A deep technical exploration of an alternate-history computer called the 'Columbia ][', imagining what an Apple II-era 8-bit computer would have looked like if the CBS field-sequential color TV standard had survived instead of NTSC. The author traces the historical timeline of CBS color TV, identifies the Korean War as the point of divergence, then works through the actual technical specifications of the CBS 144Hz field-sequential system. From there, the post derives video timing, pixel clocks, resolution constraints (147x176 pixels), memory access limitations, and graphics modes for this hypothetical machine. It also explores IRQ-driven color tricks using field switching, a planar palette system, an intensity bit concept, and briefly considers alternate-history versions of the Atari 2600 and NES under the same constraints.
Table of contents
Point of DivergenceThe standardThe ComputerGraphics modesLittle Brick OutCould this have been the machine?Is this a thing?Sort: