View source for 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System

{{short description|Second-generation home video game console}}

{{Multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=April 2024}}
{{Self-contradictory|about=the console's release date; online sources seem to disagree as to when it was first released, so additional research is needed|date=April 2024}}
{{Missing information|cartridge release dates and sourced information about the Hobby Module|date=April 2024}}
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{{Infobox information appliance
| name           = 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System
| title          = 
| logo           = 
| image          = Acetronic-MPU-1000.jpg
| caption        = An Acetronic MPU 1000 (right) and its [[Game controller|controller]]
| developer      = 
| manufacturer   = [[Radofin]] & Others
| family         = 
| type           = [[Home video game console]]
| generation     = [[Second generation of video game consoles|Second generation]]
| releasedate    = {{Start date and age|1979}}
| lifespan       = 
| price          = 
| discontinued   = 1983
| unitssold      = 
| unitsshipped   = 
| media          = 
| os             = 
| power          = Input 250{{nnbsp}}V, 50{{nnbsp}}Hz; Output 9.5{{nnbsp}}V, 0.4{{nnbsp}}A & 15{{nnbsp}}V, 0.11{{nnbsp}}A
| soc            = 
| cpu            = [[8-bit]] [[Signetics 2650]]AI @ 0.887{{nnbsp}}MHz
| memory         = 43 bytes
| storage        = 
| memory card    = [[ROM cartridge|Cartridge]] 2k, 4k or 6k ROM, optional 1k RAM{{Clarify|Information about cartridges with additional RAM should be added to table below|date=April 2024}}
| display        = 
| graphics       = [[Signetics 2636]]N @ 3.58{{nnbsp}}MHz
| sound          = 
| input          = 
| controllers    = 2 × 12-button with 2-axis control stick
| connectivity   = 
| platform       = 
| service        = 
| dimensions     = 
| weight         = 
| topgame        = 
| compatibility  = 
| predecessor    = 
| successor      = 
| related        = 
}}

The '''1292 Advanced Programmable Video System''' is a [[Second generation of video game consoles|second-generation]] [[home video game console]] released by Hong Kong company [[Radofin]] in [[1979 in video gaming|1979]]. It is part of a group of software-compatible consoles which include the [[Interton Video Computer 4000|Interton VC 4000]] and the [[Voltmace Database]]. The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System included its power pack inside the console instead of an exterior power pack.

==Specifications==
[[Image:Acetronic-Mpu-1000-pcb.jpg|300px|thumb|right|PCB scan of the Acetronic MPU-1000]]

* [[CPU]]: [[8-bit]] [[Signetics 2650]]AI at 0.887&nbsp;MHz
* Programmable video interface: [[Signetics 2636]]N at 3.58&nbsp;MHz. This chipset was less powerful than the later model Signetics 2637N used in the [[Arcadia 2001]].
* Data [[Memory (computers)|Memory]]: 43&nbsp;bytes

===Graphics===
* [[Sprite (computer graphics)|Sprites]]: 4 single colour sprites (1 can be 8 colours)
* 1 score line displaying 4 [[Binary-coded decimal|BCD]] digits
* Background consisting of a series of alternating lines

===Misc===
* The early games cartridges used a 2&nbsp;KB ROM, later ones, such as Activision branded ones, up to 8&nbsp;KB{{Contradictory inline|reason=No Activision or 8 KB games are listed in the table of games below or on the list of games released by Activision; if they exist, they should be added. Otherwise, this statement should be amended.|date=April 2024}}
* Very basic arcade machine sound

===User programming===
An expensive £49 (equivalent to £288.01 in 2025 pounds<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inflation calculator |url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=www.bankofengland.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>) Hobby Module was available which gave 6.5 kilobits of user-programmable memory and had a 5-pin DIN socket to allow software to be saved to a cassette tape player. This converted the unit into halfway between a home computer and an ordinary gaming console.<!--It's unclear where the figure of 6.5kb comes from, as all other instances of it seem to simply be copying the text from this article. A discussion on AtariAge lists the Hobby Module as having 2 KB of ROM and 2 KB of RAM, so if the figure is correct, the cartridge would have allowed the user to use 6.5/16 kilobits of its additional RAM for computing purposes. If this information can be verified, this section should be expanded.-->

The user had to be familiar with programming in Signetics 2650 assembly language and the unconventional ways and register architecture of the Signetics 2650 processor.

==Released versions==
The console was produced by different companies and sold with different names. Although all variants have identical computational hardware, changes to the dimensions of the cartridge slot on some variants result in cartridges not always being interchangeable between systems. The following is a table of the console variants grouped by cartridge compatibility.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Brand / Manufacturer
! Country
! Compatibility family
! Notes
! Image
|-
|1292 Advanced Programmable Video System||rowspan=2|[[Radofin]] / [[Radofin]] || Germany || rowspan=14|1292 Advanced Programmable Video System || Released in 1979. Known also as "Radofin Programmierbares Video System". Has an external power supply. || [[File:Radofin 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System - F2.jpg|200px]]
|-
|1392 Advanced Programmable Video System|| Europe || Released in 1979. Has an internal power supply. ||
|-
|HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System||rowspan=2|[[Hanimex]] / [[Radofin]] || Australia and New Zealand ||  ||
|-
|HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System|| Australia and New Zealand || || [[File:Hanimex HMG Programmabile Video System.jpg|200px]]
|-
|Force 2||rowspan=3|[[Fountain]]  / [[Radofin]] || Australia and New Zealand || Released in 1979. ||
|-
|1292 Advanced Programmable Video System|| Australia and New Zealand || Released in 1979. ||
|-
|1392 Advanced Programmable Video System|| Australia and New Zealand || Released in 1979.
Has an internal power supply
|
|-
|Advanced Programmable Video System || [[Grandstand (game manufacturer)|Grandstand]]  / [[Radofin]] || || ||
|-
|Lansay 1392 || [[Lansay]]  / [[Radofin]] || Europe || Released in 1979.
Internal power supply.
|
|-
|PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System ||rowspan=2|[[Audiosonic]]  / [[Radofin]] || Europe || Released in 1978. ||
|-
|PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System || Europe || Released in 1978.
Has an internal power supply.
|
|-
|VC-6000|| rowspan=1| [[Prinztronic]]  / [[Radofin]] || United Kingdom || Released in 1979. ||
|-
|MPU-1000 || rowspan=2| [[Acetronic]]  / [[Radofin]] || United Kingdom || Released in 1979. ||[[File:Acetronic-MPU-1000.jpg|200px]]
|-
|MPU-2000|| United Kingdom || Released in 1979. ||
|-
|Database|| [[Videomaster/Voltmace|Videomaster\Voltmace]]|| United Kingdom || Database System || || [[File:Videomaster Database Games-Computer.jpg|200px|Voltmace Database System]]
|-
|Television Computer System|| [[Rowtron]] || United Kingdom || rowspan=2|Television Computer System || Released in 1979. ||[[File:Teleng Television Computer System.jpg|200px]]
|-
|Television Computer System|| Teleng || United Kingdom || Released in 1979. ||
|-
|Jeu Video TV || [[Karvan (company)|Karvan]] || France || rowspan=2|Video TV Game ||  ||
|-
|OC-2000||[[Societe Occitane Electronique]] || France || Released in 1979. ||[[File:SOC OC 2000.jpg|200px]]
|-
|Vidéo Ordinateur MPT-05|| [[ITMC]] || France || MPT-05 || Released in 1983. ||[[File:ITMC MPT-05.jpg|200px]]
|-
|Super Play Computer 4000 || [[Grundig]] || Germany || rowspan="4" |Interton VC-4000 || ||[[File:Grundig Super Play Computer 4000.jpg|200px]]
|-
|[[Interton Video Computer 4000|VC 4000]] || [[Interton]] || Europe || Released in 1978. ||[[File:VC-4000-Console-Set.jpg|200px]]
|-
|CX-3000 Data Bass Sistem || Palson || Spain || ||[[File:Palson CX 3000 F1b.jpg|200px]]
|-
|Tele Computer || Aureac || Spain || Palson CX-3000 clone. ||
|-
|Video Computer H-21 || TRQ || Spain || Interton VC-4000 (partial) || TRQ carts fit and work on Interton consoles. Interton carts don't fit in TRQ consoles. || [[File:TRQ Video Computer H-21 (Talleres Radioeléctricos Querol) F4.jpg|200px]]
|}

==Games==
Although, not much information is known about the release dates of the cartridges, the total number of the games should be 59 (33 games released by Radofin between 1977 and 1978, 19 games for the Interton VC 4000 and compatibles after 1978, and 7 more games released around 1980).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amigan.yatho.com/igg/ |title=INTERTON VC 4000 GAMING GUIDE |publisher=James Jacobs |date=2021-09-01|accessdate=2022-03-11}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:75%; font-size:95%;" id="softwarelist"
!rowspan="1"|Name
!colspan="1"|Size
!rowspan="1"|Platform
!rowspan="1"|Year
|-
|Air/Sea Attack / Air/Sea Battle
|2K 
|Fountain #5 + Palson #9 + Interton #7
|
|-
|Arcade (Voltmace)/Pinball (Interton) 
|2K 
|Interton #23 + Voltmace #20
|
|-
|Backgammon 
|4K 
|Interton #36
|
|-
|Basic Maths (Fountain)/Mathematics 1 (Interton) 
|2K 
|Fountain #7 + Interton #5
|
|-
|Bat & Ball (Voltmace)/Olympics (Fountain)/Paddle Games (Interton/Palson)/Sportsworld (Rowtron) 
|2K 
|Fountain #1 + Interton #3 + Palson #1 + Rowtron #1 + Voltmace #3
|
|-
|Blackjack 
|2K 
|Fountain #3 + Interton #2
|
|-
|Bowling/Ninepins 
|2K 
|Interton #25
|
|-
|Boxing (Voltmace)/Boxing Match (Interton)/Prizefight (Fountain) 
|4K 
|Fountain #14 + Interton #18 + Voltmace #13
|
|-
|Brain Drain (Voltmace)/Codebreaker (Fountain)/Mastermind (Interton) 
|2K 
|Fountain #10 + Interton #16 + Voltmace #9
|
|-
|Capture (Fountain)/Reversi (Interton) 
|2K 
|Fountain #24 + Interton #21
|
|-
|Car Races 
|2K 
|Interton #1
|
|-
|Casino 
|2K 
|Interton #31
|
|-
|Challenge! (Acetronic)/Four in a Row (Interton) 
|2K 
|Acetronic #9 + Interton #15 + Voltmace #14
|
|-
|Chess 
|4K 
|Interton #13
|
|-
|Chess 2 
|6K 
|Interton #22
|
|-
|Circus 
|2K 
|Fountain #13 + Interton #17 + Voltmace #12
|
|-
|Cockpit 
|4K 
|Interton #28
|
|-
|Come Come 
|4K 
|Palson #16
|
|-
|Come-Frutas 
|4K 
|TRQ
|
|-
|Come-Frutas (alternate version) 
|4K 
|TRQ?
|
|-
|Cowboy 
|2K 
|Rowtron
|1981
|-
|Crazy Crab 
|4K 
|Voltmace #29
|
|-
|Draughts 
|4K 
|Interton #26 + Voltmace #22
|
|-
|Electronic Pinball 
|2K 
|Fountain #25
|
|-
|Golf 
|4K 
|Fountain #19 + Interton #27
|
|-
|Grand Prix (Fountain)/Road Race (Voltmace) 
|2K 
|Fountain #2/Voltmace #4
|
|-
|Head On 
|2K 
|Fountain #20
|1981
|-
|Hippodrome 
|2K 
|Interton #11
|
|-
|Hobby Module 
|2K 
|Radofin #16
|1980
|-
|Horse Racing 
|2K 
|Fountain #12 + Voltmace #11
|
|-
|Hunting 
|2K 
|Interton #12
|
|-
|Hyperspace 
|2K 
|Interton #38
|
|-
|Invaders 
|2K 
|Fountain #27
|
|-
|Invaders 
|2K 
|Interton #32
|
|-
|Labyrinth 
|2K 
|Interton #9
|
|-
|Laser Attack 
|2K 
|Fountain #31
|1981
|-
|Leapfrog 
|4K 
|Voltmace
|1982
|-
|Math 2 (Fountain)/Mathematics 2 (Interton/Voltmace) 
|2K 
|Fountain #8 + Interton #6 + Voltmace #7
|
|-
|Melody/Simon (Interton)/Musical Games (Fountain)/Musical Memory (Voltmace) 
|2K 
|Fountain #17 + Interton #20 + Voltmace #21
|
|-
|Metropolis/Hangman 
|4K 
|Interton #29
|
|-
|Monster Munchers 
|2K 
|Rowtron
|
|-
|Motocross 
|4K 
|Interton #14
|
|-
|Munch & Crunch 
|4K 
|Voltmace #24
|1982
|-
|Planet Defender 
|2K 
|Fountain #33
|1982
|-
|Shoot Out 
|2K 
|Fountain #29
|1981
|-
|Shooting Gallery 
|2K 
|Fountain #6 + Voltmace #8
|
|-
|Soccer 
|2K 
|Fountain #15
|
|-
|Soccer 
|2K 
|Interton #24
|
|-
|Solitaire 
|2K 
|Interton #30
|
|-
|Space War (Fountain)/Outer Space Combat (Interton)/Galactic Space Battles (Rowtron) 
|2K 
|Fountain #30 + Interton #19 + Rowtron
|
|-
|Spider's Web (Fountain)/Monster-Man (Interton) 
|4K 
|Fountain #22 + Interton #37
|
|-
|Super Invaders 
|2K 
|Interton #33
|
|-
|Super Knockout 
|2K 
|Fountain #26
|1980
|-
|Super Maze (Fountain)/Maze (Palson/Voltmace) 
|2K 
|Fountain #11 + Palson #7 + Voltmace #10
|
|-
|Super-Space 
|4K 
|Interton #40
|
|-
|Tank Battle/Air Battle 
|2K 
|Interton #4
|
|-
|Tank/Plane Battle (Fountain)/Tank &  Plane (Voltmace) 
|2K 
|Fountain #4 + Voltmace #5
|
|-
|Treasure Hunt (Fountain)/Memory 1/Flag  Capture (Interton) 
|2K 
|Fountain #18 + Interton #8
|
|-
|Winter Sports 
|4K 
|Interton #10 
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.igdb.com/platforms/1292-advanced-programmable-video-system IGDB.com entry] & 1292 APVS games list (With accurate explanation for misconception of the earlier 1976 release)
* [https://thaotoe.wordpress.com/category/all-generation/2nd-generation-video-game-consoles/interton-vc-40001292-advanced-programmable-video-system/ SHAMELESSLIFE wordpress blog entry] for details for 1292 APVS & Interton VC 4000
* [http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg70-1292_vc4000.htm#page=reviews Video Game Console Library entry] for the 1292 APVS / VC 4000 family
* [http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/dettaglio_mame.php?game_name=1292apvs Arcade Italia entry] for MAME compatibility
*[http://www.museodelvideojuego.com/consolas/radofin-1292-advanced-programmable-system Museo del Videojuego] Radofin 1292 and 1392 information and game list in Spanish

{{Second generation game consoles}}
{{Home video game consoles}}

[[Category:Discontinued video game consoles]]
[[Category:Home video game consoles]]
[[Category:Second-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1976]]