Thomson TO7
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Developer | Thomson SA |
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Type | Home computer |
Generation | 8-bit |
Release date | France: 1 December 1982 |
Lifespan | 1982-1984 |
Discontinued | May 1984 |
Units sold | More than 40000 produced |
Media | Cassette tape, MEMO7 cartridges |
Operating system | BASIC (in cartridge) |
CPU | Motorola 6809 @ 1 MHz |
Memory | 22 KB RAM, 4KB ROM, 16KB cartridges |
Display | 320 x 200, 8 colours (2 colour constraint for each 8x1 pixels) |
Graphics | Motorola MCA1300 gate array on TO7/70[1] |
Successor | Thomson TO8, Thomson TO9 |
The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 9000[2] is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982,[3] with an original retail price of 3750 Franc. By 1983 over 40000 units were produced.[4]
The TO7 is built around a 1 MHz Motorola 6809 processor. ROM cartridges, designed as MEMO7, can be introduced through a memory bay. The user interface uses Microsoft BASIC, included in the kit cartridge. The keyboard features a plastic membrane, and further user input is obtained through a lightpen. Cooling is provided by a rear radiator. A standard television can be used as a monitor using a RGB SCART (Peritel) connector, with a resolution of 320x200 (with 2 colors for each 8x1 pixels).
The TO7 prototype, called Thomson T9000, was developed in 1980. The differences regarding the production model are a different startup menu and buggier BIOS.[5]
Specifications[edit]
The Thomson TO7 runs on a Motorola 6809 processor clocked at 1 MHz and features 22 KB of RAM (8 KB used as video memory) and 20KB of ROM (4KB for the monitor and 16KB on MEMO7 cartridges).[6]
As common on home computers designed to be connected to an ordinary TV screen, the 320 x 200 pixels active area doesn't cover the entire screen, and is surrounded by a border.[7] Graphics were limited to 8 colours (by combination of the RGB primaries) with proximity constraints (2 colors for each 8x1 pixel area).[6][3] The video output is RGB on a SCART connector, with the refresh rate being 625-line compatible 50Hz.[6]
Audio featured a single channel sound generator with 5 octaves. A "game expansion" was capable of four channel, 6 octaves sound.[2]
The keyboard has 58 keys and includes arrow keys.[2]
Besides cartridges, the machine used cassette tapes for file storage.[2]
Thomson TO7/70[edit]
An upgraded version, the Thomson TO7/70, was released in 1984.[8] Among improvements RAM was increased to 64 KB from 22KB - "70" on the version name stands for 64+6 (64KB RAM + 6KB ROM)[9]. The 6809 processor was replaced by a Motorola 6809E and the color palette was extended from 8 to 16 colors.[10]
Graphics were similar to the Thomson MO5[11] and generated by a Motorola MCA1300 gate array.[1] capable of 40×25 text display and a resolution of 320 x 200 pixels with 16 colours (limited by 8x1 pixel colour attribute areas).[12][13]. The colour palette is 4-bit RGBI, with 8 basic RGB colours and a intensity bit (called P for "Pastel") that controlled saturation ("saturated" or "pastel").[7][14]
Software developed for the TO-7 can be run on the TO-7/70, but the reverse is not possible.[8]
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References[edit]
- ^ a b "TO7-70 Circuit Diagram". dcmoto.free.fr.
- ^ a b c d "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM - TO7". www.old-computers.com.
- ^ a b "Thomson TO7 Emulation in MESS". www-apr.lip6.fr/~mine/.
- ^ "Thomson TO7". www.obsolete-tears.com.
- ^ "Thomson T9000 Emulation in MESS". www-apr.lip6.fr/~mine/.
- ^ a b c "Manuel Technique du TO7 et TO7-70" (PDF). progettosnaps.net.
- ^ a b Oury, Michel (1985). "Manuel Technique du MO5" (PDF).
- ^ a b "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : TO7/70". old-computers.com.
- ^ "Le Guide du TO7/70" (PDF).
- ^ "Thomson TO7/70 Emulation in MESS". www-apr.lip6.fr/~mine/.
- ^ "Microton 5, March/April 1986" (PDF). boitasite.com.
- ^ "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : MO5". www.old-computers.com.
- ^ "documentations:hardware:mo5 [DON'T PANIC]". pulkomandy.tk.
- ^ "documentations:devices:gate.arrays [DON'T PANIC]". pulkomandy.tk.