Getting Started; What This Manual Covers - RCA CDP18S711 Instruction Manual

1
COSMAC VIP
CDP18S711 is a complete computer on a single
printed-circuit card. It includes the following:
*RCA CDP1802 Microprocessor (91 instructions)
*2048-byte RAM
*Built-in hex keyboard (modern reliable touchpad
type)
*Graphic video display interface (standard video
output)
*100-byte-per-second audio cassette interface
*Regulated power supply (wall-pack type)
*Crystal clock
*Sound circuits (for signal tones and games)
*512-byte ROM operating system
*Comprehensive documentation
*20 ready-to-use video game programs
*Unique CHIP-8 language (31 easy-to-use in-
structions)
*On-card RAM expansion up to 40% bytes
*On-card parallel 1/0 port
*Connector for extensive external expansion
capability
COSMAC VIP was designed for home hobby use. Just
add an inexpensive video display and an audio cassette
recorder for program storage. You don't need expensive,
hidden extras such as power supply, computer terminal,
external keyboard, or additional RAM. COSMAC VIP
provides everything needed for years of creative
computer fun for the whole family. With COSMAC VIP
you're immediately ready to play video games,
experiment with computer art or animation, write your
own programs with a new language called CHIP-8, or get
hands-on experience using machine language.

1. Getting Started

(Video Interface Processor)
With COSMAC VIP you can easily create pictures
on the display screen and move them around. This
feature is invaluable for video games and not usually
available with computers costing several times as
much. The software you need to use your computer is
provided free instead of at added cost or not at all.
Simplified operation was a primary design goal so
that you don't have to waste a lot of time learning and
remembering complex operating procedures.
COSMAC VIP uses state-of-the-art devices coupled
with an efficient design. Full expansion capability
allows you to inexpensively tailor COSMAC VIP to
specific applications such as model railroad control,
music synthesis, or color graphics. You will soon.dis
cover that COSMAC VIP provides a refreshingly
new, lower-cost alternative to conventional computers
which have been aimed more toward mathematics
and business than fun.

What This Manual Covers

T'his manual serves several purposes. It lets you get
started playing video games with minimum effort. just
set up your system as described in this section and learn
how to use the operating system and cassette interface as
described in the next section. You can immediately use
all the video games in Appendix D without going any
further.
If you want to learn to write your own programs,
Section III describes an easy language to start with called
CHIP-8. Most of the programs in Appendix D were
designed using this language. CHIP-8 looks somewhat
like machine language but is quicker to learn and easier
to use than many of the more common high-level
languages. It also requires much less RAM, which save8
you a lot of money.