This pong is one of the many Binatone systems. It is the first of the "TV Master" serie and offers 4 pong games (squash, squash practise, football, tennis).
In order to understand how this system fits into the Binatone pong range, here is simplified list of the systems :
TV Master MK IV
TV Master 4 plus 2
TV Master MK 6
TV Master MK 8
TV Master MK 10
Colour TV Game
Colour TV Game 4 plus 2
Colour TV Game MK 6
Colour TV Game MK 10
The TV master serie are black & white pongs (first generation). The TV Master MK IV system is the same as the Colour TV Game except that the games are in black & white, while the Colour TV game displays colour games.
So how to differentiate a Colour TV Game from a TV Master MK IV ? Well first, the name... ;-) The underside and switches of the former are grey while those of the TV Master are orange. The Colour TV Game has also a small 'colour' logo next to its name (upper right).
The paddles are rather small, with one knob each, but are detachable and connected to the system through two small sockets. One interesting feature is that there is a switch to turn sound on / off (great !).
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
I have a number of these devices including Mk4 , mk6, mk8 and mk10. I also have a number of other first generation consoles :) great fun but trying to get a TV which works with them nowadays is difficult.
Sunday 23rd February 2020
simon king (United Kingdom)
I have a 1977 one of these - I paid £7 for it for off ebay in 2008 and it worked at the grand old age of 31 years old
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v$M1-04SGSRIs
Need to get it out of the loft and run it again soon
Saturday 18th July 2015
Steve N (United Kingdom)
I just got a Binatone from eBay, I remember these when I was 7. The console works, comes with all controllers, RF cable, and box! And the instruction manual. It came with everything! Good job i still got it:D
Wednesday 9th January 2013
Presley
NAME
TV Master MK IV (model n° 01 / 4974)
MANUFACTURER
Binatone
ORIGIN
United Kingdom
YEAR
? 1977
BUILT IN GAMES
4 games : squash, squash practice, football, tennis
CONTROLLERS
Two detachable paddles with knob
CPU
General Instruments AY-3-8500 ?
BUTTONS
Start, Manual serve
SWITCHES
Game selection and player options (power, speed, bat size, angle, serve, sound)
