The Video Game Console Library

	Memorex VIS
	HANDS ON REVIEW by Marriott_Guy 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
Tandy\Memorex	Tandy\Memorex	Dec-92	North America	$699 USD	MD 2500	Approx. 70	3.0
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)	03
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	07
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	05
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	04
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	06
Media (game media format, design, durability)	07
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	02
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	01
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	03
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	01
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	07
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	03
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	08

Reviews

Memorex VIS system

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

In 1992 another multimedia gaming machine arrived silently on the market. The Tandy Video Information System (VIS). The VIS supported CD-ROM based educational video game software and audio compact discs, and offered an optional modem for connection to online services. Tandy sold the device with the concept "MANY OF THE BENEFITS OF MULTIMEDIA WITHOUT HAVING TO PURCHASE A COMPUTER"

The system was packaged with Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia and Webster's Intermediate Dictionary. The VIS resembled a traditional VCR. It used a wireless control pad to interface with both software and music CD's.

The VIS was driven by a product known as "Modular Windows". In case you're not familiar with this, Modular Windows was basically the operating system forerunner to Windows CE (the system used in the Dreamcast). Since the kernel is based on a stripped down Windows 3.1, it was rumored to possibly run some programs on the VIS and visa versa. This, however, has not been verified.

The unit was sold only in Radio Shack stores. It retailed for $699 USD with discs around $30 to $80. Unfortunately, gamers were not interested in a device that played educational entertainment software. The software could be played on a Windows driven computer. The price was also a bit much.

The VIS was later sold as a catalogue only item called the Memorex MD 2500 Video Information System. The price went down to $399.

Memorex VIS

Needless to say the VIS was a mere blip on the videogame radar. The product was a huge loss for Tandy. Reviewers played on the VIS name calling it "Virtually Impossible to Sell".

FACT: It would seem that Microsoft's involvement in video gaming outside of the PC area occurred sooner then their work on the Dreamcast operating system.

HANDS ON REVIEW
- by Marriott_Guy (16-Jan-08)

In the early 1990's, the rage in video game hardware development was all about being an all-in-one device. The following lists the prominent companies that took a swing at providing the buying public with the 'one' product that would satisfy all\most of their multimedia needs:

o 1991 - Philips CD-i (video games, audio CDs, edutainment CDs, movies)
o 1991 - Commodore CDTV (video games, audio CDs, edutainment CDs, movies)
o 1993 - Panasonic 3DO (video games, audio CDs, edutainment CDs)
o 1993 - Pioneer LaserActive (video games, audio CDs, edutainment CDs, movies)

As you can see, the above lists some pretty big hitters in the electronics industry. In 1992, Memorex, owned at the time by Tandy Corporation (owner of RadioShack stores), released yet another 'wonder' machine into the fray with the release of the VIS (Visual Information System). This obscure system left a very small imprint on the sands of video console history due to a few reasons.

The VIS was essentially a stripped down Windows PC in a VCR style casing. A 16-bit Intel 80286 processor running at 12.5 MHz powered the system that produced games in 16.7M colors at a resolution of 640x480. A customized version of Windows 3.1 is the backbone of the system and audio\video performance. At the time, this was quite antiquated in terms of overall technical horsepower. The chassis itself does not even merit further dialog, as the picture of this system obviously displays. Wireless controllers were a nice touch and did differentiate it from its competitors, but the button alignment and offerings mirrors the chassis - nothing to write home about. The media choice was sound as all VIS titles were released on CD-ROM (Audio CD was also supported). So what about those titles?

Almost ALL VIS titles can be categorized into the edutainment genre with about 50% of those targeted directly to children in the age range 8-15. Compton's Encyclopedia was included with the initial purchase of the VIS, but no true games were. There were a great deal of rumors out there of PC ports for this system that never went into production (King's Quest V, Space Quest IV, et al). The only true game that I can attest to being in existence, apart from the educational point-and-click safaris, is a release from Access Software called Links: The Challenge of Golf. Some of you may remember this popular 386 PC classic (which the Links franchise and company was later bought out by Microsoft). The graphics for the VIS are slightly less than their 386 counterpart, though navigation is a bit easier. All told around 70 titles or so were released for this system.

Two versions of the VIS were released. The Tandy version retailed for $699 and was only sold in RadioShack retail outlets (actually hit store shelves in December 1992). The Memorex model was only available as an exclusive catalogue-direct sale from the parent company, but retailed for $399 (no changes at all in the hardware or included software). The re-branding of the VIS to the more popular Memorex label and lowering the price did nothing to save this console from its demise. To be honest, this system could have retailed for $39.95 and would still have been a bad value for the consumer - this console is truly that bad. Tandy's foray into the video game console market was extremely short-lived and ended up being an extremely costly venture for them. They do not even acknowledge the existence of the VIS in their company's historical timeline.

The Memorex VIS is only recommended for the true console collector - not at all for the gamer of any level. The system is rather hard to come by. Approximately 11,000 units were actually sold (total for both models). Expect to pay about $150 USD for a bare console, $225 USD or so for a CIB unit. This estimate is entirely dependant upon the source you are buying from. Since the VIS is sometimes mistaken for a standard CD player, you might be able to grab it for $20 from someone who doesn't know what they truly have. If you are a collector, get one from a trusted peer.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\video media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

VIS logo

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
16-bit Intel 80286	12.5 MHz	80287 Co-processor	512 KB
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
640 x 480	16.7M Colors	Unknown	Full Stereo (16 MHz)
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
CD-ROM	700 MB	Approx. 70	None
Internal Storage	External\Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None	Memory Card	Wireless game pad	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
None (wireless)	None	Microphone Jack, Headphone Jack	RF, Composite, S-Video
Power Supply - Internal	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
120V, 60Hz	None	Auxiliary In port (Mouse\Keyboard), Channel Selector, Antenna\Cable In\Out port, Front Expansion Bay (memory card)
Manuals
Not available. Can you help us out? You will receive full credit in addition to keeping the history of video gaming alive for all! Please contact me.

Games & Emulation

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

Memorex VIS games

Software for the Memorex VIS was distributed in the CD-ROM format. The titles are packaged in an extremely tall cardboard box, very similar to the cheap version utilized in some releases for the 3DO.

Though the games are basically programmed with a Windows 3.1 structure, I was not able to run any VIS games on a IBM 386 SX running this operating system. Likewise, titles designed specifically for Windows would not boot on the Memorex VIS.

From a gamer perspective, Links: The Challenge of Golf is definitely the most desirable title in the VIS library. This PC port truly shows off the graphical capability of the VIS without drowning you in needless FMVs.

Various Game Boxes for the Memorex VIS

Memorex VIS game boxes

Memorex VIS Game Packaging
Click images to enlarge

Memorex VIS Game Screenshots
Pictures courtesy of our good friends at Digital Press

America's National Parks

Atlas of United States Presidents

Better Not Get Wet, Jessie Bear

Bible Lands, Bible Stories

December 24th

Henry and Mudge: Their First Book

Henry and Mudge: In the Sparkle Days

Jessie Bear, What Will You Wear?

Learn to Play Guitar - Volume 1

Links: The Challenge of Golf

Manhole

Meeting of the Minds

Mutanoid Word Challenge

New Basics Electronic Cookbook

Peter and the Wolf

Playing with Language: Games in French

Race the Clock

Rodney's Funscreen

Sampler CD

Search for the Sea

Secrets of Hosea Freeman

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Volume 1

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Volume 2

Survey of Western Art

Tell-Tale Heart

Time Table of History: Arts & Entertainment

Time Table of History: Business, Politics & Media

Time Table of History: Science & Innovation

Victor Vector Yondo

Video Movie Guide 1993

Vision Multimedia Bible

Wild Animals!

World Vista

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
None have been released.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

Tandy VIS

The Tandy branded version of the VIS is identical to its Memorex counterpart in every facet with the exception of the manufacturer label on the back of the system and the small name plate on the front.

Tandy logo

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
The Memorex VIS \| mondo cool	http://www.mondocoolcast.com/2010/11/memorex-vis.html	Nice article on someone scoring the elusive VIS system

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

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