Spectravideo SV-318, SVI-318 MKII
| Spectravideo SV-318, SVI-318 MKII |
 
|
| Manufacturer |
| Spectra-Video, Inc. |
| Main developer |
| Bondwell Holding Ltd., Microsoft Corp., ASCII Corp. |
| Sales start and new price SV-318 |
 Late 1983 for 299 US dollars early November 1983 for £ 199 late 1983 for 888 DM
  |
| Sales start and new price SVI-318 MKII |
|
October 1984 for 698 DM
|
| Production of SV-318 ceased |
| 1984 |
| Production of the SVI-318 MKII is discontinued |
| 1985 |
| Main processor |
| Zilog Z80 @ 3.6 MHz |
| RAM ex works |
| 16 KB RAM , 16 KB video RAM |
| Graphics output |
| Text and various graphic modes 32 monochrome sprites Color selection from a palette of 16 colors |
| Sound output |
| Three tone generators keyboard click |
| Scope of delivery SV-318 |
| Computer, power supply unit, TV modulator, antenna cable, antenna switch box, instructions, styrofoam inlays, packaging |
| Scope of delivery SVI-318 MKII |
| Computer, power supply unit, antenna cable, 2 German instructions, styrofoam inlays, packaging |
The Spectravideo SV-318 is a home computer from the US manufacturer Spectra-Video, Inc. It is based on the Z80A microprocessor from Zilog .
The device was designed from mid-1982 as an inexpensive alternative to the successful home computers Atari 400 , Commodore VIC 20 and Texas Instruments TI-99 / 4A . To increase the sales opportunities, the well-known software manufacturer Microsoft Corp. was deliberately used . and its Microsoft BASIC for programming the new computer. The collaboration took an unexpected turn: Microsoft Vice President Kazuhiko Nishi saw the promising potential of the device for a home computer standard aimed at under Microsoft's leadership, the later MSX standard. However, due to the many changes brought by Nishi, Spectra-Video, Inc. feared licensing problems. These could be eliminated through minor subsequent changes, but also made the devices incompatible with the MSX standard.
After several delays, the Spectravideo SV-318 finally went on sale towards the end of 1983. The device had already been advertised as an expandable entry-level device that would set new standards, alluding to its proximity to MSX. After serious delivery problems in North America, it was finally possible to gain notable market shares through worldwide marketing - also with the help of the technically revised model Spectravideo SVI-318 MKII , which was released in 1984 . The production of the SV-318 ceased after the manufacturer's bankruptcy and takeover by Bondwell Holding Ltd. Discontinued in early 1985.
Immediately after the computer was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 1983, the reviews from the trade press were mostly positive. The main praise were the expandability, the powerful Spectravideo BASIC and, in connection with a 5¼ ″ floppy disk drive, the ability to run CP / M programs. The rubber keyboard, which is unsuitable for serious work, incorrect instructions and the delivery problems in North America were less well received. The device is considered to be the immediate forerunner and pioneer of the MSX standard.
story
The former watch importer and now successful joystick and video game manufacturer Spectra-Video, Inc. (alternative spelling Spectra Video Inc. or Spectravideo for short ) decided in early 1982 to expand its activities and develop its own home computer for the low-price segment. In contrast to the devices of the competition such as the Atari 400 and Commodore VIC 20 with their special integrated circuits , the computer to be designed should only contain standard components. This promised a cost-effective development and thus also a low and thus competitive sales price in the prosperous American home computer market.
development
The framework conditions specified by those responsible provided for an 8-bit architecture based on the popular and inexpensive Z80 A microprocessor . Combined with the AY-3-8910 tone generator module from General Instrument, which is also frequently used in contemporary computer systems, and the graphics chip from Texas Instruments already built into the TI-99 / 4A, the promise was a cost-effective, yet powerful system. The targeted production costs should not exceed 30 US dollars and thus the targeted sales price of 100 US dollars should generate sufficient profit. The development was made to the partner company Bondwell Holding Ltd., already known through close cooperation in the watch sector. transferred from Hong Kong , which should also be responsible for the subsequent production.
Cooperation with Microsoft
As with many other contemporary computers, the interpreter language BASIC was chosen to program the device . The BASIC dialect was chosen by the market leader Microsoft. By including this established name, it was hoped to increase sales in the highly competitive US home computer market. In September 1982 contact was finally made with the Vice President of Microsoft, Kazuhiko Nishi , who came from Japan . He recognized the potential of the computer for his long-term goal of creating a worldwide home computer standard under the leadership of Microsoft. With this intended use in mind, the Spectravideo hardware was revised by Nishi: The circuit board layout was improved, the read-only memory for system software and BASIC was increased, and external electronic devices could be controlled. In addition, changes were made to the keyboard and the highest possible memory capacity. As a result, production costs rose from the estimated DM 90 to DM 250 , but allowed the device to be used for office applications and thus increased the potential buyers.
After the first prototypes had been completed by the winter of 1982, Nishi traveled to Japan with one of these devices to advertise the home computer standard he was aiming for. He met with great interest with his request and the Spectravideo hardware, because such a standardization was both politically and economically wanted in Japan, but has so far failed due to a lack of concrete proposals. Around the same time, together with the Japanese partner company ASCII Corporation , the programming language associated with the planned standard was created under the code name "Cornflake". It combines the most powerful features of Microsoft's Extended Color BASIC with those of their GW-BASIC for IBM personal computers .
Bondwell Holding Ltd.
Microsoft Corp. (Logo from 1982 to 1987)
ASCII Corp.
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Deviation from the MSX standard, introduction of two device classes and publication
With the many changes introduced by Nishi, Spectravideo feared that it would have to purchase licenses from Microsoft to manufacture the computer. In order to avoid the associated fees - with the consent of Nishi - the SV-318 was built differently from the later MSX standard. These differences can be found in the input / output interfaces and the dimensions of the plug-in module slot . There are also modifications to the system software, i. H. on the operating system and the built-in high-level programming language now called Spectravideo BASIC . However, the changes were made in such a way that full compatibility with the MSX specifications should later be established by the buyer using an adapter that can be easily retrofitted. Since they did not want to deviate from the original idea of an entry-level computer, the decision was quickly made to build two differently configured computers: a high-quality model intended for office use in the form of the Spectravideo SV-328 with mechanical buttons and 80 KB of RAM and a downgraded version with only 32 KB RAM, rubber keyboard and built-in joystick - the inexpensive Spectravideo SV-318.
The publication planned for the pre-Christmas period 1982 could not be kept due to delays on the part of Microsoft in the delivery of the BASIC and had to be postponed to the beginning of 1983. The computer was then presented to the world at the next best opportunity, during the winter CES in January 1983. The number contained in the model name SV-318 is probably based on Chinese numerology , in which the number 8 in particular has a prominent meaning.
marketing
Like other manufacturers, Spectravideo advertised its new computer at exhibitions and in popular computer magazines. Particular emphasis was placed on the performance and the extensive options for expansion, which would always open up new possibilities for using the computer ("Computer systems you'll grow into, not out of it."). In addition, the sometimes multi-page, large-format advertisements explicitly emphasized the future viability of the system, which would set new standards without going into the MSX specifications ("While other computer companies are busy setting new prices Spectra video is busy setting new standards."). In addition, equipment was made available to the editors of the trade press at an early stage for test purposes, which in return was promised positive reviews and purchase recommendations.
Introduction and delivery difficulties
The suggested retail price, first announced at Winter 1983 CES, was $ 299.95. The sales start scheduled for the end of March 1983 could not be kept due to delivery problems. Probably connected with this circumstance, a break with one of the largest financiers occurred only a short time later: Despite the Japanese license agreement for the hardware from Spectravideo, which had only recently been made, the investor Trading Industries USA withdrew completely unexpectedly in May 1983. Accompanied by mass layoffs and a relocation of the US headquarters, Spectravideo was converted into a stock corporation shortly afterwards . With the help of fresh capital, further extensive advertising campaigns were initiated. Spectravideo hired the popular James Bond 007 actor Roger Moore as a high- profile advertising medium from October 1983 over a period of two years . The fee alone devoured around two million US dollars. Since the expansion of the sales network was neglected at the same time, it was not possible to reduce the delivery bottlenecks that the press still complained about.
The first devices went on sale at the end of 1983. The marketing aimed at minimizing costs took place a little later exclusively via large retail chains, specialist dealers were completely excluded. In addition to the actual computer, a large number of peripheral and expansion devices were also planned in the sales range from the time of publication. As was first practiced by Commodore, Spectravideo also focused on the incompatibility of the SV-318 with peripheral devices from other manufacturers. The buyers were thus forced to purchase the data recorder from Spectravideo required for data backup, for example.
International sales, SVI logo and revision
Although the delivery problems persisted in the US market, Spectravideo pushed ahead with international marketing. A subsidiary founded in Hong Kong at the beginning of 1982 for the worldwide distribution of joysticks and games was used, which at the end of 1982 became Spectravideo International Ltd. (alternative spelling also Spectravideo ) was renamed. However, the latter itself did not appear as a seller, but instead entrusted sales to regional distributors .
Bernd Jöllenbeck GmbH acted as general importer for Spectravideo home computers for the German-speaking area from mid-1983 . The non-binding sales price for the SV-318 in the amount of DM 888 had already been announced in April 1983 at the Hanover Fair . As in other European countries, the first deliveries of the devices did not take place until the end of 1983. In Great Britain the computer could then be purchased for a net price of 199 British pounds (CK Computers), in France it cost 2980 when it was introduced only a little later Franc (Valric-Laurene). The Italian distributor Comtrad Srl decided to sell it exclusively as a bundle offer with the SV-903 Datasette and two programs for a total of 720,000 lira . In addition, the SV-318 was also sold in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden (Ronex AB / Televerket, 3990 Swedish kronor ), Norway and Finland (Teknopiste). But the computer was also available in local computer shops outside of Europe and the USA, for example in Australia (Videoactiv, from March 1984 by Rose Music Pty. Ltd.), New Zealand (Computer South, NZ $ 899 ) and South Africa. During this period, the SVI trademark and its logo were used for the first time .
Not entirely unexpectedly, Spectravideo announced at the Winter CES in January 1984 that it would cease its US activities due to poor sales. A revised model of the SV-318 for the remaining markets was also presented. The revised version with the new SVI logo and the appended name abbreviation MKII (abbreviation for English Mark II , in German Model II ) has an integrated RF modulator and a new special electronic component along with a matching motherboard. The chip, manufactured in ULA technology , combines former individual components, which helped to reduce the manufacturing costs and thus the price of the computer. The SVI-318 MKII was presented for the first time in Germany at the Düsseldorf HiFi video fair at the end of August 1984 and was available only a little later in October 1984 for 698 DM.
Takeover by Bondwell
Despite the good business in the non-American markets, Spectravideo ran into financial difficulties again in the course of 1984. The outstanding debts with over 200 creditors had now accumulated to 2.6 million US dollars and could no longer be serviced by Spectravideo. Bondwell then took over the majority of the shares in November 1984, the management of the business and made new arrangements to settle the debt. In 1985, the branch in the USA was finally given up and all trademarks were transferred to the majority shareholder from Hong Kong.
In 1985 the market share of Spectravideo's computers SV-318 (MKII) and SV-328 (MKII) together in some countries was up to ten percent, which corresponds to about 15,000 devices for Sweden, for example. According to the information provided by the Spectravideo founders, the market share is said to have been up to 15 percent in some cases. In the bestseller list of the high-circulation German computer magazine Chip , based on dealer surveys, the SV-318 and SV-328 computers are represented from the first data collection in November 1983 to August 1984. The positioning is mostly in the area of 10th place, the highest placement on position 5 was achieved in February 1984. Worldwide sales are not known.
- Nameplates of the computers Spectravideo SV-318 and SVI-318 MKII
| Period | 1983 | 1984 | |||||||||
| November | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | from September | |
| placement | 10 | > 10 | 10 | 5 | 9 | > 10 | 10 | > 10 | > 10 | 9 | > 10 |
Technical details
The housing of the SV-318 contains a circuit board with the computing and memory modules, the peripheral connections, the external system bus for expansions, the module slot and the voltage control for the external power supply unit. The main electronic components on it are the Z80 CPU (abbreviation for central processing unit ), the video processor, the sound generation module, the input / output units and the working memory for the CPU ( RAM for English random-access memory ) and video processor ( VRAM for short for English video random-access memory ). The read-only memory is located on an inserted secondary board. The newer SVI-318 MKII has two boards: the read-only memory and the HF modulator are integrated in the larger of the two boards, the smaller board contains the voltage control module.
In contrast to the Atari 400 and Commodore 64, the Spectravideo SV-318 has no specially designed integrated circuits. Rather, only electronic components are used that are also used in devices from other manufacturers and can therefore be referred to in the broadest sense as standard components. For example, the graphics chip TMS9918A in its different variants in the game consoles ColecoVision and Sega SG-1000 / SC-3000 , in the home computers / Texas Instruments TI-99 4A and Memotech-MTX series as well as in all devices of the first MSX-generation contain . In the revised model SVI-318 MKII, on the other hand, a special module manufactured in ULA technology is used, which combines previously smaller individual elements. It does not affect the performance characteristics of the computer, but allows the computer to be manufactured more cost-effectively.
Main processor
The system architecture of the SV-318 computer is based on the Z80 microprocessor from Zilog in the version clocked at 3.6 MHz . This Z80A CPU can access an address space of 65536 bytes , which also defines the theoretically possible upper limit of the main memory of 64 kilobytes (KB). By switching the memory bank, it is possible to address more than 65536 different bytes by successively fading in additional modules for working and read-only memories. The CPU has no direct access to the main memory of the video processor.
Storage and storage allocation
For practical reasons, it is common for addresses instead of decimal notation , the hexadecimal to use. This is usually preceded by a $ symbol to make it easier to distinguish. The addresses from 0 to 65535 in decimal notation correspond to addresses $ 0000 to $ FFFF in the hexadecimal system.
The registers of the special modules and the plug-in cards of the super expander are located within a segment ranging from $ 0000 to $ 00FF, immediately followed by the read-only memory with BASIC interpreter and the operating system ($ 0100 to $ 7FFF). In the SV-318, this read-only memory consists of four EPROMs with a capacity of 8 KB each, while the revised model SVI-318 MKII contains two ROM modules of 16 KB each. The range from $ 8000 to $ BFFF is intended for plug-in modules and RAM to be retrofitted later, $ C000 to $ FFFF are occupied by the factory-installed RAM of 16 KB. However, from address $ F500 onwards, the latter serves as a buffer for the operating system and the BASIC interpreter and is therefore never available to the user in full.
graphic
A special programmable circuit from Texas Instruments processes the graphic data specified by the user or the system software and feeds it into the RF modulator. The various screen standards are implemented by appropriately adapted versions of this highly integrated (LSI) graphics processor: the TMS9918A generates image data for NTSC televisions, the TMS9928A model takes care of output to NTSC computer monitors, and the version is used to implement PAL and SECAM output TMS9929A used.
The graphics processor enables the output of 320 points for 192 picture lines. For an efficient generation of the image content, he can fall back on a part of the entire main memory with a capacity of 16 KB, the so-called video RAM (VRAM for short), reserved especially for him. The graphics data to be processed are stored in it beforehand with the aid of the CPU, with the graphics processor serving as the data-transmitting interface. The actual image construction then takes place autonomously, which means that the CPU is able to process further programs during this phase. Even if the image structure is implemented independently of the CPU, it can still intervene at certain times and transmit changes to the image data of the currently processed image point to the graphics processor.
The data stored in the VRAM are interpreted differently depending on the working mode of the graphics processor and thus displayed differently. In text mode, 40 × 24 characters with a size of 8 × 6 pixels each can be displayed on the screen. In the case of high-resolution graphics levels I and II, the screen display area is divided into 768 different areas, each comprising 8 × 8 pixels, for technical reasons, within which certain character patterns and color combinations are possible for the set pixels. The memory-saving graphics level I allows the use of only two of the maximum 16 possible colors in such an area. In addition, the 768 areas can only be covered by a maximum of 256 different character patterns. The resource-intensive graphics level II, on the other hand, allows the simultaneous use of all 16 possible colors per area with a color resolution of 8 × 1 pixels, i.e. H. A maximum of one color different from the background can be displayed per image line of an area. In contrast to graphic level I, each of the 768 areas can be assigned a separate drawing pattern, which makes graphic level II suitable for displaying high-resolution raster graphics . A further graphic level is the multi- color graphic, which has a lower resolution of 64 × 48 pixels, but whose 4 × 4 pixels are not subject to any restrictions in terms of color selection.
In addition to the graphic data, 32 independent graphic objects, the sprites , can also be displayed in the VRAM . However, a maximum of four sprites are possible at the same time per screen line. For the always monochrome sprites, dimensions of 8 × 8, 16 × 16 and 32 × 32 pixels can be selected. While they are copied into the background image generated by the graphics stage in accordance with user-definable overlap rules, a collision check is carried out at the same time . It is determined whether the sprites touch one another or certain parts of the background image at the currently processed pixel. These skills were developed to simplify the creation of games with interacting graphic objects and fast-paced gameplay. In the last work step, the actual video signal is generated from the merged graphic data for the currently processed pixel and fed into the RF modulator for output on the connected television. The process is repeated until all pixels have been displayed.
Sound, input and output, interfaces
Another highly integrated component, the AY-3-8910 from General Instrument, houses the assemblies for sound generation and various other functions such as joystick query and memory management. In particular for sound generation and alienation there are various possibilities available which, after a corresponding initialization by the CPU, are implemented completely autonomously and fed into the HF modulator without further action. There are three freely programmable sound channels, each with eight octaves of voices, that operate independently of one another . For each channel, square waves are first generated digitally and optionally combined with pseudo-random noise in order to then be output by a converter as an analog signal with a previously selectable amplitude and envelope .
An expansion slot ( system bus ) and a plug-in module slot serve as connections to the outside world . The control of the peripheral devices that can be connected directly to the computer is the responsibility of the Intel 8255 input / output module, which can also be programmed by the user . Its tasks include the keyboard query, querying the optional graphics tablet and providing the interface to control the data recorder, querying the paddles and the joystick fire button. The SV-318 has a five-pin socket for connecting the external RF modulator, the SVI-318 MKII with built-in RF modulator has a socket for connecting the television set and two further cinch sockets for audio and video signals for operating a corresponding one Monitors.
Expansion systems and peripherals
The Spectravideo SV-318 has been designed as a modular, expandable system, with a separately purchased component carrier providing slots for connecting external peripheral devices.
Component carrier
For expansion, depending on the number of plug-in cards to be used, either the inexpensive mini expander with the model designation SV-602 with only one slot or the more expensive super expander SV 601 with seven slots can be used. To expand the Spectravideo SVI-318 MKII, the revised models of the super expander with the model names SVI-605 , SVI-605A and SVI-605B can be used. These already have a built-in Centronics and diskette interface as well as up to two internally installed 5¼ "drive mechanisms. The SVI-605 was supplied with only one of two possible floppy drives as standard, while the SVI-605A and SVI-605B each had two drive mechanisms ex works. In addition, these three models each provide four additional slots.
Thanks to their robust design, the super expanders of all series also serve as a base for eye-friendly, elevated positioning of image devices, but also set a distance to the image device that is often perceived as too small due to the fixed plug connection to the computer.
random access memory
The upgrading of the computer with RAM is done by external plug-in cards with 16 KB or 64 KB RAM. There is space for them in the expander system to be connected. The Spectravideo SV-318 can be upgraded to a maximum of 144 KB RAM.
Mass storage
In home computers of the early 1980s, cassette recorders and floppy disk drives were the main types of mass storage; in the professional environment, hard and removable disk drives were also increasingly used in personal computers. The cheapest variant of data recording with audio cassettes has i. A. the disadvantage of low data transfer rates and thus long loading times, whereas the much faster and more reliable floppy and disk drives were much more expensive to purchase. Shortly after the SV-318 was launched , a suitable floppy disk drive, the Floppy SV-902, was available in addition to the Datasette SV-903 .
SV-903 and SV-904 data recorders
Until the release of the MSX expansion module SVI-606, the SV-318 could not be operated with commercially available cassette recorders . Rather, special data recorders were required, which can be connected to a specially designed socket on the SV-318. The more powerful of the two data recorders called SV-903 features in contrast to the entry-level model SV-904 via a stereo - sound head and a microphone. In this way, instructions for use previously recorded with the microphone can be played back while programs are being loaded. The average data transfer rate of both data recorder models is 1800 bit / s each , a high value for the time (for comparison: Atari 600 bit / s, Commodore 300 bit / s, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 1500 bit / s).
It was only with the introduction of the MSX expansion module SVI-606 and the associated cassette cable SVI-208 in 1985 that operation with a standard cassette recorder for loading MSX software was also possible.
SV-902 floppy disk drive
Together with the data recorders SV-903 and SV-904, a corresponding floppy disk drive was available shortly after the SV-318 was launched. The use of such a floppy disk drive requires, on the one hand, the connection of appropriate control electronics and, on the other hand, the upgrading of the computer's main memory. Since these components were only provided by Spectravideo via separate plug-in cards, the use of the Super-Expander SV-601 for the operation of floppy disk drives is essential. It accepts the SV-801 floppy disk interface for the simultaneous operation of up to two floppy disk drives and additional RAM. The size of the RAM to be upgraded must be at least 32 KB, which is possible by using two memory cards of the type SV-803 à 16 KB or a single one of the type SV-807 with 64 KB RAM.
With the SV-902 floppy disk drive , 5¼ ″ floppy disks can be written on one side in double density with 18 sectors of 128 bytes and 663 sectors of 256 bytes. The programs required for this are provided by the Disk BASIC disk operating system. After deducting the system files, about 153 KB remain for storing data on each disk side. The floppy disk drive also enables the use of CP / M-based floppy disks and thus opens up the possibility of uncomplicated reading and processing of CP / M software for the SV-318.
Floppy disk drives of the super expanders SVI-605, SVI-605A and SVI-605B
In contrast to the super expander SV-601, the super expanders intended for the second series (MKII) already contain the control electronics required to operate floppy disk drives. In addition, the SVI-605 has an integrated 5¼ ″ drive with a storage capacity of around 160 kB, the SVI-605A has two. The SVI-605B also has two drives, but their storage capacity is 320 kB each.
Keyboard and other input devices
The rubber membrane keyboard of the SV-318 has a total of 67 soft rubber keys including five function keys and three program control keys. Compared, for example, to the competing Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer, it has a more solid design and the keys are less densely arranged, which benefits typing comfort. The latter is also intended to increase the arrangement (QWERTY) of the alphanumeric keys corresponding to a typewriter. In addition, the SV-318 has a separate, special cursor keypad: A tilting disc in the keypad together with a control stick simplifies operation, for example in screen editing mode, through possible diagonal movements of the cursor. If the detachable joystick is removed, the screen cursor can also be controlled by pressing the four finger recesses in the pane. The keyboard field of the SV-318 has a white background and the joystick is presented in a striking red, on the later released SVI-318 MKII, all keyboard components, including the joystick, are gray.
As with many other competing models, up to two Atari-compatible joysticks ( D-Sub : two-row 9-pin) can be connected to the SV-318 to control games, for example. Devices such as the SVI-105 drawing board also occupy the joystick sockets. The MSX and ColecoVision adapters each provide two sockets for the corresponding MSX and ColecoVision joysticks.
Output devices
The image is output either on a monitor or via an RF modulator on a standard television set. In contrast to the later model SVI-318 MKII, the modulator of the SV-318 is not integrated in the computer, but rather connected externally, between computer and television set.
printer
The dot matrix printer Spectravideo SV-901 is used to fix text and graphics in writing, and its operation requires a corresponding plug-in card with control electronics and thus an expansion system. The SV-901 is a variant of the Seikōsha GP-100A printer specially adapted for Spectravideo . It allows 80 characters to be output line by line at a rate of 50 characters per second.
The SV-805 plug-in card provides the standard serial RS-232 interface and socket for connecting corresponding printers from other manufacturers.
80-character card SV-806
The 80-character card SV-806 is used for a clearer and less tiring display of the image content on a preferably monochrome monitor . It has its own Motorola 6845 graphics module with 2 KB RAM (VRAM). This means that 80 × 24 characters can be displayed on the screen. The driver programs to support the 80-character mode must first be loaded from the floppy disk. In addition to the Super Expander SV-601, they also require a floppy disk drive or one of the Super Expander SVI-605, SVI-605A or SVI-605B.
Other extensions
In addition to the execution of programs specially written for the SV-318, software from third-party systems such as the ColecoVision game console and from MSX computers can also be executed using special adapters.
ColecoVision adapter SV-603
The ColecoVision adapter released in 1983 with the model designation SV-603 is plugged into the expansion port of the computer and equipped with a plug-in module of the ColecoVision game console via its module slot. After switching on the computer, the system software contained in the adapter is started, with which the inserted game or the Coleco Expansion Module # 2 is executed. In addition, there are two sockets in the adapter for connecting special joysticks (models SV-103 and SV-123 ). In addition to the actual control stick, these joysticks contain a keypad based on the ColecoVision game controllers. In the USA and Great Britain, they were only available as a bundle with the adapter.
MSX adapter SVI-606
The SVI-606 adapter , which has been available since 1985 and is also operated at the expansion port , enables the execution of MSX programs . To load the programs, it has both a module slot and a socket for connecting a cassette recorder. Due to the internal configuration of the device, only programs with a length not exceeding 16 KB can be executed. Corresponding loading commands and control instructions for the software must be entered using the miniature keyboard built into the adapter. The device also provides two sockets for connecting MSX-compatible joysticks.
software
As with other home computers of the 1980s, commercial software was distributed on various data carriers. The inexpensive compact cassettes, particularly popular with game manufacturers, were, however, very prone to errors due to the high mechanical stress on the magnetic tape, and their use was often associated with long loading times. In addition, certain modes of operation, such as relative addressing, which is advantageous for operating databases, are not possible with data recorders. In the case of the plug-in modules, which are much more expensive to manufacture, the programs contained therein were available immediately after switching on the computer, which was a great advantage in particular for system software and frequently used applications. The best compromise between loading time, possible operating modes, reliability and storage capacity was achieved by the floppy disks whose use was supported by the SV-902 floppy disk drive when the SV-318 was released.
In addition to the selection of commercial programs sold by Spectravideo, the range of programs for the SV-318 computer also included software ( listings ) developed by third-party manufacturers and published in magazines and books . The choice of software is increased considerably by the two adapters SV-603 and SVI-606, as they allow the use of popular ColecoVision and MSX games. The usability of the CP / M operating system ensures a large selection of application programs and programming languages in connection with a super expander and floppy disk drive (s).
System programs and Spectravideo BASIC
The configuration and initialization of the SV-318 hardware is the responsibility of the operating system housed in the read-only memory. The Spectravideo BASIC created by Microsoft enables comfortable working with the graphics capabilities of the computer, e.g. B. by function commands for drawing geometric objects, for filling areas and for using the sprites. In contrast to many other contemporary home computers, double precision is also supported for floating point numbers , which leads to high precision, but also to increased memory consumption in arithmetic calculations. When the SV-318 is delivered, only 12.8 KB of RAM can be used for programming with the BASIC.
Additional system programs such as the Disk BASIC developed by Spectravideo are required for the operation of diskette systems . The BASIC Master Disk supplied with every floppy disk drive contains various subprograms that provide BASIC commands for all necessary disk operations. However, it is not possible to use the maximum storage capacity of the floppy disk drives of the SVI-605B super expander without changing the Disk BASIC.
In addition to Disk BASIC, the diskette drives from Spectravideo were delivered with a second, incompatible operating system. This formerly of DEC developed CP / M was in versions 2.20, 2.22 and 2.23 shipped. However, it can only be operated with computers with a working memory of at least 64 KB. The CP / M to be loaded from the floppy disk replaces the Spectravideo BASIC with a few subroutines. For this purpose, after the boot process, the read-only memory is hidden by switching the memory bank and instead a working memory of 32 KB is shown for loading CP / M, of which the latter occupies at least 20 KB. The remaining working memory is available to the user or to CP / M-based programs. The different supplied versions of CP / M only differ in the hardware (80-character card, RS-232 interface, peculiarities of the drive mechanisms, additional image device) they support on the Spectravideo computer. In order to make the CP / M easier to use, we recommend using two floppy disk drives and the 80-character card.
Programming languages and application programs
There are only a few application programs for the SV-318, most of them from Spectravideo. In addition, the use of CP / M opens up an extensive library of application programs and programming languages such as Turbo Pascal .
Games
The majority of the software available for the Spectravideo SV-318 is made up of games. There are commercial publications from both Spectravideo and third-party manufacturers. Compared to other contemporary home computer systems, the number of titles published almost exclusively on compact cassettes and cartridges is limited. Another larger number of cartridge-based games are available using the ColecoVision and MSX adapters.
emulation
After the end of the home computer era in the early 1990s and with the advent of powerful and affordable computing technology in the late 1990s, dedicated enthusiasts increasingly developed programs for emulating home computers and their peripheral devices. To play old classics of various home computer systems with the help of the emulators a single modern system with data images ("Images") of the corresponding home computer programs was sufficient. The emergence of the emulators continued, among other things. a. an increased transfer of otherwise possibly lost software to modern storage media, which makes an important contribution to the preservation of digital culture.
The BlueMSX program is used to emulate Spectravideo SV-318 and SVI-318 MKII .
reception
Contemporary
After the publication of SV-318 in the autumn of 1983, the reports of the international specialist press were largely positive. The technology, which was quite powerful for the sales price, was very appealing, as well as the expandability and the diverse areas of application associated with it, such as the CP / M operating system with its extensive program library. In addition, the simple operation of the computer through the Spectravideo BASIC met with great approval, as did the announced adapters for playing ColecoVision games and for implementing the MSX standard. On the other hand, the positive overall impression was clouded by the BASIC instructions, which were assessed as very poor and incorrect and would not offer any in-depth information. In addition, working with the rubber keys was, at best, very difficult to get used to. The concept of diagonal movements of the cursor with the help of the built-in joystick was appreciated, but was classified as technically poorly implemented. In addition, individual reviewers complained about the quality of the television picture, the limited software library and the expansion options that were not yet available at the time of the assessment.
English speaking area
The summary ratings of the first reviews in US computer magazines range from cautious
“Considering the RF interference problems that at least early versions of the computer have, the poor and confusing quality of the BASIC manual, the lack of any sizable number of programs and the lack of peripheral interfaces for the computer, this reviewer has no choice but to recommend that you wait a while before buying this computer. "
“In view of the image disturbances, as they occur at least with the early computer models, the poor and confusing BASIC instructions and the lack of programs and peripheral interfaces for the computer, the assessor has no choice but to recommend the purchase first to postpone once. "
over benevolent
“The Spectravideo 318 is not perfect but absolutely terrific. Despite the major drawback of an uncomfortable keyboard and frustration of poor documentation, I am tempted to add it to my personal collection. ... The SV 318 offers a lot of power for the price, and it deserves serious consideration from the personal computer consumer. "
“If not perfect, the Spectravideo 318 is a fantastic device. Despite the uncomfortable keyboard and the frustratingly poor instructions, I'm tempted to add it to my personal collection. ... The SV 318 offers a lot of performance for the price and a purchase should definitely be considered. "
"Nevertheless, at the suggested retail price of $ 299 for the basic SV-318, we agree with Spectra Video that this is a 'computer system you'll grow into, not out of.'"
"Nonetheless, given the announced retail price of 299 US dollars, it is a 'computer that you grow into instead of out of it,' which we agree with Spectra Video."
to praise,
"For versatility, expandability and easy of use it's one of the best of the so-called homecomputers that we've yet seen."
"In terms of versatility, expandability and ease of use, it is one of the best so-called home computers known to us."
which were only added a little later to include criticism of the continuing supply bottlenecks in North America:
“Once the demand has been created, there better be product available to satisfy it. This means wide distribution and adequate stocks of product. Nothing is worse than telling a customer whose pen is poised above his checkbook that machines aren't expected in until next quarter. That's what happened to SpectraVideo - they did everything right except get product on dealer shelves. "
“If you are increasing the demand, then the product should better be available in order to satisfy them. This applies to both extensive sales and sufficient stocks. Nothing is worse than having to put off a customer who has already pulled out his checkbook until the next quarter. This is what happened with Spectravideo, who have done everything right so far - except actually getting their product onto the shelves. "
“We never saw this computer in any store and we don't know anybody who owned one. But they advertized like crazy in computer magazines and even hired Roger Moore to pose in their ads. "
“We have never seen this computer in any store, and we don't know anyone who has ever owned one. Even though they [Spectravideo] were advertising like crazy and even hiring Roger Moore to promote their ads. "
In the non-American English-speaking markets, there was a tendency towards good reviews for the most part
"Reviewer's ratings: Out of 5. Documentation 3, ease of use 5, language 5, expansion 4, value for money 4."
"Evaluation level (highest rating 5): Documentation 3, usability 5, programming language 5, expandability 4, price-performance ratio 4."
and purchase recommendations:
“In conclusion, and with severe reservations about the manual, I can only say that the machine can do wonders for BASIC programmer and games players alike. The price is perhaps on the high side, but nevertheless this machine deserves a large share of the market. "
“In summary and with reservation regarding the instructions, I can only say that the device can work wonders for BASIC programmers and gamers alike. The price may be a bit high, but the device still deserves a large market share. "
German-speaking area
The German press particularly highlighted the expandability and thus the versatility,
"The SV-318 is a computer that can be used both as a stand-alone basic device and with the various extensions in many areas."
“One of the most interesting innovations comes from Hong Kong: the SPECTRAVIDEO SV-318; distributed in Germany by Bernd Jöllenbeck GmbH. ... Thanks to seven different interfaces, the SV-318 can be expanded practically without limits. "
“The SV-318 was Spectravideo's first home computer and stood out for its built-in, distinctive red joystick. ... You have to certify that the Spectravideo computers are superbly manufactured, have a professional appearance and, in terms of accessories, belong to the best-equipped home computers. "
not least also for office applications,
“The 318 is particularly interesting because of its expandability. If the user is ready to invest in the super expander, the 64 KByte RAM, the 80-character card and a floppy disk drive, the system can be compared with a small CP / M office computer. "
emerged. The testers found the inadequate documentation, the poor supply of software, the lack of a standard printer interface, the necessity to use Spectravideo's own data recorder and the sometimes high price for the accessories to be negative.
Retrospective
The SV-318 is rated as a very successful system in the internet media, if only outside of North America. The devices were better marketed there, which would include, above all, a sufficient presence in the sales facilities. Thanks to their outstanding BASIC programming language - for which, incomprehensibly, only a small part of the main memory could be used - and the wide range of expansion capabilities, the computers would have had the best possible conditions to establish themselves as a “wonderful system”. However, the price that was too high in Germany would have stood in the way, especially with regard to an equally equipped Commodore 64. In Tony Smith's opinion, the misleading advertising, which incorrectly presented the computer as compatible with the MSX standard and thus led to numerous cancellations by dealers who were mistaken, proved to be a disservice to the sales figures, especially in Great Britain.
“All well and good, except that Spectravideo's machines were not fully compatible with the MSX specification. They had, after all, been devised before the MSX specification had been nailed down. When the news made it to the UK, an understandably peeved Tony Noble, head of computer dealer The Gamekeeper, the company retailing the bulk of Spectravideo imports, told PCN: 'We nearly sent the whole lot back.' ”
“All well and good, except that Spectravideos devices were not fully compatible with the MSX standard. They had been planned before the MSX specifications were even set. As this news hit the UK, an understandably annoyed Tony Noble, head of computer retailer The Gamekeeper and Spectravideo main seller, told Personal Computer News, 'We've had almost all of the shipment backed up.' "
whereupon the official British distributor CK Supplies pretended not to have been adequately informed by the manufacturer:
"Spectravideo's UK distributor, Weston-Super-Mare based CK Supplies, grumbled that it had been 'misinformed' by the manufacturer, which, it said, had proclaimed full MSX compatibility in all of its adverts up to that point."
"Spectravideos distributor for Great Britain, CK Supplies from Weston-Super-Mare, argued that they had been misled by the manufacturer, who until then had always promised full MSX compatibility in advertisements."
Bill Loguidice sees the lack of efforts by Spectravideos to provide a more comprehensive range of software from other manufacturers for the devices as a further obstacle to successful distribution:
“Unfortunately, despite glowing reviews in magazines like Creative Computing and lots of advertising, Spectravideo just couldn't achieve a foothold in the US market, which was most likely a result of relying too much on independent distributors and first-party software development. Even after the company discontinued the SV-318 in early 1984 to focus on the SV-328 in conjunction with aggressive price drops and value-added bundles, the systems were never able to catch on. "
“Despite enthusiastic reviews in magazines like Creative Computing and lots of advertising, Spectravideo just couldn't gain a foothold in the US market, most likely because they relied too much on independent sales partners and their own software development. Even after the company discontinued the SV-318 at the beginning of 1984 in favor of the SV-328, which could henceforth be purchased at competitive prices and in bundles, the Spectravideo computer systems could not prevail. "
Due to their low distribution and their importance as pioneers of the MSX standard, the SV-318 and SVI-318 MKII are sought-after collector's items today.
Web links
- BlueMSX - Emulator also for Spectravideo SV-318 (English)
- Roger's Spectravideo Page - Private website all about the Spectravideo SV-318 and other Spectravideo computers
Notes and individual references
- ^ Robert Chapman Wood: The MSX Standard . Tab Books Inc., 1985, ISBN 0-8306-0907-5 , p. 10 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ a b Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne Computer Books, 1985, ISBN 3-453-47052-4 , p. 21
- ^ A b c Robert Chapman Wood: The MSX Standard . Tab Books Inc., 1985, ISBN 0-8306-0907-5 , p. 13 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Robert Chapman Wood: The MSX Standard . Tab Books Inc., 1985, ISBN 0-8306-0907-5 , p. 12; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Robert Chapman Wood: The MSX Standard . Tab Books Inc., 1985, ISBN 0-8306-0907-5 , p. 11; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne Computer Books, 1985, ISBN 3-453-47052-4 , p. 22; Robert Chapman Wood: The MSX Standard . Tab Books Inc., 1985, ISBN 0-8306-0907-5 , pp. 12 f .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ A b c Tony Smith: From Spectravideo to MSX. The Register, June 27, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ↑ a b c Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne Computer Books, 1985, ISBN 3-453-47052-4 , p. 23 f.
- ^ A b Tony Smith: The first would-be home computing standard ... 30 years on. The Register, June 27, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ↑ MSX Invader . Your Computer, March 1984, p. 69 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ David H. Ahl: 1984 Winter Consumer Electronics Show. Creative Computing, April 1984, p. 132.
- ^ A b Roger Samdal: The history of Spectravideo. Samdal.com, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ^ David H. Ahl: Computers and cereal . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 206 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Spectravideo plans second computer . Arcade Express, March 27, 1983, p. 3 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Ken Uston: Reflections on CES. Creative Computing, September 1983, p. 224.
- ↑ Computer advertising with 007 . Happy Computer, December 1983, p. 6 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Spectravideo tries again. InfoWorld, November 19, 1984, p. 25.
- ↑ Spectravideo upgrades the SV-318 . Electronic Games, Aug 1983, p. 20 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Tom R. Halfhill: Spectravideo's new home computer . Compute !, February 1983, p. 52 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ A b c Tony Smith: Would-be world standard. The Register, June 27, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ↑ Computer Wars among the Ware . Compute !, April 1984, p. 14 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Spectravideo International Limited. Hkgbusiness.com, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ↑ Bernd Jöllenbeck GmbH: The entry into the professional class. For only 888 marks. Chip, July 1983, p. 1.
- ↑ Wolfgang Taschner: Expandable computer in a modular system. Chip, July 1983, p. 82.
- ^ Computer that takes Coleco games . TV Gamer, March 1984, p. 7 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Valric-Laurène: Spectravidéo SV-318 . Led Micro Magazine, February 1984, p. 53; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Maurizio Bergami: Spectravideo SV-328. MC Microcomputer, Issue 29, April 1984, p. 53.
- ^ Spectravideo. Kilroy's Vintage Computers, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ^ Swedish home computer prices. Kilroy's Vintage Computers, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ^ Juho Kuorikoski: Finnish Video Games: A History and Catalog. 2015, ISBN 978-0-7864-9962-5 , p. 10.
- ↑ Software competition . Score !, 1983, p. 37 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Peter Deckert: Editor's Comment. Newsletter Spectravideo Australasian Users Group, March 1984, p. 2.
- ^ Martin Downey: One nifty feature after another . Bits and Bytes, December 1983 / January 1984, p. 31; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne, 1985, p. 155.
- ^ SVI - Trademark Details. Trademarks.justia.com, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ↑ SpectraVideo joins MSX Movement . Compute !, April 1984, p. 28 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Michael Lang: News . Happy Computer, Nov. 1984, p. 10 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ The right model for every budget. PM Computermagazin, October 1984, p. 105.
- ↑ Spectravideo tries again. InfoWorld, November 19, 1984, p. 25.
- ^ The Intro. (PDF) SAUG Newsletters, November 1984, p. 2.
- ↑ SPECTRAVIDEO - Trademark Details. Trademarks.justia.com, accessed January 25, 2016.
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne, 1985, p. 24.
- ^ Computers in Sweden - Homes. Comparative Worldwide National Computer Policies: Proceedings of the Third Ifip Tc9 Conference on Human Choice and Computers, Stockholm, Sweden, 2-5 September 1985, p. 223.
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne, 1985, p. 156.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, February 1984, p. 72.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, March 1984, p. 54.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, April 1984, p. 69.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, May 1984, p. 54.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, June 1984, p. 107.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, July 84, p. 77.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, Aug 1984, p. 76.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, September 1984, p. 106.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, Oct 1984, p. 102.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, Nov 1984, p. 134.
- ↑ Home computer bestseller list. Chip, December, p. 262. In later issues the SV-318 no longer appears in the list.
- ^ Andrzey Feldczak: Översiktskarta för In / Ut portana i SV-318 / SV-328 including expander. (PDF) Maskinspraksmanual, Ronex Computer AB, p. 20.
- ^ ROM. ( Memento of January 7, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Service and Technical Manual, Spectravideo, p. 4.45.
- ^ Wilfried Manske: SVI ROM Listing. (PDF) 1985, pp. 1-72.
- ↑ TMS9918A / 9928A / 9929A Video Display Processors. Edited by TI Semiconductor Group, Houston (1982), Chapter 1.
- ↑ TMS9918A / 9928A / 9929A Video Display Processors. Edited by TI Semiconductor Group, Houston (1982), Chapter 3.
- ^ The Different Display Modes. (PDF) Video Display Processors Programmer's Guide, Texas Instruments, 1984, Chapter 8.
- ↑ Sprites. (PDF) Video Display Processors Programmer's Guide, Texas Instruments, 1984, Chapter 9.
- ↑ Operation. (PDF) AY-3-8910 / 8912 Programmable Sound Generator Data Manual, General Instruments, Chapter 3.
- ↑ 8255 Port A (input port). ( Memento of January 7, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Service and Technical Manual, Spectravideo, p. 4.55.
- ^ Gerhard Fally: SV hardware. ( Memento from November 22, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, January 1984, p. 6.
- ↑ a b Super Expanders User's Manual. ( Memento from November 22, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Spectravideo, 1984, p. 3.
- ^ Darren Williamson: Spectra must live up to its promises . TV Gamer Magazine, July 1984, p. 40 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Peter Deckert: Umbilical Cord for the SV. Newsletter for the Spectravideo Users Club of Tasmania, February 1984, p. 15.
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: Computer Periphery. Heyne, Munich 1985, ISBN 3-453-47058-3 , p. 51 ff.
- ↑ Steve Cooke: Spectravideo . Personal Computer Games, March 1984, p. 59; Text archive - Internet Archive . Program and data storage . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 24 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ MSX Game Adapter User's Manual. (PDF) Spectravideo International Ltd., 1985, p. 6.
- ↑ Expandable computer in a modular system. Chip, July 1983, p. 80.
- ↑ Hans Magnusson: Mer om Spectravideo och Fleiskivor. SpectraView, 195.
- ↑ LA Dunning: Exploring BASIC Pt-14. Newsletter Spectravideo Australasian Users Group, November 1985, p. 3 ff.
- ^ Program and Data Storage . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 24 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Bernd Jöllenbeck GmbH: The super computer . Happy Computer, Nov. 1984, p. 167; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ David H. Ahl: Spectravideo SV-318 and SV-328 . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 18 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Computer course, p. 1861.
- ^ Gerhard Fally: The CP / M operating system on the SV-328. ( Memento from January 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, January 1985, p. 9.
- ^ Robert DeWitt: Printer Survey. ANTIC, January 1984, p. 55.
- ↑ David H. Ahl: SpectraVideo SV-318 and SV-328 . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 24 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ RS232 Interface User's Manual. (PDF) Spectravideo, 1983, p. 3.
- ^ SVI Hardware Volume 8. ( Memento from November 22, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) SVI Journal, March 1985, p. 10.
- ↑ J. Collins: Coleco Adapter Review. Newsletter Spectravideo Australasian Users Group, March 1984, p. 5 f.
- ↑ Coleco Game Adapter Instruction Manual. ( Memento from January 23, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Spectravideo International Ltd., 1983.
- ^ Peter Deckert: Interesting Facts about SV. Newsletter Spectravideo Australasian Users Group, May 1984, p. 8.
- ↑ MSX Game Adapter User's Manual. (PDF) Spectravideo International Ltd., 1985.
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: Computer Periphery. Heyne, Munich 1985, ISBN 3-453-47058-3 , pp. 51-53.
- ↑ David H. Ahl: SpectraVideo SV-318 and SV-328 . In: Creative Computing , September 1983, p. 18 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Gerhard Fally: The CP / M operating system on the SV-328. ( Memento from January 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, January 1985, p. 7; Disk BASIC User's Guide. ( Memento from January 18, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Spectravideo, 1983.
- ^ Philipp Ott: Doublesided Disk-BASIC. ( Memento from November 22, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, September 1985, p. 10.
- ^ Gerhard Fally: The CP / M operating system on the SV-328. ( Memento from January 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, January 1985, p. 7 f.
- ^ Gerhard Fally: The CP / M operating system on the SV-328. ( Memento from November 22, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, February 1985, p. 6.
- ^ Gerhard Fally: The CP / M operating system on the SV-328. ( Memento from January 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) SVI-Journal, January 1985, p. 10.
- ^ Roger Samdal: Spectravideo Software. Samdal.com, accessed December 14, 2017.
- ↑ Andreas Lange: What archives, museums and libraries can learn from gamers - and vice versa. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ↑ Torsten Othmer: Spectravideo emulator for the PC. Videospielgeschichten.de, accessed on January 25, 2016.
- ^ Jules H. Gilder: Spectravideo's SV-318 . Electronic Fun, Nov 1983, p. 99; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Sharon Zardetto Aker: Speculations on SpectraVideo . In: Microcomputing, December 1983, p. 83 ff., Textarchiv - Internet Archive
- ↑ David H. Ahl: SpectraVideo SV-318 and SV-328 . In: Creative Computing , September 1983 | pages = 28; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Ivan Berger, Morgan R. Schweers: Spectravideo SV-318: A Breed Apart . MicroKids, December 1983, p. 82 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ David H. Ahl: shakeout of Competition . In: Creative Computing , March 1984, p. 14 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ The Year in Computers . Computer Games, January / February 1985, p. 35 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ^ Martin Downey: One nifty feature after another . Bits & Bytes, December 1983 / January 1984, p. 32 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Steve Cooke: Spectravideo . Personal Computer Games, March 1984, p. 59 .; Text archive - Internet Archive
- ↑ Wolfgang Taschner: Expandable computer in a modular system. Chip, July 1983, p. 82.
- ↑ Ruth Bosch: News. PM computer booklet, edition 3/1983, p. 4.
- ↑ Dietmar Eirich: MSX - The first home computer standard. Heyne, 1985, p. 155 f.
- ↑ a b Fast MSX Standard. Computer course 1985, p. 1863.
- ^ Roger Samdal: The history of Spectravideo. Samdal.com, accessed January 24, 2016.
- ↑ Torsten Othmer: Farewell to Spectravideo. Videospielgeschichten.de, accessed on January 24, 2016.
- ↑ Bill Loguidice: Photo of the Week - Know your History! Armchairarcade.com; accessed on January 26, 2016.
- ↑ Torsten Othmer: Spectravideo - Catalyst of the MSX Standard. Videospielgeschichten.de; accessed on January 24, 2016.
