Engineering:Colour Genie
From HandWiki
Short description: Computer from the 1980s
 EG2000 Colour Genie computer | |
| Manufacturer | EACA |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 1982 |
| Introductory price | £200 (equivalent to £711 in 2023) |
| Discontinued | 1983 |
| Operating system | 16 KB ROM containing LEVEL II BASIC[1] |
| CPU | Zilog Z80, 2 MHz[1] |
| Memory | 16 KB RAM, expandable to 32 KB[1] |
| Display | PAL composite or RF out; 40×24 text, 16 colours; 160×96 graphics, 4 colours[1] |
| Graphics | Motorola 6845 |
| Sound | AY-3-8910 |
| Input | 63-key typewriter style Keyboard with 4 programmable function keys[1] |
| Power | 5V DC, +12V DC and -12V DC |
| Predecessor | Video Genie |
The EACA EG2000 Colour Genie was a computer produced by Hong Kong–based manufacturer EACA[1], and introduced in Germany in August 1982 by Trommeschläger Computer Service and Schmidtke Electronic.[2][3][4][5]
It followed their earlier Video Genie I and II computers and was released around the same time as the business-oriented Video Genie.[6]
The LEVEL II BASIC was compatible with the Video Genie I and II and the TRS-80, except for graphic and sound commands; most of the routines for Video Genie I BASIC commands were left over in the Colour Genie's BASIC ROM.[7][4] Programs were provided to load TRS-80 programs into the Colour Genie. Colour Genie disks could be read in a TRS-80 floppy disk drive and vice versa, editing the pdrive commands.
The original Video Genies had been based upon (and broadly compatible with) the then-current TRS-80 Model I. As the Colour Genie was descended from this architecture, it was incompatible with Tandy's newer TRS-80 Color Computer which – despite its name – was an entirely new and unrelated design based on an entirely different CPU, and thus incompatible with the TRS-80 Model I and derivatives such as the Color Genie.[8]
About 190 games were published for the system in English and German.[9][4][10]
An 80 column card was produced.
Modern emulators for this system exist.[11][12][13]
Technical specifications
Central Processing Unit
Z80 running at 2.2 MHz.[1][6] Usually using the NEC D780 (and unlicenced Japanese clone) or the SGS Z80 (a European second source for Zilog).
Internal hardware
- Video Hardware
- Motorola 6845 CRTC
- 40 × 24 text (original ROMs) or 40 × 25 text (upgraded ROMs), 16 colours, 128 user defined characters[1]
- 160 × 96 graphics (original ROMs)[1][6] or 160 × 102 graphics (upgraded ROMs), 4 colours x up to 4 pages
- Sound Hardware
I/O ports and power supply
- I/O ports:
- Composite video out and audio out (cinch plugs)
- Integrated RF modulator antenna output, which also carries sound, to TV
- Cartridge expansion slot[1] (slot for edge connector with Z80 CPU address/data bus lines and control signals, as well as GND and voltage pins; used for ROM cartridges or the floppy disk controller
- 1200 baud tape interface[1] (5 pin DIN)
- RS-232 port[1] (5 pin DIN)[6]
- Light pen port[1] (5 pin DIN)[6]
- Parallel port[1] for printer or joystick controller[6]
External hardware options
- Floppy disk controller with floppy disk station.
- Supported up to 4 drives (5.25 inch).
- Support for 90 KB SS/SD up to 720 KB DS/DD drives.
- Cassette recorder
- EPROM cartridge of 12 KB
- EG2013 Joystick Controller
- 2 Analogue joysticks with keypad
Games
There are Script error: No such module "Table row counter".[lower-alpha 1] games on this list.[14][15]
| Name | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Haunted House | 1983 | Ipswich Software Factory |
| A10 Bomber | 1983 | Ipswich Software Factory |
| Air Raid | 1983 | Kwerty Software |
| Airaid | 198? | Kwerty Software |
| Aliens | 198? | Kwerty Software |
| Andromeda | 1982 | TCG |
| Andromeda 16k ver. | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Andromeda 32k ver. | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Astronaut | 1984 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Backgammon | 1983 | JD Tronics |
| Bak-Pak | 1984 | Arcade Games |
| Bang Bang | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Blitz | 1983 | MCE |
| Blastaroids | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Botschaft | 1985 | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Bumm Bumm | 198? | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| BängBäng - 2 player Gun fight | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| CIA-Agent | 1985 | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Chess Machine | 1984 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Chomper | 198? | Kansas Software |
| Chopper | 198? | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Colour Frog | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Colour Genie Chess | 1984 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Genie Flugsimulator | 1984 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Colour Genie Golf | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Genie Poker | Gumboot Software | |
| Colour Kong 16k ver. | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Colour Kong 32k ver. | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Colour Quest 1: Find the Diamond of Balmarlon | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Quest 2: The Vegan Incident | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Quest 3: Enchanted Gardens | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Quest 4: Camelot Adventure | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Quest 5: Shipwreck | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Quest 6: Fishing Quest | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Colour Schach | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Cosmic Attack | 198? | Kansas Software |
| Death Cells | 1983 | Kwerty Software |
| Deathstar | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Defender | 198? | Goldau Softwareproduction, Andreas |
| Dig Boy | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Die Juwelen des Grafen Dracula | 198? | Cooperated Software |
| Disastrous Villa | 1985 | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Droids | Arcade Games | |
| Double Agent | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Eagle | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Eatman | 1983 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Eis | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Eliminator | 1984 | TCC |
| Enchanted Gardens | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| ExReversic | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Exterminator II - The Mad Menagerie | 1984 | Algray Software |
| Exterminator Part 1: The Birds | Algray Software | |
| Fast Food | 1983 | CC Computer Studio |
| Firebird | 1983 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Flying Bytes | 1984 | Arcade Games |
| Fortress Of Evil | Algray Software | |
| Galactic Attack | 1983 | Microbyte Software |
| Genie Trek | Gumboot Software | |
| Geniepede | 1983 | Ipswich Software Factory |
| Genmon | Algray Software | |
| Gobble Garden | 198? | Kwerty Software |
| Gobbledygook | Gumboot Software | |
| Gorilla | 1983 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Grand Prix | 1985 | Gumboot Software |
| Grabit | Kwerty Software | |
| Hamlet | JD Tronics | |
| Hangman | Kwerty Software | |
| Haunted House | Gumboot Software | |
| Hektik | 1984 | Arcade Games |
| Helikopter | 1983 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Horror Castle | 198? | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| House of Death | 1985 | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Im Reich der Fraggels | 198? | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Invaders from Space | 1983 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Invasion aus dem Weltraum | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Jet Set Billy | 1984 | Arcade Games |
| Joker Poker | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Jumbo | 1984 | Gumboot Software |
| King | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Kniffel | 1985 | TTS |
| Kong | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Labyrinth of Fear | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Länder-Quiz | 1984 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Life | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Lunar Lander | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Mad Menagerie | Algray Software | |
| Madtree | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Maestro | Algray Software | |
| Mampf Man II | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Martian Rescue | 1983 | Ipswich Software Factory |
| Maze Chaser | 198? | Superb Software |
| Maze Chaser | 198? | Superb Software |
| Micronopoly | 1983 | JD Tronics |
| Millipede | 1984 | Gonzalo |
| Mord im Zeppelin | 198? | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Motten | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Mysterious Adventures #1: The Golden Baton | 1982 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Mysterious Adventures #2: The Time Machine | 1982 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Mysterious Adventures #3: Arrow of Death Pt.1 | 1982 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Mysterious Adventures #6: Circus | 1982 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Mysterious Tavern | 198? | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Netzo | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Orgel | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Othello | JD Tronics | |
| Pac Boy | 1984 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Palace of Ming | 1984 | Cooperated Software |
| Panik | 1982 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Peng | 198? | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Plato | 198? | Gumboot Software |
| Puckman | 1983 | JD Tronics |
| Punter | 1984 | Gumboot Software |
| Q*Man | 1984 | Arcade Games |
| Quandry | 1984 | Omega Software |
| Quasimodo | 1984 | Kingsoft GmbH Germany |
| Racing | 1984 | Gumboot Software |
| Racing Driver | 1982 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Rockfall | MCE | |
| Saug | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Schiff des Grauens | 198? | SBS Scholz Baeumner Schaffarzik |
| Skramble | 1983 | Algray Software |
| Space Attack | 1984 | TCC |
| Space Fighter | 1984 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Spell A Picture 1+2 | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| Super-Basic | 198? | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Swag! | 1985 | Arcade Games |
| Tank Race Intercept | Kwerty Software | |
| Tausendfuss | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
| Ten Little Indians | 1984 | Molimerx, Ltd. |
| Terry's Travels | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| The Compiler | Gumboot Software | |
| The Graphics Master | Algray Software | |
| The Input Module | Gumboot Software | |
| The Word | JD Tronics | |
| Toad Mania | 1983 | Gumboot Software |
| To Hell And Back | 1986 | Battle-Soft |
| Trash-Man | 1983 | Schmidtke Electronic |
| Triton Battle | 198? | Schmidtke Electronic |
| Uttpac | Algray Software | |
| Vortex | 1984 | Hubben Software Verlag |
| Windscale | 1983 | MCE |
| Wolftracks | Gumboot Software | |
| Wordy | 198? | Gumboot Software |
| What's My Rhyme? | 1984 | Gumboot Software |
| Zeichensätze | 1983 | TCS Trommeschläger Computer Studio |
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Goodwin, Simon (March 1983). "Painting by numbers (Review: The Colour Genie)". Computing Today 5 (1): 21-25. ISSN 0142-7210. https://archive.org/details/computing-today-1983/ComputingToday198303/page/20/mode/2up. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ "Hardware-Aktuell - Lexikon - Colour Genie". https://www.hardware-aktuell.com/lexikon/Colour_Genie.
- ↑ Bennett, Bill (October 1982). "Review: Colour Genie". Your Computer: pp. 34, 35. https://archive.org/details/your-computer-magazine-1982-10/page/n33/mode/2up.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Burton, Maggie (June 1983). "Benchtest: Colour Genie". Personal Computer World: pp. 120–127. https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorld1983-06/page/120/mode/2up.
- ↑ "EG 2000 Colour Genie Homepage". 2008. http://www.colourgenie.de/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "COLOUR GENIE / EG-2000 Eaca". https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=128.
- ↑ "Colour Genie Review". https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/system-80/hardware_colour%20genie_review.htm.
- ↑ "EG2000 Colour Genie - Computer - Computing History". https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/1340/EG2000-Colour-Genie/.
- ↑ "List Of Every Colour Genie Game Going - Everygamegoing.com". 2016-03-07. http://www.everygamegoing.com/landing/machine_types/colour_genie/games.html.
- ↑ "Colour Genie Professional Games - Colour Genie World". 2019-01-02. http://colourgenieworld.com/profs/colour_genie/top_lvl.html.
- ↑ "Colour Genie Homepage". http://gansweith.freehostia.com/colourgenie/cgenie_en.html.
- ↑ "Genieous - EACA Video Genie - Downloads - Emulators". https://emutopia.com/index.php/emulators/item/332-eaca-video-genie/511-genieous.
- ↑ "EACA Colour Genie". https://www.classic-computers.org.nz/system-80/hardware_eaca-colour-genie.htm.
- ↑ "EACA Colour Genie EG-2000 (TOSEC 2012-04-23)". The Old School Emulation Center (TOSEC). 2012-04-23. https://archive.org/details/EACA_Colour_Genie_EG-2000_TOSEC_2012_04_23.
- ↑ "Auckland Colour Genie Newsheet". Auckland Colour Genie User Group. 1984. https://archive.org/details/auckland_colour_genie_newsheet.
Notes
- ↑ This number is always up to date by this script.
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