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Commodore History Part 2 - The VIC 20

The 8-Bit Guy・24 minutes read

The Commodore VIC-20, released in 1980, was a versatile computer that excelled in gaming and computing, selling over a million units and showcasing advanced capabilities despite memory limitations. Notable figures like Elon Musk and Linus Torvalds began their tech journey with the VIC-20, contributing to its success and influence in shaping the future of computing.

Insights

  • Jack Tramiel, Commodore's CEO, played a pivotal role in developing the VIC-20 as a cost-effective color computer, drawing inspiration from the MicroPet and leveraging existing technology like the VIC video chip.
  • The VIC-20, despite its modest memory capacity and lack of traditional graphics modes, became a groundbreaking success, selling over a million units and appealing to a broad audience due to its affordability, real keyboard, and availability in regular department stores, ultimately laying the foundation for the iconic Commodore 64.

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Recent questions

  • What were the key features of the Commodore VIC-20?

    The Commodore VIC-20, released in 1980, featured a 6502 processor, BASIC programming language, character set compatibility with the Commodore PET, and a cassette port. It had 3.5K free memory, a composite video output, and a sound generator producing square wave tones and white noise.

  • How did the VIC-20 differentiate from the Commodore PET?

    The VIC-20 differed from the Commodore PET by featuring a serial DIN connector instead of an IEEE-488 port, a single joystick port compatible with Atari 2600 joysticks, function keys, and a Commodore Key for additional graphics characters. It also lacked traditional graphics modes but allowed users to redefine the character set for basic game creation.

  • What was the marketing strategy behind the Commodore VIC-20?

    Commodore's marketing strategy for the VIC-20 involved hiring William Shatner as their spokesperson to effectively promote the computer. Priced at $299, it was positioned as a versatile computer ideal for gaming and family computing, sold in regular department stores alongside gaming consoles.

  • What were some popular games available for the VIC-20?

    Popular games for the VIC-20 included Tower of Evil, Skyhawk, River Rescue, and Miner 2049er, among others. Modern games like Astronell and Pentagorat showcased the platform's capabilities, with Doom playable using a RAM expander due to memory limitations.

  • Who were notable figures associated with the Commodore VIC-20?

    Notable figures like Elon Musk and Linus Torvalds started their tech journey with the VIC-20, contributing to its success and influence in shaping the future of computing. Despite its limited memory capacity, the VIC-20's impact was significant, selling nearly a million units in 1982 and setting the stage for the popular Commodore 64.

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Summary

00:00

"Commodore VIC-20: Low-Cost Color Computer"

  • The Commodore VIC-20 was released in 1980, with its origins dating back to 1977 when MOS Technology developed the 6560 video chip, also known as the VIC.
  • Commodore's CEO, Jack Tramiel, sought a low-cost color computer for CES 1980 and chose to develop the VIC-20 after encountering the MicroPet, utilizing the existing VIC video chip design.
  • The VIC-20 shared similarities with the Commodore PET, including the 6502 processor, BASIC, KERNEL, character set, and cassette port compatibility.
  • Changes from the PET included a serial DIN connector replacing the IEEE-488 port, a single joystick port compatible with Atari 2600 joysticks, function keys, and a Commodore Key for additional graphics characters.
  • The VIC-20 connected to televisions via a composite video signal through a DIN socket, with an included RF modulator for TVs lacking composite video ports.
  • The VIC-20 had 3.5K free memory, displaying text in a 22x23 resolution with 8 text colors, offering a simple method to change colors while typing in BASIC.
  • The VIC-20 lacked traditional graphics modes but allowed users to redefine the character set, enabling basic game creation by altering character appearances.
  • Advanced programming techniques could simulate bit-mapped graphics by modifying characters, although additional RAM was required for full utilization.
  • The sound generator in the VIC-20 produced audio alongside video, featuring 4 voices for square wave tones and white noise, with limitations on frequency range and lack of ADSR envelope.
  • Commodore's marketing strategy for the VIC-20 involved hiring William Shatner as their spokesperson, aiming to promote the computer effectively.

12:27

"Versatile VIC-20: Gaming and Family Computing"

  • The Commodore VIC-20 was a versatile computer that excelled in gaming and computing.
  • Priced at $299, it offered a real computer keyboard, making it ideal for family computing.
  • Unlike competitors like Commodore PET, TRS-80, or Apple machines, the VIC-20 was sold in regular department stores alongside gaming consoles.
  • It was the first personal computer to sell over a million units, surpassing the Apple II despite a later release.
  • The VIC-20's user manual was exceptionally well-designed, providing clear instructions and examples for programming.
  • Games for the VIC-20 were primarily sold on cartridges, offering advanced gameplay due to memory limitations.
  • Popular games on the platform included Tower of Evil, Skyhawk, River Rescue, and Miner 2049er, among others.
  • Modern games like Astronell and Pentagorat showcased the VIC-20's capabilities, with Doom being playable with a RAM expander.
  • The VIC-20's disk drive, VIC-1541, utilized a serial connection and allowed for multiple devices to be connected in a chain.
  • Collectors note differences in early VIC-20 models, such as the PET-style keyboard and variations in the nameplate logo.

25:40

"VIC-20: Tech Journey to Success"

  • The VIC-20 shares a power adapter with the Commodore 64, allowing for easy compatibility and protection from over voltages. Notable figures like Elon Musk and Linus Torvalds started their tech journey with the VIC-20, contributing to its success and influence in shaping the future of computing.
  • The VIC-20, available for a low price and selling nearly a million units in 1982, was a significant success despite its limited memory capacity. Its impact extended to setting the stage for the immensely popular Commodore 64, with similarities and differences between the two machines to be explored further.
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