Thomson MO5

Last updated
Thomson MO5.jpg
Thomson MO5
Manufacturer Thomson SA
Release date1984;40 years ago (1984)
Introductory price2390 FF
Discontinued1986;38 years ago (1986)
MediaCassette tape, Cartridges
Operating system MO5 BASIC 1.0
CPU Motorola 6809E @ 1 MHz
Memory32 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM
Display320x200, 8 colours with 2 saturation variations, 2 colours per 8x1 pixel area
GraphicsEFGJ03L gate array [1]
Sound1-bit square wave
InputKeyboard, Lightpen
Controller inputJoystick
ConnectivityExpansion port
Successor Thomson MO6
Related Thomson TO7/70

The Thomson MO5 is a home computer introduced in France in June 1984 [2] to compete against systems such as the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. It had a release price of 2390 FF. [3]

Contents

At the same time, Thomson also released the up-market Thomson TO7/70 machine. The MO5 was not sold in vast quantities outside France and was largely discontinued in favour of the improved Thomson MO6 in 1986.

MO5s were used as educational tools in French schools for a period (see Computing for All, a French government plan to introduce computers to the country's pupils), and could be used as a "nano-machine" terminal for the "Nanoréseau" educational network. [4]

The computer boots directly to the built-in Microsoft BASIC interpreter (MO5 Basic 1.0). [2]

Specifications

The Thomson MO5 runs on a Motorola 6809E processor clocked at 1 MHz and features 48 KB of RAM (16 KB used as video memory, 32 KB as free user RAM) and 16 KB of ROM (4 KB for the monitor and 12 KB for the BASIC interpreter). [5]

Graphics were generated by a EFGJ03L (or MA4Q-1200) gate array [1] capable of 40 × 25 text display and a resolution of 320 × 200 pixels with 16 colours (limited by 8 × 1 pixel colour attribute areas). [4] [5] The hardware colour palette is 4-bit RGBI, with eight basic RGB (red, green, blue) colours and a intensity bit (called P for "Pastel") that controlled saturation ("saturated" or "pastel"). [6] [7] In memory, the bit order was PBGR. The desaturated colours were obtained by mixing of the original RGB components within the video hardware. This is done by a PROM circuit, where a two bit mask controls colour mixing ratios of 0%, 33%, 66% and 100% of the saturated hue. [6] This approach allows the display of Orange instead of "desaturated white", and Gray instead of "desaturated black".

According to the values specified on the computer's technical manual (“Manuel Technique du MO5”, [6] p. 11-19), the hardware palette was: [7]

Thomson MO5 Hardware Palette [7]
Memory bits

PBGR

PROM bit mask

B2B1 G2G1 R2R1

NameMemory bits

PBGR

PROM bit mask

B2B1 G2G1 R2R1

Name
000000 00 00Black100010 10 10Gray
000101 01 11Red100110 10 11Rose
001000 11 00Green101010 11 10Light Green
001100 11 11Yellow101110 11 11Light Yellow
010011 01 01Blue110011 10 01Light Blue
010111 00 11Magenta110111 10 11Parma Pink
011011 11 01Cyan111011 11 10Light Cyan
011111 11 11White111101 10 11Orange

Displayed colors are only approximate due to different transfer and color spaces used on web pages (sRGB) and analog video (BT.601)

Video RAM was 16 KB. As common on home computers designed to be connected to an ordinary TV screen, the 320 × 200 pixels active area doesn't cover the entire screen, and is surrounded by a border. [6] The video output is RGB on a SCART connector, with the refresh rate being 625-line compatible 50 Hz. [5]

Audio is limited to 1-bit square wave tones, outputted via the TV using the SCART connector. The machine used cassette tapes for file storage, played on a proprietary player connected using a 5-pin DIN connector. The tape player's output is also routed to the computer's sound output. [5] The keyboard has 58 keys and includes a reset button.

Expansion

A cartridge port was available. A RAM expansion adding extra 64 KB and a "Nanoréseau" network card could be plugged into it, but was incompatible with early MO5 machines. [8] [9]

Software

Around two hundred software titles are known to exist for the MO5. [10] [11]

Variants

Thomson MO5 Platini Thomson MO5 edition Platini! (9368426935).jpg
Thomson MO5 Platini

MO5 Michel Platini

The MO5 was sold in a version featuring a mechanical keyboard and a white casing, in a limited edition named MO5 Michel Platini . [12]

Thomson MO5E

An improved version, named Thomson MO5E ("E" for "Export", a model designed for foreign markets) was presented in 1985. It had a different casing featuring a mechanical keyboard, a parallel port, two joystick ports, an internal PAL modulator and an integrated power supply. [13] Sound was also improved, with four voices and seven octaves. [13]

Thomson MO5NR

The Thomson MO5NR ("NR" for "Nanoréseau", a network standard - see Computing for All) was introduced in 1986 and added a 58 key AZERTY keyboard and an integrated "Nanoréseau" network controller. [14] Memory was expanded to 128 KB and the machine came with a new version of BASIC (Microsoft Basic 128 1.0). [9]

Graphics were improved by the use of the Thomson EF9369 graphics chip, [15] and the MO5NR could generate 4096 colors, and display up to 16 simultaneously depending on the resolution used: [9]

Sound was also updated to four voices and five octaves. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video Graphics Array</span> Computer display standard and resolution

Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video display controller and accompanying de facto graphics standard, first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, which became ubiquitous in the IBM PC compatible industry within three years. The term can now refer to the computer display standard, the 15-pin D-subminiature VGA connector, or the 640 × 480 resolution characteristic of the VGA hardware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enhanced Graphics Adapter</span> IBM PC graphic adapter and display standard

The Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) is an IBM PC graphics adapter and de facto computer display standard from 1984 that superseded the CGA standard introduced with the original IBM PC, and was itself superseded by the VGA standard in 1987. In addition to the original EGA card manufactured by IBM, many compatible third-party cards were manufactured, and EGA graphics modes continued to be supported by VGA and later standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple IIGS</span> Apple II series 16-bit computer

The Apple IIGS is a 16-bit personal computer produced by Apple Computer. It is the fifth and most powerful of the Apple II family. It is compatible with earlier Apple II models but has a Macintosh look and feel, and resolution and color similar to the Amiga and Atari ST. The "GS" in the name stands for "Graphics and Sound", referring to its enhanced multimedia hardware, especially its state-of-the-art audio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAM Coupé</span> 8-bit British home computer released in late 1989

The SAM Coupé is an 8-bit British home computer manufactured by Miles Gordon Technology (MGT), based in Swansea in the United Kingdom and released in December 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Color Graphics Adapter</span> IBM PC graphic adapter and display standard

The Color Graphics Adapter (CGA), originally also called the Color/Graphics Adapter or IBM Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter, introduced in 1981, was IBM's first color graphics card for the IBM PC and established a de facto computer display standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson EF936x</span> Graphic Display Processor (GDP) by Thomson-EFCIS

The Thomson EF936x series is a type of Graphic Display Processor (GDP) by Thomson-EFCIS. The chip could draw at 1 million pixels per second, which was relatively advanced for the time of its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plantronics Colorplus</span> Graphics card for IBM PC computers

The Plantronics Colorplus is a graphics card for IBM PC computers, first sold in 1982. It implements a superset of the then-current CGA standard, using the same monitor standard and providing the same pixel resolutions. It was produced by Frederick Electronics, a subsidiary of Plantronics since 1968, and sold by Plantronics' Enhanced Graphics Products division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ATM (computer)</span> ZX Spectrum clone developed in Moscow in 1991 by two firms, MicroArt and ATM.

The ATM Turbo, also known simply as ATM is a ZX Spectrum clone, developed in Moscow in 1991, by two firms, MicroArt and ATM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LINK 480Z</span> 8-bit microcomputer produced by Research Machines Limited in Oxford, England, during the early 1980s

The LINK 480Z was an 8-bit microcomputer produced by Research Machines Limited in Oxford, England, during the early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson TO7</span> 1982 French computer model

The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 9000 is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982, with an original retail price of 3750 FF. By 1983 over 40000 units were produced. About 84 games were released for the TO7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson MO6</span> 1986 French computer model

The ThomsonMO6 was a Motorola 6809E-based computer introduced in France in 1986. It was intended as the successor to the Thomson MO5 and featured 128 KB of RAM, a 40 × 25 text display, and a new built-in Microsoft BASIC interpreter. It retained compatibility with its predecessor, while incorporating the same technology as the TO8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson TO8</span> 1986 French computer model

The Thomson TO8 is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1986, with a cost of 2,990 FF. It replaces its predecessor, the Thomson TO7/70, while remaining essentially compatible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tandy Graphics Adapter</span> Computer display standard for the Tandy 1000 series

Tandy Graphics Adapter is a computer display standard for the Tandy 1000 series of IBM PC compatibles, which has compatibility with the video subsystem of the IBM PCjr but became a standard in its own right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson computers</span>

In the 1980s the French Thomson company produced a range of 8-bit computers based on the 6809E CPU.

BASIC 1.0 is the standard BASIC language for Thomson computers, which is the reference for the entire range. This is an implementation of Microsoft BASIC (BASIC-69). It was used to introduce children from France to programming in the 1980s. Three languages were mainly taught: LSE, BASIC and LOGO. School textbooks programs were given in BASIC 1.0 for Thomson and sometimes in ExelBasic for the Exelvision EXL 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson TO9</span> 1985 French computer model

The Thomson TO9 is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomson TO9+</span> 1986 French computer model

The Thomson TO9+ is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1986. It kept the professional look of the Thomson TO9 by using a separate keyboard.

References

  1. 1 2 "MO5 v3 Circuit Diagram". dcmoto.free.fr.
  2. 1 2 Miné, Antoine. "Thomson MO5 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
  3. ↑ "Thomson MO5". Obsolete Tears - Nostalgie videóludique (in French). 2018. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  4. 1 2 "Thomson MO5". Old-Computers.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "documentations:hardware:mo5". Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers. 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Oury, Michel (1985). Manuel Technique du MO5 (PDF) (in French). Cedic.
  7. 1 2 3 "documentations:devices:gate.arrays". Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers. 2018.
  8. ↑ "documentations:expansions:ram". Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers. 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "MO5 NR Thomson". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  10. ↑ "Listing of all Thomson MO5 games". The Video Games Museum.
  11. ↑ "Thomson MO5 video games (Hardware entity)". Universal Videogame List. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  12. ↑ "Thomson MO5 Michel Platini". Obsolete Tears. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  13. 1 2 "MO5 E Thomson". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  14. ↑ Miné, Antoine. "Thomson MO5NR MESS driver". Antoine Miné's Web Site. Archived from the original on 2021-06-05.
  15. ↑ "Thomson MO5 NR". Silicium (in French). Retrieved 2022-12-31.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.