PC-50X Family
Type Console Developer General Intruments
Release Date 1975 Region(s) Europe, Australia, China, North America
Initial Price $99 USD Games Released 7
DW FACTS
     by Dark Watcher
The world was undergoing "PONG Madness".  It seemed only natural that developers would create advancements to the original AY-3-8500 chip to incorporate color and even more games.  This explains the amount of PONG systems since each machine contained a different chip.  However things were handled different in some areas particularly in Europe.

Europe did not see the release of the Intellivision and Atari 2600 till the early 1980s.  This allowed Pong to have a longer success.  Rather then creating a new machine for each new chip, developers took the General Instruments popular line of chips and slapped them into cartridges.  These carts were not like ROM carts used in later systems.  They simply housed a specific General Instruments processor chip with pin outs to interface with a console.  These were the PC-50X line of cartridges (see the Games section for specifics).
PC-50X - Radofin Telesports III (picture credits unknown)
Image courtesy of MINKIN2
With the PC-50X cartridges available, console manufacturers were able to produce a machine that could play several games and market them at a low cost.  The units were made in various countries and were marketed by Creatronic, Hanimex, ITMC, Rollet, GrandStand, Soundic and lord knows how many other manufacturers.  There are literally over two hundred console variations that utilized this technology.

The initial model SD-050 varied in terms of outward appearance (colors, etc), manufacturers names and slight modifications. However each unit had the same overall design with two detachable controllers with 10 buttons located on the top of the machine.  These 10 buttons, which clearly identify a PC-50X based console, were used to select the different games available on each cart.  The SD-050 model only produced black and white video.
 
New models such as the SD-070 and SD-090 appeared and sold well into the 80s since the units were far cheaper then the newer consoles making waves in the US and Japan.  These newer models played the same carts, but added additional settings, sound and SECAM color (4 colors).
 
There were far too many PC-50X cart accepting consoles and it is difficult to list them all.  Please check the Models section for pictures of select models.
 
MODELS
     Officially licensed releases
These are just a few of the releases for this system.  Pictures courtesy of our good friend Adrian Scheel.
Audio Sonic PP-790
Hanimex TVG 3000
ITMC SD-090
LARK Prog TV Game System
Palson CX 306
Palson CX 336
Palladium Tele-Cassette
Prinztronic Tourney 2000
Prog TV Game SD-050
SD-050 Prog TV Game
Soundic Sports SD-070
Soundic TV Sports SD-090
Tectronic Prog TV Game
Tempest Prog SD-050
Tristar SD-050

Unpacking the Radofin Tele-Sports III

 
CLONES
     Non-licensed hardware releases
There are literally hundreds of PC-50X clones - way too many to list.
 
CONSOLE RATINGS
     by Marriott_Guy
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being excellent.

 
CRITERIA RATING NOTES & COMMENTS
Console Design These consoles are all glorified PONG systems.  Once you have experienced one, you have experienced them all.  They are extremely cheap to acquire due to the hundreds of variations that were released.
Console Durability
Controllers
Graphics
Audio
Media
Game Library
Gamer Value
Collector Value
FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO
     Interesting facts on software for this system
The following lists the PC-50X line of cartridges. The titles do change based upon the respective manufacturer, but the Reference and GI Chipset do not. PC-50X Sample Cart (PC-502)
Reference GI Chipset Cartridge Title Game Variations
PC-501 AY-3-8610 Supersportic 10
PC-502 AY-3-8760 Motor Cycle 04
PC-503 AY-3-8710 Tank Battle 02
PC-504 AY-3-8603 Racing Cars 02
PC-505 AY-3-8605 Submarine 03
PC-506 AY-3-8606 Super Wipeout 10
PC-507 AY-3-8607 Shooting Gallery 03
PC-508 Unknown Fundamental / Jeux de Base 06


 

SCREENSHOTS
     Captured in-game images
Basketball (PC-501)
Destroyer (PC-505)
Gridball (PC-501)
Hockey (PC-501)
Motocross (PC-502)
Night Sea (PC-505)
Sea Battle (PC-505)
Soccer (PC-501)
Space (PC-505)
Squash (PC-501)
Stunt Cycle (PC-502)
Tennis (PC-501)
EMULATION
     First and third party system emulators
No emulators have been released for this system.
 
SPECS & MANUALS
     For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
GI Chipset (see Games tab) N\A N\A None
Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio
208 x 108 4 Colors N\A Internal (beep)
Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats
Cartridge N\A 7 None
Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Joystick, Fire button Light Gun
Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video
Two (most detachable) None 5 pin DIN for optional Light Gun RF
Power Supply - External Other Outputs  Other Details \ Notes
9v DC 200mA or six (6) 1.5V UM-2 batteries None None
Manuals
Grandstand Colour Programmable SD-070 Owners Manual (PDF) - 1.40 MB

DISCUSS
     Visitor insights and feedback
Please be respectful and abide by our Terms of Use & Policies prior to posting.  Basically be nice, keep it clean and don't spam or be a troll.  Thanks!

comments powered by Disqus