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.

Specifications

An expensive 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.
Here's a table of the consoles grouped by compatibility family.
NameManufacturerCountryCompatibility familyNotesImage
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 SystemRadofinEurope1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979. Has an internal power supply.
HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemHanimexAustralia and New Zealand1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemHanimexAustralia and New Zealand1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
Force 2FountainAustralia and New Zealand1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemFountainAustralia and New Zealand1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemFountainAustralia and New Zealand1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
Advanced Programmable Video SystemGrandstand1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
Lansay 1392LansayEurope1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAudiosonicEurope1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1978.
PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video SystemAudiosonicEurope1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1978.
VC-6000PrinztronicUnited Kingdom1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
MPU-1000AcetronicUnited Kingdom1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
MPU-2000AcetronicUnited Kingdom1292 Advanced Programmable Video SystemReleased in 1979.
DatabaseVideomaster\VoltmaceUnited KingdomDatabase System
Television Computer SystemRowtronUnited KingdomTelevision Computer SystemReleased in 1979.
Television Computer SystemTelengUnited KingdomTelevision Computer SystemReleased in 1979.
Jeu Video TVKarvanFranceVideo TV Game
OC-2000Societe Occitane ElectroniqueFranceVideo TV GameReleased in 1979.
Vidéo Ordinateur MPT-05ITMCFranceMPT-05Released in 1983.
Super Play Computer 4000GrundigGermanyInterton VC-4000
VC 4000IntertonEuropeInterton VC-4000Released in 1978.
CX-3000 Data Bass SistemPalsonSpainInterton VC-4000
Tele ComputerAureacSpainInterton VC-4000Palson CX-3000 clone.
Video Computer H-21TRQSpainInterton VC-4000 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.