Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- systems:tvc [2026/04/01 13:47] – wizzard
+++ systems:tvc [2026/04/01 13:51] (current) – wizzard
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ====== Videoton TVC ======
-The Videoton TVC (Televízió Computer) is a home computer series produced by the Hungarian company Videoton. Released in 1986, it was based on the Zilog Z80 CPU and was primarily popular in Hungary. The TVC line included several models: TVC 32, TVC 64, and TVC 64+, differing mainly in memory configuration. It featured a built-in BASIC interpreter and was capable of displaying graphics and playing cassette-based software.
+The TV-Computer (TVC) is an 8-bit home computer manufactured by the Hungarian state-owned company [[wp>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 [[wp>Eastern_Bloc|Eastern Bloc]], and it holds an important place in Hungarian computing history.
+The TVC featured a [[wp>Zilog_Z80|Zilog Z80A]] CPU running at 3.125 MHz, a [[wp>Motorola_6845|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 (4x16 KB)
+The TVC represented Hungary's effort to provide affordable home computing within the Eastern Bloc without relying on Western imports restricted by [[wp>CoCom|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.
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 13: / Line 24: @@
 ==== Quick reference ====
-  * **Emulator:** [[#retroarch|RetroArch]] or [[#mame|MAME]]
+  * **Emulator:** [[#retroarch|RetroArch]], [[#mame|MAME]]
-  * **Core:** [[#libretro_ep128emu-core|libretro: ep128emu-core]], [[#libretro_mame|libretro: mame]]
+  * **Core:** [[#libretro:_ep128emu-core|libretro: ep128emu-core]], [[#libretro:_mame|libretro: MAME]]
   * **Folder:** ''/userdata/roms/tvc''
   * **Accepted ROM formats:** ''.cas'', ''.tap'', ''.dsk'', ''.img'', ''.zip''
 ===== BIOS =====
-==== RetroArch (ep128emu-core) ====
+BIOS files for the ep128emu-core:
-The ep128emu-core provides built-in ROM images. No external BIOS files are required, although it can use custom ROM versions if placed in ''/userdata/bios/ep128emu/roms/''.
 ^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
-| ''8c54285f541930cde766069942bad0f2'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_sys.rom'' | TVC system BIOS |
+| ''8c54285f541930cde766069942bad0f2'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_sys.rom'' | TVC 2.2 System ROM |
-| ''5ce95a26ceed5bec73995d83568da9cf'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_ext.rom'' | TVC extension BIOS |
+| ''5ce95a26ceed5bec73995d83568da9cf'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc22_ext.rom'' | TVC 2.2 Extension ROM |
-| ''a2cf86ba8e7fc58b242137fe59036832'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvcfileio.rom'' | TVC Direct File I/O |
+| ''a2cf86ba8e7fc58b242137fe59036832'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvcfileio.rom'' | TVC File I/O ROM |
-| ''88dc7876d584f90e4106f91444ab23b7'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc_dos12d.rom'' | TVC disk BIOS |
+| ''88dc7876d584f90e4106f91444ab23b7'' | ''bios/ep128emu/roms/tvc_dos12d.rom'' | TVC DOS 1.2D ROM |
-==== MAME ====
+<WRAP center round tip>
-MAME requires the following BIOS file placed in ''/userdata/bios/'':
+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.
+</WRAP>
-^ File ^ Description ^
+BIOS files for MAME:
-| ''tvc64.zip'' | Videoton TVC 64 BIOS |
+^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
+| | ''bios/mame/tvc64.zip'' | MAME TVC64 ROM set |
 ===== ROMs =====
-Place your TVC ROMs in ''/userdata/roms/tvc''.
+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 =====
@@ Line 44: / Line 57: @@
 RetroArch offers a **Quick Menu** accessed by pressing ''[HOTKEY]'' + {{:wiki:south.png?nolink&20|South button (B SNES)}} which can be used to alter various things like [[:advanced_retroarch_settings|RetroArch and core options]], and [[:remapping_controls_per_emulator|controller mapping]]. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.
-Standardized features available to all cores of this emulator: ''tvc.videomode'', ''tvc.ratio'', ''tvc.smooth'', ''tvc.shaders'', ''tvc.pixel_perfect'', ''tvc.decoration'', ''tvc.game_translation''
+Standardized features available to all libretro cores: ''tvc.videomode'', ''tvc.ratio'', ''tvc.smooth'', ''tvc.shaders'', ''tvc.decoration'', ''tvc.game_translation''
 === libretro: ep128emu-core ===
-[[https://github.com/libretro/ep128emu-core|ep128emu-core]] is a highly accurate emulator ported to libretro. It supports both [[systems:enterprise|Enterprise 64/128]] and Videoton TVC emulation.
+The [[https://github.com/libretro/ep128emu-core|ep128emu-core]] is a libretro port of [[https://github.com/istvan-v/ep128emu|ep128emu]] by Istvan Varga (original) and Zoltan Balogh (libretro port). It emulates Z80-based home computers including [[systems:enterprise|Enterprise 64/128]], Videoton TVC, [[systems:amstradcpc|Amstrad CPC]], and [[systems:zxspectrum|ZX Spectrum]].
+== libretro: ep128emu-core configuration ==
+Standardized features for this core: ''tvc.rewind'', ''tvc.autosave''
 === libretro: MAME ===
-[[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] can emulate the Videoton TVC 64 using the ''tvc64'' driver. This allows loading cassette and disk images directly.
+The libretro version of [[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] can also be used to emulate the Videoton TVC. It uses the ''tvc64.zip'' MAME ROM set.
-==== MAME (standalone) ====
+==== MAME ====
-The standalone [[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] emulator provides the same ''tvc64'' driver as the libretro core, but as a separate application.
+Standalone [[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] can also be used as an alternative emulator for the Videoton TVC.
 ===== Controls =====
-Most TVC software is operated with the keyboard. There is a minimal [[https://wiki.batocera.org/remapping_controls_per_emulator#pad2key|pad2key]] configuration provided, but if you use only a joystick, you will most probably have to remap the keyboard to play your game.
+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.
+<WRAP center round tip>
+The original TVC had a built-in joystick integrated into the keyboard. When using a gamepad, joystick input is mapped automatically by the emulator.
+</WRAP>
 ===== 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 [[:support|generic support pages]].