Difference between revisions of "SC-3000"
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| − | The SC-3000 saw a limited release within Europe, but was faced with an oversaturated home computer market where struggled to compete. Most notably | + | The SC-3000 saw a limited release within Europe, but was faced with an oversaturated home computer market where struggled to compete. Most notably were it's efforts in France, where it was distributed by [[Yeno]], and in Italy, where it was distributed by [[Melchioni]]. In Finland it was distributed by [[Digital Systems]]. |
==South Africa== | ==South Africa== | ||
Revision as of 08:45, 9 June 2012
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| SC-3000 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer: Sega | |||||
| Variants: SC-3000H | |||||
| Add-ons: Super Control Station SF-7000, SP-400, Data Recorder SR-1000 | |||||
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The SC-3000 (Sega Computer 3000) is the computer equivalent of the SG-1000 cartridge-based gaming console manufactured by Sega. Much like the SG-1000 was Sega's first home video game console, the SC-3000 was their first home computer. It was also their last - though the company would partner with the likes of Amstrad or IBM in future home computing endeavors, the SC-3000 and its close relatives are the only computers Sega would design and build by themselves.
Contents
Hardware
The SC-3000 is acts as a home computer, the internals kept within a shell which doubles up as a keyboard. It connects to a television similarly to how an SG-1000 would, though has several expansion ports for extra add-ons, such as cassette recorders and printers. Two major model revisions exist - the standard SC-3000 and the upgraded SC-3000H, though aside from cosmetic changes and differences in RAM, the two are the same. Also known to exist is the exceptionally rare SC-5000 computer - it is not currently known whether the SC-5000 acts as a third revision of the hardware, or is something entirely different.
The SC-3000 has rubberised keys, while the SC-3000H opts for a mechanical keyboard which began to prove more popular as the decade progressed. Internally the two are more-or-less identical to the SG-1000 - all SG-1000 software is compatible with the SC-3000, and and likewise, assuming the software does not require the SC-3000's extra functions, SC-3000 software may be played on an SG-1000 (with keyboard functions used by the SK-1100 add on).
In line with most other hobbiest computers of the era, the SC-3000 can run BASIC, and therefore it is possible for users to create software for the machine. Programs could be written to cassette via the Data Recorder SR-1000 or to floppy disk via the Super Control Station SF-7000. Documents can also be printed through the SP-400.
Similar to video game consoles, the SC-3000 cannot run without a cartridge placed in its cartridge slot.
The true number of SC-3000 software releases is not known. Though only a select number of cartridges were manufacturered, software was also distributed on cassette and disk.
History
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, presumably due to the uncertainty of the Japanese home video game market at the time. It was not entirely certain which sort of system would remain dominant - the cheaper, dedicated video game console, or the more expensive home computer. Possibily due to fears that one type of system would displace the other, Sega went with both.
Their results were not entirely accurate - Japanese consumers preferred the SC-3000 over the SG-1000 for its extra features, but ultimately the Nintendo Famicom went on to out-sell all competition at the time, computers and consoles alike. The SC-3000, like all of Sega's early attempts in the Japanese market, did not last long - it was under pressure from day one from more established computers from NEC, Fujitsu and Sharp, and all four would lose out by the rise of the MSX standard by the middle of the decade.
The SC-3000H, which originally sold for ¥33,800, does not appear to have fared much better.
Australia and New Zealand
Like the SG-1000, the SC-3000's second-biggest showing was in Oceania. It was distributed in Australia by John Sands and in New Zealand by Grandstand. Both regions had comparitively less competition than in Japan, and so the SC-3000 (and SC-3000H) performed reasonably well. Again, the SC-3000 was marketed as a home computer as opposed to a medium for playing games, and far outsold the SG-1000.
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).
Europe
The SC-3000 saw a limited release within Europe, but was faced with an oversaturated home computer market where struggled to compete. Most notably were it's efforts in France, where it was distributed by Yeno, and in Italy, where it was distributed by Melchioni. In Finland it was distributed by Digital Systems.
South Africa
Also rumoured is a South African release of the console.
Models
Japan
SC-3000 (Black)
The standard SC-3000, released in July 1983. Sometime after the initial production, the packaging was changed.
The SC-3000
- SC-3000 Black JP 2.jpg
Computer with original box
- SC-3000 Black JP 3.jpg
Computer with later box
SC-3000 (White)
This white SC-3000 was released near the same time as the original black system. This color was exclusive to Japan, and matches the later SG-1000 II and Sega Mark III.
The unit
- SC-3000H JP 2.jpg
The box and contents of the box
SC-3000 (Red)
A red version of the SC-3000 was also released much like the Sharp X1, one of the SC-3000's competitors in Japan.
- SC-3000 JP Red 1.jpg
The unit with its box
A close up
SC-3000H (Black)
With the SC-3000H's release in 1984, the original rubber keys were replaced with full-travel plastic keys and the system received an increased amount of RAM.
SC-3000H, black version
SC-3000H (White)
The SC-3000H also came in white and is otherwise identical to the black system.
SC-3000H, white version
- SC-3000 White JP 2.jpg
Contents of box
Australia
SC-3000
John Sands quickly brought the system to Australia, and was also released in 1983. There is little difference between the two aside from the removal of Japanese characters and slight tweaks to the hardware for PAL television sets. Also unlike Japan, there was only one color - black.
- SC-3000 AU 1.jpg
The contents of the box
- SC-3000 AU 2.jpg
The keys
Front of box
Label on the underside of unit
SC-3000H
The SC-3000H was released in Australia as well. Again, black was the only color available.
- SC-3000H AU 2.jpg
The SC-3000H, Australian version
Close up of the unit
France
SC-3000H
The French SC-3000H was distributed by Yeno, who put their name on the system in the place of Sega's.
The SC-3000H, French version
"YENO" branding
"Manufactured by Sega"
Label on the underside of unit
Front of box
External links
| 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 |