30 Dec 2024
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Connecting the Commodore 64 to a TV/Monitor

Whether you want to view your Commodore 64 on a vintage TV set or a modern wide-screen TV or monitor via HDMI, you can find out how to connect your computer below. As with any computer, the "video out" options provided by the computer will dictate the options available to you when you connecting to a TV or monitor. Depending on the revision of your C64, it will have either a 5-pin or 8-pin video port, as shown below, that outputs a Composite video signal as well as audio. In the case of the 8-pin port, the luminance (Luma) and…
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29 Dec 2024
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Connecting the Commodore VIC-20 to a TV/Monitor

Whether you want to view your Commodore VIC-20 on a vintage TV set or a modern wide-screen TV or monitor via HDMI, you can find out how to connect your friendly computer below. As with any computer, the "video out" options provided by the computer will dictate the options available to you when you connecting to a TV or monitor. The VIC-20 has a single 5-pin video port, as shown below, that outputs a Composite video signal as well as audio. Commodore VIC-20 Video Connector With this setup, we have a few options depending on the type of TV/monitor you…
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11 Sep 2023
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15 Quick Bits About the Commodore SX-64

It's time for the next installment of "15 Quick Bits About..." In this set of Quick Bits, we'll take a look at 15 facts about the Commodore SX-64. While I've owned several Commodore 64's (and VIC-20's) over the years, I've never owned an SX-64. If I ever come across one for a reasonable price, I'll no doubt pick one up. However, not having what is essentially a portable Commodore 64 doesn't mean that I can't learn more about it (and share it here) in the meantime. So, let's take a look... Quick Bits on the Commodore SX-64 The Commodore SX-64…
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31 Jan 2023
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Commodore Minuteman 3 Calculator

MM3 FYI: This is an article I originally posted on another blog site that I have (tronics.life) before Bits && Bytes had been setup. While I do not remember Commodore calculators as a kid, my first computer was a Commodore VIC-20. I loved my VIC-20 but quickly outgrew it. Eventually, my parents got me a Commodore 64 for Christmas. The 38,911 bytes available on my C64 was more than 10 times(!) what I had at my disposal on my VIC-20, which topped the digital scales at 3,583 (usable) bytes. I loved my Commodores and I spent countless hours writing software…
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14 Jan 2023
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15 Quick Bits About the Commodore VIC-20

Commodore VIC-20 Continuing the series of "15 Quick Bits About...", let's take a look at some facts (Quick Bits) about the first computer I owned, and possibly my favorite (because of all the things I created with this computer) --- the Commodore VIC-20. Quick Bits on the Commodore VIC-20 The VIC-20 went on sale in January 1981 for $299 (USD) and was manufactured until January 1985. [1] [2] [3] The very first programming class I took (as a child) was on a Commodore VIC-20. I discovered early on that I enjoyed writing software, which turned into a lifelong hobby and career. In 1982,…
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07 Jan 2023
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15 Quick Bits About the Commodore 64

Commodore 64 If you're into vintage computing then chances are you're at least familiar with the venerable 8-bit computing sensation released by Commodore - the Commodore 64. The Commodore 64, or C64, was a huge success by several measures. With that in mind, I am starting a series of posts on some quick facts (Quick Bits) on some of my favorite vintage computing devices. I am kicking off this series with the Commodore 64. Quick Bits on the Commodore 64 The C64 was originally released in August 1982 with a sales price of $595 (USD). Being that Commodore produced many…
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02 Jan 2023
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Commodore VIC-20/64 Screen Codes

Recently, I decided to type in some short BASIC programs for my Commodore VIC-20. To be fair, I haven't written any code for the VIC-20 (or C64) in quite a few years. I quickly found myself hitting the wrong keys on the keyboard (e.g., @ instead of double quote, etc.). What I also quickly realized is just how many of the special screen control codes I had forgotten (almost all of them!). Screen Control Characters Screen control characters (not sure if this is the technical term or not) are a way of controlling cursor movement and text color on the…
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