The Genius PC is a home computer from VTech. Released in the late 90s, it is one of the last microcomputers.

Hardware :

• Motorola MC68EC000, 16-bit external databus, 32MHz
• 256K of RAM
• 1 to 4M of ROM (not sure yet) - Sharp LH537NWN mask ROM
• Mass storage : 128KB flash memory - AM29F010
• Cartridge port, apparently on memory bus with system ROM and storage flash. The french system comes with cartridges only containing straps, likely shorting some pins enable extra features... The german version seems to have extra flash memory or maybe ROM ?

The ROM seems to be a 16-bit one, available directly on the CPU bus. The FLASH is 8-bit, but directly on the CPU bus as well. The RAM is accessed through the VTech 27-05793 chip, which likely handles memory refresh. I don't know if the RAM is mapped as 16 or 8-bit to the CPU.

Other chips

• BH7236AF : Video encoder (PAL/NTSC + RGB output). On french motherboard RGB is used, composite is not wired.
• LMT324 : LM324, used as audio amplifier
• C807U : Toshiba microcontroller. Handles mouse and keyboard scanning, LEDs, on/off buttons, etc. Running at low speed out of internal RC oscillator, as there is no external crystal for it. Seems to communicate with the VTech chip through a serial link.
• VTech 27-05793 : of course a datasheet of this one woumd make things easier. Seems to be also called "LS05PR730C102" ?

Output : RGB color video and mono sound.

Color palette is at least 15 colors :

• White
• Light grey
• Dark grey
• Black
• Sky blue
• Blue
• Red
• Green
• Dark green
• Yellow
• Orange
• Brown
• Dark brown
• Mauve
• Pink

Resolution seems to be something like 480x200

The Genius PC is a home computer from VTech. Released in the late 90s, it is one of the last microcomputers.

Hardware :

• Motorola MC68EC000, 16-bit external databus, 32MHz
• 256K of RAM
• 1 to 4M of ROM (not sure yet) - Sharp LH537NWN mask ROM
• Mass storage : 128KB flash memory - AM29F010
• Cartridge port, apparently on memory bus with system ROM and storage flash. The french system comes with cartridges only containing straps, likely shorting some pins enable extra features... The german version seems to have extra flash memory or maybe ROM ?

The ROM seems to be a 16-bit one, available directly on the CPU bus. The FLASH is 8-bit, but directly on the CPU bus as well. The RAM is accessed through the VTech 27-05793 chip, which likely handles memory refresh. I don't know if the RAM is mapped as 16 or 8-bit to the CPU.

Other chips

• BH7236AF : Video encoder (PAL/NTSC + RGB output). On french motherboard RGB is used, composite is not wired.
• LMT324 : LM324, used as audio amplifier
• C807U : Toshiba microcontroller. Handles mouse and keyboard scanning, LEDs, on/off buttons, etc. Running at low speed out of internal RC oscillator, as there is no external crystal for it. Seems to communicate with the VTech chip through a serial link.
• VTech 27-05793 : of course a datasheet of this one woumd make things easier. Seems to be also called "LS05PR730C102" ?

Output : RGB color video and mono sound.

Color palette is at least 15 colors :

• White
• Light grey
• Dark grey
• Black
• Sky blue
• Blue
• Red
• Green
• Dark green
• Yellow
• Orange
• Brown
• Dark brown
• Mauve
• Pink

Resolution seems to be something like 480x200

Serial port

Turns out the serial port is standard. 9600 baud, 8N1, no control flow. You can connect with minicom and use the "chat" application. Now on to figuring out the file transfert protocol.