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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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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