I have the main unit, SVI monitor, keyboard.
type Computer
country USA
year
os MS-DOS
cpu Intel
speed MHz
ram KB
disk 2 x 5.1/4″ KB
graphic
colors
sound
ports joystick, printer, mouse/light pen, video, udio, monitor, keyboard
The Spectravideo SVI SV-640FH — Spectravideo’s IBM PC Compatible
The Spectravideo SVI SV-640FH was an IBM PC-compatible computer produced by Spectravideo — the Hong Kong company best known for its MSX computers and its pivotal role in inspiring the MSX standard. The SV-640FH represented Spectravideo’s entry into the PC-compatible market, using an Intel processor and running MS-DOS with two 5.25-inch floppy disk drives. Like the SVI-838 Xpress 16, the SV-640FH demonstrated Spectravideo’s pragmatic recognition that IBM PC compatibility was becoming the dominant standard for personal computing in the mid-1980s.
Spectravideo’s PC Strategy
Spectravideo produced both MSX-compatible machines and IBM PC-compatible machines in the mid-1980s — a dual-track strategy that reflected the company’s attempt to serve different market segments. The MSX machines served the home computer and educational markets where the MSX standard had gained traction, while PC-compatible machines like the SV-640FH addressed the business market that was converging on IBM’s architecture. The SV-640FH’s American origin (country: USA) reflects Spectravideo’s positioning as both a Hong Kong manufacturer and an American brand.
The Complete System
The Computer Museum Ata’s SV-640FH collection includes the main unit, an SVI monitor, and keyboard — a complete, self-contained computing system. The two 5.25-inch floppy disk drives provided the standard storage for MS-DOS systems of the era, and the range of ports including joystick, printer, mouse/light pen, video, audio, monitor, and keyboard inputs gave the SV-640FH comprehensive connectivity for both business and home use.
Spectravideo’s Legacy
The SV-640FH represents a fascinating footnote in Spectravideo’s history — the company that helped inspire the MSX standard also produced IBM PC-compatible machines, demonstrating the commercial pressure that the PC standard exerted even on manufacturers most closely associated with alternative architectures. Spectravideo was acquired by Bondwell in 1984, and the SV-640FH reflects this transitional period in the company’s evolution from MSX pioneer to broader PC manufacturer.