{{Short description|Series of microcomputers produced in France in the early 1980s}} '''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<ref>{{cite web|title=Interact Home Computer System|url=http://www.oldcomputermuseum.com/interact.html|access-date=2013-07-24}}</ref><ref name="angelfire">{{Cite web |title=The Interact Family Computer |url=https://www.angelfire.com/mi/ujb/interact.html |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=Angelfire}}</ref>) to France. The computer was sold under the name of Victor Lambda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://siravo.fabrice.free.fr/micronique/microniq.htm|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110224082952/http://siravo.fabrice.free.fr/micronique/microniq.htm#&|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-02-24|title=MICRONIQUE|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref name="system-cfg">{{Cite web |title=Micronique Victor Lambda |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=295 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref>
Lambda Systems went bankrupt in July 1981, along with Interact. In December 1981, Micronique,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Micronique {{!}} Sous-traitance électronique en Île-de-France |url=https://www.micronique.fr/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=Micronique |language=fr-FR}}</ref> 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".<ref name="free">{{Cite web |title=Hector, l'ordinateur personnel francais |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=5AXi95GpT.1 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref>
In 1983, the Victor is renamed Hector,<ref name="system-cfg2">{{Cite web |title=Micronique Hector 1 |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=296 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="free"/> The series was not successful, due to the focus on the French market, intense competition from Amstrad machines and high prices.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Quentin |first=François |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bqm1AAAAIAAJ&q=ordinateurs+hector+-wiki |title=Ces Ordinateurs sont dangereux, ou, La faramineuse histoire d'Alan Sugar et de ses drôles de bécanes |year=1993 |publisher=Qwerty |isbn=978-2-910223-00-7 |pages=148 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Speranza |first=René |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aI5QDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Hector+HRX%22+-wiki&pg=PT135 |title=Manettes & pixels: Histoire du jeu vidéo et Retrogaming |date=2018-03-09 |publisher=Éditions La Vallée Heureuse |isbn=978-2-36696-077-8 |language=fr}}</ref>
==Models== ===Victor Lambda=== {{Main|Interact Home Computer}} The '''Victor Lambda''' was a rebranded Interact Home Computer<ref name="MICRONIQUE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=151|title=MICRONIQUE > Victor Lambda |website=www.old-computers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.old-computers.com/museum/doc.asp?c=1004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704063217/https://old-computers.com/museum/doc.asp?c=1004#&|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-07-04|title=INTERACT > Home Computer System|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref name="angelfire"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interact Model One |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=uNYhHp3XpFsJ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref>(also called The Interact Family Computer 2<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/mi/ujb/interact.html|title=The Interact Family Computer|website=archive.wikiwix.com}}</ref>) microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.
Specifications:<ref name="system-cfg"/><ref name="MICRONIQUE"/> * 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){{citation needed|date=May 2023}} * PSU: External AC transformer
===Hector 1 (Victor Lambda 2)=== The '''Hector 1'''<ref name="system-cfg2"/><ref name="OLD-COMPUTERS">{{Cite web |title=MICRONIQUE Victor / Hector 1 |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=427 |website=OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-i-machine-285.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221093017/https://www.obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-i-machine-285.html#&|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-12-21|title=Micronique Hector I|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Le Hector 1 |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=tEHwE7MpT.1 |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold as '''Victor Lambda 2'''<ref name="system-cfg2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Victor Lambda 2 / Hector I |url=https://www.1000bit.it/scheda.asp?id=1271 |website=1000 BiT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Victor Lambda 2 |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=8IHwE7.EQ6o9RkTwI |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known as '''Hector 16K'''. More than 100 games were published for this machine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listing of all Micronique Hector I games - Page 1 |url=https://www.video-games-museum.com/en/sys/142-hector-i/2/all |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=The Video Games Museum |language=en}}</ref>
It was eventually considered as an entry level machine.<ref name="free2">{{Cite journal |year=1984 |title=Bancs d'essai des ordinateurs individuels - Hector 2 HR. Hector HRX |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/img/presse/toutmicro84_85p108.jpg |journal=Tout Micro 1984/85 |pages=109}}</ref>
Specifications:<ref name="OLD-COMPUTERS"/> * 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) {{citation needed|date=July 2023}} * PSU: Built-in
=== Hector 2 HR (Victor Lambda 2HR) === The '''Hector 2HR'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-2hr-machine-2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426130512/https://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-2hr-machine-2.html#&|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-04-26|title=Micronique Hector 2HR|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Micronique Hector 2HR |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=297 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hector 2HR |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=tEHwE7NLVb1BF |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> is a 1983<ref name="obsolete-tears">{{Cite web|url=https://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-2hr-machine-2.html|title=Micronique Hector 2HR|website=obsolete-tears.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Victor Lambda 2HR |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=8IHwE7NLVb1BF |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text.<ref name="free3">{{Cite journal |date=March 1983 |title=Victor Lambda II HR: en français dans le texte |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/img/presse/tilt04marsavril83p59.jpg |journal=Tilt |issue=4 |pages=59}}</ref> It has an built-in cassette recorder and an optional disk drive (DISK II). At launch there were sixty software titles available on tape.<ref name="free3"/> It was considered as a more serious machine for those wishing to program their own games.<ref name="free2"/>
Specifications:<ref name="obsolete-tears"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=MICRONIQUE Victor / Hector 2HR / 2HR + |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=152 |website=OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum}}</ref> * 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 {{frac|5|1|4}}-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+''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.system-cfg.com/detailcollection.php?ident=53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005215629/https://system-cfg.com/detailcollection.php?ident=53#federation=archive.wikiwix.com|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-10-05|title=Micronique - Hector 2HR+|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Micronique Hector 2HR+ |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=298 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hector 2HR+ |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=tEHwE7NLVFIJ.O |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM<ref name="obsolete-tears"/> (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs).
Specifications:<ref name="auto"/> * 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''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-hrx-machine-255.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322034253/https://www.obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-hrx-machine-255.html#&|url-status=dead|archive-date=2023-03-22|title=Micronique Hector HRX|website=archive.wikiwix.com|access-date=2022-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://empichon72.free.fr/bs3/revues/revue_annee.php?revue=tilt&annee=1983&id=tilt_008#federation=archive.wikiwix.com|archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http://empichon72.free.fr/bs3/revues/revue_annee.php?revue=tilt&annee=1983&id=tilt_008#federation=archive.wikiwix.com|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-15|title=TILT (1982-1994)|website=archive.wikiwix.com}}</ref><ref name="free4">{{Cite journal |date=November 26, 1985 |title=Hector HRX |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/img/presse/tilt26nov85p15.jpg |journal=Tilt |issue=26 |pages=15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Micronique Hector HRX |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=299 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hector HRX |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=tEHwE78Vbb1BF |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obsolete-tears.com/micronique-hector-hrx-machine-255.html|title=Micronique Hector HRX|website=obsolete-tears.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 1983 |title=Hector HRX: En français dans le texte |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/img/presse/hrx_tilt08_p141.jpg |journal=Tilt |issue=8 |pages=147}}</ref> It was considered as a professional machine, capable of running small business applications like text processors, spreadsheets and databases.<ref name="free2"/> A 1985 review of the system praised the varied peripherals available, but again criticized the lack of software.<ref name="free4"/>
Specifications:<ref>{{Cite web |title=MICRONIQUE HECTOR HRX |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=142 |website=OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum}}</ref> * 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''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le Hector HR.MX 80c existe, je l'ai vu |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=tEHwE7/blZIJ.O |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=Hector, l'ordinateur personnel francais}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Micronique Hector MX |url=https://www.system-cfg.com/detail.php?ident=300 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.system-cfg.com}}</ref> released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth, Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.<ref name="OLD-COMPUTERS2">{{Cite web |title=MICRONIQUE HECTOR MX |url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=169 |website=OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum}}</ref>
Specifications:<ref name="OLD-COMPUTERS2"/> * 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== Some software like WordStar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Voici la liste des logiciels parus pour le Hector |url=http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=5CWlF9EqPErC7HI1Lm2HU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503171634/http://hectorvictor.free.fr/index.php?page=5CWlF9EqPErC7HI1Lm2HU#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |url-status=dead |archive-date=2022-05-03 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=hectorvictor.free.fr [Archived] }}</ref><ref>[https://www.musee-des-jeux-video.com/fr/sys/142-hector-i/2/all Musee des jeux videos Hector I]</ref> They are also compatible with the Interact Home Computer
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="font-size:95%;" id="softwarelist" !rowspan="1"|Title !rowspan="1"|Alternative name !rowspan="1"|Type |- |Addition |Add Em Up |Video game |- |Alunissage | |Video game |- |Arithmétique et Tables | |Utility |- |Asteroïdes |Hot Rocks |Video game |- |Auto Formation Hector - 1 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Formation Hector - 2 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Formation Hector - 3 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Formation Hector - 4 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Formation Hector - 5 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Formation Hector - 6 sur 6 | |Utility |- |Auto Lumière, L' | |Video game |- |Backgammon | |Video game |- |Balade dans Paris | |Video game |- |Baroudeur, Le | |Video game |- |Base Spatiale | |Video game |- |Bataille Navale | |Video game |- |Batter-Up | |Video game |- |Beat The Clock | |Video game |- |Biorhythm | |Utility |- |Blackjack | |Video game |- |Bombardement | |Video game |- |Calcul Mental | |Utility |- |Calculator | |Utility |- |Castle | |Video game |- |Catacombs | |Video game |- |Caverne des Lutins, La | |Video game |- |Chain Reaction | |Video game |- |Chatbyrinthe |Computer Maze |Video game |- |Checkbook Balancer | |Utility |- |Chenille, La | |Video game |- |Combat! | |Video game |- |Concentration | |Video game |- |Contratac | |Video game |- |Cow-Boys |Showdown |Video game |- |Crazy 8 | |Video game |- |Crédits | |Utility |- |Dé + 2 |Knockdown |Video game |- |Decimal Tic-Tac-Toe. | |Video game |- |Dédale | |Video game |- |Désert des Tartares, Le | |Video game |- |Dogfight | |Video game |- |Double Trouble | |Video game |- |Dragon du Donjon, Le | |Video game |- |Earth Outpost I | |Video game |- |Entrainement au Calcul | |Utility |- |Envahisseurs, Les |Alien Invaders |Video game |- |Etoile Noire | |Video game |- |Extension Glouton | |Video game |- |Flipper |Heads-Up-Pinball |Video game |- |Formule 1 | |Video game |- |Fractions Simplification | |Utility |- |Furet, Le | |Video game |- |Galaxius | |Video game |- |Glouton, Le |Packrat, Extension Glouton |Video game |- |Goofy Golf |Micro Golf |Video game |- |Grand Prix | |Video game |- |Grenouille |Wing It! |Video game |- |Hammurabi | |Video game |- |Hector Géo-France | |Utility |- |Hector Mémoire | |Video game |- |Hector-Man | |Video game |- |Hep, Taxi ! | |Video game |- |Hibou Taquin | |Video game |- |Hyams | |Video game |- |Identités Remarquables | |Utility |- |Isola | |Video game |- |Jeep Lunaire | |Video game |- |Jumping-Jack | |Video game |- |King of the Road | |Video game |- |Laby 1 | |Video game |- |Life | |Video game |- |Logicase |Attro-Logic |Video game |- |Mangeur d'Étoiles | |Video game |- |Manoir d'Alba, Le | |Video game |- |Mega Volts | |Video game |- |Mega Volts II | |Video game |- |Micro Chess | |Video game |- |Micro Dico | |Utility |- |Micro Yatse | |Video game |- |Minor | |Video game |- |Montlhéry | |Video game |- |Morse Code Trainer | |Utility |- |Mots et Chiffres | |Utility |- |Mur de Briques, Le |Breakthrough |Video game |- |Mysterious Mansion Adventure, The | |Video game |- |Ortographie | |Utility |- |Over Sea Aircraft Mission | |Video game |- |Pack Wars | |Video game |- |Packrat Multimaze Overlay | |Video game |- |Participe Passé | |Utility |- |Pendu, Le |Hang-Man |Video game |- |Pengo | |Video game |- |Pesée | |Utility |- |Piège, Le | |Video game |- |Piranhas |Vicious Fishes |Video game |- |Poker Elan | |Video game |- |Poursuite | |Video game |- |Questions Réponses | |Utility |- |R-Bert | |Video game |- |Régates |Regatta |Video game |- |Régions Françaises, Les | |Utility |- |Relatifs | |Utility |- |Relations | |Utility |- |Reversi - Othello |Reversi |Video game |- |Safecracker | |Video game |- |Sous-marin |Depth Charge |Video game |- |Space Opéra | |Video game |- |Spéculation | |Video game |- |Speed Reader | |Utility |- |Star Track | |Video game |- |Stramble | |Video game |- |Strip 21 | |Video game |- |Sub Search | |Video game |- |Superbowl |Football |Video game |- |Tic Tac Math | |Video game |- |Tirages | |Utility |- |Touch Down!! | |Video game |- |Tour de France en Avion, Le | |Utility |- |Toute la Conjugaison | |Utility |- |Trail Blazers |Encirclement |Video game |- |Turbo | |Video game |- |Vautours | |Video game |- |Video Chess | |Video game |- |Videograph | |Utility |- |Volleyball | |Video game |- |Zarcos | |Video game |}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Microcomputers Category:Computers designed in France Category:History of computing in France Category:Z80-based home computers