The Tandy Memorex Video Information System (VIS) is an interactive, multimedia CD-ROM player produced by the Tandy Corporation starting in 1992. It is similar in function to the Philips CD-i and Commodore CDTV systems (particularly the CDTV, since both the VIS and CDTV were adaptations of existing computer platforms and operating systems to the set-top-box design). The VIS systems were sold only at Radio Shack, under the Memorex brand, both of which Tandy owned at the time.
Modular Windows
Modular Windows is a special version of Microsoft Windows 3.1, designed to run on the Tandy Video Information System. Microsoft intended Modular Windows to be an embedded operating system for various devices, especially those designed to be connected to televisions. However, the VIS is the only known product that actually used this Windows version. It has been claimed that Microsoft created a new, incompatible version of Modular Windows ("1.1") shortly after the VIS shipped. No products are known to have actually used Modular Windows 1.1.
Reception The VIS was not a successful product; by some reports Radio Shack only sold 11,000 units during the lifetime of the product. Radio Shack store employees jokingly referred to the VIS as "Virtually Impossible to Sell". Tandy discontinued the product in early 1994 and all remaining units were sold to a liquidator.
Spinoffs While Modular Windows was discontinued, other modular, embedded versions of Windows were later released. These include Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded. VIS applications could be written using tools and techniques similar to those used to write software for IBM PC compatible personal computers running Microsoft Windows. This concept was carried forward in the Microsoft Xbox.
Specifications Details of the system include: CPU: 80286 AMD (N80L286-12/S) Video System: Cirrus Logic Sound System: Yamaha (YMF262-M) Chipset: NCR Corporation CDROM ×2 IDE by Mitsumi OS: Microsoft Modular Windows
Additional details: Intel 80286 processor on a local bus (not ISA) running at 12 MHz. 0-wait states. Equivalent PC performance somewhere around that of a 386SX at 16 or 20 MHz. 1 MB of ROM containing minimal MS-DOS 3.x, a few drivers, and Modular Windows. Built-in Audio CD player application. 1 MB of RAM in a conventional PC layout 640 KB + 384 KB. Mitsumi 1× (150 KB/s) CD-ROM drive with 16-bit interface, 800 ms access, 1300 ms worst case access, CD+G capable, but not Photo CD. 5000 hour MTBF. IR interface with up to two IR transmitters (hand controllers) operating at once. PS/2 mouse or keyboard interface (either can be connected and are generally recognized by applications). A wired hand controller could also be connected to this port for use in locations where the wireless controller was not practical, or could be used in conjunction with one wireless controller. Expansion compartment for RS-232 serial board for use with Windows debugger. Modem (the same modem card that went in the Tandy Sensation I) could also be installed in the VIS. 2400 data 4800 send-only FAX. Outputs: RCA Line left/right, composite video, RF video, S-Video. NTSC video. Dallas Semiconductor plug-in CyberCard - removable non-volatile storage, in sizes up to 512 KB and system comes with a 32 KB unit. Onboard audio is same as Tandy Sensation I: Adlib Gold compatible, not Sound Blaster compatible. Video uses ADAC-1 chip as found in Tandy Sensation I, supports YUV and several high-quality color modes. Also supported some TV-specific features for handling overscan.
Software
Games
Title PublisherThe Adventures of Victor Vector & Yondo: Adventure No. 1 – The Vampire's CoffinSanctuary WoodsKid-FunMindplayLinks: The Challenge of GolfAccess SoftwareThe Manhole: New and Enhanced!ActivisionMosaic MagicKinder Magic SoftwareMutanoid Math ChallengeLegacy SoftwareMutanoid Word ChallengeLegacy SoftwareOur House (featuring The Family Circus)Con•text Systems, IncorporatedPlaying with Language: Games in EnglishSyracuse Language SystemPlaying with Language: Games in FrenchSyracuse Language SystemPlaying with Language: Games in GermanSyracuse Language SystemPlaying with Language: Games in JapaneseSyracuse Language SystemPlaying with Language: Games in SpanishSyracuse Language SystemRace the ClockMindplayRick Ribbit: Adventures in Early LearningTadpole ProductionsRodney's FunscreenActivisionThe Secrets of Hosea FreemanAudubonSherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. IICOM SimulationsSherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. IIICOM SimulationsSmartKids Challenge OneArkeoTalking Stepping Stones: Bonus PackComputeach
Multimedia
Title Publisher1992 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, TheTIME MagazineAmerica's National ParksXiphiasAmerican Heritage: Illustrated Encyclopedic DictionaryXiphiasAmerican VistaApplied Optical Media CorporationAmericans in SpaceAstrology SourceMulticomAtlas of U.S. PresidentsApplied Optical Media CorporationBetter Homes and Gardens: Healthy CookingBetter Not Get Wet, Jesse BearBible Lands, Bible StoriesContextCompton's MultiMedia Encyclopedia: VIS EditionDecember 24thMacmillan New MediaDiscis Books Multimedia: The Cask of Amontillado – Edgar Allan PoeDiscisDiscis Books Multimedia: The Necklace – Guy de MaupassantDiscisDiscis Books Multimedia: The Tell-Tale Heart – Edgar Allan PoeDiscisFitness PartnerGreat Lives Series: Interactive Biographies of American Heroes Vol. 1The JLR GroupHenry and Mudge: The First BookMacmillan New MediaHenry and Mudge in the Sparkle DaysMacmillan New MediaKids Can Read! A Long Hard Day at the Ranch – Audrey NelsonDiscisKids Can Read! Aesop's FablesDiscisKids Can Read! Cinderella – The Original Fairy TaleDiscisKids Can Read! Heather Hits Her First Home Run by Ted PlanosDiscisKids Can Read! Moving Gives Me a Stomach Ache – Story by Heather McKendDiscisKids Can Read! Mud Puddle – Robert N. MunschDiscisKids Can Read! Scary Poems for Rotten Kids written by Sean O HuiginDiscisKids Can Read! The Night Before Christmas – Clement C. Moore LLDDiscisKids Can Read! The Paper Bag Princess – Robert N. MunschDiscisKids Can Read! The Tale of Benjamin Bunny – Beatrix PotterDiscisKids Can Read! The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix PotterDiscisKids Can Read! Thomas' Snowsuit – R. MunschDiscisLearn to Play Guitar Volume 1Parallax PublishingThe Meeting of Minds Series: Interactive Games of History, Art, Music, and IdeasThe JLR GroupMercer Mayer's Just Grandma and MeMultimedia Animals EncyclopediaApplied Optical Media CorporationMy PaintThe New Basics Electronic CookbookXiphiasOur House featuring The Family CircusContextPeter and the Wolf: A Multimedia StorybookSail with ColumbusParallax PublishingSearch for the SeaA Survey of Western Art: The Electronic Library of ArtTime Table of History: Arts and Entertainment – 1993 EditionXiphiasTime Table of History: Business, Politics & Media – 1993 EditionXiphiasTime Table of History: Science and Innovation – 1993 EditionXiphiasTitle SamplerVideo Movie Guide 1993Ballantine BooksVision: Multimedia Bible for the Entire FamilyContextWild Animals!World VistaApplied Optical Media Corporation
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