SV-328

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Spectravideo SV-328

Developer	Spectravideo
Type	Home computer
Release date	1983 (Summer CES, Chicago)
Media	ROM Cartridge, Cassette tape
Operating system	Microsoft Extended BASIC CP/M
CPU	Zilog Z80A @ 3.6 MHz
Memory	64 KB (+16 KB VRAM)
Display	256×192 resolution, 16 colours (TMS9918)
Input	Keyboard
Predecessor	SV-318
Successor	SV-728

The SV-328 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Spectravideo in June 1983. It was the business-targeted model of the Spectravideo range, sporting a rather crowded full-travel keyboard with numeric keypad. It had 80 KB RAM (64 KB available for software, remaining 16 KB video memory), a respectable amount for its time. Other than the keyboard and RAM, this machine was identical to its little brother, the SV-318.

The SV-328 is the design on which the MSX standard was based.^[1] Spectravideo's MSX-compliant successor to the 328, the SV-728, looks almost identical, the only immediately noticeable differences being a larger cartridge slot in the central position (to fit MSX standard cartridges), lighter shaded keyboard and the MSX badging.

Reference to the operating system Microsoft Extended BASIC is not to be confused with MSX BASIC, although some marketing at the time claimed that Microsoft Extended is what MSX stood for.

System specs[]

• Processor: Zilog Z80A running at 3.6 MHz^[2]
• ROM: 32 KB
  • BIOS (16 KB)
  • BASIC (16 KB)
• RAM: 64 KB
• Video Display Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9918
  • VRAM: 16 KB
  • Text modes: 40×24 and 32×24
  • Resolution: 256×192 (16 colours)
  • Sprites: 32, 1 colour, max 4 per horizontal line
• Sound chip: General Instrument AY-3-8910 (PSG)
• I/O chip: Intel 8255

Peripherals[]

SV-328 connected to a tape drive (left) and a SV-601B Super Expander.

SV-328 screen immediately after booting.

At back of SV-318 / SV-328, adapters permit to connect only a few peripherals, such as a tape drive (SV-903), a CVBS monitor and joysticks. However, with a Super Expander unit, more options were available:

• SV-803 Memory expansion card, 16 KB
• SV-807 Memory expansion card, 64 KB
• SV-805 RS232 card
• SV-701 Internal modem, 300 baud
• SV-802 Centronics parallel port card for printer
• SV-806 80-column video card
• SV-801 Floppy controller card, needed for disk drive usage
• Hard disk controller card
• SV-809 Network card
• SV-602 Mini Expander (for one card)
• SV-601A Expander case with power supply and many slots. External disk drives
• SV-601B Super Expander, similar but with built-in floppy drive and an optional second drive
• SV-603 ColecoVision adapter, enabling ColecoVision games to be played on the SV-328
• SV-901C 80-columns printer at 50 cps (a refurbished Seikosha SK-100)
• SV-902 External floppy drive
• SV-903 cassette drive
• SV-105 Graphics Tablet

References[]

External links[]

• SV-328 at Roger's Spectravideo page
• El Museo de los 8 Bits
• old-computers

Emulators[]

• SVI-318/328 Emulator by Jimmy Mårdell
• BlueMSX MSX emulator, support SVI 318/328