---
title: Radiola VG 5000
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- France
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80
params:
  name: VG 5000
  image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_system_s1.jpg
  logo: /media/museum/logos/radiola_vg5000_logo.gif
  company: /companies/radiola
  company_name: Radiola
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: VG 5000
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Radiola
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: France
  - label: YEAR
    value: late 1984
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: '1986'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Microsoft Basic
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: |-
      AZERTY, 63 keys (chicklet keyboard)\
      33 Basic statements\
      10 accentuated letters\
      Editing keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: Zilog Z80
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 24 kb (up to 56 kb)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 8 kb
  - label: ROM
    value: 18 kb
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 columns x 25 lines (15 x 80 only in assembler)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: None (pseudo 320 x 250 resolution with semi-graphic symbols)
  - label: COLORS
    value: '8'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 1 voice, 4 octaves
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 28 x 21 x 4,2 cm / 820g
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: |-
      Tape recorder DIN plug (1200 or 2400 bauds)\
      Video output (DIN to SCART)\
      Power DIN plug\
      Extension port (2 x 25 pins)
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External PSU (VU 0022)
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: |-
      VG 5200 - Joystick interface\
      VG 5216 - Expansion unit\
      VU 0001 - Joytsick\
      VU 0011 - SECAM Modulator\
      VU 0031 - 16k RAM cartridge\
      VW 0010 - 40 columns printer\
      VW 0020 - 80 columns print
  - label: PRICE
    value: 242 (December 84)
  tabs:
  - photos
  - emulators
  - links
  - videos
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_system_s2.jpg
  - title: TOP VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_topview_s1.jpg
  - title: BOOT-UP SCREEN
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_bootscreen_s1.jpg
  - title: OPENED
    subtitle: ''
    text: For more information, see the "More pictures" section of the Philips VG-5000 entry.
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_opened_s1.jpg
  - title: RADIOLA LABEL
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_label_s1.jpg
  - title: THE BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_box_s1.jpg
  - title: LIKE NEW!
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/radiola_vg5000_inbox_s1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: DCVG5K
    url: http://dcvg5k.free.fr/
    platform: Windows
    text: The only VG5000 emulator !
  links:
  - title: La page des fans du VG-5000
    url: http://vg5000.free.fr/
    text: VG-5000 dedicated website. Enjoy as it is the only one!
  videos:
  - title: french TV advert
    url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIK8wQKKLQs
    text: 'Length: 31 s'
  comments:
  - author: Mark
    date: Thursday 18th September 2014
    text: The Le Mans factory was built by Schneider ca 1959-60, and in 1971 La Radiotechnique joined in using the facilities. Le Mans produced radio and TVs (from parts to PCBs to assembly and QC), and May 1969 has seen the millionth Schneider TV exiting the plant.
  - author: Maarten
    date: Tuesday 27th November 2012
    text: |-
      To clarify the time line: Some time during the 1980''s TV production is Suresnes was discontinued, but as can be seen from the production dates (also contained in the serial number or on separate stickers) they were already producing computers back then.

      The Schneider brand probably became Philips owned some time in the 1970''s, while the Radiola brand was already owned by RTC when Philips aquired them in 1931.
  - author: Maarten
    date: Tuesday 27th November 2012
    text: I''m pretty sure Philips was the owner of RTC since the 1930''s. Both TV sets and computers (Videopac series, early MSX models) were manufactured in Suresnes (serial number starting with S or SF) while Le Mans manufactured mobile phones (serial number starting with VY). I don''t know what products were made in Le Mans before the 1990''s, though.
  - author: Mauryx71 (Battipaglia, ITALY)
    date: Friday 18th November 2011
    text: Ho un esemplare di produzione francese di questo computer perfettamente funzionante, devo dire però che è un pò limitato, ha un layout simile allo Spectrum, purtroppo non ho documentazione che lo riguardi, c''è qualcuna che possa aiutarmi?
  related:
  - /museum/philips-vg-5000
  oc_id: 1073
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20220928004406/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1073
    date: '2022-09-28'
---

Radiola and Schneider became Philips subsidiaries in 1990 when Philips bought the French Schneider TV assembly plant located in Le Mans - the West of France - and then named Radiotechnique (RTC).

The Radiola, Schneider and [Philips VG-5000](/museum/philips-vg-5000/) were exactly same machines, apart from the case colour. They were conceived and manufactured in the RTC Le Mans factory and only intended for the French market.

At the time, RTC also made the "Minitel", a phone video terminal almost each French family owned. To save costs, the VG-5000 keyboard was thus taken from the Minitel and slightly altered.

Several Philips computer were also sold under Radiola and Schneider names, among them, the [VG-8000](/museum/philips-vg-8000-8010/) and [VG-8020](/museum/philips-vg-8020/)

Although it was sold under three brand names, the VG-5000 didn't sell well, because of its limited capacities, rare and expensive peripherals, and lack of good software.