The Video Game Console Library - 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System (APVS) \ Interton VC 4000 Family

	1292 APVS \ VC 4000 Family 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System \ Interton VC 4000
	DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
	Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy

Developer	Manufacturer	Release Date	Country(s)	Initial Price	Model Number	Game Releases	Overall Rating
Radofin \ Interton Electronic	Varied	1976	Europe, Australia	Varied	Varied	34 (1292) 40 (VC 4000)	N\A
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality)	N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability)	N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	N\A

Reviews

Interton VC 4000 (VC-4000) console

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

Delving into history produces some interesting facts. It has been reported that the Amstrad GX400 was the first console to be designed in the United Kingdom. Apparently the UK made contributions to the video game industry far earlier then the Amstrad.

The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System was first made by a European company called Radofin in 1976. The technology was licensed to other companies throughout the UK. Acetronic, Prinztronic, Fountain, Grandstand, Audiosonic, Hanimex and Lansay, each made consoles based on Radofin's console for different parts of the world. Some of these variations were identical to the original but with different logos, while others varied the external design completely.

Radofin 1292 APVS (picture credits unknown)

APVS Game Box The Interton VC 4000 was also released in Europe. The overall design and specs are similar to the 1292 APVS family, but it is unclear whether this unit was licensed by Radofin or developed before (as they claim). The console was supposedly developed by Interton in 1974, but released in 1978. Both Interton and Radofin were German based companies.

Another misconception is that these consoles are clones of the Emerson Arcadia 2001. The Emerson Arcadia 2001, released in 1982, used the same CPU as the 1292 APVS. The audio/visual co-processor in the Arcadia 2001 used a Signetics 2637N chipset while the 1292 APVS line incorporated a less powerful chipset, the Signetics 2636N, which is an earlier version of the 2637N. The architecture is also quite similar which begs the question. Is Arcadia a modified 1292 APVS?

All the systems used 32-pin cartridges and 2 controllers (which are hard-wired to the system). These controllers had 12 buttons and a 2-axis analogue control. The pack-in games that came with most systems were Olympics and Invaders. It was possible to play carts on the various models with or without use of an adaptor. The numerous models also produced a large library of games.

FACT: Because of the similar architecture, it was believed that 1292 games could be played on the Emerson Arcadia with modifications. However thanks to hardware gurus and emulation it has been proven that it cannot be done.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge. Images courtesy of our good friend Adrian Scheel.

Game catalogue for the Radofin 1292 APVS

Radofin 1292 APVS (Advanced Programmable Video System) console

Advertisements \ Flyers for the Interton VC 4000

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. The following is specifically for the Radofin 1292.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
Signetics 2650A (8-bit)	4.43 MHz	Video Controller: Signetics 2636N	32 KB \ None
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
208 x 108	8 Colors (4 on screen)	N\A \ 4 (on screen)	Single Channel (beep)
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge	2048 to 6144 bytes	34	None
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
43 bytes	None	12 buttons, 2 Fire buttons, joystick (analog)	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (most hardwired)	None	None	RF Connection
Power Supply	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: 250V, 50Hz Output: 9.5V, 0.4A \ 15V, .11A	None	1292 systems have an external power supply while 1392 models have this integrated within the hardware. Other than that, there are not any differences.
Manuals
Radofin Telesports Programmable Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.50 MB

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Dual Cartridge

Games for both the 1292 APVS and VC 4000 line utilized number sequencing\identification for their cartridges. This varied between the two, as well as minor changes to title were common. Many of manufacturers released games under their own brand name. Below shows some examples of title variations for the game Soccer.

Overall the games are somewhat scarce in the USA, due to the limited success of the 1292 APVS family of consoles. The European market, on the other hand, are flooded with these titles (similar to loose Atari 2600 carts in North America).

The rare bird is the Dual Cartridge release by Fountain. This gem features Shoot Out and Electronic Pinball on one cartridge (hence the title).

Game box variations for Soccer

1292 APVS \ Interton VC4000 Game Screenshots
(Pictures courtesy of Emerson Arcadia 2001 Central

Air \ Sea Attack

$Air \ Sea Attack Screenshot$

Blackjack

Blackjack Screenshot

Challenge!

Challenge! Screenshot

Circus

Circus Screenshot

Electronic Pinball

Electronic Pinball Screenshot

Golf

Golf Screenshot

Grand Prix

Grand Prix Screenshot

Horse Racing

Horse Racing Screenshot

Invaders

Invaders Screenshot

Math

Math Screenshot

Math Two

Math Two Screenshot

Musical Games

Musical Games Screenshot

Olympics

Olympics Screenshot

Prize Fight

Prize Fight Screenshot

Shooting Gallery

Shooting Gallery Screenshot

Shoot Out

Shoot Out Screenshot

Soccer

Soccer Screenshot

Space War

Space War Screenshot

Super Knockout

Super Knockout Screenshot

Super Maze

Super Maze Screenshot

Tank \ Plane Battle

$Tank \ Plane Battle Screenshot$

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
M.E.S.S.	http://www.mess.org/	Multi-Emulator Super System is a DOS based emulator capable of running many systems including this one. It has a Windows based GUI, and should be usable by most PC systems.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console. These are just a few of the releases for this system. Pictures courtesy of our good friend Adrian Scheel.

Though the hardware is the same for these systems, the cartridge size differs which creates sub groups within this console family. This basically means that consoles in the same sub group can play games from the other members without the need for the need for a cartridge converter. Dale Hansen wrote an excellent FAQ on the differences within these systems. Please check out his detailed article here.

1292 / 1392 Advanced Programming Video System (APVS) Family

Acetronic MPU 1000

Acetronic MPU 2000

Audiosonic PP-1292

Fountain Force 2

Audiosonic PP-1392

Hanimex HMG-1292 APVS

Hanimex HMG-1392 APVS

Lansay Programmable Video System 1292

Radofin 1292 APVS

Prinztronic Tournament VC 6000

Radofin 1392 Telesports APVS

Lansay Programmable Video System 1392

Interton VC 4000 Family

Other Systems

Database Family

Interton VC 4000

Interton VC 4000

Occitane Electronic Company OC- 2000

Occitane Electronic Company OC- 2000

Voltmace Database

Voltmace Database

Grundig Super Play Computer 4000

Grundig Super Play Computer 4000

Rowtron Television Computer System

Rowtron Television Computer System

Videomaster Database

Videomaster Database

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones). Click pictures to enlarge.

1292 APVS technology was licensed to a great many companies throughout Europe.
There are many, many licensed and unlicensed models that have not been listed on this page.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Emerson Arcadia 2001 Central	http://amigan.yatho.com/	Great site for everything on the 1292 APVS and Arcadia
Pong Picture Page	http://www.pong-picture-page.de/.../radofin&Csid=54a	Check all of the variations of the game cartridges

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

Copyright 2008-2011 The Video Game Console Library. This website and the information contained within it is protected by copyright. Reproduction of part or all of the
website contents in any form is prohibited unless expressed written consent of the author has been obtained in advance. Content of this website may not be copied
to any other publication (including electronic, hard copy or others). Interior deep linking or framing of this website is prohibited without permission of the author.