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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import) 
1,289 discussions, 9,527 archived comments; pages no longer carry the comments themselves.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-13 17:26:43 +02:00

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---
title: Exelvision EXL 100
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- France
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- TMS 7020
params:
name: EXL 100
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_1.jpg
company: /companies/exelvision
company_name: Exelvision
specs:
- label: NAME
value: EXL 100
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Exelvision
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: France
- label: YEAR
value: September 1984
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Exelbasic delivered on cartridge
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Infra-red rubber keyboard, AZERTY, 61 keys
- label: CPU
value: TMS 7020 (Texas-Instrument)
- label: SPEED
value: 4.91 MHz
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: TMS-7041 (I/O), TMS-5220A (Speech synthesizer), VDP TMS 3556 (Video generator)
- label: RAM
value: 34 kb (2k of the TMS-7020 + 32k VRAM)
- label: ROM
value: 4 KB (up to 32 KB)
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 40 x 24
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 320 x 200
- label: COLORS
value: '8'
- label: SOUND
value: built-in speech synthesizer (TMS-5220A)
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 40 x 30 x 6,5 cm
- label: I/O PORTS
value: Tape interface (DIN), RGB video out (SCART), Cartridge slot, expansion slot, RAM cards slot
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: |-
optional CMOS RAM card (16k or 64k)\
Optional 3.4'' disk drives
- label: OS
value: CROS (Exelmémoires), ExelDOS (disks)
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: Built-in PSU
- label: PRICE
value: |-
457 (France, september 1984)\
410 (France, november 1985)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- software
- links
forum_thread: 136
photos:
- title: ARABIAN MODEL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100-arab.jpg
- title: TELEMATIC PACK
subtitle: ''
text: This pack was composed of an EXL-100, a monochrom monitor, a "pro" keyboard, an Exelmodem expansion and a 16k Exelmémoire.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_telematic-pack_1.jpg
- title: COMPLETE SYSTEM
subtitle: ''
text: This is a quite complete EXL-100 with the EXL-135 expansion unit, pro-keyboard and Exelmodem.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_complete_2.jpg
- title: PROTOTYPE
subtitle: ''
text: This is the early version od the EXL-100 presented in summer 1984. The case shape is slightly different, the Exeldisk is called EXL-188 (instead of the future EXL-135), the spacebar is dark grey and the joystick is light grey.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_prototype.jpg
- title: FRONT
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right :\
\- Joysticks drawer (grey),\
\- Cartridge slot,\
\- Infra-red receiver,\
\- Reset button,\
\- ON/OFF switch.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_front_1.jpg
- title: BACK
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right :\
\- Power in,\
\- Exelmémoire (CMOS RAM card) slot,\
\- Expansion bay and port,\
\- Video cable (SCART) going out...
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_rear_1.jpg
- title: UNDER
subtitle: ''
text: At the bottom left corner we can see the video cable going out... Next to it is the tape-recorder connector. Both are quite difficult to reach, but once connected you can be sure that they are gonna stay where they are !
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_under_1.jpg
- title: RUBBER KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is the original infra-red keyboard. The rubber keys do not provide a pleasant feeling and keys have to be pressed one by one (because of the infra-red feature) even when you use SHIFT or CTL !
There are some keys (orange) used to emulate a french minitel.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD SIDE VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_2.jpg
- title: EXELBASIC OVERLAY
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This picture shows the original rubber keyboard with the plastic overlay provided with the Exelbasic cartridge. Basic statements are thus written above the keys.
Funny thing : the SHIFT key is blank on the keyboard. But with the overlay you discover the function of the key, since "SHIFT" is written on it. It looks like they forgot to print SHIFT on the key when producing the keyboard, and corrected their error with the overlay...
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_4.jpg
- title: OPENED KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: Notice the battery cell used to send infra-red signals to the main unit.
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard-opened.jpg
- title: JOYSTICKS DRAWER
subtitle: ''
text: This is where are stored the infra-red joysticks ! Clever...
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_joy-trap_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE THE EXL-100
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_inside_1.jpg
- title: EXL-100 MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
As Exelvision founders were T.I. co-employees, it is thus not surprising to find a large number of T.I. components for all the significant functions of the EXL 100.\
This board was manufactured by C.G.C.T., a french telephones company, head office of Exelvision.
**(1)** RGB video output connector.\
**(2)** Standard cassette recorder connector.\
**(3)** TMS 5220, Speech synthesizer.\
**(4)** 2 Ko. RAM chip 6116 (Video buffer).\
**(5)** Specialized chipset.\
**(6)** Infrared receiver.\
**(7)** ROM cartridges connector.\
**(8)** TMS 7000, Input / Output controller.\
**(9)** TMS 3556, video display controller.\
**(10)** 8 x TMS 4480 memory chips, equivalent to 32 Kb. RAM.
image: /media/museum/photos/exel_exl100_inside_1.jpg
adverts:
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (1984)
subtitle: ''
text: '"the competition is dumb !"'
image: /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_french_pub_muette.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (1984)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a small advert from a french reseller "Vectron". The ad is dated november 1984 and the EXL-100 is sold for 3240fr.
The title says : "The french answer"
image: /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_vectron-pub_nov84.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT (1985)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This detailed advert presents a complete EXL-100 with all the pripherals available then (printer, disk, tape, modem, carts, etc.).
"Exelvision, the french micro-computing challenge"
image: /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_pub_may85.jpg
- title: MICRO7 COVERPAGE (SEPT. 84)
subtitle: ''
text: Micro7 was a french computing magazine in the 80's. In september 84, its first page was featuring the EXl-100.
image: /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl-100_micro7.jpg
hardware:
- title: COMPLETE SYSTEM
subtitle: ''
text: This picture shows the EXL-100 with its green monitor, the EXL-80 printer, the EXL-135 disk-drive unit, the Exelmodem expansion box, the tape-recorder, the optional "pro" keyboard, one Exelmémoire, one cartridge and one 3.5'' disk...
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_complete_1.jpg
- title: '"PRO" KEYBOARD'
subtitle: ''
text: This is an optional keyboard for the EXL-100. It is still all "infra-red" and has not cord to the central unit. It is quite similar to the Exeltel keyboard but has no numeric keypad.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_pro-keyboard.jpg
- title: CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: These tiny cartridges are inserted into the front slot of the computer. A majority of games and software were sold on these cartriges.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_cartridge_1.jpg
- title: EXELMODEM
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The exelmodem extension offers a modem, a RS232c connector, a Centronics connector and adds a superimposing feature to the EXL-100 (for use with educative TV programs). This small box is inserted at the back of the computer, into the expansion port. The software is delivered on a cartridge and there is even a keyboard overlay to show the functions of the keys used by the software.
With this extension, the EXL-100 can act as an answering machine with its impressive vocal synthesizer. But sadly, only the 10 pre-programmed sentences can be used, and only one ("you can call me back at...") is really useful. Since the EXL-100 cannot remote control its tape-recorder, it's impossible to archive the incoming messages.\
Phone numbers can be dialed directly on the keyboard and there is a function to call back the last number dialed. Of course it's possible to load / save his own phone directory (up to 320 names/numbers) on the Exelmémoire, which gives instant access to it.
The Exelmodem can also be used to emulates a Minitel (french videotex terminal). It is thus possible to print the videotex pages or to save them on an Exelmémoire cartridge (or on disks as well) for "off-line" browsing. You can also transfer files from or to another EXL-100 computer (Kermit protocol) as well as sending messages, and even download software from an Exelvision server (back in 1985).
Modem : CCITT V23 (1200/75 bauds)\
Price : 1090fr (France, decembre 1985)
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_2.jpg
- title: EXELMODEM EXPANSION BOX
subtitle: ''
text: RS-232c and Centronics connectors. Built-in Modem.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_3.jpg
- title: CONTROLLERS
subtitle: ''
text: These joysticks use infra-red signals to communicate with the unit.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_manettes.jpg
- title: CONTROLLERS
subtitle: Infra-red transmitter
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_joystick-ir-sender_1.jpg
- title: CONTROLLERS
subtitle: Inside
text: Notice the battery cell used to send infra-red signals to the main unit !
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_joystick-opened.jpg
- title: CONNECTION
subtitle: ''
text: This shows an exledisk connected to an Exeltel through an Exelmémoire cartridge... There is also an expansion cartridge inserted (for RS232, Serial, etc...).
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exeldisk_back_1.jpg
- title: EXL-188
subtitle: Exeldisk prototype ?
text: This extension (under the printer and the EXL-100 unit) was presented as the Exeldisk, but was never sold and finally replaced by the EXL-135. What are the differences ?
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl188_1.jpg
- title: OVERVIEW
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Exeldrums is quite an original expansion. It plugs at the rear of the system and acts as a digital drum machine with a built-in sequencer ! It has been developped with Hohner.
The EXL-100 can thus play 6 different instruments at the same time chosen from 17. There are already 16 rythm presets built-in the system, and 54 more can be created. The output is stereo and can be connected to a hi-fi through the "audio output" socket. Quite impressive.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exeldrums_1.jpg
- title: MODEM FOR THE EXELVISION COMPUTERS
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to laretrotienda (Ebay seller) for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_1.jpg
- title: EXELMOUSE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This nice mouse can only be used with the right expansion box.
Thanks to [Xavier Bonnefoy](http://members.nbci.com/soyouzfr/musee.htm) for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmouse_1.jpg
- title: CONNECTORS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This extension, built in the same plastic box as the Exelmodem offers a serial port, a centronics port and a mouse connector. It really looks like an Exelmodem...without the modem. This expansion box was surely conceived for the Exeltel which already had a built-in modem...
Thanks to [Xavier Bonnefoy](http://members.nbci.com/soyouzfr/musee.htm) for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_expansion_1.jpg
- title: EXELMÉMOIRE
subtitle: ''
text: This small card can store up to 16k. It plugs at the back of the computer. 64k Exelmémoires were planned but it's not clear if they were ever sold. Note the round battery cell on the board.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmemoire_1.jpg
- title: 64K EXELMÉMOIRE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Normal Exelmémoire had 16k, but long-awaited 64k cartridges were sold at "the end" of Exelvision...
Thanks to [Xavier Bonnefoy](http://members.nbci.com/soyouzfr/musee.htm) for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmemoire-64k_1.jpg
- title: EXL-80
subtitle: Printer
text: This was the official Exlevision printer, built by the CGCT.
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl80_1.jpg
- title: EXL-80 PROTOTYPE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The EXL-80 was conceived by Euroterminal and produced by the CGCT. It can be used with the Exelvision computers as well as other computers. It's a impact-matrix printer with a 9-pins printing head. The character matrix is of 7 by 9 points. It can print 100 characters / sec. and has an optimised bi-directional printing. It has 96 different characters (ASCII). The graphical resolution is 72 x 72 dpi.
Printing density : 10, 12, 15 or 16.6 characters/inch\
Line spacing : 6 and 8 lines/inch\
Printing attributes : double height, double width, underline\
Printing field : 203.2 mm\
Interfaces : Parallel/Centronic, Serial V24 (otional), Videotex (optional), RS-422/RS-485 (optional), IEEE-488 (optional)
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl80-prototype.jpg
- title: EXELWRITER
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [Xavier Bonnefoy](http://members.nbci.com/soyouzfr/musee.htm) for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelwriter_1.jpg
- title: TAPE-RECORDER
subtitle: ''
text: This classic rebadged tape-recorder was also used by other computers, such as the Philips VG-5000...
image: /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_tape_1.jpg
screenshots:
- title: CAPITAIN MENKAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_cpt-menkar_ss.jpg
- title: WIZORD
subtitle: Title screen
text: This game talks ! Excellent.
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_wizord_ss_2.jpg
- title: WIZORD
subtitle: ''
text: A classic...
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_wizord_ss.gif
- title: TENNIS
subtitle: Title screen
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_tennis_1_ss.jpg
- title: TENNIS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This tennis game, originaly developped for the EXL-100 by D&L, was adapted to many popular computers (Match Point on the Spectrum for example) and had great success !
The Exelvision version really talks ! Amazing.
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_tennis_2_ss.jpg
- title: L'ANNEAU DE L'UNION
subtitle: ''
text: Adventure game inspired by "The Lord of The Ring".
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_anneau_ss.jpg
- title: GOLFABET
subtitle: ''
text: Educative game to learn the alphabet while playing golf !
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_golfabet_ss.jpg
- title: GUPPY
subtitle: Pac-Man clone
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_guppy_ss.jpg
- title: OTHO
subtitle: Othello game
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_otho_ss.jpg
- title: ROBIX
subtitle: Platform game
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_robix_ss.jpg
- title: VEGA X4
subtitle: Shoot'em up
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_vega-x4_ss.jpg
- title: VIRUS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_virus_ss.jpg
- title: AMIRAL CUP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_amiral-cup_box.jpg
- title: ANACONDA
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_anaconda_box.jpg
- title: ATI 42
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_ati42_box.jpg
- title: GEOMEGA LE MONDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_geomega-lde-monde_box.jpg
- title: NEURONE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_neurone_box.jpg
- title: ALGENUBI
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/exelvision_algenubi_box.jpg
links:
- title: Jacques Palpacuer interview
url: http://www.portices.fr/formation/Res/Info/Dimet/Ordinateurs/Exelvision.html
text: Jacques Palpacuer was the man behind Exelvision.
- title: Soyouz Computer Museum
url: http://membres.lycos.fr/soyouz/musee/ordis/exelvision/exelvision.htm
text: Very interesting pictures (in french)
- title: www.exelvision.fr
url: http://www.exelvision.fr
text: Awesome website dedicated to Exelvision. All you needed to know is here (french)
related:
- /museum/exelvision-exeltel
oc_id: 123
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200938/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=123
date: '2023-02-05'
---
The EXL 100 was done by people who worked at Texas Instruments. It uses a lot of technologies of the [TI CC40](/museum/texas-instruments-compact-computer-40-cc40/) (like the basic and the CPU for exemple). All the hardware is based on Texas Instruments chips. The TMS 7020 is the CPU, the TMS 7041 manages all I/O, the speech synthesizer (TMS 5220) and the infrared receiver. The keyboard and the joysticks are linked by infrared to the CPU.
Several peripherals were developped for this computer : a dot matrix printer (EXL 80) and a modem (ExelModem). This computer didn't have a great market success. It was above all used in schools.
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