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Videomaster Home T.V. Game [Model VM577]

Dedicated Console published 50 years ago by Sales Team, The

Not listed in MAME yet

Videomaster Home T.V. Game [Model VM577] screenshot

Videomaster Home T.V. Game © 1974 The Sales Team.

This dedicated console features 3 Pong games:
Tennis
Squash
Football

TECHNICAL/MACHINE PICT.
1

Model VM577

TRIVIA

The Videomaster Home T.V. Game model VM 577 was one of the first video game systems designed and released in Europe. Designed in England, this early system consisted of a black plastic case which looked quite artisanal, and a circuit board containing discrete components (dedicated pong game chips didn't exist yet). Like some later models it was sold fully assembled and tested, or in kit form.

The games were selected using two combined push-buttons (pressing one released the other). If the released button was pushed slightly, it would release the other, selecting the Football game.

The system used two potentiometers to adjust the vertical and horizontal holds of the video signal. Although this eliminated incompatibility problems with 50Hz and 60Hz TV sets, modern TV sets could have troubles detecting the video signal and making the adjustments more complicated.

Unlike most similar systems showing rectangular player paddles, the Videomaster Home T.V. Game featured square players with the second one stripped. This clever and rare design avoided confusion during rapid player motion, as they could only hit the ball if located in their own area. There was no on-screen scoring and the net was represented by a thin central line, enabled in all games. The system also beeped when the ball was lost. The serve was fully automatic: the hand controls did not have a serve push-button.

The Videomaster Home T.V. Game was redesigned later in 1975 in a bronze metal case. A third version came out in 1976 as the Videomaster Home T.V. Game Mk III and used a newer circuit board which would equip the Videomaster Rally shortly after. An additional "follow-me" on-screen scoring add-on board was available in kit form.

SOURCES

Console's picture.