Colour Genie

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The EACA EG2000 Colour Genie was a computer produced by Hong Kong-based manufacturer EACA. It followed their earlier Video Genie I and II computers (and was released around the same time as the business-oriented Video Genie III). However, it was not compatible with them.

Unlike the earlier Video Genies, which were compatible with their main competitor (the Model I TRS-80), the Colour Genie was also incompatible with the rival TRS-80 Color Computer — one fundamental difference being the different CPUs.

1 Technical Specifications

[edit] Technical Specifications

[edit] Internal hardware

CPU
- Zilog Z80, 2 MHz

Video Hardware
- 6845 CRTC
- 40×25 text, 16 colours, 128 user defined characters
- 160×102 graphics, 4 colours

Sound Hardware
- General Instruments AY-3-8910
- 3 sound channels, ADSR programmable
- 1 noise channel
- 2 8-bit wide I/O ports

RAM:
- 16 KiB RAM, expandable to 32 KiB

ROM:
- 16 KiB containing LEVEL II BASIC

Keyboard
- 63-key typewriter style
- 4 programmable function keys

[edit] 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 (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 (5 pin DIN)
- RS-232 port (5 pin DIN)
- Lightpen port (5 pin DIN)
- Parallel port for printer or joystick controller
Power supply: 5 V DC, +12 V DC and -12 V DC

[edit] External hardware options

Floppy disk controller with floppy disk station.
- Supported up to 4 drives (5.25 inch).
- Support for 90 KiB SS/SD up to 720 KiB DS/DD drives.
Cassette recorder
EPROM cartridge of 12 KiB
EG2013 Joystick Controller
- 2 Analogue joysticks with keypads