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The Laser 200 was designed and built by Video Technology (VTech) in [[Hong Kong]] and derived from the [[Tandy Computers|Tandy]] [[TRS-80]]. Based on a [[Zilog]] [[Z80A]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] driven by a [[television]] [[colour burst]] [[Piezoelectricity|crystal]] (3.5795454 MHz), it offered 16 KB of ROM containing [[Microsoft BASIC]] Level II, 8 KB [[Random Access Memory|RAM]] (2K of this is VRAM) and four-colour graphics at a [[display resolution|resolution]] of 128×64 or 64×32, or 32 columns and 16 lines of eight-colour text. Because there is only 2K of VRAM only one of the video display modes of the MC6847 VDC is available, effectively disabling the higher resolution 256x192 mono colour mode, there were a few unoffical "mods" developed that increased the VRAM and enabled the 256x192 mode that the MC6847 was capable of, a number of programs where written (mainly) by german user groups that used this mod. Rather crude sound effects could be achieved by a built-in push-pull piezo speaker.
The Laser 200 was designed and built by Video Technology (VTech) in [[Hong Kong]] and derived from the [[Tandy Computers|Tandy]] [[TRS-80]]. Based on a [[Zilog]] [[Z80A]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] driven by a [[television]] [[colour burst]] [[Piezoelectricity|crystal]] (3.5795454 MHz), it offered 16 KB of ROM containing [[Microsoft BASIC]] Level II, 8 KB [[Random Access Memory|RAM]] (2K of this is VRAM) and four-colour graphics at a [[display resolution|resolution]] of 128×64 or 64×32, or 32 columns and 16 lines of eight-colour text. Because there is only 2K of VRAM only one of the video display modes of the MC6847 VDC is available, effectively disabling the higher resolution 256x192 mono colour mode, there were a few unoffical "mods" developed that increased the VRAM and enabled the 256x192 mode that the MC6847 was capable of, a number of programs where written (mainly) by german user groups that used this mod. Rather crude sound effects could be achieved by a built-in push-pull piezo speaker.


The BASIC interpreter was similar to that offered in the [[Video Genie]] but with many of the advanced BASIC commands disabled.
The BASIC interpreter was similar to that offered in the [[Video Genie]] but with many of the advanced BASIC commands disabled, it was suggested this may been done to avoid copyright infringement issues because the commands remained on the BASIC ROM chip but where simply disabled. BASIC programs could be entered or edited anywhere on screen using the full screen editing capabilities, lines of code could span two 32 column lines giving a maximum of 64 characters per program line.


The Laser 200 used the [[MC6847]] [[Video Display Controller|Video Display Generator (VDG) chip]] for graphics.
The Laser 200 used the [[MC6847]] [[Video Display Controller|Video Display Generator (VDG) chip]] for graphics.

Revision as of 10:39, 29 September 2013

VTech Laser 200
The VTech Laser 200, rebadged as a Dick Smith VZ200
ManufacturerVideo Technology
TypePersonal Computer
Release dateNovember 1983 (1983-11)[1]
Introductory price$99USD
£98GBP
Discontinued1985
Units sold200,000 in Australia
MediaCassette tape Disk drive
Operating systemBASIC V1.2
CPUZilog Z80A clocked at 3.58MHz, Motorola 6847 video processor
Memory6-22KB USER-RAM + 2KB VRAM, 16KB ROM
Display32×16 (8 colors), 128×64 (4 colors)
Input45 key Keyboard
Power9 volt
Dimensions29 × 17 × 4cm
Mass800g
PredecessorVTech Laser 110
SuccessorVTech Laser 310
The back panel of the VZ200

The VTech Laser 200 was an early 8-bit home computer from 1983, also sold as the Salora Fellow (mainly in Fennoscandia, particularly Finland), the Texet TX8000 (in the United Kingdom) and the Dick Smith VZ 200 (in Australia and New Zealand).

The machine ran basic games on cassette such as "Hoppy" Frogger, "Cosmic Rescue" Scramble, "VZ Invaders" Space Invaders and Moon Patrol. The computer was discontinued in 1985 to make way for more advanced home computers.

Release

At its UK launch, Texet claimed that the £98 TX8000-branded version was the cheapest colour home microcomputer on the market. However, this was not enough to ensure its success against the dominant ZX Spectrum and similar machines already on sale.[2] Most notably, the Spectrum-like Oric 1 was selling for £99 at this point, and offered a far higher specification than the Texet for little difference in cost.

The "Dick Smith"-badged VZ 200 was more successful in Australia, where it proved popular as a first computer.[3]

An improved version known as the VTech Laser 310, or the Dick Smith VZ 300 featured a full travel keyboard and 8K ROM software based Floppy Disk Controller, was released in 1985 and continued until 1989.[4]

Technical specification

The Laser 200 was designed and built by Video Technology (VTech) in Hong Kong and derived from the Tandy TRS-80. Based on a Zilog Z80A CPU driven by a television colour burst crystal (3.5795454 MHz), it offered 16 KB of ROM containing Microsoft BASIC Level II, 8 KB RAM (2K of this is VRAM) and four-colour graphics at a resolution of 128×64 or 64×32, or 32 columns and 16 lines of eight-colour text. Because there is only 2K of VRAM only one of the video display modes of the MC6847 VDC is available, effectively disabling the higher resolution 256x192 mono colour mode, there were a few unoffical "mods" developed that increased the VRAM and enabled the 256x192 mode that the MC6847 was capable of, a number of programs where written (mainly) by german user groups that used this mod. Rather crude sound effects could be achieved by a built-in push-pull piezo speaker.

The BASIC interpreter was similar to that offered in the Video Genie but with many of the advanced BASIC commands disabled, it was suggested this may been done to avoid copyright infringement issues because the commands remained on the BASIC ROM chip but where simply disabled. BASIC programs could be entered or edited anywhere on screen using the full screen editing capabilities, lines of code could span two 32 column lines giving a maximum of 64 characters per program line.

The Laser 200 used the MC6847 Video Display Generator (VDG) chip for graphics.

  • The optional 16k RAM expansion
    The optional 16k RAM expansion
  • A VZ200 in operation
    A VZ200 in operation
  • Inside the case of a VZ200
    Inside the case of a VZ200
  • VZ200 with additional RAM plugged in
    VZ200 with additional RAM plugged in

References

  1. ^ http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=155
  2. ^ Bennett, Bill, Texet TX-8000 review, Your Computer magazine, April 1983. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  3. ^ Dick Smith VZ-200, thepcmuseum.com. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  4. ^ Video Technology Laser 310, old-computers.com. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
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