Table of Contents
Videoton TVC
The TV-Computer (TVC) is an 8-bit home computer manufactured by the Hungarian state-owned company Videoton, headquartered in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Development began around 1983, with mass production starting in 1986. It was one of the very few domestically designed and manufactured home computers in the Eastern Bloc, and it holds an important place in Hungarian computing history.
The TVC featured a Zilog Z80A CPU running at 3.125 MHz, a Motorola MC6845 CRTC video controller, and came with a built-in BASIC interpreter. The QWERTZ keyboard included a built-in joystick.
Models produced: * TVC 32k (1986) - 32 KB RAM, ~3,000 units produced * TVC 64k - 64 KB RAM, ~9,000 units produced * TVC 64k+ - 64 KB RAM, improved BASIC v2.2, 64 KB VRAM (4×16 KB)
The TVC represented Hungary's effort to provide affordable home computing within the Eastern Bloc without relying on Western imports restricted by COCOM export controls. Despite modest production numbers compared to Western contemporaries, approximately 100 commercial games and 40-50 application programs were published for the platform. A small but active homebrew scene continues to produce new titles today.
This system scrapes metadata for the “tvc” group(s) and loads the tvc set from the currently selected theme, if available.
Quick reference
- Folder:
/userdata/roms/tvc - Accepted ROM formats:
.cas,.tap,.dsk,.img,.zip
BIOS
BIOS files for the ep128emu-core:
| MD5 checksum | Share file path | Description |
|---|---|---|
8c54285f541930cde766069942bad0f2 | bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_sys.rom | TVC 2.2 System ROM |
5ce95a26ceed5bec73995d83568da9cf | bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_ext.rom | TVC 2.2 Extension ROM |
a2cf86ba8e7fc58b242137fe59036832 | bios/ep128emu/roms/tvcfileio.rom | TVC File I/O ROM |
88dc7876d584f90e4106f91444ab23b7 | bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc_dos12d.rom | TVC DOS 1.2D ROM |
Since ep128emu-core version 1.1.0, default ROM images are built into the core, so BIOS files may not be strictly required for basic operation. However, providing the correct BIOS files is recommended for best compatibility.
BIOS files for MAME:
| MD5 checksum | Share file path | Description |
|---|---|---|
bios/mame/tvc64.zip | MAME TVC64 ROM set |
ROMs
Place your Videoton TVC ROMs in /userdata/roms/tvc. Software for the TVC was distributed primarily on cassette tapes (.cas, .tap) and later on floppy disks (.dsk, .img).
Emulators
RetroArch
RetroArch (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple “cores”, which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the libretro API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as “libretro: (core name)”. RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.
RetroArch configuration
RetroArch offers a Quick Menu accessed by pressing [HOTKEY] + 
which can be used to alter various things like RetroArch and core options, and controller mapping. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.
Standardized features available to all libretro cores: tvc.videomode, tvc.ratio, tvc.smooth, tvc.shaders, tvc.decoration, tvc.game_translation
libretro: ep128emu-core
The ep128emu-core is a libretro port of ep128emu by Istvan Varga (original) and Zoltan Balogh (libretro port). It emulates Z80-based home computers including Enterprise 64/128, Videoton TVC, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
libretro: ep128emu-core configuration
Standardized features for this core: tvc.rewind, tvc.autosave
libretro: MAME
The libretro version of MAME can also be used to emulate the Videoton TVC. It uses the tvc64.zip MAME ROM set.
MAME
Standalone MAME can also be used as an alternative emulator for the Videoton TVC.
Controls
The Videoton TVC is a computer system, so it primarily uses a keyboard for input. A physical USB keyboard is strongly recommended for the best experience.
The original TVC had a built-in joystick integrated into the keyboard. When using a gamepad, joystick input is mapped automatically by the emulator.
Troubleshooting
Black screen on boot
If using ep128emu-core, the built-in ROM images should allow basic operation without external BIOS files. If you still get a black screen, try placing the correct BIOS files in /userdata/bios/ep128emu/roms/. Use GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK to verify.
Software won't load
The TVC had multiple models with different RAM configurations. Some software may require a specific model (32k vs 64k vs 64k+). Check the core options for model selection if available.
Keyboard layout issues
The original TVC used a Hungarian QWERTZ keyboard layout. Some programs may expect specific key positions that differ from a standard QWERTY keyboard.
Further troubleshooting
For further troubleshooting, refer to the generic support pages.