TRS-80 MC-10 - Specifications

Specifications

• VDG: MC6847
  • Text: 32×16
  • Low-res: 64×32, 8 color (4bpp)
  • Low-res: 64×64, 4 color (2bpp)
  • Med-res: 128×64, 2 color (1bpp)
  • Med-res: 128×64, 4 color (2bpp)
  • Med-hi: 128×96, 2 color (1bpp)
  • Med-hi: 128×96, 4 color (2bpp)
  • Hi-res: 128×192, 2 color (2bpp)
  • Hi-res: 128×192, 4 color (2bpp) (required memory-pak)
  • Hi-res: 256×192, 2 color (1bpp) (required memory-pak)
• I/O Ports:
  • RS-232C serial interface (300-9600 baud; 600 baud from BASIC)
  • Cassette interface (1500 baud)
  • Internal RF modulator
  • Memory expansion interface

Although the memory expansion interface connected directly to the CPU bus and could have been used for many applications, the edge connector involved had an unusual number of pins and was difficult to obtain.

The RS-232C serial interface had extremely limited usefulness. Although the 6803 CPU conveniently includes a built-in UART, it was not connected to and did not assist the RS-232C interface in any manner. In part, this was because a single 3.58 MHz TV colorburst crystal was used to generate video and clock the CPU, and this clock rate did not correspond to any standard baud rate when divided for the UART. As a result, programs had to shift all bits individually into and out of the RS-232C interface, creating artificial and especially critical timing considerations.

The cassette interface had similar difficulties, plus a few. Although Micro Color Basic included an undocumented CLOADM command for loading machine-language programs and an undocumented VARPTR function for manipulating variables as memory, there was no corresponding CSAVEM command (documented or otherwise) to permit machine language programs to be saved to tape.