VT TVC TV-computer

VIDEOTON manufactured the TVC computer between 1985 and 1988 as part of the School Computer Program. The computer was produced in three versions, which differed in the size of the main memory (top image: 32K, 64K; bottom image: 64K+) and their motherboard.

Category:

Microcomputer

Technology:

High-density IC package

Origin:

domestic

Creation:

License-based localization; the predecessor of the machine is the Enterprise 128 computer, which was only later distributed in Hungary.

Developer:

Intelligent Sofware Ltd.

Manufacturer:

VIDEOTON Radio Technology Factory

Use

Operating time:

1984-1989

Working quantity:

32 KB: 3000 db, 64 KB: 9000 db; 64K+: n.a.

Typical applications:

The TVC is designed as a school computer, primarily for educational purposes.

Operating locations:

Due to its very high price, it was mainly purchased by schools (with government support, within the framework of the School Computer Program)

Year:

32K: 12800 Ft; 64K: 14-16000 Ft; 64K+: n.a.

Structure

Central unit

Byte-organized machine: 8 bpB

CPU: Zilog Z80 microprocessor; clock speed: 3.125 MHz
main store:
- 32 KB / 64 KB RAM 4116
- 20 KB / 24 KB ROM
- VRAM:
  - 32K, 64K: 16KB
  - 64K+: 64KB
calculator: ALU built into the microprocessor
Channel: 4 freely usable expansion rails for connecting external devices

Periphery

backup:
- cassette recorder ( BRG )
- 64K+: two 1MB floppy disks
external devices:
- RGB monitor or TV (for connecting composite video or antenna signals)
- keyboard (57 character keys + 9 function keys)
- joystick (built-in) for cursor movement
- Centronics printer

Full presentation of technical parameters: VIDEOTON TV-Computer

Operation

Screen resolution:

in graphics mode 1024*960 pixels (CRTC 6845)
in character mode: 24 lines, including
- 2 colors (monochrome) 64 chpl
- 4 colors 32 chpl
- 16 colors 16 chpl

Character set: 254 normal + 64 special characters, (with 10*8 pixels/character resolution).

The sound generator produced the frequency by dividing the clock signal, in 16 volume levels; when the frequency divider was turned off, it functioned as a 4-bit D/A converter, meaning it could play digitized music.

Program set

General programs

operating system:
- TVC OS (ROM-based)
- UPM (a version of CP/M rewritten for TVC)
- 64K+:VT-DOS (compatible with DOS 3.10, for reading IBM PC floppy disks)
programming languages:
- 32K, 64K: TVC BASIC V1.2
- 64K+: TVC BASIC V2.2
- Forth (optional)

Custom programs

About 40-50 application programs were available for purchase separately, including word processors, mail servers, etc.

The educational programs were distributed by the National Program Office (OPI), free of charge to schools.

VIDEOTON also sold many game programs (Chess, Griff, Malex) for the machine.

Historical curiosities

The microprocessor allowed simultaneous access to 64 KB (16-bit address), but the total size of the connectable memory was 152 KB (200 KB in the 64 K+ version); during program execution, the current 64 KB address range could be selected by paging, by turning on/off an operation enabling signal.

The 64K+ model could store up to 4 images at a time.

It had a built-in color switch for (poor quality) color display; however, it improved image quality in the monochrome version.

The very high production costs could not be reduced, so the import dumping of the Commodore Plus/4 (Novotrade-Ápisz), then the appearance of the Primo and private imports forced the TVC out of the market within 3 years.

Resources

Historical Overview: VIDEOTON TVC

General description: VIDEOTON Computer Factory, 1988, page 14

Detailed review and evaluation: Mikrokártótógép Magazin, 86/5. Pages 20-23.

It is also worth reading the review of "Oli" ( Russian Oliver )

Created: 2016.06.08. 22:28
Last modified: 2025.02.04. 18:09

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