming that this is the frame in its entirity.

Its just a guess though...

john_newcombe · 20th Nov 2020, 9:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_newcombe

The only thing that I would mention is that from the 14th November 2020 the dial-in service will be switched off as I am moving house during the following week and I will have to package up the modem rack for the removers. If all goes well it will be down for a week, if we end up in temporary accomodation, then its anyones guess.

Unfortunately we are in temporary accomodation so could be a few weeks yet as all of the modems are in storage... bah!

Full details are here https://glasstty.com

Eidolon · 21st Nov 2020, 1:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_newcombe

Just so that I am understanding, are you saying that Telstar fails when accessed over the internet with the NxTel client?

I vaguely recall that the NxTel client relies on each frame being transmitted in a single packet. Telstar doesn't have this restriction and uses variable length packets. I imagine what you are seeing is the first packet returned from Telstar and the NxTel client is assuming that this is the frame in its entirity.

Its just a guess though...

I don;t really know the details. I got the impression that support for other systems other than NXTel itself was added on as an extra, rather than the main feature, and it'll be updated hopefully in time. But it often only displays very small parts of the page, often with random symbols and letters etc. It's a shame, as it would be very nice to have it working properly.

john_newcombe · 12th Dec 2020, 7:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_newcombe

The only thing that I would mention is that from the 14th November 2020 the dial-in service will be switched off as I am moving house during the following week and I will have to package up the modem rack for the removers. If all goes well it will be down for a week, if we end up in temporary accomodation, then its anyones guess.

Just an update re- the Telstar dial in service. We are stuck in temporary accomodation until 13th Jan. I expect the 'official' Telstar dial-in service to be up around 20th Jan which is when everything is brought out of storage. However, there are other ways to dial into Telstar. If you check Rob Craigs comments in the 'Introduction to Telstar' videos on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_...npqSl0r_RJjIWQ) he has a Telstar PAD set up which will give dial in access to Telstar as well as other systems..

J

electronicskip · 14th Dec 2020, 12:46 pm

After our conversation , ive pulled out my Sony Viewdata Prestel terminal in readiness for your switch on around 20th jan.

If i can get the connection working i will post some pictures of the result.

john_newcombe · 14th Dec 2020, 4:59 pm

Brilliant, I will keep this thread posted.

Dave Moll · 14th Dec 2020, 7:22 pm

I shall endeavour to have something ready for the restart too.

20th Oct 2020, 8:55 pm	#1
john_newcombe Pentode Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 248	The TELSTAR Videotex Service I have just seen a few posts littered around this forum relating to V23 modems and Prestel etc. so I thought I would just introduce the TELSTAR videotex system for those that are not familiar with it. The TELSTAR videotex system, developed in 2018, is a modern application that provides a simple viewdata/videotext platform similar to those that were prevalent during the 1980s such as Prestel. The aim of the system is to provide a Viewdata experience for anyone who is interested in how things 'used to be'. Services in the past typically provided access via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) connection and this is indeed how Telstar works, however, Telstar also makes use of a simple internet connection for modern internet modems. Full details of the system and how to connect etc. along with some videos showing how to connect with devices such as the BBC Micro, Spectrum, Apple II and a Tandata terminal, can be found at the link below. Enjoy! https://glasstty.com/wiki/index.php/...ideotex_System Attached Thumbnails

21st Oct 2020, 11:04 am	#2
electronicskip Octode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gloucester, Glos. UK. Posts: 1,509	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service This is right up my street, thank you for the link, its of particular interest to me because of the Prestel element. __________________ Oh I've had that for years dear!!

21st Oct 2020, 12:38 pm	#3
Reelman Octode Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,103	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service A “hello” in advance to fellow Micronet 800 users then. Sounds fun. Peter

21st Oct 2020, 2:58 pm	#4
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 4,978	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service As mentioned by John Newcombe in this thread, the system can be accessed from a V23 modem on 01756 664433, though I haven't had a chance to try it yet - other than to confirm that it does appear to give the right sort of whistles when rung. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

20th Nov 2020, 7:49 pm	#7
Eidolon Pentode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Worcester, Worcs, UK. Posts: 204	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service I have this accessible on the ZX Spectrum Next via the NXTel program, but it, along with the other Prestel services other than NXTel itself, doesn't work right as of yet. I'm hoping an update will sort it out in time, as currently it only loads small parts of pages on most occassions.

20th Nov 2020, 8:19 pm	#8
john_newcombe Pentode Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 248	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service Just so that I am understanding, are you saying that Telstar fails when accessed over the internet with the NxTel client? I vaguely recall that the NxTel client relies on each frame being transmitted in a single packet. Telstar doesn't have this restriction and uses variable length packets. I imagine what you are seeing is the first packet returned from Telstar and the NxTel client is assuming that this is the frame in its entirity. Its just a guess though...

14th Dec 2020, 12:46 pm	#12
electronicskip Octode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gloucester, Glos. UK. Posts: 1,509	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service After our conversation , ive pulled out my Sony Viewdata Prestel terminal in readiness for your switch on around 20th jan. If i can get the connection working i will post some pictures of the result. __________________ Oh I've had that for years dear!!

14th Dec 2020, 4:59 pm	#13
john_newcombe Pentode Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 248	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service Brilliant, I will keep this thread posted.

14th Dec 2020, 7:22 pm	#14
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 4,978	Re: The TELSTAR Videotex Service I shall endeavour to have something ready for the restart too. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)