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80 Column Video Unit with Built-In Serial Interface

ORPHANWARE · Video Display
Platform, category and status for this entry were derived automatically from the source list and have not yet been checked by hand.
80 Column Video Unit with Built-In Serial Interface
Orphanware - 80 Column Video Unit - _01.jpg Orphanware - 80 Column Video Unit - _05.jpg Orphanware - 80 Column Video Unit - _04.jpg Orphanware - 80 Column Video Unit - _03.jpg Orphanware - 80 Column Video Unit - _02.jpg
5 photographs · hover to enlarge
Catalogue IDHW-0392
ManufacturerORPHANWARE
Person or teamJohn Lingrel/Ron Collins
TypeVideo Display (Video)
Connects viaExternal Expansion Bus
PlatformADAM
StatusReleased
SourceCollectors DB v1.00 Master

Notes

An 80-column display for the ADAM with a serial port on the same board.

Why 80 columns

  • The ADAM's own display gives 31 characters a line. Practically all CP/M software of the period assumes 80.
  • Without an 80-column card, the ADAM's CP/M side is technically present and barely usable - which is why several companies sold one.

Why both together

  • The ADAM has few slots, and a machine wanting 80 columns for CP/M usually wants a serial port for a modem or a terminal too.
  • Combining them leaves a slot free, which is the same reasoning behind Micro Innovations' MIB3 and everything descended from it.

Orphanware's RS-232 and 80-column hardware is still discussed on the ColecoVision forums. A version without the serial interface is catalogued alongside this one.