Tim’s Retro Corner brings viewers along for an in-depth look at a CDTV repair and restoration. The CDTV, Commodore’s early venture into the consumer CD player market, is revealed as a hybrid of an Amiga 500 and a CD player wrapped in a consumer-friendly case. Tim’s first challenge is the absence of some key chips, like Gary and Agnes, as well as a missing power supply. Fortunately, the CDTV repair and restoration kit includes new ribbon cable connectors and updated Kickstart ROMs, allowing Tim to address some common issues.
Assessing Condition and Missing Parts
Tim opens the CDTV to find various missing or mismatched screws, loose connectors, and signs of previous repairs. He notes that the electrolytic capacitors appear to have been replaced, yet the device remains quite dirty. The fast-forward button on the front panel is also missing, prompting Tim to consider 3D printing a replacement—a task that proves trickier than expected.
Cleaning and Initial Repairs
Much of the work in this CDTV repair and restoration involves cleaning. Tim removes layers of grime from the tray and mainboard, photographs connectors for accurate reassembly, and tackles the challenging front panel. He replaces several worn ribbon cable connectors with new parts, thanks to a kit provided by Glenn, ensuring the device’s internals are stable for reassembly.
Addressing the CD Mechanism
The CD mechanism presents its own hurdles. Tim finds evidence of previous work, some old grease, and a stuck caddy. Cleaning the lens and carefully reassembling the spring-loaded tray restores the mechanism’s smooth operation. He swaps out several screws for fresh metric replacements to keep things sturdy.
Attempting a 3D Printed Fix
With the missing fast-forward button in mind, Tim tries a 3D printed solution found online. The piece, while well-made, fails to fit the CDTV’s specific needs. Despite this setback, he presses forward, keeping the repair on track.
First Power-Up and Testing
After carefully putting everything back together, Tim powers up the CDTV. The display lights up, and the fan spins, but the device remains stubbornly inactive—nothing appears on the screen. A stuck CD caddy prompts another round of disassembly and adjustment. Tim eventually resolves the jam, but the machine still fails to fully boot.
Next Steps
With much of the hardware now refreshed, Tim plans further diagnostics on the mainboard, expecting a troubleshooting process similar to an Amiga 500. He encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and support the channel on Patreon for more updates on this CDTV repair and restoration.
This hands-on CDTV repair and restoration episode highlights both the quirks and charm of working with classic hardware. Watch the full video for every step, clever tip, and the next stage in the repair journey.
