4.433 MHz Crystal Oscillator – High-Quality PAL Colour Subcarrier for Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore C64 & Amiga

£1.25

This 4.433 MHz crystal oscillator is a high-quality, professional-grade component essential for generating the precise PAL colour subcarrier frequency in vintage electronics.

Most famously used in the video circuitry of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, this crystal ensures accurate colour timing and stability for video encoding.

If your Spectrum is suffering from “colour drift” or a missing colour signal, a high-quality replacement crystal is often the solution.

These oscillators are built to tight tolerances, providing the reliable frequency output required to keep your classic 8-bit hardware displaying vibrant, stable colours on modern and CRT displays alike.

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Description

High-Quality 4.433 MHz Crystal Oscillator for Video Circuits

The 4.433 MHz crystal (specifically 4.433619 MHz) is a fundamental component for any hardware dealing with the PAL (Phase Alternating Line) television standard. This high-specification oscillator is designed for longevity and frequency stability, making it the ideal choice for demanding retro-restoration projects.

Essential for PAL Colour Encoding

In vintage computing and video equipment, the 4.433 MHz frequency is used to create the colour subcarrier. Without a precise and stable signal from this crystal, the video encoder cannot correctly “phase” the colour information, resulting in a black-and-white image or distorted, “bleeding” colours.

The Heart of Sinclair ZX Spectrum Video

In the Sinclair ZX Spectrum (16K, 48K, and Plus models), this crystal is vital for the operation of the video circuitry. It provides the reference frequency to the video encoder (often the LM1889), which then combines it with the luminance signal from the ULA to produce a PAL signal.

Symptoms of a Failing Crystal

Over decades, original crystals can drift or fail due to physical shock or age. Common signs that your crystal needs replacing include:

Loss of colour (image defaults to black and white).
Unstable or flickering colours.
“Crawl” or heavy interference in the colour signal.

Durable Construction for Long-Term Reliability

We provide only high-quality oscillators, avoiding the thin-leaded, low-tolerance versions often found in bulk hobbyist kits.

Precision Frequency: Tuned to the exact PAL subcarrier requirements.
HC-49 Package: Standard low-profile metal housing for excellent thermal stability and RF shielding.
Robust Leads: Easy to solder into original motherboard footprints or modulators.

Broad Compatibility

While essential for the ZX Spectrum, this 4.433 MHz crystal is also widely used in:

Commodore 64 / Amiga: (PAL versions) for video master clocks.
Arcade PCBs: For PAL video output stages.

TV Modulators: Found in various 80s and 90s home consoles.

Additional information

Weight	0.002 g

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