Victor Lambda 2 / Hector 1
The Victor Lambda 2 was was later rebranded to the Hector 1. Initially this computer was sold as the Victor Lambda 2, but the company wanted to avoid a trademark confusion and renamed the machine to Hector 1. There were about one hundred games produced for this computer.
The machine had 16kByte of memory and in order for a user to program in BASIC, they first had to load the language from tape. The graphics capabilities were limited, even for that time, the machine could produce 112x78 resolution in 8 colors and had a text resolution of 17x12 characters.
SN76477 Complex Sound Generator
The SN76477 is a sound chip produced by Texas instruments in 1978. This chip was used as the sound generator in arcade games, toys and home computers.
The SN76477 generates complex audio signal waveforms by combining the outputs of a low frequency oscillator, variable frequency (voltage controlled) oscillator (VCO) and noise source, modulating the resulting composite signal with a selected envelope and, finally, adjusting the signal's attack and decay periods. At each stage, the process can be controlled at the programming inputs of the signal modification and generation circuits, using control voltages, logic levels, or different resistor and capacitor values.
Texas Instruments SN76477 Sound Chip
The Texas Instruments SN76477 Complex Sound Generator is a sound chip produced in 1978. The chip was used in several arcade games, toys, computers and in hobby projects. The musical ability of this chip was limited due to the difficulties in controlling the pitch of the sound it produced.
The SN76477 generates complex audio signal waveforms by combining the outputs of a low frequency oscillator, variable frequency (voltage controlled) oscillator (VCO) and noise source, modulating the resulting composite signal with a selected envelope and, finally, adjusting the signal's attack and decay periods. At each stage, the process can be controlled at the programming inputs of the signal modification and generation circuits, using control voltages, logic levels, or different resistor and capacitor values.
CPU View - Zilog Z80 Family
The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer market, with many early personal computers, such as the TRS-80 and Sinclair ZX80, using the Z80 as their central processing unit (CPU). It was also widely used in home computers, such as the MSX range, SORD, and the Amstrad CPC, as well as in many arcade games. Additionally, it was also used in other applications such as industrial control systems, and embedded systems. The Z80 was widely used until the mid-1980s, when it was gradually replaced by newer microprocessors such as the Intel 80286 and the Motorola 68000.
The Z80 microprocessor was developed by Zilog, a company founded by Federico Faggin in 1974. The Z80 was released in July 1976, as a successor to the Intel 8080. It was designed to be fully compatible with the 8080, but also included new features such as an improved instruction set, more powerful interrupts, and a more sophisticated memory management system.
The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer
RAM max: 64kB
ROM: 2kB Sound Chip TI SN76477 Sound Generator Sound 1Voice, 4 Octaves sound Display 17x12 text in 8 colors
112x78 in 4 from 8 colors Best Text 17x12 Best Color 8 colors Graphics 112x78 Sprites none System OS BASIC (from Tape) Storage 1500 Baud Internal Cassette drive