VTech Laser 310

Video Technology

Company type	Private
Industry	Consumer electronics, Computer hardware
Founded	1983
Headquarters	Hong Kong
Products	VTech Laser 200, Laser 310, VZ300

The VTech Laser 200 is an 8-bit personal computer introduced in 1983, sold under various brand names such as the Salora Fellow in Fennoscandia, Seltron 200 across Hungary and Italy, the Smart-Alec Jr. in the United States, the Texet TX8000A within the United Kingdom, and the Dick Smith VZ 200 in Australia and New Zealand.

Produced by Video Technology based in Hong Kong, the Laser series developed from earlier TRS-80 inspired models into systems comparable to the EACA Colour Genie and Mattel Aquarius. It supported cassette-based games like Hoppy (a variation of Frogger), Cosmic Rescue (similar to Scramble), and VZ Invaders (modeled after Space Invaders). Production of the Laser 200/210 ceased in 1985, making way for successors such as the Laser 310 and VZ300.

Release

Debuting in 1983, the VZ200 found a market presence across North America and Europe. It was introduced to Germany through Sanyo at the end of 1982; German versions bear a 1982 manufacture date, while other regions show 1983.

Strong promotional efforts by Dick Smith Electronics significantly increased sales in Australia and New Zealand, with more than 30,000 units sold during its first year. Positioned as a cost-effective entry-level machine alongside competitors like the Commodore 64, it gained popularity as a tool for learning programming. Its BASIC interpreter provided more extensive capabilities compared to Commodore's offering.

In the UK market, although the Texet TX8000 was competitively priced at £98—making it the most affordable color microcomputer at that time—it faced stiff competition from established products such as the ZX Spectrum.

A refined version, known as the VTech Laser 310 or Dick Smith VZ300, was released in 1985 featuring a full-travel keyboard and floppy disk controller software embedded in ROM. This model remained on sale until 1989 and saw notable adoption within Chinese primary schools during the 1980s alongside Apple IIe derivatives.

Technical specification (Laser200/Laser210/VZ200)

The VZ200 is constructed with three distinct circuit boards: a main board accompanied by separate video and voltage regulator boards.

In appearance, it bears resemblance to a hybrid between the VIC-20 and ZX Spectrum, sharing one-touch command keys similar to those on the Spectrum; however, their use was optional.

Internally, its architecture is based on the Tandy TRS-80 Model I design running Model II BASIC. It supports loading TRS-80 Level I and II software from cassette tapes using the VZLOADXX utility. Nevertheless, differences in memory map layout and concealed BASIC commands—likely implemented to circumvent Microsoft licensing constraints—mean that the Laser/VZ is not a direct TRS-80 clone, although these hidden commands can be reactivated.

Connectivity options include a DC power input (regulated on-board), stereo earphone output for cassette recorders, RF modulated video output, edge connectors for printer/disk drive interfaces and joystick ports, composite monitor output (NTSC at 60 Hz in North America; PAL at 50 Hz across British Commonwealth countries and Europe), with SCART connectors provided in other regions.

The system is powered by a licensed NEC variant of the Zilog Z80 CPU clocked at 3.58 MHz (3.54 MHz on the VZ300). Initial RAM configurations varied: Europe received 4 kB models, North America had 6 kB units initially which were soon upgraded to 8 kB; Australia and New Zealand launched with 8 kB versions. A 16 kB RAM expansion module was available to increase total memory to 24 kB. The VZ300 came standard with 18 kB RAM including 2 kB dedicated video RAM.

An 8 kB memory setup consists of 6 kB general RAM, 2 kB video RAM, and a 16 kB ROM chip; this can be expanded up to a total of 24 kB (22 kB system memory plus 2 kB video RAM). The mapping of memory and I/O addresses closely follows that of the TRS-80.

Extended RAM employs remote offset addressing (bank switching) above the uppermost RAM area. This approach restricts executable code placement within extended memory since banks reassigned for access are unavailable during operation; consequently, extended memory is primarily utilized for data storage purposes.

Video RAM can be increased to enable enhanced modes of the MC6847 video display generator through video RAM chip select lines integrated into memory expansion hardware. Because the video processor cannot access internal or system RAM expansions directly, only externally connected RAM modules are usable for video purposes via remote offset addressing.

Video

The VZ200 incorporates the Motorola 6847 video chip, delivering a display resolution of 256×192 pixels. The video output can be rendered either as character blocks measuring 8 × 8 pixels (arranged in a 32×24 grid) or as a monochrome bitmap.

Initially equipped with only 4 kB of total memory—2 kB of which is allocated to video—the display is confined to 16 lines, producing a text mode resolution of 256 × 128 pixels. Early versions do not support bitmapped graphics.

The system accommodates up to ten colours—eight plus black and buff—and includes 256 preset character blocks. Text output is restricted to uppercase letters with no capability for redefining character blocks. Users can toggle the screen between green or black (inverse colour) display modes.

MODE 0

Background colours can be set to either dark green or orange. The dark green background mode provides ten distinct colours, whereas the orange background mode offers eleven.

Text appears in black foreground against the selected background. The first 128 character blocks contain 64 alphanumeric characters and their inverse forms; uniquely, this mode permits black text.

The remaining 128 blocks represent every combination of 2×2 pixel patterns within the eight-colour palette paired with the chosen background.

MODE 1

Mode 1 functions as a 'hires' graphics mode, featuring a resolution of 128×64 pixels (8192 addressable points), with video RAM mapped from 0x7000 to 0x77FF.

Two separate colour palettes correspond to each background:

• SET 1 – light green background with foreground options of light green, yellow, blue, or red.
• SET 2 – buff (white) background with buff, cyan, magenta, or orange foreground.

Only four colours from one palette can be displayed simultaneously, utilizing the full 2 kB of video RAM. However, advanced video timing methods have been employed in demos such as '2018AD' and '8 colours' to exhibit all eight colours at once.

Sound output

Sound generation is managed through an internal latch that controls both the piezoelectric speaker and signals sent to the video processor. The speaker operates via a push-pull mechanism driven by bits on the latch located at $6800.

The SOUND command in BASIC enables a pitch range spanning approximately 2.5 octaves. Several ZX Spectrum one-bit music players are compatible with the VZ/Laser series, producing audio through the speaker, cassette interface, or parallel printer port.

Volume control is software-managed via the latch, offering mute, half-volume, and full-volume levels. Moreover, full 8-bit waveforms and music files can be played using a DAC attached to the parallel printer interface, surpassing BASIC’s original limitation of 31 pitched notes.

Peripherals

Disk drive units were introduced in Germany during 1984 and became available worldwide in 1985. Up to two drives could be connected simultaneously through a drive controller, which required a plug-in cartridge controller containing DOS ROM for operation. Both DOS ROM and drives retained backwards compatible support for the Laser 200.

VTech produced an array of plug-in accessories for the Laser 200 and Laser 310 models, including joysticks, cassette recorders, light pen devices, printer plotter units, a 75 baud modem, word processor cartridges, and RAM expansions of 16kB and 64kB. As the community grew, enthusiasts developed homemade kits such as speech synthesizers, Music Synthesiser modules using the Texas Instruments SN76489AN chip, relay interfaces, EEPROM programmers, data loggers, 300 baud modems, full-sized 101-key keyboards, extended RAM up to 128 Kb, and RTTY Ham radio equipment.

In 2020, Ben Grimmett from BennVenn Electronics crafted fifty SD card readers for fans of the system. This upgrade expanded memory to 128 Kb banked RAM and offered storage capacities reaching at least 2 gigabytes, depending on the SD card used. A FAT32-compatible DOS embedded in EEPROM was developed specifically for this enhancement. A second production run of forty units was released in 2022 featuring updated DOS versions that allow full file system access. These improvements enable direct playback of audio tracks and graphical videos straight from the SD card.

Laser 310 / VZ-300

Launched in 1985 across select European countries and Mainland China, the Laser 310 was branded as the "Dick Smith" VZ 300 in Australia and New Zealand markets. It was powered by a Zilog Z80A processor paired with an upgraded 16kB ROM and utilized a television colour burst crystal running at 3.54 MHz. The system incorporated 16kB of RAM designated for programming alongside 2kB of video RAM, consistent with the Laser 200 configuration.

While the VZ300 featured slight physical enhancements, it maintained full compatibility with the VZ200 model. The keyboard was produced in three variations:

1. Brown keys without labels beneath (1985)
2. Brown keys with under-key labels (1986)
3. Light-grey or cream keys with under-key labels (1987)

The original rubber keys were substituted with hard plastic caps, and the casing material was upgraded to a more robust plastic.

Video Technology improved the memory integrated circuits for the VZ300, resulting in a total memory capacity of 18 kB (16 kB CPU RAM plus 2 kB video RAM). The system RAM was increased to 16 kB with an additional 16 kB expansion RAM, bringing the total accessible memory to 34 kB.

Although the VZ200's 16 kB RAM expansion module was compatible, it only provided 8 kB of usable memory on the VZ300 due to differences in chip select pin configurations. An Australian publication, ETI magazine, released a circuit modification that enabled full utilization of all 16 kB on the VZ300.

At least one VZ300 unit manufactured by Video Technology is known to have a memory capacity of 66 kB (64 kB RAM plus 2 kB video RAM) integrated on the motherboard. This was achieved by employing eight HM4864P-2 static RAM chips instead of the standard smaller memory ICs.

Laser 100 / Laser 110

The Laser 100 and Laser 110 models preceded the release of the Laser 210 / VZ200 and bore a close resemblance to the TRS-80 Model 1 in terms of their BASIC ROM. Both utilized the Motorola MC6847 video chip, also found in the TRS-80 Color Computer.

These machines featured an orange chicklet-style keyboard set against a black backdrop and shared BASIC ROM versions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2. The Laser 100 was equipped with 2 kB of RAM plus 2 kB of video RAM, whereas the Laser 110 offered increased memory with 4 kB RAM alongside 2 kB video RAM.

Despite supporting color capabilities within their internal interpreters (including BASIC and assembler), their NTSC and PAL video outputs were restricted to monochrome display. Neither model was ever rebranded under the 'VZ 100' name.

Laser 305

The Laser 305 is an exceptionally uncommon variant that combines the motherboard from a Laser 310 with the keyboard from a Laser 200—a setup achievable by users possessing both devices. The reasons behind Video Technology’s decision to launch this particular model remain unclear. As of mid-2021, only two such units are known to exist.

Seltron 200

The Seltron 200 Color Computer was distributed by Austrian supermarket chain Scale ELEKTRON, with approximately eighty units sold across Austria, Hungary, and Italy. Its motherboard design differs within this product family, utilizing the same custom GA003 and GA004 chipsets found in VZ300/Laser 310 models but omitting the GA008 clock register and DRAM controller present in other variants—likely as a cost reduction strategy.

This model included 2 kB of video RAM and an additional 2 kB of user RAM (similar to the Laser 200) but allowed for expansion up to either an extra 2 kB or 4 kB user RAM, matching an "8K" specification comparable to fully expanded VZ200/Laser 210 systems. The Seltron came with a standard 16 kB ROM available either as a single package or split into two separate 8 kB ROM chips.

As of early 2022, around ten Seltron 200 units are known to be extant, predominantly located in Hungary.

Salora Fellow

Distributed under the name Salora Fellow throughout Finland, Sweden, and Scandinavia, these units were essentially Laser 200 models with 2kB of RAM and 2kB dedicated video memory, simply rebranded for the regional market.

Smart Alec Jr

The Laser 210 was marketed in the United States as the Smart Alec Jr by Dynasty Computer Corporation, although it saw only limited distribution. Detailed sales data for this model is unavailable.

Texet TX8000A

In the UK market, the Laser 200 was sold as the Texet TX8000A. Sales were minimal, and surviving examples of this variant are quite uncommon.

Other Models

The Laser 128, an Apple-compatible system launched in 1986, was not interoperable with the Laser 100-310 series.

The Laser 500 and Laser 750 featured Z80 processors and were MSX-compatible clones equipped with 32kB ROM (which included BASIC 3.0) and 64kB RAM. These models did not maintain compatibility with earlier Laser systems.

Australia and New Zealand

Dick Smith Electronics was responsible for widespread distribution of the VZ200, achieving sales numbering in the tens of thousands.

United States of America

Video Technology inaugurated its initial US branch in Redwood City, California, in 1985. This location functioned as headquarters, assembly facility, mail order center, and retail outlet. Additional stores were later launched in Berkeley, San Jose, and Los Angeles before the US division was eventually sold. NTSC versions of Laser 200, 210, 310, and VTech VZ200 were reportedly available nationwide. Among these rebranded products was the Smart Alec Jr. Promotional efforts included an electronics magazine offering a VZ200 as part of a training course package, mirroring similar marketing strategies used in Australia.

Canada

Rocelco Inc., located in Concord, Ontario, handled distribution of the VZ200 throughout Canada. The company continues to operate at the same address today but has shifted focus to wholesale office furniture.

Germany

Sanyo managed nationwide distribution of VTech Laser models 200, 210, and 310. The VZ200 was marketed under the "VTECH VZ200" brand, whereas higher-end versions carried "SANYO VIDEO/LASER XXX" branding. This led to legal disputes over usage rights of the Sanyo name. A resolution permitted German-market Laser 310 packaging to feature "SANYO VIDEO" labeling.

Robust early sales encouraged formation of multiple user groups. The Light Pen accessory was offered in Germany but not officially released in Australia; some Australian users imported units privately. The floppy disk drive became available in Germany by 1984—almost two years ahead of its Australian release—prompting early imports into Australia before Dick Smith Electronics became involved.

Software

Commercial software titles were produced and distributed across Germany, England, the USA, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and other markets through various retail channels. In Australia and New Zealand especially, numerous programs spanning educational content, graphic-based games, financial applications, and utility software were sold—many preserved today via emulation. Unfortunately, some software titles have been lost over time.

Dick Smith Electronics sourced software from local developers and retailed cassette tapes at $12 each. Most programs for the VZ200 originated domestically in Australia, where it held a status comparable to the Sinclair ZX-81 (which experienced production difficulties in the UK). Limited foreign competition fostered a local development scene that nevertheless struggled to compete with international software dominating platforms like the Commodore 64.

BASIC

The VZ incorporates a BASIC interpreter embedded in ROM, enabling programming, operating system interaction, and program storage. It utilizes a variant of Microsoft BASIC II, closely resembling TRS-80 Level II BASIC, featuring commands like SET, PRINT@, and IF-THEN-ELSE. Access to firmware routines from Zilog through NEC is provided via the RSX command.

Certain TRS-80 BASIC commands such as RANDOMIZE, ON, and DEF are missing, which restricts compatibility to only straightforward TRS-80 software unless modifications are made. Later versions of Extended BASIC restored approximately 25 commands that were initially disabled by Video Technology.

This BASIC dialect supports integer, decimal, and floating-point data types. Although there is no native double precision support, it can be emulated by manipulating values stored as strings.

Emulators

A variety of emulators have been created for these computer models across multiple platforms:

• MAME/MESS VZ/Laser emulation developed by Juergen Buchmueller and Dirk Best
• JEMU (Java) authored by Richard Wilson
• JVZ200 (Windows) created by James Tamer
• VZEM (Windows/DOS) developed by Guy Thomason
• Pocket VZ (Pocket PC) by Guy Thomason
• Android VZ (Android OS) also by Guy Thomason
• WinVZ300 / DSEVZ200 / Emulator 2001 developed by Gavin Turner
• VZ SoundPaint (Java) by Jürgen Reuter
• VZ200 Remake (Java) authored by C Wahlmann
• Windows Laser 310 Emu from ZZemu
• FPGA-based VZ emulator by ZZEMU
• VZ Emulator created by Paul Anderson
• VZ-Next (ESP32/Windows/Linux/Raspberry Pi) by Paul Robson
• MiSTer FPGA core developed by Alan Hanson
• JSMESS maintained by Jason Scott
• Browser-based laser310-emu created by Antonino Porcino
• VTech CreatiVision core for MiSTer FPGA developed by Jamie Blanks

External links

• Blue Bilby – website offering new games, interviews, tutorials, and software applications.
• VZEM by Intertek – official homepage for the VZEM emulator
• JEMU – Java platform emulator for the VZ200 & VZ300 models
• A period review – featured in Your Computer magazine, April 1983 issue
• The VZ200 – collection of tutorials and programming guides
• A VZ200 Wiki – comprehensive information repository
• Clockmeisters – dedicated page for VZ/Laser310 content
• Bushy's – extensive resource center for the VZ series
• Steve's – informational site about the VZ platform
• CreatiVEmu – hub focused on CreatiVision emulation

Software

• Intertek's software download archive
• Bushy's collection of downloadable VZ software