1292 Advanced Programmable Video System

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.

1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
An Acetronic MPU 1000 (right) and its accompanying controller
ManufacturerAudiosonic
TypeHome video game console
GenerationSecond generation
Release date1978 (1978)
Discontinued1983
CPU8-bit Signetics 2650AI @ 4.43MHz
Memory43 bytes
Removable storageCartridge 2 K.Byte ROM (Activision branded ones, up to 8 K.Bytes)
GraphicsSignetics 2636N @ 3.58MHz
Controller input2 × 12-button with 2-axis control stick
PowerInput 250 V, 50 Hz; Output 9.5 V, 0.4 A & 15 V, 0.11 A

Specifications
PCB Scan of the Acetronic MPU-1000.
  • CPU: 8-bit Signetics 2650AI at 4.43 MHz
  • Audiovisual co-processor (video chipset, I/O Processor): Signetics 2636N at 3.58 MHz, addressing 32 kB of memory in 8 kB banks. 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. For example, on many other processors an opcode 0 indicates "no operation" whereas on the 2650 it instructs the processor to Branch To Address In Immediate Register B. This was a source of many software debugging hassles for budding home programmers.

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 Manufacturer Country Compatibility family Notes Image
1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemRadofinGermany1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979. Known also as "Radofin Programmierbares Video System". Has an external power supply.
1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemEuropeReleased in 1979. Has an internal power supply.
HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemHanimexAustralia and New Zealand
HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAustralia and New Zealand
Force 2FountainAustralia and New ZealandReleased in 1979.
1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAustralia and New ZealandReleased in 1979.
1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAustralia and New ZealandReleased in 1979.
Advanced Programmable Video SystemGrandstand
Lansay 1392LansayEuropeReleased in 1979.
PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAudiosonicEuropeReleased in 1978.
PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemEuropeReleased in 1978.
VC-6000PrinztronicUnited KingdomReleased in 1979.
MPU-1000AcetronicUnited KingdomReleased in 1979.
MPU-2000United KingdomReleased in 1979.
DatabaseVideomaster\VoltmaceUnited KingdomDatabase System
Television Computer SystemRowtronUnited KingdomTelevision Computer SystemReleased in 1979.
Television Computer SystemTelengUnited KingdomReleased in 1979.
Jeu Video TVKarvanFranceVideo TV Game
OC-2000Societe Occitane ElectroniqueFranceReleased in 1979.
Vidéo Ordinateur MPT-05ITMCFranceMPT-05Released in 1983.
Super Play Computer 4000GrundigGermanyInterton VC-4000
VC 4000IntertonEuropeReleased in 1978.
CX-3000 Data Bass SistemPalsonSpain
Tele ComputerAureacSpainPalson CX-3000 clone.
Video Computer H-21TRQSpainInterton VC-4000 (partial)TRQ carts fit and work on Interton consoles. Interton carts don't fit in TRQ consoles.

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 1977–1978, 19 games for the Interton VC 4000 and compatibles after 1978, and 7 more games released around 1980).[1]

References
  1. "Amigan Software archive for 1292 APVS & Interton VC 4000 game charts". amigan.1emu.net. 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
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