Hector (or Victor Lambda) 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 (produced by Interact Electronics Inc of Ann Arbor, Michigan) 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 (formerly Sirius Systems Technology).
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(also called The Interact Family Computer 2) 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 (Microsoft BASIC v4.7); EDU-Basic (both loaded from tape) Keyboard: 53-key chiclet Display: 17 × 12 characters text in 8 colors; 112 × 78 with 4 colors from a palette of 8 Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves) Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional) Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s) 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 (loaded from tape) Keyboard: mechanical Display: 17 × 12 text in 8 colors, 112 × 78 in 8 colors Sound: SN76477N (one voice, four octaves) Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional) Built-in cassette recorder (1200 B/s) 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 (DISK II). 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 (loaded from tape) Keyboard: mechanical Display: 40 × 22 text; 112 × 78 in 8 colours, 243 × 231 in 4 colours Sound: SN76477 (one voice, four octaves) 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 (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs).
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 (one voice, four octaves) Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), 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 (one voice, four octaves) Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), 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 (one voice, four octaves) Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive Built-in cassette recorder PSU: Built-in
Software There are commercial titles on this list. Some software like WordStar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.Musee des jeux videos Hector I They are also compatible with the Interact Home Computer
TitleAlternative namePublisherYearTypeAdditionAdd Em UpInteract Electronics1978Video gameAlunissageAlgorithme1981Video gameArithmétique et TablesMicroniqueUtilityAsteroïdesHot RocksInteract Electronics1982Video gameAuto Formation Hector - 1 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Formation Hector - 2 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Formation Hector - 3 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Formation Hector - 4 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Formation Hector - 5 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Formation Hector - 6 sur 6MicroniqueUtilityAuto Lumière, L'AlgorithmeVideo gameBackgammonInteract Electronics1980Video gameBalade dans ParisAlgorithmeVideo gameBaroudeur, LeAlgorithmeVideo gameBase SpatialeMicroniqueVideo gameBataille NavaleMicroniqueVideo gameBatter-UpInteract Electronics1982Video gameBeat The ClockInteract Electronics1980Video gameBiorhythmInteract Electronics1978UtilityBlackjackInteract Electronics1979Video gameBombardementMicroniqueVideo gameCalcul MentalMicroniqueUtilityCalculatorInteract Electronics1979UtilityCasinoMicroniqueVideo gameCastleInteract Electronics1982Video gameCatacombsInteract Electronics1983Video gameCauchemarAlgorithmeVideo gameCaverne des Lutins, LaMicroniqueVideo gameChain ReactionInteract Electronics1983Video gameChatbyrintheComputer MazeInteract Electronics1978Video gameCheckbook BalancerInteract Electronics1979UtilityChenille, LaMicroniqueVideo gameCombat!Micronique1980Video gameConcentrationInteract Electronics1978Video gameContratacMicroniqueVideo gameCow-BoysShowdownInteract Electronics1978Video gameCrazy 8Interact ElectronicsVideo gameCréditsInteract ElectronicsUtilityCristeliumMicroniqueVideo gameDé + 2KnockdownInteract Electronics1978Video gameDecimal Tic-Tac-Toe.Interact ElectronicsVideo gameDédaleMicroniqueVideo gameDésert des Tartares, LeMicroniqueVideo gameDogfightInteract Electronics1978Video gameDouble TroubleInteract Electronics1983Video gameDragon du Donjon, LeAlgorithme1983Video gameEarth Outpost IMicro Video1980Video gameEntrainement au CalculMicroniqueUtilityEnvahisseurs, LesAlien InvadersMicronique1981Video gameEtoile NoireMicroniqueVideo gameExtension GloutonMicroniqueVideo gameFlipperHeads-Up-PinballAlgorithme1982Video gameFormule 1MicroniqueVideo gameFractions SimplificationMicroniqueUtilityFuret, LeMicroniqueVideo gameGalaxiusMicroniqueVideo gameGlouton, LePackrat, Extension GloutonMicronique1981Video gameGoofy GolfMicro GolfInteract Electronics1982Video gameGrand PrixMicroniqueVideo gameGrenouilleWing It!Interact Electronics1982Video gameHammurabiInteract ElectronicsVideo gameHector Géo-FranceMicroniqueUtilityHector MémoireMicroniqueVideo gameHector-ManMicronique1984Video gameHep, Taxi !MicroniqueVideo gameHibou TaquinAlgorithme1984Video gameHyamsMicroniqueVideo gameIdentités RemarquablesMicroniqueUtilityIsolaMicroniqueVideo gameJackpotAlgorithmeVideo gameJeep LunaireMicroniqueVideo gameJumping-JackMicronique1983Video gameKing of the RoadInteract Electronics1982Video gameLaby 1AlgorithmeVideo gameLahrkmar: La Cité oubliéeMicroniqueVideo gameLe Donjon hantéAlgorithme1984Video gameLifeInteract Electronics1980Video gameLogicaseAttro-LogicInteract Electronics1980Video gameMangeur d'ÉtoilesMicroniqueVideo gameManoir d'Alba, LeMicroniqueVideo gameMega VoltsInteract Electronics1982Video gameMega Volts IIInteract Electronics1983Video gameMicro ChessMicro-Ware / Interact Electronics1978Video gameMicro DicoMicroniqueUtilityMicro YatseMicroniqueVideo gameMinorMicroniqueVideo gameMontlhéryMicroniqueVideo gameMorse Code TrainerInteract Electronics1981UtilityMots et ChiffresMicroniqueUtilityMur de Briques, LeBreakthroughInteract Electronics1978Video gameMysterious Mansion Adventure, The Micro Video1982Video gameOrtographieMicroniqueUtilityOver Sea Aircraft MissionMicroniqueVideo gamePack WarsInteract Electronics1982Video gamePackrat Multimaze OverlayInteract Electronics1981Video gameParsecAlgorithmeVideo gameParticipe PasséMicroniqueUtilityPendu, LeHang-ManInteract Electronics1978Video gamePengoMicroniqueVideo gamePeséeMicroniqueUtilityPiège, LeAlgorithmeVideo gamePiranhasVicious FishesAlgorithme1982Video gamePoker ElanMicroniqueVideo gamePoursuiteAlgorithmeVideo gameQuestions RéponsesMicroniqueUtilityR-BertMicronique1984Video gameRaidMicroniqueVideo gameRégatesRegattaInteract Electronics1978Video gameRégions Françaises, LesMicroniqueUtilityRelatifsMicroniqueUtilityRelationsMicroniqueUtilityReversi - OthelloReversiInteract Electronics1979Video gameSafecrackerInteract Electronics1982Video gameScola-QuestMicroniqueVideo gameSous-marinDepth ChargeInteract Electronics1981Video gameSpace OpéraMicroniqueVideo gameSpéculationMicroniqueVideo gameSpeed ReaderInteract Electronics1981UtilityStar TrackInteract Electronics1979Video gameStrambleMicroniqueVideo gameStrip 21MicroniqueVideo gameSub SearchInteract Electronics1982Video gameSuperbowlFootballInteract Electronics1980Video gameTic Tac MathMicroniqueVideo gameTiragesMicroniqueUtilityTouch Down!!Micro Video1979Video gameTour de France en Avion, LeMicroniqueUtilityToute la ConjugaisonMicroniqueUtilityTrail BlazersEncirclementInteract Electronics1978Video gameTurboMicroniqueVideo gameVautoursMicroniqueVideo gameVideo ChessInteract Electronics1978Video gameVideographMicroniqueUtilityVolleyballInteract Electronics1978Video gameZarcosMicroniqueVideo game
References