CompuMate
Encyclopedia
The Spectravideo
CompuMate SV010 was a home computer expansion for the Atari
VCS / 2600 video game system.
It consists of a membrane keyboard unit with interface connectors. These connectors were placed in the module slot and both controller ports of the Atari console. As the user could place the keyboard on the old style VCS consoles, the two devices resulted in one compact unit. When using with the 2600jr console, resulted in a desktop computer look with separated keyboard.
The CompuMate was equipped with an audio jack for use with a standard tape connector as a possibility of permanent data storage.
The CompuMate offered built-in software:
Ready in the unit's ROM were also sample sounds and sample pictures, available from the particular software.
In Germany, the CompuMate was also sold over Quelle, a catalogue company, which labeled it under its own-brand "Universum".
Spectravideo
Spectravideo, or SVI, was a U.S. computer company founded in 1981 as "SpectraVision" by Harry Fox. They originally made video games for Atari 2600 and VIC-20. Some of their computers were MSX-compliant or IBM PC compatible...
CompuMate SV010 was a home computer expansion for the Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
VCS / 2600 video game system.
It consists of a membrane keyboard unit with interface connectors. These connectors were placed in the module slot and both controller ports of the Atari console. As the user could place the keyboard on the old style VCS consoles, the two devices resulted in one compact unit. When using with the 2600jr console, resulted in a desktop computer look with separated keyboard.
The CompuMate was equipped with an audio jack for use with a standard tape connector as a possibility of permanent data storage.
The CompuMate offered built-in software:
- a BASIC programming language
- a little MUSIC synthesizer program
- and a very simple DRAW program with limited animation possibilies (9 cycling frames).
Ready in the unit's ROM were also sample sounds and sample pictures, available from the particular software.
In Germany, the CompuMate was also sold over Quelle, a catalogue company, which labeled it under its own-brand "Universum".