website/content/museum/exelvision-exl-100.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Exelvision EXL 100	Computers	Home Computer	France	1984	TMS 7020	name image company company_name specs tabs photos adverts hardware screenshots links comments related oc_id source EXL 100 /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_1.jpg /companies/exelvision Exelvision label value NAME EXL 100 label value MANUFACTURER Exelvision label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN France label value YEAR September 1984 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Exelbasic delivered on cartridge label value KEYBOARD Infra-red rubber keyboard, AZERTY, 61 keys label value CPU TMS 7020 (Texas-Instrument) label value SPEED 4.91 MHz label value CO-PROCESSOR TMS-7041 (I/O), TMS-5220A (Speech synthesizer), VDP TMS 3556 (Video generator) label value RAM 34 kb (2k of the TMS-7020 + 32k VRAM) label value ROM 4 KB (up to 32 KB) label value TEXT MODES 40 x 24 label value GRAPHIC MODES 320 x 200 label value COLORS 8 label value SOUND built-in speech synthesizer (TMS-5220A) label value SIZE / WEIGHT 40 x 30 x 6,5 cm label value I/O PORTS Tape interface (DIN), RGB video out (SCART), Cartridge slot, expansion slot, RAM cards slot label value BUILT IN MEDIA optional CMOS RAM card (16k or 64k)\ Optional 3.4'' disk drives label value OS CROS (Exelmémoires), ExelDOS (disks) label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in PSU label value PRICE 457 (France, september 1984)\ 410 (France, november 1985) photos adverts hardware software links title subtitle text image ARABIAN MODEL /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100-arab.jpg title subtitle text image TELEMATIC PACK This pack was composed of an EXL-100, a monochrom monitor, a "pro" keyboard, an Exelmodem expansion and a 16k Exelmémoire. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_telematic-pack_1.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM This is a quite complete EXL-100 with the EXL-135 expansion unit, pro-keyboard and Exelmodem. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_complete_2.jpg title subtitle text image PROTOTYPE 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. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_prototype.jpg title subtitle text image FRONT From left to right :\ - Joysticks drawer (grey),\ - Cartridge slot,\ - Infra-red receiver,\ - Reset button,\ - ON/OFF switch. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_front_1.jpg title subtitle text image BACK From left to right :\ - Power in,\ - Exelmémoire (CMOS RAM card) slot,\ - Expansion bay and port,\ - Video cable (SCART) going out... /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_rear_1.jpg title subtitle text image UNDER 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 ! /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_under_1.jpg title subtitle text image RUBBER KEYBOARD 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. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_1.jpg title subtitle text image KEYBOARD SIDE VIEW /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_2.jpg title subtitle text image EXELBASIC OVERLAY 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... /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard1_4.jpg title subtitle text image OPENED KEYBOARD Notice the battery cell used to send infra-red signals to the main unit. /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_keyboard-opened.jpg title subtitle text image JOYSTICKS DRAWER This is where are stored the infra-red joysticks ! Clever... /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_joy-trap_1.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE THE EXL-100 /media/museum/photos/exelvision_exl100_inside_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXL-100 MOTHERBOARD 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. /media/museum/photos/exel_exl100_inside_1.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH ADVERT (1984) "the competition is dumb !" /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_french_pub_muette.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH ADVERT (1984) 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" /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_vectron-pub_nov84.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH ADVERT (1985) 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" /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl100_pub_may85.jpg title subtitle text image MICRO7 COVERPAGE (SEPT. 84) Micro7 was a french computing magazine in the 80's. In september 84, its first page was featuring the EXl-100. /media/museum/pubs/exelvision_exl-100_micro7.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM 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... /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_complete_1.jpg title subtitle text image "PRO" KEYBOARD 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. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_pro-keyboard.jpg title subtitle text image CARTRIDGE These tiny cartridges are inserted into the front slot of the computer. A majority of games and software were sold on these cartriges. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_cartridge_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXELMODEM 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) /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_2.jpg title subtitle text image EXELMODEM EXPANSION BOX RS-232c and Centronics connectors. Built-in Modem. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_3.jpg title subtitle text image CONTROLLERS These joysticks use infra-red signals to communicate with the unit. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl100_manettes.jpg title subtitle text image CONTROLLERS Infra-red transmitter /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_joystick-ir-sender_1.jpg title subtitle text image CONTROLLERS Inside Notice the battery cell used to send infra-red signals to the main unit ! /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_joystick-opened.jpg title subtitle text image CONNECTION This shows an exledisk connected to an Exeltel through an Exelmémoire cartridge... There is also an expansion cartridge inserted (for RS232, Serial, etc...). /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exeldisk_back_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXL-188 Exeldisk prototype ? 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 ? /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl188_1.jpg title subtitle text image OVERVIEW 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. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exeldrums_1.jpg title subtitle text image MODEM FOR THE EXELVISION COMPUTERS Thanks to laretrotienda (Ebay seller) for this picture /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmodem_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXELMOUSE 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 /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmouse_1.jpg title subtitle text image CONNECTORS 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 /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_expansion_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXELMÉMOIRE 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. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmemoire_1.jpg title subtitle text image 64K EXELMÉMOIRE 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 /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelmemoire-64k_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXL-80 Printer This was the official Exlevision printer, built by the CGCT. /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl80_1.jpg title subtitle text image EXL-80 PROTOTYPE 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) /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exl80-prototype.jpg title subtitle text image EXELWRITER Thanks to [Xavier Bonnefoy](http://members.nbci.com/soyouzfr/musee.htm) for this picture /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_exelwriter_1.jpg title subtitle text image TAPE-RECORDER This classic rebadged tape-recorder was also used by other computers, such as the Philips VG-5000... /media/museum/hardware/exelvision_tape_1.jpg title subtitle text image CAPITAIN MENKAR /media/museum/software/exelvision_cpt-menkar_ss.jpg title subtitle text image WIZORD Title screen This game talks ! Excellent. /media/museum/software/exelvision_wizord_ss_2.jpg title subtitle text image WIZORD A classic... /media/museum/software/exelvision_wizord_ss.gif title subtitle text image TENNIS Title screen /media/museum/software/exelvision_tennis_1_ss.jpg title subtitle text image TENNIS 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. /media/museum/software/exelvision_tennis_2_ss.jpg title subtitle text image L'ANNEAU DE L'UNION Adventure game inspired by "The Lord of The Ring". /media/museum/software/exelvision_anneau_ss.jpg title subtitle text image GOLFABET Educative game to learn the alphabet while playing golf ! /media/museum/software/exelvision_golfabet_ss.jpg title subtitle text image GUPPY Pac-Man clone /media/museum/software/exelvision_guppy_ss.jpg title subtitle text image OTHO Othello game /media/museum/software/exelvision_otho_ss.jpg title subtitle text image ROBIX Platform game /media/museum/software/exelvision_robix_ss.jpg title subtitle text image VEGA X4 Shoot'em up /media/museum/software/exelvision_vega-x4_ss.jpg title subtitle text image VIRUS /media/museum/software/exelvision_virus_ss.jpg title subtitle text image AMIRAL CUP /media/museum/software/exelvision_amiral-cup_box.jpg title subtitle text image ANACONDA /media/museum/software/exelvision_anaconda_box.jpg title subtitle text image ATI 42 /media/museum/software/exelvision_ati42_box.jpg title subtitle text image GEOMEGA LE MONDE /media/museum/software/exelvision_geomega-lde-monde_box.jpg title subtitle text image NEURONE /media/museum/software/exelvision_neurone_box.jpg title subtitle text image ALGENUBI /media/museum/software/exelvision_algenubi_box.jpg title url text Jacques Palpacuer interview http://www.portices.fr/formation/Res/Info/Dimet/Ordinateurs/Exelvision.html Jacques Palpacuer was the man behind Exelvision. title url text Soyouz Computer Museum http://membres.lycos.fr/soyouz/musee/ordis/exelvision/exelvision.htm Very interesting pictures (in french) title url text www.exelvision.fr http://www.exelvision.fr Awesome website dedicated to Exelvision. All you needed to know is here (french) author date text toor (France) Friday 11th June 2004 Hello, I seeks hopelessly a diskette of boot (EXELDOS) for my EXL135 Exelvision. If you can helping me, please contact me. I thank you. author date text Franz (Courbevoie (Paris - La Défense) - France) Tuesday 22nd October 2002 The EXL100 was my first computer and I really love it. I learnt BASIC on it before switching to Pascal and assembler language on a PC1512 computer. I was 11 years old when I bought this computer in 1985. It is true that at this time, the computer was lacking a lot of sotware and especially some games. I still have the first game I programmed in Basic on a magnetic tape. It was named "Le château du professeur Megabus" (The castle of professor Megabus in english). It was a text adventure game I designed after a friend of mine told me about the "DIM" basic instruction :-). I had a pro keyboard. But the infra-red link did not work very well if the EXL100 casing had been removed for repair (this happened to me after an electronic component burnt into the computer). I had to positionate the keyboard very precisely for a correct use. I have put some pins onto a wood frame so that the keyboard always had the same location on my desk ! The EXELBASIC was very neat. It had a powerful instruction set but the editor was not so great. At this time, my dream was to have the EXELASSEMBLER cartridge but it was very expensive. I remember having a lot of trouble with the tape recorder I used with. Some tapes did not work properly and I always got an error message (ERROR 255 i think...). The first game I bought was ATI 42 on a tape and NEURONES. I had a lot of troubles with NEURONES because of this famous "loading" error. Games such as "Tennis" and "Wizord" were really great. I never used the game pads but the keyboard instead. Game pads had a numerical keyboard that could be used with the keyboard. I also had "IMAGIX" for graphical creations. But it was necesary to have the 16K non volatile Memory Extension to import the graphics into a BASIC program. Your pages are really great. It remembers me a lot of things to me. Sniff !! Franz /museum/exelvision-exeltel 123 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200938/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=123 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 (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.