Click for larger images.

NAME  

VideoBrain

MANUFACTURER  

Umtech Inc.

TYPE  

Home Computer

ORIGIN  

U.S.A.

YEAR  

1977

END OF PRODUCTION 

Unknown

KEYBOARD  

Full stroke 36 keys.

CPU  

Fairchild F8

SPEED  

2.0 MHz

COPROCESSOR  

None

RAM  

1 KB

ROM  

4 kB

BUILT IN LANGUAGE 

APL/S

TEXT MODES 

16 x 7 matrix

GRAPHIC MODES 

Several built-in graphics characters

COLORS  

16

SOUND  

None

I/O PORTS 

HF TV output. Joystick, cassette, modem and printer
could be connected through special expansion module

SIZE / WEIGHT  

POWER SUPPLY 

External power supply.

PRICE  

$299

 

VideBrain

The VideoBrain was an obscure and ultimately short-lived system, yet it holds a special place in computer history as the first cartridge based computer system.

When it was released in 1977, the VideoBrain was equipped with a 36 key keyboard (with 71 distinguishable input symbols), 1K of RAM, 4K of ROM, two joysticks and was sold for $299. It has some built-in applications such as text editor, clock, alarm, and color bar generator. Additional programs could be loaded into the system via cartridges which were sold separately for $20 to $40 each. Like many other early computers, the VideoBrain had an RF output and used a regular TV as a monitor. Computer could be connected to a printer, cassette player, or a modem through special expansion modules, which was quite impressive for 1977.

Unfortunately, from the very start, the VideoBrain was plagued by a number of problems and never gained sufficient market. Some of the problems were the VideoBrain's confusing and non-user friendly keyboard which was poorly designed and made even a simple typing a nightmare. Another key problem was that it did not support the popular programming language BASIC. Instead users had to settle for APL/S, an obscure and quirky programming language used mainly by mathematicians. Most of the available programs were either productivity or educational in nature with only a smattering of action titles.