VideoBrain Family Computer
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2015) |
kilobytes RAM | |
Removable storage | Cartridges |
---|---|
Display | RF connector to TV, 384 x 336 graphics, 128 x 56 semigraphic, 16 colors |
Graphics | UV-201, UV-202 |
Input | 36-key keyboard |
Controller input | Joysticks |
The VideoBrain Family Computer
History
The VideoBrain Family Computer was designed and produced by Umtech Inc., doing business as the VideoBrain Computer Company of California in 1977. It was not widely available, although Macy's department store briefly carried the computer on its shelves. It was sold in various configurations, and the price ranged from $500 to $1100 depending on the accessories chosen.[6] New software for the VideoBrain was available on cartridge,[7] which was a first for home computer systems[8] (Later price reductions brought costs down to $300 for the computer by itself, and $350–900 for the packaged deals).[9]
Available software ranged in price from $20 to $40 for video games and educational software, and $70 to $150 for productivity tools.
Design
The VideoBrain Family Computer was built around the F8 processor from Fairchild Semiconductor, and featured 1KB of RAM and a 4KB ROM.[9] It was able to output 384 x 336 graphics [10] and 128 x 56 semigraphic characters[11] in 16 colors, (based on UV-201 and UV-202 proprietary chips[12]) and sound to a connected television set through an RF connector. By far its most striking feature was the 36-key keyboard - though the keyboard of the VideoBrain was poorly designed and difficult to use, keyboards were not available on any of the more common video game consoles of the time.[13] Some popular kit-based computers also typically lacked a keyboard, opting for toggle switches instead. The system also features four joystick ports, a cartridge connector, and an expansion port.
The system included four built-in software titles, available if the unit is powered on without a cartridge inserted - a simple text editor, a clock, a countdown timer, and a Color Bar generator.
Two additional
Additional software was sold on cartridges measuring approximately the size of a Betamax tape. The cartridge interface was unique: unlike most video game systems, VideoBrain cartridges had an exposed strip of conductive traces that simply lie flush against a set of pins on the computer itself. Cartridges could contain up to 12KiB of data.[9]
Patent 4232374 titled "Segment Ordering for Television Receiver Control Unit" describes the VideoBrain display hardware.[15]
Images
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VideoBrain Family Computer - Front View
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VideoBrain Computer with Cartridge Carrier Open
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VideoBrain Home Computer Back Panel
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VideoBrain Cartridge with Box and Manual
"VideoBrain: Screen Captures" at HCVGM
Software
Because the VideoBrain computer was discontinued so quickly, fewer than 25 software titles were ever marketed for the system. The library comprises a handful of games, educational titles, and productivity software.[9]
Released Titles
Title | Model | Description | Cite |
---|---|---|---|
APL/S: The Computational Language | APL/S | APL/S - the only programming language available for the VideoBrain. The tape connections of the Expander 1 can be used to load and save programs. | |
Timeshare | CM01 | The only program to use the Expander 2. This gives the user access the data banks of other computers with which the user is doing business, in effect transforming the VideoBrain into a timeshare terminal. | [16]: 32 |
Music Teacher 1 | ED01 | This program converts the keyboard into a sight-read, compose, and play music in a 4-octave range. Music that the user composes can be played back via the VideoBrain using the television's speakers. Two pre-encoded songs come built-in on the cartridge: "Happy Birthday" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat ".
|
[16]: 32–33 [17]: 46 |
Math Tutor 1 | ED02 | This program teaches users addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There are four skill levels, and the option for a third party to create a math problem for the user to solve. | [16]: 33 [17]: 46 |
Wordwise 1 | ED03 | This program functions as a four-player educational game. Each player is given a random assortment of ten letters which must be organized into words. At the end of each round, points are awarded for words formed, and a winner is selected. The program features three skill levels that can be assigned to each player individually. | [16]: 33 |
Wordwise 2 | ED04 | The program is intended to familiarize users with the VideoBrain keyboard. Users are subjected to a number of touch-typing exercises and are presented with a final words per minute count. An educational word game is also available on the same cartridge. | [16]: 33 |
VideoArtist | ED05 | This program allows users to create original designs in 16 digital colors, add special effects and animated motion. | [18] |
Lemonade Stand | ED06 | This program functions as an educational business simulation game. Users operate a virtual lemonade stand where decisions like how much lemonade to produce, how much to charge, and how much to spend on advertising must be weighed against a variety of market factors including market competition and the vagaries of the weather. | [16]: 32 |
Gladiator | EN01 | This video game cartridge provides players with three basic games. In Ancient Gladiator, players use bow and arrow to fight and defend against hungry lions and other players. In Modern Gladiator, players must run or pass to two different receivers to score points. And in Future Gladiator, players control laser-firing spaceships in an interstellar setting. The games can be played in a multiplayer format or versus the computer. Player-set variables allow for as many as 381 variations in gameplay. | [16]: 33 [17]: 46 |
Pinball | EN02 | This video game cartridge simulates a thumper-bumpers ".
|
[16]: 33 [17]: 46 |
Tennis | EN03 | This video game cartridge simulates the game of curve balls, net rushing, handicapping , and varying skill and speed settings allow for as many as 96 variations in gameplay. Pre-defined game modes such as "Bounce-Back" (wherein players must bounce the ball off of the net and back to themselves once before hitting the ball over the net) are also available.
|
[16]: 33 |
Checkers | EN04 | This video game cartridge simulates the standard game of Checkers. The game can be played versus other players or versus the computer with four different skill settings: Defensive, Aggressive, Super-Intelligent, and Not Quite Championship Caliber. | [16]: 33 [17]: 46 |
Blackjack | EN05 | This video game cartridge simulates the standard game of the house . Each player starts with $500 and can bet up to $250 per game. Winning rewards players with a song and 1.5 times the bet.
|
[16]: 33 [17]: 46 |
Vice Versa | EN06 | This video game cartridge simulates the game of Go. | [16]: 33 |
Demonstration | ST01 | This cartridge was intended for store displays as a way to show off the VideoBrain's capabilities. | |
Financier | VB-81 | This cartridge shipped with the VideoBrain, and could be used to solve among others. | [16]: 32 |
Money Minder (Money Manager) |
VB-1000 | This cartridge acts as personal audiocassette tapes via the VideoBrain's Expander 1 port.
|
[16]: 32 |
Other Titles, Release Status Mostly Unknown
Title | Model | Description | Cite |
---|---|---|---|
Musicianship 1 | ED07 | Planned sequel to Music Teacher 1. renamed to Musicianship 1. Unreleased, Prototype cartriages are reported to exist. | [19] |
Number Cross | ED08 | [20] | |
Historical Simulation - France In The Old Regime | ED09 | Unreleased, Reached Prototype stage. Image of program exists within a VideoBrain advert, although is unverified. | [21] |
Challenge Racer | EN07 | [20] | |
Music Programmer | EN08 | [20] | |
Programmable Football | EN09 | [20] | |
Computer Life | EN10 | [20] | |
The Programmable [BASIC programming language] | VB-59 | [20] | |
Budget System | VB-1100 | Rumored to have been in development. Likely similar to Money Minder. | [20] |
Information Manager | VB-1200 | One prototype cart found 2015. There are no known manuals. | [22] |
Reception
The VideoBrain largely failed to achieve commercial viability for a number of reasons. Poor design decisions hindered user acceptance; for example, the VideoBrain's confusing and user-unfriendly keyboard made even simple text entry a tedious process. Moreover, the computer did not offer the then-popular programming language BASIC, forcing users to instead adopt APL/S - a far more obscure and difficult programming language. Finally, the VideoBrain software library had trouble reaching a key audience. Most available software was aimed at productivity or educational markets, and lacked any variety of entertainment titles.
Perhaps the largest contributor to the VideoBrain's failure was simply a lack of proper marketing and hardware availability. Public understanding of computers in 1977 was significantly lower than it is today, and many potential consumers simply did not understand the benefits of owning a home computer. Additionally, the VideoBrain was mainly sold through mail-order outfits, and only made a brief retail showing at Macy's Department Stores. (By contrast, video game consoles at the time were easily available in a number of department and toy chains, allowing them to far outsell the VideoBrain Computer System).[14]
Albert Yu said, in an 2005 interview, said he had invited
See also
- Fairchild Channel F, a video game console built on the same F8 CPU as the VideoBrain.
- Exidy Sorcerer, a competing home computer system at the time
- Interact Home Computer, another competing home computer system
References and footnotes
- ^ "VideoBrain Family Computer". orphanedgames.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
- ^ VideoBrain Family Computer. 1977.
- ISBN 978-91-7785-677-1.
- ^ "VideoBrain Family Computer". OldComputers. OldComputers. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- ^ "VideoBrain Info". Home Computer and Video Game Museum. HCVGM. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- ^ Corporation, Bonnier (October 1978). Popular Science. Bonnier Corporation. p. 133.
- ISBN 978-1-59020-364-4.
- ^ Llaca, Manuel. "VideoBrain Family Computer y el primer cartucho ROM". parceladigital.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-12-26.
- ^ a b c d e "VideoBrain". ObsoleteComputerMuseum.org. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ Details are very sketchy, this is a "best guess" based on the point addressable mode that there seemed to have been; that is, the 168 bytes of video memory were reinterpreted as the 4-bit RGBI values of a column of 336 pixels, being then reloaded 384 times per frame
- ^ Details are very sketchy, this is a "best guess" based on 8×8 (blocky) pixel characters, these most likely being of 3x6i high-resolution pixels
- ^ Peak, Mike (February 1978). "VideoBrain - The Consumer Computer" (PDF). Interface Age: 104.
- ^ Loguidice, Bill (2007-07-20). "Photo of the Week - Know your History! (03 - VideoBrain Family Computer Model 101 (1977))". ArmchairArcade.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ a b Reichert, Matt. "VideoBrain". AtariProtos.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ US 4232374, Chung, David H. & Cosley, John V., "1980-11-04", published Segment ordering for television receiver control unit, assigned to Umtech Inc.
- ^ ISSN 0147-8907.
- ^ ISSN 0147-8907.
- ^ "Macy's One-Week Sale! VideoBrain Home Computer". The Sacramento Bee. 20 May 1979.
- ^ "AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain". www.atariprotos.com. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g "AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain". www.atariprotos.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ^ "AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain". www.atariprotos.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ^ "AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain". www.atariprotos.com. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ^ "Interview with Albert Yu" (Interview). Stanford Libraries. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
Further reading
- Creative Computingmagazine
- Peak, Mike, "VideoBrain: The Consumer Computer", February 1978, "Interface Age" Magazine, Article.
- [1] - AtariProtos.com VideoBrain Cartridges
- "VideoBrain Family Computer", Popular Science, November 1978, advertisement.
- VideoBrain - Old Computer Museum
- VideoBrain Emulation - VideoBrain emulation info
- [2] - Yahoo Group: Channel F And VideoBrain
- Videobrain Unwrapped by Kevin Horton (aka kevtris)