Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The HP 27201A is a TMS5220 based speech synthesizer released in 1983. According to the HP museum, it's the first synthesizer designed by a major computer computer. Yes, the TI99/4A's speech synthesizer uses the same IC and is at least contemporary if not even predating the HP module. The module has very sparse documentation on the web, so I had to disassemble the Z8 ROM and then reverse engineer the protocol. In the video I end up controlling the module from a raspberry pi over a serial connection. For more electronics videos, see smbaker.com
Blog post: smbaker.com/hp-27201a-speech-output-module-first-speech-synthesizer-designed-by-a-major-computer-manufacturer
Python tool for controlling the module: github.com/sbelectronics/hp27201a
The HP 27201A is a TMS5220 based speech synthesizer released in 1983. According to the HP museum, it's the first synthesizer designed by a major computer computer. Yes, the TI99/4A's speech synthesizer uses the same IC and is at least contemporary if not even predating the HP module. The module has very sparse documentation on the web, so I had to disassemble the Z8 ROM and then reverse engineer the protocol. In the video I end up controlling the module from a raspberry pi over a serial connection. For more electronics videos, see smbaker.com
Blog post: smbaker.com/hp-27201a-speech-output-module-first-speech-synthesizer-designed-by-a-major-computer-manufacturer
Python tool for controlling the module: github.com/sbelectronics/hp27201a
