The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System is a second-generation home console released by Radofin in 1979.
Spec Table
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Radofin |
| Type | Home console |
| Generation | 2nd generation |
| Release Date | 1979 |
| Launch Price | Not documented |
| Units Sold | Not documented |
| Media | Cartridge |
| CPU | Signetics 2650AI @ 0.887 MHz |
| Predecessor / Successor | Not documented |
History
Radofin, a Hong Kong manufacturer, launched the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System in 1979, entering an already-crowded second-generation console market alongside the Atari 2600, Intellivision, and Interton VC 4000. Rather than sell it under a single global brand, Radofin licensed the hardware out widely, and the same machine reached shelves as the Acetronic MPU-1000 in the UK, under the Hanimex label in Australia and New Zealand, and under still other regional names elsewhere. That branding strategy was common for lower-tier second-generation hardware, letting a single Hong Kong design house reach markets it could not service directly.
Under the hood, the console ran on an 8-bit Signetics 2650AI processor clocked at 0.887 MHz, paired with a Signetics 2636 graphics chip capable of just four single-color sprites, one of which could display in eight colors. Games shipped on ROM cartridges ranging from 2 to 6 kilobytes, and the unit stood out for housing its power supply inside the console itself rather than relying on an external brick, a design choice unusual for the era. The library that grew around the hardware totaled roughly 59 titles across compatible systems, including cartridges like Invaders, Chess, Blackjack, and Breakout, drawing obvious inspiration from arcade hits of the period without licensing them outright.
Radofin also sold an optional Hobby Module, a pricey accessory at roughly £49 that added 6.5 kilobits of user-programmable memory and a cassette tape interface, turning the game console into a rudimentary home computer for anyone willing to learn Signetics 2650 assembly language. Few consumers took Radofin up on that offer, but the module illustrates how second-generation hardware makers experimented with blurring the line between dedicated game machines and general-purpose computers before that distinction hardened later in the second console generation.
Perhaps the console’s most durable legacy is its software compatibility with the Interton VC 4000, a German-market machine built around the same Signetics 2650A processor. Historians still debate whether Interton licensed Radofin’s design outright or developed a compatible system independently, but the two machines’ shared cartridge library meant collectors across Europe and Australasia could mix and match games between rebranded units. Radofin discontinued the 1292 in 1983 as cheaper, more capable third-generation hardware from Nintendo and others began reaching international markets.
Library Highlights
The system’s roughly 59-game library leaned on simple arcade-style genres well suited to its modest hardware, from shooters to board-game adaptations, rather than any single breakout franchise.
- Invaders
- Chess
- Blackjack
- Breakout
Variants
Radofin licensed the same underlying hardware to distributors across several regions rather than releasing a single unified product, so the 1292 appeared under a range of regional brand names, including the Acetronic MPU-1000 in the UK and a Hanimex-badged version in Australia and New Zealand, among others. An optional Hobby Module was sold as an add-on rather than a hardware revision, adding programmable memory and cassette storage to any standard unit. See the full Radofin manufacturer hub for other systems the company released.
Collector Value
The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System is a niche find outside of dedicated second-generation collecting circles, and pricing reflects that obscurity: loose consoles and cartridges turn up infrequently and vary widely in price depending on which regional rebrand is being sold, while complete-in-box examples and the rarer Hobby Module accessory command a real premium when they surface. Because the console shares a cartridge format with several regional siblings, buyers should confirm exactly which branded unit and cartridge set they are getting before paying collector prices.
Buying Guide
Before buying a used 1292 or one of its regional rebrands, check that the seller includes a working power cable, since the console’s internal power supply means a damaged unit cannot simply be paired with a generic external adapter. Inspect the cartridge slot’s connector pins for corrosion, a common issue on cartridge-based hardware of this age, and ask whether the console has actually been tested with a game rather than just powered on. If the listing mentions a Hobby Module, confirm it is included and functional, since that accessory is considerably scarcer than the base console.
FAQs
When did the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System come out?
Radofin released the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System in 1979, and the console remained on sale under various regional brand names until it was discontinued in 1983.
How many units did the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sell?
Sales figures for the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System are not documented.
What CPU does the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System use?
It uses a Signetics 2650AI processor running at 0.887 MHz, the same 8-bit chip family used in the compatible Interton VC 4000.
Was the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sold under other names?
Yes. Radofin licensed the hardware to regional distributors, and it reached shoppers under brand names including the Acetronic MPU-1000 and a Hanimex-badged version, among others.
Is the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System compatible with other consoles?
The 1292 shares cartridge software compatibility with the Interton VC 4000, a European console built around the same Signetics processor family.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1292_Advanced_Programmable_Video_System
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interton_VC_4000
Facts on this page last verified 2026-07-15.