Engineering:1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
 An Acetronic MPU 1000 (right) and its controller | |
| Manufacturer | Radofin & Others |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Second generation |
| Release date | 1978 |
| Discontinued | 1983 |
| CPU | 8-bit Signetics 2650AI @ 0.887 MHz |
| Memory | 43 bytes |
| Removable storage | Cartridge 2k, 4k or 6k ROM, optional 1k RAM |
| Graphics | Signetics 2636N @ 3.58MHz |
| Controller input | 2 × 12-button with 2-axis control stick |
| Power | Input 250 V, 50 Hz; Output 9.5 V, 0.4 A & 15 V, 0.11 A |
The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System is a second-generation home video game console released by European company Audiosonic in 1978. It is part of a group of software-compatible consoles which include the Interton VC 4000 and the Voltmace Database. The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System included its power pack inside the console instead of an exterior power pack.
Specifications
- CPU: 8-bit Signetics 2650AI at 0.887 MHz
- Programmable video interface: Signetics 2636N at 3.58 MHz. This chipset was less powerful than the later model Signetics 2637N used in the Arcadia 2001.
- Data Memory: 43 bytes
Graphics
- Sprites: 4 single colour sprites (1 can be 8 colours)
- 1 score line displaying 4 BCD digits
- Background consisting of a series of alternating lines
Misc
- The early games cartridges used a 2 KByte ROM, later ones, such as Activision branded ones, up to 8 KBytes
- Very basic arcade machine sound
User programming
An expensive (£49 in the UK in 1977) Hobby Module was available which gave 6.5 kb of user-programmable memory and had a 5 pin DIN socket to allow software to be saved to a cassette tape player. This converted the unit into a halfway house between a home computer and an ordinary gaming console.
The user had to be familiar with programming in Signetics 2650 assembly language and the unconventional ways and register architecture of the Signetics 2650 processor.
Released versions
The console was produced by different companies and sold with different names. Not every console is compatible with others due to differences in the shapes and dimensions of the cartridge slots (but all of the consoles are software compatible). Here's a table of the consoles grouped by compatibility family (due to the slots).
| Name | Brand / Manufacturer | Country | Compatibility family | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System | Radofin / Radofin | Germany | 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System | Released in 1979. Known also as "Radofin Programmierbares Video System". Has an external power supply. | 
|
| 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System | Europe | Released in 1979. Has an internal power supply. | |||
| HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System | Hanimex / Radofin | Australia and New Zealand | |||
| HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System | Australia and New Zealand | 
| |||
| Force 2 | Fountain / Radofin | Australia and New Zealand | Released in 1979. | ||
| 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System | Australia and New Zealand | Released in 1979. | |||
| 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System | Australia and New Zealand | Released in 1979. | |||
| Advanced Programmable Video System | Grandstand / Radofin | ||||
| Lansay 1392 | Lansay / Radofin | Europe | Released in 1979. | ||
| PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System | Audiosonic / Radofin | Europe | Released in 1978. | ||
| PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System | Europe | Released in 1978. | |||
| VC-6000 | Prinztronic / Radofin | United Kingdom | Released in 1979. | ||
| MPU-1000 | Acetronic / Radofin | United Kingdom | Released in 1979. |
| |
| MPU-2000 | United Kingdom | Released in 1979. | |||
| Database | Videomaster\Voltmace | United Kingdom | Database System | 
| |
| Television Computer System | Rowtron | United Kingdom | Television Computer System | Released in 1979. | |
| Television Computer System | Teleng | United Kingdom | Released in 1979. | 
| |
| Jeu Video TV | Karvan | France | Video TV Game | ||
| OC-2000 | Societe Occitane Electronique | France | Released in 1979. | 
| |
| Vidéo Ordinateur MPT-05 | ITMC | France | MPT-05 | Released in 1983. | 
|
| Super Play Computer 4000 | Grundig | Germany | Interton VC-4000 | 
| |
| VC 4000 | Interton | Europe | Released in 1978. | 
| |
| CX-3000 Data Bass Sistem | Palson | Spain | 
| ||
| Tele Computer | Aureac | Spain | Palson CX-3000 clone. | ||
| Video Computer H-21 | TRQ | Spain | Interton VC-4000 (partial) | TRQ carts fit and work on Interton consoles. Interton carts don't fit in TRQ consoles. | _F4.jpg)
|
Games
Although, not much information is known about the release dates of the cartridges, the total number of the games should be 59 (33 games released by Radofin between 1977 and 1978, 19 games for the Interton VC 4000 and compatibles after 1978, and 7 more games released around 1980).[1]
References
- ↑ "INTERTON VC 4000 GAMING GUIDE". James Jacobs. 2021-09-01. http://amigan.yatho.com/igg/. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
External links
- IGDB.com entry & 1292 APVS games list (With accurate explanation for misconception of the earlier 1976 release)
- SHAMELESSLIFE wordpress blog entry for details for 1292 APVS & Interton VC 4000
- Video Game Console Library entry for the 1292 APVS / VC 4000 family
- Arcade Italia entry for MAME compatibility
- Museo del Videojuego Radofin 1292 and 1392 information and game list in Spanish
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