SV-328

The SV-328 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Spectravideo in June 1983.^[1] It was the business-targeted model of the Spectravideo range, sporting a compact full-travel keyboard with numeric keypad.^[2] It had 80 KB RAM (64 KB available for software, remaining 16 KB video memory),^[3] a respectable amount for its time. Other than the keyboard and RAM, this machine was identical to its little brother, the SV-318.

Spectravideo SV-328

Developer	Spectravideo
Product family	Spectravideo
Type	Home computer
Release date	1983 (Summer CES, Chicago)
Operating system	Microsoft Extended BASIC CP/M
CPU	Zilog Z80A @ 3.579545 MHz
Memory	64 KB
Removable storage	ROM Cartridge, Cassette tape, floppy disc
Display	256 × 192, 16 colours; TV or composite monitor
Graphics	TMS9918 (16 KB VRAM)
Sound	AY-3-8910
Input	Keyboard
Successor	SV-728
Related	SV-318

The SV-328 is the design on which the MSX standard was based.^[4] Spectravideo's MSX-compliant successor to the 328, the SV-728, looks almost identical,^[5] 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. More than 130 games were released for the system.^[6]

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: 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.

The standard ports of a SV-318 / SV-328 support only a few peripherals such as the SV-903 tape drive, a CVBS monitor (or external RF modulator for TV), and two joysticks. However the Super Expander edge connector offered more options:^[5]

• SV-803 Memory expansion card, 16 KB
• SV-807 Memory expansion card, 64 KB
• SV-805 RS-232 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-904 cassette drive
• SV-105 Graphics Tablet