The VC-4000 (Video Computer 4000) was manufactured by Interton as early as
1974 but did not make it to the market until about 1978, selling for
around 300 deutschmarks (the German currency before the Euro). It was one
of the first German-made consoles and also believed to be the first console
to use the Signetics 2650 processor and thus this is the main console in
"Interton VC-4000 group".

This group is comprised of six sub-groups. Each sub-group has different
sized cartridges and so the cartridges cannot be interchanged between sub-
groups, however, if adaptors are used, all six sub-groups are
interchangeable. These sub-groups are:

    * The Interton VC-4000 sub-group
    * The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sub-group
    * The Database sub-group
    * The Television Computer System sub-group
    * The Video TV Game sub-group
    * The MPT-05 sub-group

Grundig also made a version of the Interton VC-4000, called the Grundig
Superplay Computer 4000. It is a lighter colour and has a special output
socket that only allows it to be played on a Grundig TV. The Grundig
Superplay Computer 4000, being directly compatible with the Interton VC-
4000, is part of the Interton VC-4000 sub-group.

The Interton VC-4000 uses joysticks with analogue directional sticks and a
12-button keypad plus 2 fire buttons. There were about 40 games produced
for the Interton VC-4000. Interton stopped producing consoles in 1983 as
competition grew too strong.

In Australia, the Interton VC-4000 was exclusively marketed by Hanimex,
who has also marketed a number of other consoles there around the late
1970s and early 1980s.

Interton VC-4000 Technical Specifications

    * CPU: 8-bit Signetics 2650 at 4.43 MHz
    * RAM: 4 Kb
    * Cartridge ROM: 2K/4K
    * Colours: 4
    * Sound: 3 noises
    * Data Memory: 43 bytes
    * Sprites: 4 single colour sprites (1 can be 8 colours)
    * 1 Score line displaying 4 BCD digits
    * Background consisting of a series of alternating lines
    * Controllers: 2 x 12-button (plus 2 fire buttons) with 2-axis control
      stick
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The small German enterprise Interton is the second licensee of the video
game patent owner Magnavox. An international success remained its module
console VC 4000 however despite clear design and reliable technology
malfunctioned. End of the 1970s is that Interton VC 4000 for German
players was the only Atari alternative. As a successor (not programmable)
of an Interton Telespiels however the enormous software library of its
American competitor, only Interton is missing to the console produced and
markets plays. With four colors and mono sound the hardware is also
technically weaker than the prominent contemporary. Outwardly gives
oneself to today only playing equipment from German production clearly and
schnörkellos: The sturdy housing with two on the right of and on the left
of let in, herausnehmbaren control-learn is all around black up to silver
labels and ever two red fire buttons. The CONTROLLERs are trend-setting,
because they comb ine similar sticks with two fire buttons and three times
four function keys. This keypad idea is taken up by Japanese Supervision
8000 (Bandai) and is established at the beginning of the 1980s by
Intellivision, Colecovision and other consoles of the "third generation".
As for these devices also Interton modules with an explaining keyboard
overlay for each play are delivered. The games on 2 and 4 KB modules are
less trailblazing than the CONTROLLER concept. After several ball and
Ballerspiel variants and simple Edutainment titles unlicensed imitations
of prominent automats follow society play (Chess, Lady) such as Space
Invaders and Pac-Man, in addition, early 3D-experiments such as Cockpit to
1982. When the cartridge library increased to the considerable, but
hardly competitive number of 40 Interton cartridges belongs the console
already to the old iron and becomes (just as only the license reproduction
Superplay 4000 compatible with basic industrial union televisions) from
American devices displaces. With that also the enterprise Interton
Electronics disappears to VC 4000 - the extension from the hearing aid
manufacturer did not bring continuous luck to the second licensee of the
American video game inventor Magnavox/Ralph Baer to the entertainment
electronics company.

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