Hector (microcomputer)

Hector (or Victor Lambda) are a series of a microcomputers produced in France in the early 1980s.

In January 1980, Michel Henric-Coll founded a company named "Lambda Systems" in Toulouse, that would import a computer (produced by "Interact Electronics Inc" of Ann Arbor, Michigan[1][2]) to France. The computer was sold under the name of "Victor Lambda".[3][4]

"Lambda Systems" went bankrupt in July 1981, along with "Interact". In December 1981, "Micronique",[5] an electronic components company based in southern Paris, acquires the rights to the "Victor Lambda".

In 1982, "Victor Lambda Diffusion", a subsidiary, distributes the "Victor Lambda". The first machines built in the United States were not a success, and the following models were designed and produced in France at the headquarters of the "Micronique" company. The company uses the slogan: "The French Personal Computer".[6]

In 1983, the "Victor" is renamed "Hector",[7] to avoid confusion with the machines from the Californian company "Victor Technologies" (formerly "Sirius Systems Technology").

The last model introduced was the Hector MX, with production of the series ending in 1985.[6] The series was not successful, due to the focus on the French market, intense competition from Amstrad machines and high prices.[8][9]

Models

Victor Lambda
Main article: Interact Home Computer

The Victor Lambda was a rebranded Interact Home Computer[10][11][2][12](also called The Interact Family Computer 2[13]) microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.

Specifications:[4][10]

Hector 1 (Victor Lambda 2)

The Hector 1[7][14][15][16] was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2[7][17][18] it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known as Hector 16K. More than 100 games were published for this machine.[19]

It was eventually considered as an entry level machine.[20]

Specifications:[14]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 1.7 MHz
  • Memory: 16K RAM
  • OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 17 × 12 text in 8 colors, 112 × 78 in 8 colors
  • Sound: SN76477N (one voice, four octaves)
  • Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional)
  • Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s)
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector 2 HR (Victor Lambda 2HR)

The Hector 2HR[21][22][23] is a 1983[24] computer with a Zilog Z80 processor, 16KB of ROM and 48KB of RAM. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2HR, it was renamed avoid trademark confusion.[25] Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text.[26] It has an built-in cassette recorder and an optional disk drive (DISK II). At launch there were sixty software titles available on tape.[26] It was considered as a more serious machine for those wishing to program their own games.[20]

Specifications:[24][27]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
  • OS: Basic Level III (loaded from tape)
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
  • Built-in cassette recorder

DISK II device

The "Disk II" is a dual external 5+1⁄4-inch floppy disk drive with a dedicated processor. The Hector processor would handle the screen, keyboard and printer, while the floppy drive processor would run CP/M and manage floppy disks. Communication took place via the bi-directional parallel port.

Programming languages

The programming language is not available in ROM but loaded at startup. This makes it possible to distribute several languages, with BASIC 80, Pascal MT+, Cobol 80, Fortran 77, Forth and Assembly being available.

Hector 2HR+

The Hector 2HR+,[28][29][30] also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM[24] (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs).

Specifications:[27]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 16KB ROM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector HRX

The Hector HRX,[31][32][33][34][35] also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but changes BASIC for a Forth language interpreter in ROM and features a 64KB RAM.[36] An early 1983 review mentioned as positive compatibility with existing Lambda II HR software, but pointed lack of high-profile titles like arcade game conversions.[37] It was considered as a professional machine, capable of running small business applications like text processors, spreadsheets and databases.[20] A 1985 review of the system praised the varied peripherals available, but again criticized the lack of software.[33]

Specifications:[38]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 64K RAM; 16K ROM
  • OS: Forth
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector MX

The Hector MX,[39][40] released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth, Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.[41]

Specifications:[41]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 64K ROM
  • OS: BASIC 3X, HRX Forth, Logo, Assembly
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves)
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Software

Some software like Wordstar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.[42]

References
  1. "Interact Home Computer System". Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  2. "The Interact Family Computer". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  3. "MICRONIQUE". archive.wikiwix.com.
  4. "Micronique Victor Lambda". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  5. "Micronique | Sous-traitance électronique en Île-de-France". Micronique (in French). Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  6. "Hector, l'ordinateur personnel francais". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  7. "Micronique Hector 1". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  8. Quentin, François (1993). Ces Ordinateurs sont dangereux, ou, La faramineuse histoire d'Alan Sugar et de ses drôles de bécanes (in French). Qwerty. p. 148. ISBN 978-2-910223-00-7.
  9. Speranza, René (2018-03-09). Manettes & pixels: Histoire du jeu vidéo et Retrogaming (in French). Éditions La Vallée Heureuse. ISBN 978-2-36696-077-8.
  10. "MICRONIQUE > Victor Lambda". www.old-computers.com.
  11. "INTERACT > Home Computer System". archive.wikiwix.com.
  12. "Interact Model One". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  13. "The Interact Family Computer". archive.wikiwix.com.
  14. "MICRONIQUE Victor / Hector 1". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  15. "Micronique Hector I". archive.wikiwix.com.
  16. "Le Hector 1". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  17. "Victor Lambda 2 / Hector I". 1000 BiT.
  18. "Victor Lambda 2". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  19. "Listing of all Micronique Hector I games - Page 1". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  20. "Bancs d'essai des ordinateurs individuels - Hector 2 HR. Hector HRX". Tout Micro 1984/85: 109. 1984.
  21. "Micronique Hector 2HR". archive.wikiwix.com.
  22. "Micronique Hector 2HR". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  23. "Hector 2HR". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  24. "Micronique Hector 2HR". obsolete-tears.com.
  25. "Victor Lambda 2HR". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  26. "Victor Lambda II HR: en français dans le texte". Tilt (4): 59. March 1983.
  27. "MICRONIQUE Victor / Hector 2HR / 2HR +". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  28. "Micronique - Hector 2HR+". archive.wikiwix.com.
  29. "Micronique Hector 2HR+". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  30. "Hector 2HR+". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  31. "Micronique Hector HRX". archive.wikiwix.com.
  32. "TILT (1982-1994)". archive.wikiwix.com.
  33. "Hector HRX". Tilt (26): 15. November 26, 1985.
  34. "Micronique Hector HRX". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  35. "Hector HRX". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  36. "Micronique Hector HRX". obsolete-tears.com.
  37. "Hector HRX: En français dans le texte". Tilt (8): 147. November 1983.
  38. "MICRONIQUE HECTOR HRX". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  39. "Le Hector HR.MX 80c existe, je l'ai vu". Hector, l'ordinateur personnel francais. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  40. "Micronique Hector MX". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  41. "MICRONIQUE HECTOR MX". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  42. "Voici la liste des logiciels parus pour le Hector". hectorvictor.free.fr. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
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