ID Acorn BBC Master
Short Name
Name BBC Master
Company Acorn
Description In 1986 the Acorn Business Computer range was long gone, and Olivetti -
Acorn's new owners, having been forced to increase their stake from 49
to 80 per cent of the firm - were concentrating on making Acorn more
profitable. The case for the 65C816-based Communicator was retained and
given a basic box, housing a PSU and disk drive, to make a standard-looking 3-box computer system based around the BBC Master architecture.
Also marketed in Europe as the Olivetti Prodest PC 128 S (S for Sistema), the Master compact differed from other computers in a number of annoying ways. Most confusing was the decision to keep the computer in the keyboard, with suitable reductions in available interfaces and features such as the real-time clock - making the Master Compact rather like a grown up Electron (however, home marketing would unfortunately not be attempted - it would have been considerably more successful). The 'CPU' was connected via a large ribbon cable and a jack plug. The monitor connected to the 'keyboard'. It was, to be blunt, a mess.
However, the system did introduce the 3.5" drive as a standard to the 8-bit BBC range and featured all the usual Master enhancements plus a mouse/joystick port. As a school computer - the traditional market - it differed just enough to make it relatively unpopular, lacking the user and 1MHz bus ports used by many educational devices, and being (by nature of its smaller case) somewhat easier to steal and damage. The Compact was discontinued very early on, the introduction of the A305 Archimedes offering a similar 'format' of machine, but with all the benefits associated with Acorn - expandability, speed, and reliability. The original one-box Master 128 continued to sell until 1993...
Olivetti were to get their own back for the Compact - Acorn sold a
branded version of the Olivetti M19 'PC Compatible', a rather dated 8088-based machine.
The Olivetti Prodest 128 can be seen in the kid's film 'Treasure Island in Space' - an Italian production, most likely. The computer is recognizable by its blue and white display.

_______
Info, texts and picture by Richard Kilpatrick
Date Available September 1986
Type Computer
Emulators
Alternate Names Acorn BBC Master
Links
Matches tosec Acorn BBC Master - Demos
oldcomputers 729
oldcomputers 850
oldcomputers 989
tosec Acorn BBC Master - Demos 
{
    "id": "Acorn BBC Master - Demos",
    "name": "Acorn BBC Master - Demos",
    "altNames": [
        "Acorn BBC Master"
    ]
}
oldcomputers 729 
{
    "type_id": 1,
    "id": 729,
    "pages": {
        "adverts": "photos.asp?t=2&c=729&st=1",
        "hardware": "hardware.asp?t=1&c=729&st=1",
        "emulators": "emulator.asp?c=729&st=1",
        "links": "links.asp?c=729&st=1",
        "docs": "docs.asp?c=729&st=1",
        "comments": "forum.asp?c=729&st=1"
    },
    "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/acorn_bbc-master-compact_1.jpg",
    "company_link": "company.asp?st=1&m=3",
    "company_name": "Acorn Computer",
    "company_logo": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/logos/acorn_logo.gif",
    "description": "In 1986 the Acorn Business Computer range was long gone, and Olivetti -\nAcorn's new owners, having been forced to increase their stake from 49\nto 80 per cent of the firm - were concentrating on making Acorn more\nprofitable. The case for the 65C816-based Communicator was retained and\ngiven a basic box, housing a PSU and disk drive, to make a standard-looking 3-box computer system based around the BBC Master architecture.\nAlso marketed in Europe as the <b>Olivetti Prodest PC 128 S</b> (S for Sistema), the Master compact differed from other computers in a number of annoying ways. Most confusing was the decision to keep the computer in the keyboard, with suitable reductions in available interfaces and features such as the real-time clock - making the Master Compact rather like a grown up Electron (however, home marketing would unfortunately not be attempted - it would have been considerably more successful). The 'CPU' was connected via a large ribbon cable and a jack plug. The monitor connected to the 'keyboard'. It was, to be blunt, a mess.\nHowever, the system did introduce the 3.5\" drive as a standard to the 8-bit BBC range and featured all the usual Master enhancements plus a mouse/joystick port. As a school computer - the traditional market - it differed just enough to make it relatively unpopular, lacking the user and 1MHz bus ports used by many educational devices, and being (by nature of its smaller case) somewhat easier to steal and damage. The Compact was discontinued very early on, the introduction of the A305 Archimedes offering a similar 'format' of machine, but with all the benefits associated with Acorn - expandability, speed, and reliability. The original one-box Master 128 continued to sell until 1993... \nOlivetti were to get their own back for the Compact - Acorn sold a\nbranded version of the Olivetti M19 'PC Compatible', a rather dated 8088-based machine.\nThe Olivetti Prodest 128 can be seen in the kid's film 'Treasure Island in Space' - an Italian production, most likely. The computer is recognizable by its blue and white display.\n<font color=\"#666666\">\n_______\nInfo, texts and picture by <b>Richard Kilpatrick</b>\n</font>",
    "name": "BBC Master Compact",
    "manufacturer": "Acorn Computer",
    "type": "Home Computer",
    "origin": "United Kingdom",
    "year": "September 1986",
    "built_in_language": "BBC Basic",
    "keyboard": "Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 10 function keys, arrow keys, numeric keypad",
    "cpu": "MOS 65C02",
    "speed": "1.8 MHz",
    "ram": "128 Kb",
    "rom": "64 Kb + Sideways expansion",
    "text_modes": "80 x 32/25 (2 colors) / 40 x 32/25 (2 or 4 colors) / 20 x 32 (16 colors) / 40 x 25 (Teletext display)",
    "graphic_modes": "640 x 256 (2 colors) / 320 x 256 (4 colors) / 160 x 256 (16 colors)",
    "colors": "16 (8 colors + flashing option)",
    "sound": "3 channels, 7 octaves",
    "io_ports": "BNC video out, RGB video out, RS232 (optional), Econet port (optional), Printer port (36-pin Centronics), Disk-drive connector (Centronics), expansion edge connector",
    "power_supply": "PSU Built in to base.",
    "peripherals": "Expansion units were produced, apparently. Came with 3.5'' 600K disk drive as standard.",
    "price": "Around ?600 (UK, 1986)",
    "adverts": [
        {
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/adverts/Acorn_MasterCompact_Advert_1.jpg",
            "name": "Acorn ad #1"
        },
        {
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/adverts/Acorn_MasterCompact_Advert_2.jpg",
            "name": " Acorn ad #2"
        },
        {
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/adverts/Acorn_MasterCompact_Advert_3.jpg",
            "name": "Acorn ad. #3 (Nov. 8..."
        }
    ],
    "hardware": [
        {
            "name": "Voltmace Delta controllers",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/voltmace_joysticks.jpg",
            "description": "Voltmace modified its Database videogame system controllers to be sold for micro-computers, mainly Acorn systems : BBC and Electron (with Plus-1 interface). As the keypad was of no use anymore, it was reduced to only 3 fire buttons. "
        }
    ],
    "emulators": [
        {
            "name": "The BBC Lives !",
            "url": "http://www.nvg.org/bbc/emulators.php3",
            "platform": "MS DOS",
            "description": "This excellent site has a complete list of Acorn systems emulators"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=80",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - ATOM",
            "description": "The acornusers.org server hosts several Acorn web sites"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=850",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master",
            "description": "newsgroup FAQ"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=989",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master AIV",
            "description": "Mainly a software archive. Cool !"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=29",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Model A / B / B+",
            "description": "Lots of stuff to see and download"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=121",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - Electron",
            "description": "The net's largest site catering for enthusiasts of Acorn's range of 8-bit micros"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.acornusers.org/",
            "name": "Acornusers.org",
            "description": "Electron and BBC support. Excellent site with a lot of stuff !"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.landfield.com/faqs/acorn/games/",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ",
            "description": "Binary postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.strafom.force9.co.uk/bbc/Retrobbc/Index.htm",
            "name": "RetroBBC",
            "description": "Source code postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://8bs.com/",
            "name": "The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library",
            "description": "Why Acorn computers and programs are better"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://bbc.nvg.org/",
            "name": "The BBC Lives!",
            "description": "Annoncement for Acorn machines"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.stairwaytohell.com/",
            "name": "The Stairway to Hell",
            "description": "Acorn software applications"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.poppyfields.net/acorn/",
            "name": "The Unofficial Acorn Computer User WWW Server",
            "description": "Acorn hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.binaries.acorn",
            "name": "comp.binaries.acorn",
            "description": "Acorn computing in general"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sources.acorn",
            "name": "comp.sources.acorn",
            "description": "Networking of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.advocacy",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.advocacy",
            "description": "Programming of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.announce",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.announce"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.apps",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.apps"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.hardware",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.misc",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.misc"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.networking",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.networking"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.programmer",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.programmer"
        }
    ]
}
oldcomputers 850 
{
    "type_id": 1,
    "id": 850,
    "pages": {
        "photos": "photos.asp?t=1&c=850&st=1",
        "hardware": "hardware.asp?t=1&c=850&st=1",
        "emulators": "emulator.asp?c=850&st=1",
        "links": "links.asp?c=850&st=1",
        "docs": "docs.asp?c=850&st=1",
        "comments": "forum.asp?c=850&st=1"
    },
    "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_System_1.jpg",
    "company_link": "company.asp?st=1&m=3",
    "company_name": "Acorn Computer",
    "company_logo": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/logos/acorn_logo.gif",
    "description": "The BBC Master was an enhanced version of the <a href=\"computer.asp?c=29\">BBC Model B</a> providing improved features, but sadly also introducing compatibility problems with earlier BBC systems. \nThese features were: loads more memory such as shadow, sideways and private RAM, 4 sound channels, twin cartridge sockets, as well as several built-in ROM software packages like <b>View</b> (word processor), <b>ViewSheet</b> (spreadsheet), <b>ADFS</b> (Advanced Filing System), a text editor and terminal utilities.\n \nLike the Model B, the system had so many I/O ports that most of them had to be placed under the case. Luckily, they only used flat-cable connectors. \nWhen it was released, the BBC Master met with great success. From 1986 to 1989, about 200,000 systems were sold, mainly to U.K. schools and universities. \nSeveral enhanced versions of the Master were launched in the following months:\n- The <b>Master 512</b> was a Master 128 with 512 KB of RAM and an internal 80186 processor. It could be upgraded up to 1024 KB and ran MS-DOS.\n- The <b>Master Turbo</b> was a Master 128 with a 65C02 as a second processor.\nThe BBC Master and <a href=\"computer.asp?c=729\">Master Compact</a> could be considered the most accomplished 8-bit 'home' computers and among the last mass-produced 8-bit machines. Production ended in 1993.\n \nWhile developing and marketing the BBC Master, Acorn realized the PC world was moving on from 8-bit to 16-bit processors and started developing their own 32-bit chip, the Acorn RISC Machine, or ARM.",
    "name": "BBC Master",
    "manufacturer": "Acorn Computer",
    "type": "Home Computer",
    "origin": "United Kingdom",
    "year": "February 1986",
    "end_of_production": "1993",
    "built_in_language": "BBC BASIC IV interpreter",
    "keyboard": "Full stroke 93 key with numeric keypad and 10 function keys",
    "cpu": "65C102 (an evolution of the 6502)",
    "speed": "2 MHz.",
    "ram": "128 KB",
    "rom": "128 KB (Expandable)",
    "text_modes": "40/80 x 25 lines, 20/40/80 x 32, Teletex mode (40 x 25 x 8 colours)",
    "graphic_modes": "160/320/640 x 256 dots in 2 to 8 colours",
    "colors": "8 among 16",
    "sound": "4 chanels, 8 octaves - SN76489 sound generator",
    "size_weight": "46.7 (W) x 34.5 (D) x 7.5 (H) cm.",
    "io_ports": "Tube expansion, BBC High Speed Bus, FDD interface, User interface, RS423 serial, Analog, Econet network, Parallel, tape recorder, TV/RF, RGB & Composite outputs,",
    "built_in_media": "Cassette & FDD interfaces",
    "os": "MOS",
    "power_supply": "Built-in switching power supply unit",
    "peripherals": "External FDD unit, processor card, etc.",
    "price": "?499",
    "photos": [
        {
            "name": "BBC Master ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_System_2.jpg",
            "description": ""
        },
        {
            "name": "Keyboard close-up #1 ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_KeyboardCloseup_2.jpg",
            "description": "Notice the function-key help insert which can be changed according to the software used."
        },
        {
            "name": "Keyboard close-up #2 ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_KeyboardCloseup_1.jpg",
            "description": "Twin cartridge housings, numeric keypad and Master series logo."
        },
        {
            "name": "Rear connectors ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_Back_1.jpg",
            "description": "<b>(1)</b> Econet network DIN plug<br>\r\n<b>(2)</b> Audio out RCA jack<br>\r\n<b>(3)</b> Tape recorder DIN plug<br>\r\n<b>(4)</b> Serial RS423 DIN plug<br>\r\n<b>(5)</b> Analogue port DB15 connector<br>\r\n<b>(6)</b> Analogue RGB video out<br>\r\n<b>(7)</b> Composite video out<br>\r\n<b>(8)</b> TV/RF video out<br>\r\n<b>(9)</b> Optional modem cable"
        },
        {
            "name": "bottom connectors ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_Bottom_1.jpg",
            "description": "<b>(1)</b> Auxiliary power supply - +5V & +12V<br>\r\n<b>(2)</b> External disk drive unit. FD controller chip is provided on the mainboard<br>\r\n<b>(3)</b> Parallel printer<br>\r\n<b>(4)</b> User port<br>\r\n<b>(5)</b> 1 MHz bus<br>\r\n<b>(6)</b> Tube interface<br>"
        },
        {
            "name": "Inside ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_Inside_1.jpg",
            "description": "<b>(1)</b> Switching power supply unit<br>\r\n<b>(2)</b> Optional modem card<br>\r\n<b>(3)</b> Optional ROM card. Allows 13 ROM chips to be added<br>\r\n<b>(4)</b> ROM cartridge connectors<br>\r\n<b>(5)</b> Setup and clock battery backup<br>\r\n"
        },
        {
            "name": "Mainboard ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_Mainboard_1.jpg",
            "description": "<b>(1)</b> Bottom connectors<br>\r\n<b>(2)</b> Cartridge connectors<br>\r\n<b>(3)</b> Rom socket area<br>"
        },
        {
            "name": "Set of manuals ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Acorn_BBCmaster_Manuals_1.jpg",
            "description": "The \"Welcome Guide\" is very detailed, giving all the information about internal hardware and built-in software."
        }
    ],
    "hardware": [
        {
            "name": "Opus FD unit",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/Acorn_BBCmaster_OpusFDunit_1.jpg",
            "description": "This dual 5.25\" floppy drive unit could be used with Acorn DFS or Opus DDOS operating systems.<br>\nUsers could select single or double-sided, 40 or 80 track format.<br>\nDepending on the format used, a diskette could store from 100 KB to 360 KB of information.<br>\nPower is supplied by the BBC auxiliary connector. \n   "
        },
        {
            "name": "Dual ROM support #1",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/Acorn_BBCmaster_RomModule_1.jpg",
            "description": "Two ROM modules can be inserted in this support. Here one of them is equipped with a null insertion socket."
        },
        {
            "name": "Dual ROM support #2",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/Acorn_BBCmaster_RomModule_2.jpg",
            "description": ""
        },
        {
            "name": "64 KB Ram card",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/Acorn_BBCmaster_RamModule_1.jpg",
            "description": ""
        },
        {
            "name": "function key inserts",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/Acorn_BBCmaster_Inserts_1.jpg",
            "description": "Users could insert function key reminders for some of the major software above the row of function keys. \n"
        },
        {
            "name": "Voltmace Delta controllers",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/voltmace_joysticks.jpg",
            "description": "Voltmace modified its Database videogame system controllers to be sold for micro-computers, mainly Acorn systems : BBC and Electron (with Plus-1 interface). As the keypad was of no use anymore, it was reduced to only 3 fire buttons. "
        }
    ],
    "emulators": [
        {
            "name": "The BBC Lives !",
            "url": "http://www.nvg.org/bbc/emulators.php3",
            "platform": "MS DOS",
            "description": "This excellent site has a complete list of Acorn systems emulators"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=80",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - ATOM",
            "description": "The acornusers.org server hosts several Acorn web sites"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=989",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master AIV",
            "description": "newsgroup FAQ"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=729",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master Compact",
            "description": "Mainly a software archive. Cool !"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=29",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Model A / B / B+",
            "description": "Lots of stuff to see and download"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=121",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - Electron",
            "description": "The net's largest site catering for enthusiasts of Acorn's range of 8-bit micros"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.acornusers.org/",
            "name": "Acornusers.org",
            "description": "Electron and BBC support. Excellent site with a lot of stuff !"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.landfield.com/faqs/acorn/games/",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ",
            "description": "Binary postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.strafom.force9.co.uk/bbc/Retrobbc/Index.htm",
            "name": "RetroBBC",
            "description": "Source code postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://8bs.com/",
            "name": "The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library",
            "description": "Why Acorn computers and programs are better"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://bbc.nvg.org/",
            "name": "The BBC Lives!",
            "description": "Annoncement for Acorn machines"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.stairwaytohell.com/",
            "name": "The Stairway to Hell",
            "description": "Acorn software applications"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.poppyfields.net/acorn/",
            "name": "The Unofficial Acorn Computer User WWW Server",
            "description": "Acorn hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.binaries.acorn",
            "name": "comp.binaries.acorn",
            "description": "Acorn computing in general"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sources.acorn",
            "name": "comp.sources.acorn",
            "description": "Networking of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.advocacy",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.advocacy",
            "description": "Programming of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.announce",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.announce"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.apps",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.apps"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.hardware",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.misc",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.misc"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.networking",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.networking"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.programmer",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.programmer"
        }
    ]
}
oldcomputers 989 
{
    "type_id": 1,
    "id": 989,
    "pages": {
        "hardware": "hardware.asp?t=1&c=989&st=1",
        "emulators": "emulator.asp?c=989&st=1",
        "links": "links.asp?c=989&st=1",
        "docs": "docs.asp?c=989&st=1",
        "comments": "forum.asp?c=989&st=1"
    },
    "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/acorn_BBC-Master-AIV_1s.jpg",
    "company_link": "company.asp?st=1&m=3",
    "company_name": "Acorn Computer",
    "company_logo": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/logos/acorn_logo.gif",
    "description": "In 1986, the 900th Anniversary of the Norman Domesday Book, the BBC and \nthe National Curriculum, amongst other UK bodies, endeavoured to \nproduced a 20th Century equivalent. Recently the Domesday project has \nhad renewed interest, as the sense of producing such an ambitious \nundertaking then storing the results on a strange, and now forgotten, \nformat has been called into question many times since!\nFor old-computers.com readers, the interesting bits are not terribly \ninteresting - but they are scarce. The presentation was viewable on one \nof two platforms - the main, and the one most associated with it, was \nthe BBC Master AIV (Advanced Interactive Video). This isn't an \n'official' term - as far as Acorn and the BBC were concerned, they \nwanted schools to purchase the system in the belief that it was \nessentially what they were used to. The BBC Master was an off the shelf \nMaster Turbo, with an additional SCSI interface (possibly \nelectronically derived from the SCSI interface built into the ACW), and \nan additional filing system to access the LV-ROM.\nThe VP415 LV-ROM was an industrial Philips Laservision player, already \n'programmable' according to the Laservision standards. The storage was \nbroken down into volumes, with data encoded along with the video \ncontent (which can be played separately). The SCSI interface allowed \ndata retrieval but this was also possible via the RS-232 interface - \nand a module to allow the other machine popular in schools at the time \naccess - the RM Nimbus. The actual data format on the disc was \ncontrolled by LV-DOS in the player, and VFS in the BBC series computer. \nWhilst the Master AIV was most definitely marketed for this \napplication, the documentation is quite vague about whether a BBC B \ncould be used, implying that merely the VFS ROM is required!\nVideo from the laserdisc was mixed using a genlock incorporated in the \nbase of the VP415 with data generated by the Domesday applications and \ndisplayed on a SCART monitor.\nApplications allowed searching of film content, further exploration of \nthe information, such as going into a house pictured (within \nlimitations, of course!), and statistical analysis of data gathered in \na project that involved schools all over the UK. It's quite likely that \nmany people of my generation contributed, in some small part, to the \nDomesday project.\nAdditional discs were produced for educational purposes, hoping to \nexpand the applications of the AIV system, but the late 80s was to see \nthe advent of Microsoft's \"Multimedia PC\" standard, Philips' own CDi, \nand many other CD (rather than LD) based systems. LV-ROM, in addition \nto the video and still frames, could store just under 400Mb of data on \na 12\" optical disc - whilst the video would take up more space on CD, \nthe media was physically fragile and was eventually to be rendered \nobsolete with the end of the VP415.\nProjects to restore the Domesday project are hampered by copyright law \nand the restrictions of accessing the data, The most successful is \nLeeds University's CAMeLION project, an emulated system, with some \nPC-based applications. I am undertaking my own 'accessible' project, to \nattempt to make the material useable in a wide range of consumer \nfriendly appliances, but like everyone else, am tied by the fragility \nof the hardware (if anyone has parts for the VP415 I need spares!) and \nof course, copyright law.\n___________\n<font color=\"#666666\">Thanks A LOT to Richard Kilpatrick for all this info.</font>",
    "name": "BBC Master AIV",
    "manufacturer": "Acorn Computer",
    "type": "Home Computer",
    "origin": "United Kingdom",
    "year": "1986",
    "end_of_production": "1986-7? Very small run.",
    "built_in_language": "BBC BASIC. BCPL provided with package.",
    "keyboard": "Standard QWERTY, 10 function keys + arrows, plus numeric keypad",
    "cpu": "65C02",
    "speed": "Unknown",
    "co_processor": "MOS 65C102 at 4MHz, Turbo co-processor model",
    "ram": "128 KB",
    "vram": "Taken from main RAM, up to 44K?",
    "rom": "48K-128K, expandable, includes LVFS (Laservision Filing",
    "text_modes": "80 x 32/25 (2 colors) / 40 x 32/25 (2 or 4 colors) / 20 x 32 (16 colors) / 40 x 25 (Teletext display)",
    "graphic_modes": "640 x 256 (2 colors) / 320 x 256 (4 colors) / 160 x 256 (16 colors)",
    "colors": "16 (8 colors + flashing option), True colour from the video data on LV-ROM",
    "sound": "3 channels + noise & envelope control, 7 octaves",
    "size_weight": "Complete set - heavy ;)",
    "io_ports": "1MHz BUS, Analogue, RGB, Disk, RS423, User port, Econet, Tape, Parallel printer. Captive SCSI lead.",
    "built_in_media": "None",
    "os": "Master Operating System (MOS)",
    "power_supply": "Built-in PSU, 240V AC",
    "peripherals": "Philips VP415 LV-ROM, Acorn AKF-11 monitor (SCART), Acorn Trackerball (Marconi RB2).",
    "price": "?4,000+ (UK, 1986)",
    "hardware": [
        {
            "name": "Voltmace Delta controllers",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/hardware/voltmace_joysticks.jpg",
            "description": "Voltmace modified its Database videogame system controllers to be sold for micro-computers, mainly Acorn systems : BBC and Electron (with Plus-1 interface). As the keypad was of no use anymore, it was reduced to only 3 fire buttons. "
        }
    ],
    "emulators": [
        {
            "name": "The BBC Lives !",
            "url": "http://www.nvg.org/bbc/emulators.php3",
            "platform": "MS DOS",
            "description": "This excellent site has a complete list of Acorn systems emulators"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=80",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - ATOM",
            "description": "The acornusers.org server hosts several Acorn web sites"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=850",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master",
            "description": "Info and pictures of the AIV system "
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=729",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Master Compact",
            "description": "newsgroup FAQ"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=29",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - BBC Model A / B / B+",
            "description": "Mainly a software archive. Cool !"
        },
        {
            "url": "computer.asp?st=1&c=121",
            "name": "Acorn Computer - Electron",
            "description": "Lots of stuff to see and download"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.acornusers.org/",
            "name": "Acornusers.org",
            "description": "The net's largest site catering for enthusiasts of Acorn's range of 8-bit micros"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/Computers/Domesday.html",
            "name": "Chris's Acorns: BBC Master AIV & Domesday Project",
            "description": "Electron and BBC support. Excellent site with a lot of stuff !"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.landfield.com/faqs/acorn/games/",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ",
            "description": "Binary postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.dmc12.demon.co.uk/retrotech/abc.htm",
            "name": "Nice page about the BBC AIV system.",
            "description": "Source code postings"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.strafom.force9.co.uk/bbc/Retrobbc/Index.htm",
            "name": "RetroBBC",
            "description": "Why Acorn computers and programs are better"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://8bs.com/",
            "name": "The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library",
            "description": "Annoncement for Acorn machines"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://bbc.nvg.org/",
            "name": "The BBC Lives!",
            "description": "Acorn software applications"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.stairwaytohell.com/",
            "name": "The Stairway to Hell",
            "description": "Acorn hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.poppyfields.net/acorn/",
            "name": "The Unofficial Acorn Computer User WWW Server",
            "description": "Acorn computing in general"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.binaries.acorn",
            "name": "comp.binaries.acorn",
            "description": "Networking of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sources.acorn",
            "name": "comp.sources.acorn",
            "description": "Programming of Acorn computers"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.advocacy",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.advocacy"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.announce",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.announce"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.apps",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.apps"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.hardware",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.hardware"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.misc",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.misc"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.networking",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.networking"
        },
        {
            "url": "news:comp.sys.acorn.programmer",
            "name": "comp.sys.acorn.programmer"
        }
    ]
}