Search found 15 matches
- Mon Jul 02, 2018 1:31 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC - why 22 Columns?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 14321
Re: VIC - why 22 Columns?
Atari 400 with only 32 columns? That's definitely wrong. The 8-bit Atari machines all have 40 columns in normal text mode. Best regards, Schnurri
- Sun Jun 24, 2018 9:56 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC DMA - How?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4239
Re: VIC DMA - How?
Many, many thanks for the detailed explanation and further pointers! Best regards, Schnurri
- Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:25 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC DMA - How?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4239
VIC DMA - How?
Is the CPU halted when the VIC fetches its graphics data from memory? Are there any documentations available about this topic? I am looking forward to your answers, Schnurri
- Wed Apr 18, 2018 5:04 am
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: 2.5 million VICs sold - really?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8720
Re: 2.5 million VICs sold - really?
Can someone please check if Bagnall gives the issue of that particular BYTE magazine? Best regards, SchnurriKweepa wrote:I'd be surprised if they didn't. It's a huge magazine.
Poking through their archive they at least have all the issues up to 1986-ish. That's when I stopped checking.
- Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:19 am
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: 2.5 million VICs sold - really?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8720
Re: 2.5 million VICs sold - really?
Do they have all BYTE issues at Archive.org? I don't think so.Kweepa wrote:I couldn't find that in BYTE (searching archive.org).
- Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:55 am
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: 2.5 million VICs sold - really?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8720
2.5 million VICs sold - really?
Books and websites report that according to BYTE magazine 2,5 million VIC have been sold worldwide. Can anyone tell me which BYTE issue made this particular claim? Best regards, Schnurri
- Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:07 am
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: More questions!
- Replies: 16
- Views: 350068
Re: More questions!
I don't know, but I do know that it was the first computer ever to sell 1 million units. When exactly did Commodore announce this number? Mid 1982s as a picture ( https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jack_Tramiel_and_Michael_Tomczyk_first_million_seller_microcomputer_Commodore_VIC20.jpg ) to be ...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:55 am
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: VIC first price drop in US
- Replies: 0
- Views: 6670
VIC first price drop in US
I am looking for a timeline of the VICs official list prices in the US. Perhaps someone has assembled such a timeline already? Best regards, Schnurri
- Sun Jan 21, 2018 11:28 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VCU-piggyback
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1562
Re: VCU-piggyback
Very early VIC 20s were just relabeled VIC 1001s, right? Best regards, Schnurri
- Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:21 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VCU-piggyback
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1562
VCU-piggyback
What's the story with the VCU-piggyback (Video Circuit Upgrade)? It was mentioned in Commodores Magazine Power/Play Issue 1 (page 3) and Issue 2 (page 3). What does it exactly do? Best regards, Schnurri
- Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:38 pm
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC - why 22 Columns?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 14321
Re: VIC - why 22 Columns?
This perfectly makes sense to me. I think that's the answer I was looking for. Danke!Mike wrote: With 22 columns, you get the maximum number of characters with an even number of columns, if you intend to keep the screen RAM size at 512 bytes or below:
- Wed Jan 17, 2018 1:30 pm
- Forum: Collecting and History
- Topic: VIC 20 and VC 20 Factories - where?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8113
VIC 20 and VC 20 Factories - where?
I tried to extract some information about the factories that produced the VIC 20 and VC 20 back in the days, but to my surprise I could not find anything reliable (apart from the obvious 'Made in Western Germany' etc.). Is there any 'serious' literature available about the factory locations and comp...
- Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:17 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC - why 22 Columns?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 14321
Re: VIC - why 22 Columns?
I think I got it now
I wasn't aware that the VIC I was that old (1977). So knowing its birth date and the timing issues posted above everything makes perfect sense to me now. Thank you! Best regards, Schnurri

- Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:25 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC - why 22 Columns?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 14321
Re: VIC - why 22 Columns?
I don't see your point. Other home-computers like Atari 400 and TI-99/4 used 40 columns on TV in the year 1979. If I remember right the VIC I with its 22 columns was developed in the same year.
Best regards, Schnurri
Best regards, Schnurri
- Tue Jan 16, 2018 6:00 am
- Forum: Hardware and Tech
- Topic: VIC - why 22 Columns?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 14321
VIC - why 22 Columns?
Hi guys! Perhaps this issue has been discussed elsewhere but I just cannot find it. That's why I ask my question in this new topic. Why does the VIC chip feature 22 columns? I'm wondering about that particular number "22". It could have been 20 or 24 as well, so why 22? Someone knows? I am...