My Spectravideo

My first computer was a Spectravideo 328, which I got in 1983 after begging my parents for a few months. My reasoning was that I simply had to have a computer because I was going to be a ’computer man.’ No one really believed me back then, but that is exactly what happened—I became a computer professional and have been working with computers for 40 years now.

In addition to the Spectravideo 328, the package included a cassette recorder and a couple of games.

NAME  SV-328
MANUFACTURER  Spectravideo
TYPE  Home Computer
ORIGIN  U.S.A.
YEAR  1983 June
BUILT IN LANGUAGE  Microsoft Extended BASIC
KEYBOARD  Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad
CPU  Zilog Z80 A
SPEED  3.6 MHz
RAM  64 kB (up to 256 kB)
VRAM  16 kB
ROM  32 kB
GRAPHICS TMS9918A
SCREEN 0: Text mode 40×24 characters, two colors (background+foregrund).
Fonts are formed using a 6×8 pixel matrix.  Sprites are not available in this mode.
SCREEN 1: High resolution graphics mode: 256×192, 16 colors. Sprites are available.
Colour resolution is 8×1 pixels: that is, for every group of 8×1 pixels, only one foreground/background color pair may be displayed.
This is a standard TMS-9918A limitation.
Text is also supported in SCREEN1, allowing up to 43×24 characters (with two pixels chopped off the 43rd character).
SCREEN 2: Low resolution graphics mode: 64×48, 16 colors.  Sprites are available.
The screen is addressed and formed using full 256×192 resolution, with 4×4 block graphics (each 8×8 pixel matrix holds four low resolution pixels).  Sprites are displayed at high resolution (256×192).
Text is also supported in SCREEN2, allowing up to 11×6 characters (with two pixels chopped off the 11th character)
TEXT MODES  40 chars x 24 lines (optional 80 x 24)
GRAPHIC MODES  256 x 192 dots
COLORS  16
SOUND  CHIPAY-3-8910
SOUND  Three channels, 8 octaves
I/O PORTS  Audio/Video, Tape, Joystick (2), Cartridge, Super Expander
BUILT IN MEDIA  None
POWER SUPPLY  External power supply.  9V AC & 16V AC out
PERIPHERALS  SVI-903 Data Cassette Recorder, SV-601 Super Expander, SV-602 Single Slot Expander, SV-902 Floppy Disk drive (external), SV-901 Dot Matrix Printer, SV-805 RS-232 Interface, SV-105 Graphic Touch Tablet, SV-803 16K RAM Pack, SV-807 64K RAM Pack, SV-802 Centronics Interface, SV-701 Smart Modem, SV-801 Dual Disk Drive Controller, SV-806 80-Column Display adapter, SV-603 Coleco Game Adapter, SV-101 Quickshot Joystick

In 2019, a retro hobbies and artist painted a portrait of my first computer, which is now part of my computer museum.

Over time, I expanded my Spectravideo setup. I acquired the SV-601 Super Expander (which featured a 5.25″ floppy drive), an SV-901 Dot Matrix Printer, an SV-806 80-Column Display Adapter, and an SV-807 64K RAM Pack. With these expansions, I was able to run the CP/M operating system in addition to Spectravideo Basic. I also rented a modem from the local phone company, which I used to dial into the first BBS (Bulletin Board System) services.

Over the decades, my collection of my most cherished computer, the Spectravideo, has grown into an extensive ensemble….

1. Hardware Inventory (Main Units)

The museum houses a total of 16 main computer units, including rare regional variations and professional models:

  • SV-318: 2 units (The entry-level model with the famous ”chiclet” keyboard).

  • SV-328 / SVI-328: 7 units (The professional version of the 318).

    • 4 x SV-328 (One is CIB – Complete In Box).

    • 2 x SVI-328 (One is CIB).

    • 1 x SVI-328 USA Model.

  • SV-328 Mark II: 7 units (An updated version of the 328).

    • 2 x SV-328 Mark II (Both CIB).

    • 5 x SVI-328 Mark II.

  • SVI-728 (MSX): 4 units (One is CIB).

  • SVI-838 X’press 16: 1 unit (A unique hybrid MSX2 / PC-compatible).

  • SVI SV-640FH: 1 unit (A PC-compatible).


2. Peripherals and Accessories

The collection includes an extensive array of expansions that allowed the Spectravideo to compete with high-end systems of the 1980s:

  • Expander Units: SV-601 Super Expander (CIB) and three SVI-605 expanders.

  • Storage: At least 12 tape drives (Models SV-903, SV-904, and SVI-767) and the SVI-707 external disk drive.

  • Video & Memory: SV-806 80-Column Display Adapter, SVI-727 80-column cartridge, and SV-803 16K RAM expansion.

  • Others: SV-901 Dot Matrix Printer, SV-802 Centronics interfaces, and the unique Spectravideo Compumate (Atari 2600 add-on).


3. Games and Software

The museum curates a vast library of software, primarily in Tape (T), Cartridge (C), and Disk (D) formats. The collection includes:

  • Classic Titles: Armoured Assault (9 copies!), Flipper Slipper, Frantic Freddy, Grave Digger, and Spectron.

  • Educational & Productivity: Introduction to Basic, Spectra Home Economist, Spectra Diary, and Graph Master.

  • Rarity: Many items are CIB (Complete In Box), which is highly valued by collectors. The software list spans dozens of titles, preserving the diverse library available for the SV-318/328 series.