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Reception: Grammar

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{{Short description|Defunct home computer model}}
{{Distinguish|Nintendo Family Computer|}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox Computer
| image = VideoBrain Family Computer - Front View.jpg
| logo =
| caption = A front view of the VideoBrain computer
| release date = {{Start date and age|1977}}
| type = [[Home computer]]
| cpu = [[Fairchild F8]]
| CPUspeed =
| memory = 1 [[kilobytes]] RAM
| successor =
| predecessor =
| developer =
| manufacturer = [[Umtech Incorporated]]
| os =
| sound =
| display = RF connector to TV, 384 x 336 graphics, 128 x 56 semigraphic, 16 colors
| input = 36-key keyboard
| controllers = Joysticks
| memory card = Cartridges
| graphics = UV-201, UV-202
}}
'''The VideoBrain Family Computer'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=VideoBrain Family Computer |url=https://orphanedgames.com/videobrain/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=orphanedgames.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102757397 |title=VideoBrain Family Computer |date=1977}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lithner |first=Martin Tobias |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pZ6DDwAAQBAJ&dq=VideoBrain+Family+Computer&pg=PA1997 |title=Super Retro:id: A Collector's Guide to Vintage Consoles |date=2019-01-14 |publisher=BoD - Books on Demand |isbn=978-91-7785-677-1 |language=en}}</ref> (model 101) is an [[8-bit]] [[home computer]] manufactured by [[Umtech]] Incorporated, starting in 1977. It is based on the [[Fairchild Semiconductor]] [[Fairchild F8|F8]] [[central processing unit|CPU]]. It was not a large commercial success and was discontinued from the market less than three years after its initial release. Some of its lack of success has been attributed to the decision to substitute the [[APL (programming language)|APL/S]] programming language over the then-standard [[BASIC]]. Due to the high cost of [[RAM]] memory, it only contained 1 [[Kilobyte|KB]]. It had a full-travel keyboard, unlike some early home computers that featured membrane keypads (and earlier kit machines that used switches), but with a very non-standard layout. It was designed by David Chung and Albert Yu.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldcomputers.net/videobrain.html |title=VideoBrain Family Computer |author= |website=OldComputers |publisher=OldComputers |access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hcvgm.org/VideoBrain.html |title=VideoBrain Info |author= |website=Home Computer and Video Game Museum |publisher=HCVGM |access-date=14 December 2019 }}</ref>

== History ==
The VideoBrain Family Computer was designed and produced by Umtech Inc., doing business as the VideoBrain Computer Company of [[California]] in 1977. It was not widely available, although [[Macy's]] [[department store]] briefly carried the computer on its shelves. It was sold in various configurations, and the price ranged from [[United States dollar|$]]500 to $1100 depending on the accessories chosen.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Corporation |first=Bonnier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OQEAAAAAMBAJ&dq=VideoBrain+Family+Computer&pg=PA133 |title=Popular Science |date=October 1978 |publisher=Bonnier Corporation |pages=133 |language=en}}</ref> New software for the VideoBrain was available on [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moritz |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NhCLDwAAQBAJ&dq=VideoBrain+Family+Computer&pg=PT174 |title=Return to the Little Kingdom: How Apple and Steve Jobs Changed the World |date=2009-10-29 |publisher=Abrams |isbn=978-1-59020-364-4 |language=en}}</ref> which was a first for home computer systems<ref>{{Cite web |last=Llaca |first=Manuel |title=VideoBrain Family Computer y el primer cartucho ROM |url=https://parceladigital.com//articulo/videobrain-family-computer |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=parceladigital.com |language=Spanish}}</ref> (Later price reductions brought costs down to $300 for the computer by itself, and $350–900 for the packaged deals).<ref name="obsoletecomputermuseum">{{cite news|title=VideoBrain|publisher=ObsoleteComputerMuseum.org|url=http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/vidbrain/|access-date= 2007-11-30}}</ref>

Available software ranged in price from $20 to $40 for [[video game]]s and [[educational software]], and $70 to $150 for [[productivity]] tools.

== Design ==
[[File:VideoBrain Family Computer cartridges.jpg|right|thumb|Boxes of Tennis and Pinball cartridges for VideoBrain Family Computer]]
The VideoBrain Family Computer was built around the [[Fairchild F8|F8]] [[central processing unit|processor]] from [[Fairchild Semiconductor]], and featured 1[[kilobyte|KB]] of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] and a 4KB [[read-only memory|ROM]].<ref name="obsoletecomputermuseum" /> It was able to output 384 x 336 graphics <ref>Details are very sketchy, this is a "best guess" based on the point addressable mode that there seemed to have been; that is, the 168 bytes of video memory were reinterpreted as the 4-bit RGBI values of a column of 336 pixels, being then reloaded 384 times per frame</ref> and 128 x 56 [[Semigraphics|semigraphic]] characters<ref>Details are very sketchy, this is a "best guess" based on 8×8 (blocky) pixel characters, these most likely being of 3x6i high-resolution pixels</ref> in 16 colors, (based on UV-201 and UV-202 proprietary chips<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Peak |first=Mike |date=February 1978 |title=VideoBrain - The Consumer Computer |url=https://orphanedgames.com/videobrain/magazine_articles/videobrain_computer/VideoBrain%20-%20The%20Consumer%20Computer.pdf |journal=Interface Age |pages=104}}</ref>) and sound to a connected [[television]] set through an [[RF connector]]. By far its most striking feature was the 36-key [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] - though the keyboard of the VideoBrain was poorly designed and difficult to use, keyboards were not available on any of the more common [[Second generation of video game consoles|video game consoles of the time]].<ref name="armchairarcade">{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Loguidice|title=Photo of the Week - Know your History! (03 - VideoBrain Family Computer Model 101 (1977))|date=2007-07-20|publisher=ArmchairArcade.com|url=http://www.armchairarcade.com/neo/node/1458 |access-date=2007-11-30}}</ref> Some popular kit-based computers also typically lacked a keyboard, opting for toggle switches instead. The system also features four [[joystick]] ports, a cartridge connector, and an expansion [[computer port (hardware)|port]].

The system included four built-in [[software]] titles, available if the unit is powered on without a cartridge inserted - a simple [[text editor]], a [[clock]], a countdown [[timer]], and a [[SMPTE color bars|Color Bar]] generator.

Two additional [[computer hardware|hardware]] modules were marketed that would extend the capabilities of the VideoBrain.<ref name="obsoletecomputermuseum" /> The Expander 1 was an interface to various [[Input/output|I/O]] devices. It allowed users to connect a [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] [[tape recorder]] for saving or loading data, and included two [[RS-232]] ports for attaching a [[Printer (computing)|printer]] and the Expander 2. The Expander 2 was a 300 [[baud]] [[acoustic coupler|acoustic]] [[modem]] used by a single program (Timeshare) that allowed the VideoBrain to act as a [[computer terminal|terminal]] when dialed into a compatible [[mainframe computer]].<ref name="atariprotos">{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Reichert|title=VideoBrain|publisher=AtariProtos.com|url=http://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/videobrain.htm |access-date=2007-11-30}}</ref>

Additional software was sold on cartridges measuring approximately the size of a [[Betamax]] tape. The cartridge interface was unique: unlike most video game systems, VideoBrain cartridges had an exposed strip of conductive traces that simply lie flush against a set of pins on the computer itself. Cartridges could contain up to 12KiB of [[data]].<ref name="obsoletecomputermuseum"/>

Patent 4232374 titled "Segment Ordering for Television Receiver Control Unit" describes the VideoBrain display hardware.<ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|number=4232374|pubdate=Segment ordering for television receiver control unit|title=1980-11-04|assign1=Umtech Inc.|inventor1-last=Chung|inventor1-first=David H.|inventor2-last=Cosley|inventor2-first=John V.}}</ref>

== Images ==
<gallery>
VideoBrain Family Computer - Front View.jpg|VideoBrain Family Computer - Front View
VideoBrain Computer with Cartridge Carrier Open.jpg|VideoBrain Computer with Cartridge Carrier Open
VideoBrain Home Computer Back Panel.jpg|VideoBrain Home Computer Back Panel
VideoBrain Cartridge with Box and Manual.JPG|VideoBrain Cartridge with Box and Manual
</gallery>

[http://www.hcvgm.org/VideoBrain_Screens.html "VideoBrain: Screen Captures" at HCVGM]

== Software ==
Because the VideoBrain computer was discontinued so quickly, fewer than 25 software titles were ever marketed for the system. The library comprises a handful of games, educational titles, and productivity software.<ref name="obsoletecomputermuseum"/>

=== Released Titles ===
{| border="1" class="wikitable sortable"
|+ VideoBrain Family Computer titles
! Title
! Model
! Description
! Cite
|-
! APL/S: The Computational Language
| APL/S
| [[APL (programming language)|APL/S]] - the only [[programming language]] available for the VideoBrain. The tape connections of the Expander 1 can be used to load and save programs.
|
|-
! Timeshare
| CM01
| The only program to use the Expander 2. This gives the user access the data banks of other computers with which the user is doing business, in effect transforming the VideoBrain into a timeshare [[computer terminal|terminal]].
| <ref name=kaplan78fall>{{cite journal |date= Fall 1978 |editor-last=Kaplan | editor-first=Deeny |title= VideoTest Report Number 11: The VideoBrain Family Computer |journal= [[Video (magazine)|Video]]|publisher= Reese Communications|volume= 1|issue= 3|pages= 30–34, 69|issn= 0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|32}}
|-
! Music Teacher 1
| ED01
| This program converts the keyboard into a [[piano keyboard]], teaching users how to [[sight-read]], [[Musical composition|compose]], and play music in a 4-[[octave]] range. Music that the user composes can be played back via the VideoBrain using the television's speakers. Two pre-encoded songs come built-in on the cartridge: "[[Happy Birthday to You|Happy Birthday]]" and "[[Row, Row, Row Your Boat]]".
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|32–33}} <ref name=kaplan79>{{cite magazine |date= Winter 1979 |editor-last=Kaplan| editor-first=Deeny|title= Home Computers |magazine=Video |department=Buyer's Guide |publisher= Reese Communications|volume= 2|issue= 1|pages= 43–46|issn= 0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Math Tutor 1
| ED02
| This program teaches users [[addition]], [[subtraction]], [[multiplication]], and [[division (mathematics)|division]]. There are four skill levels, and the option for a third party to create a math problem for the user to solve.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}} <ref name=kaplan79/>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Wordwise 1
| ED03
| This program functions as a four-player [[educational game]]. Each player is given a random assortment of ten letters which must be organized into words. At the end of each round, points are awarded for words formed, and a winner is selected. The program features three skill levels that can be assigned to each player individually.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}}
|-
! Wordwise 2
| ED04
| The program is intended to familiarize users with the VideoBrain keyboard. Users are subjected to a number of touch-typing exercises and are presented with a final [[words per minute]] count. An educational word game is also available on the same cartridge.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}}
|-
! VideoArtist
| ED05
| This program allows users to create original designs in 16 digital colors, add special effects and animated motion.
| <ref>{{cite news |title=Macy's One-Week Sale! VideoBrain Home Computer |agency=The Sacramento Bee |date=20 May 1979}}</ref>
|-
! Lemonade Stand
| ED06
| This program functions as an educational [[business simulation game]]. Users operate a virtual [[lemonade stand]] where decisions like how much lemonade to produce, how much to charge, and how much to spend on advertising must be weighed against a variety of market factors including market competition and the vagaries of the weather.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|32}}
|-
! Gladiator
| EN01
| This video game cartridge provides players with three basic games. In ''Ancient Gladiator'', players use bow and arrow to fight and defend against hungry lions and other players. In ''Modern Gladiator'', players must run or pass to two different receivers to score points. And in ''Future Gladiator'', players control laser-firing spaceships in an interstellar setting. The games can be played in a multiplayer format or versus the computer. Player-set variables allow for as many as 381 variations in gameplay.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}} <ref name=kaplan79/>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Pinball
| EN02
| This video game cartridge simulates a [[pinball]] machine. Using two joysticks (one for each [[Flipper (pinball)|flipper]]), players take turns trying to score as many points as possible with the five balls they start with. Points are awarded for sending the ball into the "[[Bumper (pinball)|thumper-bumpers]]".
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}} <ref name=kaplan79/>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Tennis
| EN03
| This video game cartridge simulates the game of [[Tennis]]. There are four points per game, and six games per [[Set (tennis)|set]]. Player-set variables including [[curve ball]]s, net rushing, [[handicapping]], and varying skill and speed settings allow for as many as 96 variations in gameplay. Pre-defined game modes such as "Bounce-Back" (wherein players must bounce the ball off of the net and back to themselves once before hitting the ball over the net) are also available.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}}
|-
! Checkers
| EN04
| This video game cartridge simulates the standard game of [[Checkers]]. The game can be played versus other players or versus the computer with four different skill settings: Defensive, Aggressive, Super-Intelligent, and Not Quite Championship Caliber.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}} <ref name=kaplan79/>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Blackjack
| EN05
| This video game cartridge simulates the standard game of [[Blackjack]]. One or several players play against the computer which acts as [[House (gambling)|the house]]. Each player starts with $500 and can bet up to $250 per game. Winning rewards players with a song and 1.5 times the bet.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}} <ref name=kaplan79/>{{rp|46}}
|-
! Vice Versa
| EN06
| This video game cartridge simulates the game of [[Go (game)|Go]].
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|33}}
|-
! Demonstration
| ST01
| This cartridge was intended for store displays as a way to show off the VideoBrain's capabilities.
|
|-
! Financier
| VB-81
| This cartridge shipped with the VideoBrain, and could be used to solve [[Finance|financial]] equations. It functions as an expanded [[calculator]] with twelve built-in formulae for calculating such things as [[mortgage]] cost, [[Principal sum|accumulated principal]] and [[interest]], [[compound interest]], and [[depreciation]] among others.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|32}}
|-
! Money Minder (Money Manager)
| VB-1000
| This cartridge acts as personal [[accounting software]], allowing the creation of detailed personal financial information that could be saved on [[audiocassette]] tapes via the VideoBrain's Expander 1 port.
| <ref name=kaplan78fall/>{{rp|32}}
|}

=== Other Titles, Release Status Mostly Unknown ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2015}}
{| border="1" class="wikitable sortable"
|+ VideoBrain Family Computer titles
! Title
! Model
! Description
! Cite
|-
! Musicianship 1
| ED07
| Planned sequel to Music Teacher 1. renamed to Musicianship 1. Unreleased, Prototype cartriages are reported to exist.
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain |url=https://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/cartridges/musicteacher1/musicteacher1.htm |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.atariprotos.com}}</ref>
|-
! Number Cross
| ED08
|
| <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain |url=https://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/cartridges/cartridgelist.htm |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.atariprotos.com}}</ref>
|-
! Historical Simulation - France In The Old Regime
| ED09
| Unreleased, Reached Prototype stage. Image of program exists within a VideoBrain advert, although is unverified.
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain |url=https://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/cartridges/france/france.htm |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.atariprotos.com}}</ref>
|-
! Challenge Racer
| EN07
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
! Music Programmer
| EN08
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
! Programmable Football
| EN09
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
! Computer Life
| EN10
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
! The Programmable [BASIC programming language]
| VB-59
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
!'''Budget System'''
|VB-1100
|Rumored to have been in development. Likely similar to Money Minder.
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
! Information Manager
| VB-1200
| One prototype cart found 2015. There are no known manuals.
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=AtariProtos.com - VideoBrain |url=https://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/cartridges/informationmanager/informationmanager.htm |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.atariprotos.com}}</ref>
|}

== Reception ==
The VideoBrain largely failed to achieve commercial viability for a number of reasons. Poor design decisions hindered user acceptance; for example, the VideoBrain's confusing and [[Usability|user-unfriendly]] keyboard made even simple text entry a tedious process. Moreover, the computer did not offer the then-popular [[programming language]] [[BASIC]], forcing users to instead adopt [[APL (programming language)|APL/S]] - a far more obscure and difficult programming language. Finally, the VideoBrain software library had trouble reaching a key audience. Most available software was aimed at productivity or educational markets, and lacked any variety of entertainment titles.

Perhaps the largest contributor to the VideoBrain's failure was simply a lack of proper [[marketing]] and hardware availability. Public understanding of [[computer]]s in 1977 was significantly lower than it is today, and many potential [[consumer]]s simply did not understand the benefits of owning a home computer. Additionally, the VideoBrain was mainly sold through [[Mail order|mail-order]] outfits, and only made a brief retail showing at [[Macy's]] Department Stores. (By contrast, [[video game console]]s at the time were easily available in a number of [[department store|department]] and [[toy store|toy]] chains, allowing them to far outsell the VideoBrain Computer System).<ref name="atariprotos"/>

Albert Yu said, in a 2005 interview, said he had invited [[Andy Grove]] to look over the system and he was skeptical – wondering who would want to buy a computer for the home.<ref>{{cite interview |title=Interview with Albert Yu |url=https://exhibits.stanford.edu/silicongenesis/catalog/nc497jv0418 |publisher=Stanford Libraries |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> Yu also said Grove was skeptical about the [[Apple II]] as well but Yu felt that the Apple was successful because it targeted a market (computer enthusiasts) that was easier to sell to. The Apple was also quite a bit more powerful and more expensive. It was an open system, with many expansion slots and fully documented software and hardware – to target the enthusiast community. Although it lacked lowercase, its keyboard was both full-travel and of a normal layout. The VideoBrain, by contrast, was a much more closed design targeting home users with more simplicity and low cost. Even the keyboard was simplified, in terms of the number of keys. Apple created closed systems designed around simplicity later, such as the original Macintosh (which eschewed slots, hard disk support, and the numeric keypad) and the much later [[iMac]] (which eschewed slots and the floppy disk).

==See also==
* [[Fairchild Channel F]], a [[video game console]] built on the same F8 CPU as the VideoBrain.
* [[Exidy Sorcerer]], a competing [[home computer]] system at the time
* [[Interact Home Computer]], another competing [[home computer]] system

==References and footnotes==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[David H. Ahl|Ahl, David H.]], [http://www.ballyalley.com/articles_and_news/creative_computing_article.pdf "Where are they Now? Bally, Interact, and VideoBrain"], ''[[Creative Computing]]'' magazine
* Peak, Mike, [http://www.orphanedgames.com/videobrain/magazine_articles/videobrain_computer/VideoBrain%20-%20The%20Consumer%20Computer.pdf "VideoBrain: The Consumer Computer"], February 1978, "Interface Age" Magazine, Article.
* [http://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/cartridges/cartridgelist.htm] - AtariProtos.com VideoBrain Cartridges
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=OQEAAAAAMBAJ&dq=videobrain+family+computer+apl%2Fs&pg=PA133 "VideoBrain Family Computer"], ''[[Popular Science]]'', November 1978, advertisement.
* [http://oldcomputermuseum.com/videobrain.html VideoBrain] - Old Computer Museum
* [http://www.seanriddle.com/videobrain.html VideoBrain Emulation] - VideoBrain emulation info
* [https://archive.today/20130217021500/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/channel_f_and_videobrain/] - Yahoo Group: Channel F And VideoBrain
* [http://blog.kevtris.org/blogfiles/videobrain/videobrain_unwrapped.txt Videobrain Unwrapped] by [[Kevin Horton|Kevin Horton (aka kevtris)]]

[[Category:Home computers]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1977]]
[[Category:8-bit computers]]

VideoBrain Family Computer - Revision history

imported>Swinub: /* Reception */ Grammar