Hector (microcomputer)


Hector are a series of a microcomputers produced in France in the early 1980s.
In January 1980, Michel Henric-Coll founded a company named Lambda Systems in Toulouse, that would import a computer to France. The computer was sold under the name of Victor Lambda.
Lambda Systems went bankrupt in July 1981, along with Interact. In December 1981, Micronique, an electronic components company based in southern Paris, acquires the rights to the Victor Lambda.
In 1982, Victor Lambda Diffusion, a subsidiary, distributes the Victor Lambda. The first machines built in the United States were not a success, and the following models were designed and produced in France at the headquarters of the Micronique company. The company uses the slogan: "The French Personal Computer".
In 1983, the Victor is renamed Hector, to avoid confusion with the machines from the Californian company Victor Technologies.
The last model introduced was the Hector MX, with production of the series ending in 1985. The series was not successful, due to the focus on the French market, intense competition from Amstrad machines and high prices.

Models

Victor Lambda

The Victor Lambda was a rebranded Interact Home Computer microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Intel i8080, 2.0 MHz
  • Memory: 8K RAM, expandable to 16K RAM; 2K ROM
  • OS: Basic Level II ; EDU-Basic
  • Keyboard: 53-key chiclet
  • Display: 17 × 12 characters text in 8 colors; 112 × 78 with 4 colors from a palette of 8
  • Sound: SN76477
  • Ports: Television, two joysticks, RS232
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: External AC transformer

    Hector 1 (Victor Lambda 2)

The Hector 1 was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2 it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known as Hector 16K. More than 100 games were published for this machine.
It was eventually considered as an entry level machine.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 1.7 MHz
  • Memory: 16K RAM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 17 × 12 text in 8 colors, 112 × 78 in 8 colors
  • Sound: SN76477N
  • Ports: Television, two joysticks, RS232
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

    Hector 2 HR (Victor Lambda 2HR)

The Hector 2HR is a 1983 computer with a Zilog Z80 processor, 16KB of ROM and 48KB of RAM. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2HR, it was renamed avoid trademark confusion. Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text. It has an built-in cassette recorder and an optional disk drive. At launch there were sixty software titles available on tape. It was considered as a more serious machine for those wishing to program their own games.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477
  • Built-in cassette recorder

    DISK II device

The "Disk II" is a dual external -inch floppy disk drive with a dedicated processor. The Hector processor would handle the screen, keyboard and printer, while the floppy drive processor would run CP/M and manage floppy disks. Communication took place via the bi-directional parallel port.

Programming languages

The programming language is not available in ROM but loaded at startup. This makes it possible to distribute several languages, with BASIC 80, Pascal MT+, Cobol 80, Fortran 77, Forth and Assembly being available.

Hector 2HR+

The Hector 2HR+, also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 16KB ROM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477
  • Ports: Television, two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

    Hector HRX

The Hector HRX, also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but changes BASIC for a Forth language interpreter in ROM and features a 64KB RAM. An early 1983 review mentioned as positive compatibility with existing Lambda II HR software, but pointed lack of high-profile titles like arcade game conversions. It was considered as a professional machine, capable of running small business applications like text processors, spreadsheets and databases. A 1985 review of the system praised the varied peripherals available, but again criticized the lack of software.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 64K RAM; 16K ROM
  • OS: Forth
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477
  • Ports: Television, two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

    Hector MX

The Hector MX, released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth, Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.
Specifications:
  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 64K ROM
  • OS: BASIC 3X, HRX Forth, Logo, Assembly
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 × 22 text in 8 colours; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours
  • Sound: SN76477
  • Ports: Television, two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

    Software

Some software like Wordstar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games. They are also compatible with the Interact Home Computer
TitleAlternative nameType
AdditionAdd Em UpVideo game
AlunissageVideo game
Arithmétique et TablesUtility
AsteroïdesHot RocksVideo game
Auto Formation Hector - 1 sur 6Utility
Auto Formation Hector - 2 sur 6Utility
Auto Formation Hector - 3 sur 6Utility
Auto Formation Hector - 4 sur 6Utility
Auto Formation Hector - 5 sur 6Utility
Auto Formation Hector - 6 sur 6Utility
Auto Lumière, L'Video game
BackgammonVideo game
Balade dans ParisVideo game
Baroudeur, LeVideo game
Base SpatialeVideo game
Bataille NavaleVideo game
Batter-UpVideo game
Beat The ClockVideo game
BiorhythmUtility
BlackjackVideo game
BombardementVideo game
Calcul MentalUtility
CalculatorUtility
CastleVideo game
CatacombsVideo game
Caverne des Lutins, LaVideo game
Chain ReactionVideo game
ChatbyrintheComputer MazeVideo game
Checkbook BalancerUtility
Chenille, LaVideo game
Combat!Video game
ConcentrationVideo game
ContratacVideo game
Cow-BoysShowdownVideo game
Crazy 8Video game
CréditsUtility
Dé + 2KnockdownVideo game
Decimal Tic-Tac-Toe.Video game
DédaleVideo game
Désert des Tartares, LeVideo game
DogfightVideo game
Double TroubleVideo game
Dragon du Donjon, LeVideo game
Earth Outpost IVideo game
Entrainement au CalculUtility
Envahisseurs, LesAlien InvadersVideo game
Etoile NoireVideo game
Extension GloutonVideo game
FlipperHeads-Up-PinballVideo game
Formule 1Video game
Fractions SimplificationUtility
Furet, LeVideo game
GalaxiusVideo game
Glouton, LePackrat, Extension GloutonVideo game
Goofy GolfMicro GolfVideo game
Grand PrixVideo game
GrenouilleWing It!Video game
HammurabiVideo game
Hector Géo-FranceUtility
Hector MémoireVideo game
Hector-ManVideo game
Hep, Taxi !Video game
Hibou TaquinVideo game
HyamsVideo game
Identités RemarquablesUtility
IsolaVideo game
Jeep LunaireVideo game
Jumping-JackVideo game
King of the RoadVideo game
Laby 1Video game
LifeVideo game
LogicaseAttro-LogicVideo game
Mangeur d'ÉtoilesVideo game
Manoir d'Alba, LeVideo game
Mega VoltsVideo game
Mega Volts IIVideo game
Micro ChessVideo game
Micro DicoUtility
Micro YatseVideo game
MinorVideo game
MontlhéryVideo game
Morse Code TrainerUtility
Mots et ChiffresUtility
Mur de Briques, LeBreakthroughVideo game
Mysterious Mansion Adventure, TheVideo game
OrtographieUtility
Over Sea Aircraft MissionVideo game
Pack WarsVideo game
Packrat Multimaze OverlayVideo game
Participe PasséUtility
Pendu, LeHang-ManVideo game
PengoVideo game
PeséeUtility
Piège, LeVideo game
PiranhasVicious FishesVideo game
Poker ElanVideo game
PoursuiteVideo game
Questions RéponsesUtility
R-BertVideo game
RégatesRegattaVideo game
Régions Françaises, LesUtility
RelatifsUtility
RelationsUtility
Reversi - OthelloReversiVideo game
SafecrackerVideo game
Sous-marinDepth ChargeVideo game
Space OpéraVideo game
SpéculationVideo game
Speed ReaderUtility
Star TrackVideo game
StrambleVideo game
Strip 21Video game
Sub SearchVideo game
SuperbowlFootballVideo game
Tic Tac MathVideo game
TiragesUtility
Touch Down!!Video game
Tour de France en Avion, LeUtility
Toute la ConjugaisonUtility
Trail BlazersEncirclementVideo game
TurboVideo game
VautoursVideo game
Video ChessVideo game
VideographUtility
VolleyballVideo game
ZarcosVideo game