The interclay/tone VC4000 was the first and only play console, which was built completely in Germany. The achievement of the console was exceeded however fast by products of other manufacturers, the interclay/tone had therefore in the market hardly a chance.

Interclay/tone VC4000 (video computer)

Interclay/tone the VC4000 uses the processor 2650A von Signetics (late Philips). The console identically constructed with the Grundig Superplay computer 4000, from 1974 to approx. 1982 one built, for the kind of selling was however only 1978 with a price from at that time approximately 500, - DM differently as with other consoles, which were at this time on the market, there was a multiplicity of plays, all from own production. Altogether 37 different titles could be acquired for 40, - to 50, - DM each. The numbering of the plays goes from No. 1 ("“MOTORRACE"”) to No. 40 ("“SUPERCSPACE"”), which is title already announced 34, 35 and 39 however never appeared. The control was made by 2 Gamepads. This Pads with cable had 14 further keys beside a similar Joystick. The plays contained for this partial sticking templates ("“aperture masks"”), which had to be ripped out from the sticking box. These were then put on the key field. The majority of the plays used however only few existing Tasten.Die with 8 representable colors and 3 noises equipped play console could to the market not for a long time adhere, other console manufacturers exceeded the achievement fast, in particular the Atari 2600 console, and the interclay/tone VC4000 disappeared from the scene.

The enterprise reestablishes today hearing aids.

Technical data

• CCU: Signetics 2650A with 0.887 MHz. The "“bent"” frequency results from the fact that the processor clock was derived from the video clock.
• RAM: 37 bytes, which were contained in the video processor. Some plays contained still additional RAM in the module. (e.g. chess and lady, in order the play courses store and again to call to be able. )
• Video: Signetics 2636 Programmable video interface (PVI). Hereby a in-colored picture from 128 could be represented 200 pixels. The pixels could not be individually set or reset however. Rather could be indicated only for groups by lines and columns different widths, what etws let the background picture appear "“klotzig"” always. Additionally 4 different in-colored Sprites in 4 different sizes could be indicated. This Sprites could move also outside of the background picture and even leave (visible) the screen. In addition dupes could be indicated also several times to each Sprite. In connection with skillful interrupt programming so a great many moved objects could be represented at the same time. The colors of the background picture and the Sprites could be selected individually from 8 colors. In addition still the point announcement with four digits came.
• Audio: 1 simple clay/tone channel (also contained in the video processor), was however not modulatable and a separate module for 3 the noises (Peng, boom, intoxication).
• Input: 2 with the console CONTROLLER with similar Joystick and 14 keys verkabelte.
• Expenditure: beside the diagram a large point announcement in the BCD format was indicated.
• Plays: 37 (No. 1 to No. 40. Titles 34, 35 and 39 never appeared. )

Variants

• Elektor 2650 TV play computer (Elektor offers today still magazines and construction units). This contained also separate RAM (main memory) and a cartridge interface beside a monitor program (the "“operating system"”) in the ROM and could by the user be programmed in such a way. Also finished programs on record could do (!) or cartridge by Elektor to be referred. An additional, appeared later extender card contained also two card locations for the interclay/tone and Radofin modules beside additional memory and 2 special sound generators. So (most) the modules of the play consoles could be used also with this equipment.
• Grundig super Play 4000
• Numerous variants, partly compatibly, the Radofin 1292 programmable video system (1976), of: Rowtron, Prinztronic, Hanimex, Fountain.

Emulation

The emulator M.E.S.S. (on MAME basis) emulates the VC4000. The plays (ROME) must be picked out however.

Related links

• The virtual computer museum
• CCC - Classic Consoles center

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