# NDR-Klein-Computer

> television program in Germany's NDR, showing how to build the homecomputer "NDR-Klein-Computer" as a DIY project

**Wikidata**: [Q1448332](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1448332)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDR-Klein-Computer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ndr-klein-computer

## Summary
The **NDR-Klein-Computer (NKC)** is a German television program produced by NDR that functioned as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project guide. The show demonstrated to viewers how to build their own single-board home computer. Presented by Rolf-Dieter Klein, the series consisted of 26 episodes focused on constructing a computer capable of running the CP/M operating system.

## Key Facts
*   **Type:** Television program / Educational DIY project.
*   **Presenter:** Rolf-Dieter Klein.
*   **Network:** NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk), Germany.
*   **Format:** The program focused on building a single-board computer.
*   **Episodes:** 26.
*   **Seasons:** 1.
*   **Operating System:** The computer built on the show ran on CP/M.
*   **Aliases:** NKC.
*   **Classification:** The hardware constructed is classified as a single-board computer and a home computer.

## FAQs
### Q: Is the NDR-Klein-Computer a TV show or a physical computer?
A: It is primarily defined as a television program that taught viewers how to build a computer. However, the term also refers to the specific single-board computer design (the "NKC") that was constructed during the series.

### Q: Who hosted the NDR-Klein-Computer?
A: The television program was presented by Rolf-Dieter Klein.

### Q: What operating system did the NDR-Klein-Computer run?
A: The computer constructed in the series utilized the CP/M operating system.

### Q: How many episodes were produced?
A: The series consisted of 26 episodes spanning a single season.

## Why It Matters
The NDR-Klein-Computer represents a unique intersection of broadcast media and practical computer science education. Unlike typical technology reviews or purely theoretical educational content, this program empowered viewers to actively participate in the hardware revolution of the home computing era by building their own machines from scratch.

By providing a guide to constructing a single-board computer capable of running CP/M—a dominant operating system of the era—the show bridged the gap between consumer electronics and the deeper technical understanding required for computer engineering. It served as an accessible entry point for hobbyists in Germany to understand computer architecture, soldering, and system assembly, demystifying the "black box" nature of commercial home computers. This format highlighted the DIY ethos of early personal computing, fostering a generation of users who understood the hardware foundations of the software they used.

## Notable For
*   **Educational Format:** Being a dedicated television series devoted to the step-by-step construction of a complex electronic device.
*   **DIY Ethos:** Encouraging self-sufficiency in technology by teaching viewers to build rather than buy a computer.
*   **Hardware Focus:** Focusing specifically on single-board computer architecture at a time when home computers were becoming commercially available as finished products.
*   **CP/M Compatibility:** Utilizing the industry-standard CP/M operating system, which allowed for a wider range of professional software compatibility than some proprietary home computer OSs of the time.

## Body
### Program Overview
The NDR-Klein-Computer (often abbreviated as NKC) was an educational television program broadcast in Germany. Originating from the country's NDR network, the show was created to guide audiences through the process of assembling a home computer. The entity is classified dually as a television program and, in the context of its subject matter, a subclass of a single-board computer.

### Production Details
The series was presented by **Rolf-Dieter Klein**. It was produced as a singular, comprehensive course consisting of **26 episodes** across **1 season**. The show is documented in German, English, and Commons wikis, reflecting its specific niche in computer history.

### Technical Specifications
The project centered on the construction of a **single-board computer**. This type of computer is built entirely on a single printed circuit board. The specific design showcased on the program was capable of running the **CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers)** operating system. CP/M was a widely used OS in the 1970s and 1980s, known for its role in the early software industry. An image of the "NDR Klein Computer 68K Bausatz" (kit) confirms the existence of physical kits or assembled units related to the broadcast's design.