Difference between revisions of "SC-3000"

Latest revision as of 08:02, 16 November 2024

SC-3000

Manufacturer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.

Variants: SC-3000H

Add-ons: Super Control Station SF-7000, SP-400, Data Recorder SR-1000

Release	Date	RRP
JP	1983-07-15^[1]	¥29,80029,800^[1]
JP (H)	1983	¥33,80033,800
FR	1984-04^[2]
FI	198x
IT	1984^[3]
AU	1983	$299299
AU (H)	1984	$349349
NZ	1983	$399399
SG	1983	$495495
TW	198x

The SC-3000 (Sega Computer 3000) is the first computer to be designed and manufactured by Sega. It was first released in July of 1983 in Japan, and serves as the home computer equivalent of the SG-1000 cartridge-based video game console. The SC-3000, often known simply as the "Sega Computer" or even just the "Sega", is an 8-bit home computer almost identical in nature to the SG-1000, but with a built-in keyboard and support for more hardware expansions.

Unlike later Sega systems, the SC-3000 did not receive a worldwide release, but in markets where it did compete, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Finland, the computer fared well as a low price, entry-level machine for the home. By 1985, the SC-3000 had been displaced by more popular computer standards, but is nevertheless said to have fared better than the SG-1000 console on the global stage, and has a strong group of followers to this day.

The SC-3000 was Sega's first and most popular home computer to be released to the general public. Other endeavours such as the rare Sega AI Computer saw only a small fraction of the success the SC-3000 received, and were built with very different aims. The company would partner with Amstrad and IBM for the Amstrad Mega PC and TeraDrive respectively in later years.

Hardware

As a home computer, the SC-3000 was designed to be an affordable machine for use in a home environment, primarily for business and educational use. However, as with most home computers of the era, the device became a method of playing video games.

The SC-3000 comes with a 64-key keyboard mounted on the top of the unit, a cartridge port on the right hand side and two DE-9 joystick ports on the left. On the back, the system has a power switch and power supply, cassette, printer, monitor and television ports typical of the era. It is a relatively light and compact machine which is most commonly found in black, though white and red variants were also available in Japan.

The SC-3000 is fully compatible with almost all software and accessories designed for the SG-1000 or SG-1000 II, save for some BASIC cartridge variants and peripherals such as the SK-1100. In many situations the reverse is also true - the SK-1100 allowing the SG-1000 to interface with some SC-3000 software and accessories.

There are two major models of the SC-3000 - the standard SC-3000 model with rubberised keys, and an upgraded SC-3000H variant from later in the year, with a full-travel keyboard. Contrary to popular belief, both systems are otherwise identical aside from keyboard technologies, although the improved keyboard led to the SC-3000H being more expensive at launch. A third model, known as the SC-5000 is also known to exist, but very little is known about this unit.

By default, the SC-3000 has 2kB of work RAM and 16kB of VRAM. The system's main RAM is dictated by the cartridge inserted into the machine, and the system will not function if the cartridge port is empty, as it has no built-in ROM. RAM only becomes an issue when dealing with software not distributed on cartridge, and so, even though the systems are extremely similar, differing RAM requirements from software is not an issue that can affect the SG-1000.

For the most part, the SC-3000 was designed to be used in conjunction with a BASIC cartridge. BASIC Level II A offers no extra RAM, meaning only the standard 2kB is available, BASIC Level III A offers 16kB and BASIC Level III B offers 32kB. The values were often combined with the VRAM figure to create confusingly titled "16K", "32K" and "48K" varieties of the SC-3000 (neither of which are strictly accurate descriptions). Software intended for the "32K" SC-3000 will be incompatible with the "16K" variant, though those with 48K SC-3000s could run just about anything. The BASIC cartridges also double up as a programming language, allowing users to create their own software.

The SC-3000 hardware is comparable to the original MSX computer standard and the ColecoVision games console. Though in most regions the SC-3000 retailed at a cheaper price than many of its competitors, it was comparable from a technical perspective to more expensive home computers from the likes of Commodore.

On its own, the SC-3000 offers very few features over the SG-1000, but with the addition of a Data Recorder SR-1000, it is possible to load and save software to compact cassette. Perhaps more notably, 3-inch floppy disk support could be given to the computer via the Super Control Station SF-7000 add-on (which ups the RAM even further by adding 64kB, among other features). Documents can also be printed through the SP-400 printer.

Models

Main article: SC-3000 computers.

SC-3000

Japanese white model
Australian model

JP white model (back)
JP white model (left)
JP white model (right)
AU model (back)
AU model (left)
AU model (right)

SC-3000H

Australian model (front)

Australian model (back)
Australian model (left)
Australian model (right)

Technical specifications

See SG-1000 specifications for further specifications

The SC-3000's technical specifications are largely the same as the SG-1000, with the following memory differences:

RAM: 18 KB (2 KB main RAM, 16 KB VRAM)
System ROM: 32 KB^[4]

BASIC Level II B (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:^[4]

RAM: 20 KB (4 KB main RAM, 16 KB VRAM)

BASIC Level III A (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:^[4]

RAM: 34 KB (18 KB main RAM, 16 KB VRAM)

BASIC Level III B (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:

RAM: 48 KB (32 KB main RAM, 16 KB VRAM)

Comparison

See SG-1000 technical specifications for SG-1000 specifications

The SC-3000 was roughly on par with the original MSX standard, which was largely identical in hardware. A key difference was that the original MSX standard had a higher amount of program RAM. However, both relied on the VRAM for graphics data, giving them largely identical graphical capabilities.

The SG-1000 and SC-3000 were technically comparable to the Commodore 64 (C64). The SC-3000's Z80 CPU and SRAM/ROM bus are clocked at 3.579545 MHz (NTSC) or 3.546893 MHz (PAL), while the C64's 6502 CPU and DRAM/ROM bus are clocked at 1.022727 MHz (NTSC) or 0.985248 MHz (PAL).^[5] The SC-3000's Z80 processes instructions at 0.519034 MIPS (NTSC) or 0.514299 MIPS (PAL), while the C64's 6502 processes 0.439772 MIPS (NTSC) or 0.423656 MIPS (PAL).^[6] The SC-3000's SRAM/ROM bus has an access time of 279 ns (NTSC) or 281 ns (PAL),^[7] while the C64's DRAM/ROM bus has an access time of 978 ns (NTSC) or 1015 ns (PAL).

The SC-3000's VRAM write bandwidth during active display is 174.794 KB/s (NTSC) or 181.112 KB/s (PAL), while the C64's DRAM write bandwidth is 50 KB/s.^[5] This gives the SC-3000 a write fillrate of 1.398352 MPixels/s (NTSC) or 1.448896 MPixels/s (PAL) during active display, while the C64's write fillrate is 400,000 pixels/s (1-color) or 200,000 pixels/s (3-color). The SC-3000's higher bandwidth and write fillrate allow it to transfer more sprite/tile graphics at a faster rate than the C64. The SC-3000's TMS9918 graphics chip supports 32 hardware sprites on screen, while the C64's VIC-II graphics chip supports 8 hardware sprites.

In terms of 3-color sprites, the TMS9918 supports 10 sprites (combining 30 sprites) and the VIC-II supports 8 sprites. The TMS9918 displays 4 sprites (or 9 flickering sprites) per scanline and 20 sprites per 21 scanlines, while the VIC-II displays up to 8 sprites per scanline and 8 sprites per 21 scanlines.^[8] The TMS9918 lacks hardware scrolling, but the Z80 can program smooth per-pixel software scrolling, while the VIC-II supports 7-pixel coarse scrolling but not smooth per-pixel scrolling, which the 6502 could also program in software.

History

Release

Japan

The SC-3000 was launched in Japan in July 1983 for the asking price of ¥29,800, being marketed as an entry-level computer. It was released at the same time as the SG-1000, as it was not entirely certain which sort of system would remain dominant – the cheaper, dedicated video game console, or the more expensive home computer. Possibly due to fears that one type of system would displace the other, Sega went with both.

Over time it was proved that Japanese consumers preferred the SC-3000 over the SG-1000 for its extra features, but neither device could compete with rival products. The more powerful Nintendo Famicom, released very close to the SG-1000/SC-3000 would go on to dominate the Japanese video game market for the rest of the decade, while the home computing market was already saturated, with numerous similar machines vying for public attention.

From day one Sega also found themselves under pressure from more established computers from technology giants NEC, Fujitsu and Sharp, the so called "big three" in the Japanese computing market. Each had entered the sector in the late 1970s, offering multiple tiers of hardware and attracting significant amounts of third-party software; Sega were much smaller players with a background in arcade machines and could not effectively compete. The low screen resolution and comparatively slow processing power of the SC-3000 made it unsuitable for business, while third-parties already had well established relationships with other players in the market.

Another issue was that of the MSX standard, divised by Microsoft's Japanese arm to unify what had become a fractious market between 1978 and 1982. While Sega were trying to market their bespoke computing standard, companies which had already tried and failed with this strategy had switched their alliegence to MSX machines, the first wave of converts including Canon, Fujitsu, Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi, National, Sanyo, Sony, Toshiba and Yamaha. A typical MSX machine is not too dissimilar from an SC-3000 in terms of hardware, but this vast amount of support is thought to have been the biggest factor in the SC-3000's failure to take off.

The SC-3000H, which originally sold for ¥33,800, does not appear to have fared much better.

Sega's advertising saw comic duo Tunnels (とんねるず) advertise the computer.

It is thought that support for the SC-3000 largely dried up in the first few months of 1985 as Sega began to concentrate on the Sega Mark III.

Europe

Unlike Sega's later endeavours, the SC-3000 was only distributed in select European countries, and often struggling due to the oversaturated market.

The SC-3000 was distributed in France by ITMC (under the Yeno brand), achieving mild success in 1983/1984 as it competed with computers from Atari, Commodore, Oric, Sinclair and the home-grown Thomson M05 and T07, among others. Despite gaining some traction, by the middle of 1984 ITMC were advertising an MSX machine as the SC-3000's "bigger sister"; the DPC-64 (adapted from the South Korean DPC-200 machine by Daewoo). With more memory, an AZERTY keyboard and wider software compatibility, the DPC-64 became the firm's main computer going into 1985, with the SC-3000 presumably being retired.

In Italy, the SC-3000 was distributed by Melchioni.

The computer was also seen in Finland, where it was distributed by Digital Systems.

Australia and New Zealand

The SC-3000 was a big success for Sega in Oceania. It was distributed in Australia by John Sands and in New Zealand by Grandstand Leisure. Both regions had comparatively less competition than in Japan, and so the SC-3000 (and SC-3000H) performed reasonably well as low-entry computers during the mid-1980s, fighting primarily against the Commodore VIC-20.

The SC-3000 outsold the SG-1000 in the market, and managed to make an impact on the educational and advertising markets too. Both John Sands and Grandstand strongly supported the system, releasing cassette-based software and building up third-party relations with local developers. At least 15,000 SC-3000s had been sold in Australia by 1986.

A Speech Synthesis unit and a light pen were supposedly manufactured by third party companies in New Zealand. New Zealand also had its own Sega Computer magazine.

Distribution in both countries stopped in 1986 for different reasons. It is said that Grandstand wanted to focus efforts on distributing Amstrad products instead (namely the Amstrad CPC).

Africa

The computer was released in Egypt by Cactus International. Also rumoured is a South African release of the console.

Asia

The SC-3000 was distributed in Singapore by Ocean Radio and in Thailand by Tavon Computer Company. In Taiwan, it was sold under the Aaronix brand.

Decline

By the end of 1983, the SC-3000 had sold 120,000 units worldwide^[9].

Production credits

Designer: Hideki Sato

Source:

Developer mentions^[10]

Magazine articles

Main article: SC-3000/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advertisements

JP (1985-01)
FR (1984-11)
FR (1984-12)
FR (1985-01)
IT (1)
IT (2)
AU (1)
AU (2)
NZ (Grandstand Sega Special Offer)
NZ (The Brains of the Family)
SG (1983)

Print advert in Amusement Life (JP) #8: "No.8, 9" (1983-08-20)
also published in:

Amusement Life (JP) #10: "No.10" (1983-09-20)^[11]
Amusement Life (JP) #11: "No.11" (1983-10-20)^[12]

Print advert in I/O (JP)I/O (JP) #1983-07 (1983-xx-xx)

Print advert in I/O (JP)I/O (JP) #1983-08 (1983-xx-xx)

Print advert in I/O (JP)I/O (JP) #1983-09 (1983-xx-xx)

Print advert in Computer Input (NZ)Computer Input (NZ) #1983-11: "November 1983" (1983-xx-xx)
also published in:

Computer Input (NZ)Computer Input (NZ) #1983-12: "December 1983" (1983-xx-xx)^[13]
Computer Input (NZ)Computer Input (NZ) #1984-05: "May/June 1984" (1984-xx-xx)^[14]
Sega Computer (NZ) #1: "xxxx xxxx" (1984-xx-xx)^[15]
Computer Input (NZ)Computer Input (NZ) #1984-09: "Vol 1 No 9, September 1984" (1984-xx-xx)^[16]

Print advert in Votre Ordinateur (FR) #4: "Mars 1984" (1984-03-xx)
also published in:

L'Ordinateur_Individuel (FR) #58: "Avril 1984" (1984-04-xx)^[17]
Tilt (FR) #12: "Mai 1984" (1984-xx-xx)^[18]

Print advert in Votre Ordinateur (FR) #7: "Septembre 1984" (1984-09-xx)
also published in:

Science & Vie Micro (FR) #9: "Septembre 1984" (198x-09-xx)^[19]
Micro 7 (FR) #20: "Octobre 84" (1984-10-xx)^[20]

Print advert in Votre Ordinateur (FR) #9: "Novembre 1984" (1984-11-xx)
also published in:

L'Ordinateur_Individuel (FR) #65: "Decembre 1984" (1984-12-xx)^[21]
Votre Ordinateur (FR) #10: "Janvier 1985" (1985-01-xx)^[22]

Print advert in Tilt (FR) #17: "Novembre/Décembre 1984" (1984-xx-xx)
also published in:

L'Ordinateur_Individuel (FR) #66: "Janvier 1985" (1985-01-xx)^[23]
L'Ordinateur_Individuel (FR) #67: "Fevrier 1985" (1985-02-xx)^[24]

Print advert in I/O (JP)I/O (JP) #1984-12 (198x-xx-xx)

Television advertisements

AU

JP (SC-3000H)

External links

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/index.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-10 13:54)
↑ https://www.gamopat.com/2014/04/c-etait-il-y-a-30-ans-le-sega-yeno-sc-3000.html
↑ https://it.ign.com/sega-master-system/104753/feature/sega-master-system-la-storia-e-dei-perdenti
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf, page 11
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 htt (Wayback Machine: 2011-11-26 18:35)
↑ Obsolete Microprocessors
↑ File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf, page 12
↑ New sprite record (MSX Research Center)
↑ File:JeuxetStrategie FR 29.pdf, page 24
↑ File:Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf, page 23
↑ Amusement Life, "No.10" (JP; 1983-09-20), page 110
↑ Amusement Life, "No.11" (JP; 1983-10-20), page 15
↑ Computer Input, "December 1983" (NZ; 1983-xx-xx), page 52
↑ Computer Input, "May 1984" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 52
↑ Sega Computer, "xxxx xxxx" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 28
↑ Computer Input, "September 1984" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 50
↑ L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Avril 1984" (FR; 1984-04-xx), page 3
↑ Tilt, "Mai 1984" (FR; 1984-xx-xx), page 37
↑ Science & Vie Micro, "Septembre 1984" (FR; 198x-09-xx), page 32
↑ Micro 7, "Octobre 84" (FR; 1984-10-xx), page 110
↑ L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Decembre 1984" (FR; 1984-12-xx), page 12
↑ Votre Ordinateur, "Janvier 1985" (FR; 1985-01-xx), page 16
↑ L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Janvier 1985" (FR; 1985-01-xx), page 70
↑ L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Fevrier 1985" (FR; 1985-02-xx), page 192

Sega SG-1000 Hardware
SG-1000 Variations	SG-1000 \| SG-1000 II \| SC-3000 \| SC-5000 \| Othello Multivision \| Pasocom Gakushuudzukue \| SD-G5 \| Arcade
Add-ons	Super Control Station SF-7000 \| 4 Color Plotter Printer \| Data Recorder SR-1000 \| Sega Keyboard
Game Controllers	Joystick (SJ-200) \| Joystick (SJ-300) \| Joypad (SJ-150) \| SJ-151 \| Handle Controller \| Bike Handle \| Sega Graphic Board \| Pasoko-1000
Misc. Hardware	Card Catcher \| Extension Cable Kit (JC-100) \| SD-80 \| Sega Compact Floppy Disk
Unlicensed Clones	Dina 2 in one \| Fullwis Video Game FR-II‎

83	84	85	86	88	90	91	93	94	98	06
Sega Home Video Game Systems
SG-1000	SG-1000 II			Mega Drive			Mega Drive II
SC-3000						Mega-CD	Mega-CD II		Genesis 3
		Sega Mark III						32X	Dreamcast
			Master System		Master System II
			AI Computer		Game Gear
								Saturn
							Pico			Beena

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20180410135421.2Fhttps:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Fhistory.2Fhard.2Fsc3000.2Findex.html-1] 1.0 ^1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/index.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-04-10 13:54)

[2] ttps://www.gamopat.com/2014/04/c-etait-il-y-a-30-ans-le-sega-yeno-sc-3000.html

[3] ttps://it.ign.com/sega-master-system/104753/feature/sega-master-system-la-storia-e-dei-perdenti

[:File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf_p11-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf, page 11

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20111126183551.2Fdigitalaudioconcepts.com.2Fvanessa.2Fhobbies.2Fcommodore-info.html-5] 5.0 ^5.1 htt (Wayback Machine: 2011-11-26 18:35)

[.5Bhttp:.2F.2Fdrolez.com.2Fretro.2F_Obsolete_Microprocessors.5D-6] Obsolete Microprocessors

[:File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf_p12-7] File:SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf, page 12

[.5Bhttps:.2F.2Fwww.msx.org.2Fforum.2Fmsx-talk.2Fdevelopment.2Fnew-sprite-record_New_sprite_record_.28MSX_Research_Center.29.5D-8] New sprite record (MSX Research Center)

[:File:JeuxetStrategie_FR_29.pdf_p24-9] File:JeuxetStrategie FR 29.pdf, page 24

[:File:Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf_p23-10] File:Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf, page 23

[:File:AMLife_JP_10.pdf_p110-11] Amusement Life, "No.10" (JP; 1983-09-20), page 110

[:File:AMLife_JP_11.pdf_p15-12] Amusement Life, "No.11" (JP; 1983-10-20), page 15

[:File:ComputerInput_NZ_1983-12.pdf_p52-13] Computer Input, "December 1983" (NZ; 1983-xx-xx), page 52

[14] Computer Input, "May 1984" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 52

[:File:SegaComputer01NZ.pdf_p28-15] Sega Computer, "xxxx xxxx" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 28

[16] Computer Input, "September 1984" (NZ; 1984-xx-xx), page 50

[:File:L.27OrdinateurIndividuel_FR_058.pdf_p3-17] L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Avril 1984" (FR; 1984-04-xx), page 3

[:File:Tilt_FR_012.pdf_p37-18] Tilt, "Mai 1984" (FR; 1984-xx-xx), page 37

[:File:SVM_FR_09.pdf_p32-19] Science & Vie Micro, "Septembre 1984" (FR; 198x-09-xx), page 32

[:File:Micro7_FR_20.pdf_p110-20] Micro 7, "Octobre 84" (FR; 1984-10-xx), page 110

[:File:L.27OrdinateurIndividuel_FR_065.pdf_p12-21] L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Decembre 1984" (FR; 1984-12-xx), page 12

[:File:VotreOrdinateur_FR_10.pdf_p16-22] Votre Ordinateur, "Janvier 1985" (FR; 1985-01-xx), page 16

[:File:L.27OrdinateurIndividuel_FR_066.pdf_p70-23] L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Janvier 1985" (FR; 1985-01-xx), page 70

[:File:L.27OrdinateurIndividuel_FR_067.pdf_p192-24] L'Ordinateur_Individuel, "Fevrier 1985" (FR; 1985-02-xx), page 192

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[3]

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[5]

[6]

[7]

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Difference between revisions of "SC-3000"

From Sega Retro

Latest revision as of 08:02, 16 November 2024

Contents

Hardware

Models

SC-3000

SC-3000H

Technical specifications

Comparison

History

Release

Japan

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

Africa

Asia

Decline

Production credits

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Print advertisements

Television advertisements

External links

References

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{ConsoleBob
-| logos=[[File:SC-3000 logo.svg|320px]]
+| logo=SC-3000 logo.svg
 | consoleimage=SC-3000.jpg
-| imgwidth=320
 | consoleimage2=SC-3000H AU 1.jpg
-| imgwidth2=320
 | name=
-| maker=[[Sega]]
+| maker=[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
 | variants=SC-3000H
 | add-ons=[[Super Control Station SF-7000]], [[SP-400]], [[Data Recorder SR-1000]]
 | processor=
 | releases={{releasesSG
-| sc_date_jp=1983-07
+| sc_date_jp=1983-07-15{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135421/https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/index.html}}
-| sc_rrp_jp=29,800
+| sc_rrp_jp=29,800{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135421/https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/index.html}}
 | sc_date_jp_1=1983
 | sc_rrp_jp_1=33,800
@@ Line 25: / Line 23: @@
 | sc_date_sg=1983
 | sc_rrp_sg=495
-| sc_date_fr=1983-12
+| sc_date_fr=1984-04<ref>https://www.gamopat.com/2014/04/c-etait-il-y-a-30-ans-le-sega-yeno-sc-3000.html</ref>
-| sc_rrp_fr=1950
+| sc_date_it=1984<ref>https://it.ign.com/sega-master-system/104753/feature/sega-master-system-la-storia-e-dei-perdenti</ref>
-| sc_date_it=198x
+| sc_date_fi=198x
-| sc_date_fi=1983
+| sc_date_tw=198x
-| sc_rrp_fi=1295
 }}
 }}
-The '''SC-3000''' ('''S'''ega '''C'''omputer 3000) is the first and only computer to be designed and manufactured by [[Sega]]. It was first released in July of 1983 in Japan, and serves as the home computer equivalent of the [[SG-1000]] [[cartridge]]-based video game console. The SC-3000, often known simply as the "Sega Computer" or even just the "Sega", is an 8-bit home computer almost identical in nature to the SG-1000, but with a built-in keyboard and support for more hardware expansions.
+The '''SC-3000''' ('''S'''ega '''C'''omputer 3000) is the first computer to be designed and manufactured by [[Sega]]. It was first released in July of 1983 in Japan, and serves as the home computer equivalent of the [[SG-1000]] [[cartridge]]-based video game console. The SC-3000, often known simply as the "Sega Computer" or even just the "Sega", is an 8-bit home computer almost identical in nature to the SG-1000, but with a built-in keyboard and support for more hardware expansions.
 Unlike later Sega systems, the SC-3000 did not receive a worldwide release, but in markets where it did compete, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Finland, the computer fared well as a low price, entry-level machine for the home. By 1985, the SC-3000 had been displaced by more popular computer standards, but is nevertheless said to have fared better than the SG-1000 console on the global stage, and has a strong group of followers to this day.
-The SC-3000 was also Sega's last home computer to be released to the general public. The company would partner with Amstrad and IBM for the [[Amstrad Mega PC]] and [[TeraDrive]] respectively in later years, but other endeavours such as the extremely rare [[Sega AI Computer]] saw only a small fraction of the success the SC-3000 received, and were built with very different aims.
+The SC-3000 was Sega's first and most popular home computer to be released to the general public. Other endeavours such as the rare [[Sega AI Computer]] saw only a small fraction of the success the SC-3000 received, and were built with very different aims. The company would partner with Amstrad and IBM for the [[Amstrad Mega PC]] and [[TeraDrive]] respectively in later years.
 ==Hardware==
@@ Line 43: / Line 40: @@
 The SC-3000 comes with a 64-key keyboard mounted on the top of the unit, a cartridge port on the right hand side and two [[DE-9]] joystick ports on the left. On the back, the system has a power switch and power supply, cassette, printer, monitor and television ports typical of the era. It is a relatively light and compact machine which is most commonly found in black, though white and red variants were also available in Japan.
-The SC-3000 is fully compatible with almost all software and accessories designed for the SG-1000 or [[SG-1000 II]], save for some BASIC cartridge variants and peripherals such as the [[SK-1100]]. In many situations the reverse is also true - the SK-1100 allowing the SG-1000 to interface with some SC-3000 software and accessories.
+The SC-3000 is fully compatible with almost all software and accessories designed for the [[SG-1000]] or [[SG-1000 II]], save for some BASIC cartridge variants and peripherals such as the [[SK-1100]]. In many situations the reverse is also true - the SK-1100 allowing the SG-1000 to interface with some SC-3000 software and accessories.
-There are two major models of the SC-3000 - the standard SC-3000 model with rubberised keys, and an upgraded '''SC-3000H''' variant from later in the year, with a full-travel mechanical keyboard. Contrary to popular belief, both systems are otherwise identical aside from keyboard technologies, although the improved keyboard led to the SC-3000H being more expensive at launch. A third model, known as the [[SC-5000]] is also known to exist, but very little is known about this unit.
+There are two major models of the SC-3000 - the standard SC-3000 model with rubberised keys, and an upgraded '''SC-3000H''' variant from later in the year, with a full-travel keyboard. Contrary to popular belief, both systems are otherwise identical aside from keyboard technologies, although the improved keyboard led to the SC-3000H being more expensive at launch. A third model, known as the [[SC-5000]] is also known to exist, but very little is known about this unit.
-By default, the SC-3000 has 2kB of work RAM, 16kB of VRAM and 32kB of ROM. The system's main RAM is dictated by the cartridge inserted into the machine, and the system will not function if the cartridge port is empty. RAM only becomes an issue when dealing with software not distributed on cartridge, and so, even though the systems are extremely similar, differing RAM requirements from software is not an issue that can affect the SG-1000.
+By default, the SC-3000 has 2kB of work RAM and 16kB of VRAM. The system's main RAM is dictated by the cartridge inserted into the machine, and the system will not function if the cartridge port is empty, as it has no built-in ROM. RAM only becomes an issue when dealing with software not distributed on cartridge, and so, even though the systems are extremely similar, differing RAM requirements from software is not an issue that can affect the SG-1000.
 For the most part, the SC-3000 was designed to be used in conjunction with a BASIC cartridge. ''[[BASIC Level II A]]'' offers no extra RAM, meaning only the standard 2kB is available, ''[[BASIC Level III A]]'' offers 16kB and ''[[BASIC Level III B]]'' offers 32kB. The values were often combined with the VRAM figure to create confusingly titled "16K", "32K" and "48K" varieties of the SC-3000 (neither of which are strictly accurate descriptions). Software intended for the "32K" SC-3000 will be incompatible with the "16K" variant, though those with 48K SC-3000s could run just about anything. The BASIC cartridges also double up as a programming language, allowing users to create their own software.
-The SC-3000 hardware is comparable to the original MSX computer standard or the ColecoVision games console. Though in most regions the SC-3000 retailed at a cheaper price than many of its competitors, it was outclassed from a technical perspective at launch by more powerful (albeit more expensive) home computers from the likes of Commodore.
+The SC-3000 hardware is comparable to the original MSX computer standard and the ColecoVision games console. Though in most regions the SC-3000 retailed at a cheaper price than many of its competitors, it was comparable from a technical perspective to more expensive home computers from the likes of Commodore.
 On its own, the SC-3000 offers very few features over the SG-1000, but with the addition of a [[Data Recorder SR-1000]], it is possible to load and save software to compact cassette. Perhaps more notably, 3-inch floppy disk support could be given to the computer via the [[Super Control Station SF-7000]] add-on (which ups the RAM even further by adding 64kB, among other features). Documents can also be printed through the [[SP-400]] printer.
-The SC-3000 was roughly on par with the original [[wikipedia:MSX|MSX]] standard, which was largely identical in hardware. A key difference was that the original MSX standard had a higher amount of program [[RAM]]. However, both relied on the [[VRAM]] for graphics data, giving them largely identical graphical capabilities.
-The SC-3000 was a generally more powerful computer than the [[wikipedia:Commodore 64|Commodore 64]] (C64), the most powerful Western home computer at the time. The SC-3000's [[Z80]] CPU has a clock rate of 3.579545 MHz in [[NTSC]] and 3.546893 MHz in [[PAL]],{{intref|Sega SG-1000}} several times faster than the C64's [[wikipedia:MOS Technology 6502|6502]] CPU which has a clock rate of 1.022727 MHz in NTSC and 0.985248 MHz in PAL.{{ref|[http://digitalaudioconcepts.com/vanessa/hobbies/commodore-info.html Commodore 64 Information]}} The SC-3000's Z80 has a processing performance of 0.519034 [[wikipedia:Instructions per second|MIPS]] in NTSC and 0.514299 MIPS in PAL, higher than the C64's 6502 which has a processing performance of 0.439772 MIPS in NTSC and 0.423656 MIPS in PAL.{{ref|[http://drolez.com/retro/ Obsolete Microprocessors]}} The SC-3000's [[SRAM]]/[[ROM]] bus has an access time of 279 ns in NTSC and 281 ns in PAL,{{fileref|SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf|page=12}} several times faster than the C64's [[wikipedia:Dynamic random access memory|DRAM]]/ROM bus which has an access time of 978 ns in NTSC and 1015 ns in PAL. The SC-3000's VRAM write [[Byte|bandwidth]] during active display is 174.794 [[Byte|KB/s]] in NTSC and 181.112 KB/s in PAL,{{intref|Sega SG-1000}} several times faster than the C64's DRAM write bandwidth of 50 KB/s.{{ref|[http://digitalaudioconcepts.com/vanessa/hobbies/commodore-info.html Commodore 64 Information]}} The SC-3000's higher bandwidth means it could access and transfer more [[sprite]] and [[wikipedia:Tile-based video game|tile]] data at a faster rate than the C64. The SC-3000's [[TMS9918]] graphics chip supports 32 hardware sprites on screen, more than the C64's [[wikipedia:MOS Technology VIC-II|VIC-II]] graphics chip which supports 8 hardware sprites. In terms of 3-color sprites, the TMS9918 supports 10 hardware sprites (combining 30 single-color sprites) and the VIC-II supports 8 hardware sprites. The TMS9918 displays 4 sprites on the same scanline and 20 sprites across 21 scanlines, while the VIC-II displays up to 8 sprites on the same scanline and across 21 scanlines. The TMS9918 lacks hardware scrolling, but the SC-3000's Z80 can be programmed for smooth software scrolling, whereas the VIC-II supports hardware scrolling, but is CPU intensive, also requiring software programming with the 6502 for smooth scrolling.
 ===Models===
@@ Line 91: / Line 84: @@
 The SC-3000's technical specifications are largely the same as the SG-1000, with the following memory differences:
-* [[RAM]]: 18&nbsp;[[Byte|KB]]
+* [[RAM]]: 18&nbsp;[[Byte|KB]] (2&nbsp;KB main RAM, 16&nbsp;KB [[VRAM]])
-** Main RAM: 2&nbsp;KB
-** [[VRAM]]: 16&nbsp;KB
 * System [[ROM]]: 32&nbsp;KB{{fileref|SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf|page=11}}
 ''[[BASIC Level II B]]'' (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:{{fileref|SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf|page=11}}
-* RAM: 20&nbsp;KB
+* RAM: 20&nbsp;KB (4&nbsp;KB main RAM, 16&nbsp;KB [[VRAM]])
-** Main RAM: 4&nbsp;KB
-** VRAM: 16&nbsp;KB
 ''[[BASIC Level III A]]'' (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:{{fileref|SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf|page=11}}
-* RAM: 34&nbsp;KB
+* RAM: 34&nbsp;KB (18&nbsp;KB main RAM, 16&nbsp;KB [[VRAM]])
-** Main RAM: 18&nbsp;KB
-** VRAM: 16&nbsp;KB
 ''[[BASIC Level III B]]'' (1983) includes the following memory upgrade:
-* RAM: 48&nbsp;KB
+* RAM: 48&nbsp;KB (32&nbsp;KB main RAM, 16&nbsp;KB [[VRAM]])
-** Main RAM: 32&nbsp;KB
-** VRAM: 16&nbsp;KB
+===Comparison===
+:''See [[SG-1000#Technical specifications|SG-1000 technical specifications]] for SG-1000 specifications''
+The SC-3000 was roughly on par with the original [[wikipedia:MSX|MSX]] standard, which was largely identical in hardware. A key difference was that the original MSX standard had a higher amount of program [[RAM]]. However, both relied on the [[VRAM]] for graphics data, giving them largely identical graphical capabilities.
+The SG-1000 and SC-3000 were technically comparable to the [[Commodore 64]] (C64). The SC-3000's [[Z80]] CPU and [[SRAM]]/[[ROM]] bus are clocked at 3.579545 MHz ([[NTSC]]) or 3.546893 MHz ([[PAL]]), while the C64's [[wikipedia:MOS Technology 6502|6502]] CPU and [[wikipedia:Dynamic random access memory|DRAM]]/ROM bus are clocked at 1.022727 MHz (NTSC) or 0.985248 MHz (PAL).{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20111126183551/digitalaudioconcepts.com/vanessa/hobbies/commodore-info.html}} The SC-3000's Z80 processes instructions at 0.519034 [[wikipedia:Instructions per second|MIPS]] (NTSC) or 0.514299 MIPS (PAL), while the C64's 6502 processes 0.439772 MIPS (NTSC) or 0.423656 MIPS (PAL).{{ref|[http://drolez.com/retro/ Obsolete Microprocessors]}} The SC-3000's SRAM/ROM bus has an access time of 279 ns (NTSC) or 281 ns (PAL),{{fileref|SC-3000ServiceManual.pdf|page=12}} while the C64's DRAM/ROM bus has an access time of 978 ns (NTSC) or 1015 ns (PAL).
+The SC-3000's VRAM write [[Byte|bandwidth]] during active display is 174.794 [[Byte|KB/s]] (NTSC) or 181.112 KB/s (PAL), while the C64's DRAM write bandwidth is 50 KB/s.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20111126183551/digitalaudioconcepts.com/vanessa/hobbies/commodore-info.html}} This gives the SC-3000 a write [[fillrate]] of 1.398352 [[Pixel|MPixels/s]] (NTSC) or 1.448896 MPixels/s (PAL) during active display, while the C64's write fillrate is 400,000 [[Pixel|pixels/s]] (1-color) or 200,000 pixels/s (3-color). The SC-3000's higher bandwidth and write fillrate allow it to transfer more [[sprite]]/[[wikipedia:Tile-based video game|tile]] graphics at a faster rate than the C64. The SC-3000's [[TMS9918]] graphics chip supports 32 hardware sprites on screen, while the C64's [[wikipedia:MOS Technology VIC-II|VIC-II]] graphics chip supports 8 hardware sprites.
+In terms of 3-color sprites, the TMS9918 supports 10 sprites (combining 30 sprites) and the VIC-II supports 8 sprites. The TMS9918 displays 4 sprites (or 9 flickering sprites) per scanline and 20 sprites per 21 scanlines, while the VIC-II displays up to 8 sprites per scanline and 8 sprites per 21 scanlines.{{ref|[https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/development/new-sprite-record New sprite record (MSX Research Center)]}} The TMS9918 lacks hardware scrolling, but the Z80 can program smooth per-pixel software scrolling, while the VIC-II supports 7-pixel coarse scrolling but not smooth per-pixel scrolling, which the 6502 could also program in software.
 ==History==
 ===Release===
 ====Japan====
-The SC-3000 was launched in Japan in July 1983 for the asking price of ¥29,800, being marketed as an entry-level computer. It was released at the same time as the SG-1000, as it not entirely certain which sort of system would remain dominant - the cheaper, dedicated video game console, or the more expensive home computer. Possibly due to fears that one type of system would displace the other, Sega went with both.
+The SC-3000 was launched in Japan in July 1983 for the asking price of ¥29,800, being marketed as an entry-level computer. It was released at the same time as the SG-1000, as it was not entirely certain which sort of system would remain dominant – the cheaper, dedicated video game console, or the more expensive home computer. Possibly due to fears that one type of system would displace the other, Sega went with both.
-Over time it was proved that Japanese consumers preferred the SC-3000 over the SG-1000 for its extra features, but neither device could compete with rival products. The more powerful Nintendo Famicom, released very close to the SG-1000/SC-3000 would go on to dominate the Japanese video game market for the best part of a decade, while the home computing market was already saturated, with numerous similar machines vying for public attention.
+Over time it was proved that Japanese consumers preferred the SC-3000 over the SG-1000 for its extra features, but neither device could compete with rival products. The more powerful [[Nintendo Famicom]], released very close to the SG-1000/SC-3000 would go on to dominate the Japanese video game market for the rest of the decade, while the home computing market was already saturated, with numerous similar machines vying for public attention.
-From day one Sega also found themselves under pressure from more established computers from technology giants [[NEC]], [[Fujitsu]] and [[Sharp]], the so called "big three" in the Japanese computing market. Each had entered the sector in the late 1970s, offering multiple tiers of hardware and attracting significant amounts of third-party software - Sega were much smaller players with a background in arcade machines and could not effectively compete. The low screen resolution and comparatively slow processing power of the SC-3000 made it unsuitable for business, while third-parties already had well established relationships with other players in the market.
+From day one Sega also found themselves under pressure from more established computers from technology giants [[NEC]], [[Fujitsu]] and [[Sharp]], the so called "big three" in the Japanese computing market. Each had entered the sector in the late 1970s, offering multiple tiers of hardware and attracting significant amounts of third-party software; Sega were much smaller players with a background in arcade machines and could not effectively compete. The low screen resolution and comparatively slow processing power of the SC-3000 made it unsuitable for business, while third-parties already had well established relationships with other players in the market.
 Another issue was that of the MSX standard, divised by [[Microsoft]]'s Japanese arm to unify what had become a fractious market between 1978 and 1982. While Sega were trying to market their bespoke computing standard, companies which had already tried and failed with this strategy had switched their alliegence to MSX machines, the first wave of converts including Canon, Fujitsu, [[Hitachi]], [[JVC]], Mitsubishi, National, [[Sanyo]], [[Sony]], [[Toshiba]] and [[Yamaha]]. A typical MSX machine is not too dissimilar from an SC-3000 in terms of hardware, but this vast amount of support is thought to have been the biggest factor in the SC-3000's failure to take off.
 The SC-3000H, which originally sold for ¥33,800, does not appear to have fared much better.
+Sega's advertising saw comic duo Tunnels (とんねるず) advertise the computer.
 It is thought that support for the SC-3000 largely dried up in the first few months of 1985 as Sega began to concentrate on the [[Sega Mark III]].
 ====Europe====
-Unlike Sega's later endeavours, the SC-3000 was only distributed in select European countries, and again struggled due to the oversaturated market. It was distributed in France by [[ITMC]] (under the Yeno brand) and in Italy, where it was distributed by [[Melchioni]]. It was also seen in Finland, where it was distributed by [[Digital Systems]].
+Unlike Sega's later endeavours, the SC-3000 was only distributed in select European countries, and often struggling due to the oversaturated market.
+The SC-3000 was distributed in France by [[ITMC]] (under the Yeno brand), achieving mild success in 1983/1984 as it competed with computers from Atari, Commodore, Oric, Sinclair and the home-grown Thomson M05 and T07, among others. Despite gaining some traction, by the middle of 1984 ITMC were advertising an [[MSX]] machine as the SC-3000's "bigger sister"; the DPC-64 (adapted from the South Korean DPC-200 machine by Daewoo). With more memory, an AZERTY keyboard and wider software compatibility, the DPC-64 became the firm's main computer going into 1985, with the SC-3000 presumably being retired.
-The full extent of European distribution is not currently known. In all cases, the SC-3000 is thought to have out-performed the SG-1000 by leaps and bounds.
+In Italy, the SC-3000 was distributed by [[Melchioni]].
+The computer was also seen in Finland, where it was distributed by [[Digital Systems]].
 ====Australia and New Zealand====
-The SC-3000 was a big success for the Sega in Oceania. It was distributed in Australia by [[John Sands]] and in New Zealand by [[Grandstand]]. Both regions had comparatively less competition than in Japan, and so the SC-3000 (and SC-3000H) performed reasonably well as low-entry computers during the mid-1980s, fighting primarily against the Commodore VIC-20.
+The SC-3000 was a big success for Sega in Oceania. It was distributed in Australia by [[John Sands]] and in New Zealand by [[Grandstand Leisure]]. Both regions had comparatively less competition than in Japan, and so the SC-3000 (and SC-3000H) performed reasonably well as low-entry computers during the mid-1980s, fighting primarily against the Commodore VIC-20.
-The SC-3000 once again decimated the SG-1000, and managed to make an impact on the educational and advertising markets too. Both John Sands and Grandstand strongly supported the system, releasing cassette-based software and building up third-party relations with local developers. At least 15,000 SC-3000s had been sold in Australia by 1986.
+The SC-3000 outsold the SG-1000 in the market, and managed to make an impact on the educational and advertising markets too. Both John Sands and Grandstand strongly supported the system, releasing cassette-based software and building up third-party relations with local developers. At least 15,000 SC-3000s had been sold in Australia by 1986.
 A Speech Synthesis unit and a light pen were supposedly manufactured by third party companies in New Zealand. New Zealand also had its own Sega Computer magazine.
@@ Line 142: / Line 144: @@
 Distribution in both countries stopped in 1986 for different reasons. It is said that Grandstand wanted to focus efforts on distributing Amstrad products instead (namely the Amstrad CPC).
-====South Africa====
+====Africa====
-Also rumoured is a South African release of the console.
+The computer was released in Egypt by [[Cactus International]]. Also rumoured is a South African release of the console.
+====Asia====
+The SC-3000 was distributed in Singapore by [[Ocean Radio]] and in Thailand by [[Tavon Computer Company]]. In Taiwan, it was sold under the [[Aaronix]] brand.
 ===Decline===
 By the end of 1983, the SC-3000 had sold 120,000 units worldwide{{fileref|JeuxetStrategie FR 29.pdf|page=24}}.
+==Production credits==
+{{creditstable|
+*'''Designer:''' [[Hideki Sato]]
+| source=Developer mentions{{fileref|Sega_Consumer_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book.pdf|page=23}}
+| console=SC
+}}
 ==Magazine articles==
@@ Line 154: / Line 166: @@
 ===Print advertisements===
 <gallery>
-SC3000 JP PrintAdvert 1983-07.jpg|JP (1983-07)
-SC3000 JP PrintAdvert 1983-08.jpg|JP (1983-08)
-SC3000 JP PrintAdvert 1983-09.jpg|JP (1983-09)
-SC3000 JP PrintAdvert 1984-12.jpg|JP (1984-12)
 SC3000 JP PrintAdvert 1985-01.jpg|JP (1985-01)
 SC3000H FR PrintAdvert 1984-11.jpg|FR (1984-11)
@@ Line 173: / Line 181: @@
 {{gallery
 |{{galleryPrintAd
-|AMLife JP 0809.pdf|amlife|8|110
+|amlife|8|110
-|AMLife JP 10.pdf|amlife|10|110
+|amlife|10|110
-|AMLife JP 11.pdf|amlife|11|15
+|amlife|11|15
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|io|1983-07|156-157
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|io|1983-08|158-159
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|io|1983-09|156-157
 }}
 |{{GalleryPrintAd
-|Tilt FR 012.pdf|tilt|12|37
+|computerinput|1983-11|36
+|computerinput|1983-12|52
+|computerinput|1984-05|52
+|sc|1|28
+|computerinput|1984-09|50
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|votreordinateur|4|3
+|lordinateur|58|3
+|tilt|12|37
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|votreordinateur|7|10
+|svm|9|32
+|micro7|20|110
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|votreordinateur|9|2
+|lordinateur|65|12
+|votreordinateur|10|16
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|tilt|17|232
+|lordinateur|66|70
+|lordinateur|67|192
 }}
-|{{GalleryPrintAd
+|{{galleryPrintAd
-|ComputerInput NZ 1983-11.pdf|computerinput|1983-11|36
+|io|1984-12|78
-|ComputerInput NZ 1983-12.pdf|computerinput|1983-12|52
-|ComputerInput NZ 1984-05.pdf|computerinput|1984-05|52
-|ComputerInput NZ 1984-09.pdf|computerinput|1984-09|50
 }}
 }}
 ===Television advertisements===
-<gallery>
+{{gitem|SC3000 AU TVAdvert.mp4|AU}}
-SC3000 AU TVAdvert.mp4|AU
+{{gitem|SC3000H JP TVAdvert.mp4|JP (SC-3000H)}}
-SC3000H JP TVAdvert.mp4|JP (SC-3000H)
-</gallery>
 ==External links==
+* [https://sega.jp/history/hard/sc3000/index.html Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)]
 * [http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/segasc-3000/index.html SC-3000 Console Database]
 * [http://sites.google.com/site/mavati56/sega_sf7000 Technical Information page on SC-3000 and SF-7000 by MaVaTi]