VT320
The VT320 is a monochrome video display terminal developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and introduced in 1987 as a successor to the VT220, primarily designed for single-session text-oriented applications in computing environments.[1] It features a 14-inch flat, antiglare monochrome screen capable of displaying green, amber, or paper-white phosphor characters on 24 lines in either 80- or 132-column formats, with an additional 25th status line for system information.[2] The terminal conforms to the ANSI X3.64 standard for character terminal control and provides full backward compatibility with earlier DEC models such as the VT220, VT100, and VT52.[1] Key hardware components include the LK201 detachable keyboard, which offers 103 keys across multiple language variants, including 15 programmable function keys, a numeric keypad, and editing controls for enhanced user interaction.[2] Communication is handled via asynchronous full-duplex transmission over RS-232-C or DEC-423 interfaces, supporting baud rates from 75 to 19,200 bits per second, with two serial ports for host connection and printer output.[1] The display resolution is 1,200 horizontal pixels by 300 scan lines, and the terminal includes features like a CRT saver that blanks the screen after 30 minutes of inactivity to reduce wear, along with four printing modes (normal, auto print, printer controller, and local controller) for versatile document handling.[2] Notable for its compact design, the VT320 supported multinational character sets including DEC Multinational and ISO Latin-1, as well as 12 national replacement sets, making it suitable for international use.[2] It operated in temperatures from 10°C to 40°C and consumed up to 50 watts of power, with nonvolatile memory for storing user configurations.[2] Priced at US$495 upon release in 1987,[3] the VT320 was part of DEC's VT300 family, emphasizing improved ergonomics, customizable setup options, and reliability for office and data processing tasks.[1]Overview
Introduction
The VT320 is an ANSI standard computer terminal introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in August 1987.[3] It served as a text-only device designed primarily for connecting users to mainframes and minicomputers through an RS-232 serial interface, facilitating data entry, display, and interaction in enterprise computing environments.[3][2] At launch, the VT320 was priced at US$575, equivalent to approximately $1,590 in 2025 dollars after adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.[1][4] Its core components included an Intel 8031 microcontroller, a 14-inch monochrome CRT display capable of rendering text in 80×24 or 132×24 character formats, and an LK201-style keyboard for input.[3][5][6] As part of DEC's VT series, the VT320 succeeded the VT220 and preceded the VT420, building on prior models by enhancing multinational character support while maintaining backward compatibility, including emulation of VT100 and VT52 modes.[5]Key Specifications
The VT320 base model utilizes an Intel 8031 microcontroller as its central processor for handling terminal operations and control functions.[7]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Memory | ROM and RAM for buffer and character storage, enabling efficient handling of display data and setup configurations.[7] |
| Display | 14-inch monochrome CRT with 1,200 × 300 resolution, supporting 25 lines of text (24 visible lines plus 1 status line).[8] |
| Character resolution | 15 × 12 pixels per character in 80-column mode; 9 × 12 pixels in 132-column mode, allowing flexible text formatting while maintaining readability.[9] |
| Connectivity | Dual RS-232 ports (primary for host connection, auxiliary for printer or modem), with support for baud rates from 75 to 19,200 bps.[8] |
| Power | 90–132 V or 180–264 V AC input, 50/60 Hz frequency, 50 W maximum consumption.[8] |
| Dimensions and weight | 10 × 12.4 × 12.4 inches (H × W × D), approximately 19 lbs (including keyboard and tilt base for ergonomic adjustment).[8] |
| Keyboard | Detachable 103-key LK201 model featuring a numeric keypad, dedicated function keys, and modular design for easy replacement or customization.[8] |