Video Genie

The HT1080Z was the second official school computer in Hungary. According to Hungarian enthusiast Attila Grósz, initial versions were unaltered Video Genie I computers relabeled and mounted with an on-board Yamaha/General Instruments AY-3-8910 sound chip. The I/O port 1FH (31) was the Yamaha register select, and the desired register contents needed to be loaded to port 1EH (30). This was done either directly in machine code or with PEEKS and POKES in BASIC. This Yamaha chip is the same as the one that appeared in the Amstrad and the Atari ST. Later revisions (series 2) had accented Hungarian characters and modified ROM contents. Also, although the original machine is EACA's product, the expansion unit shown in the linked website is not. It appears homegrown. The base units may have been imported from Germany, rather from Hong Kong directly. Emulators have been written specifically for this machine, and can be downloaded from the site mentioned above. Furthermore a modern do-it-yourself HT1090Z "kit" has also been designed. Details are on this page .