Digital Equipment Corporation VT300 Display Family

Datapro Reports on C25-384-101 Data Communications Terminals

In this report: Product Summary

Analysis ...... -102 Editor's Note Competition Digital now offers the VT320, VT320-compatible displays are of Characteristics ...... -104 VT330, and VT340 displays, succes- fered by TeleVideo, Wyse Technol sors to the VT200 family that pro- ogy, Qume Corporation, Pricing ...... -105 vide complete backward- Microterm, and Hewlett-Packard. compatibility with improved Microterm also offers VT330- and ergonomics and functionality. Digi VT340-compatible displays. AT&T, tal continues to provide service for Falco Data Products, and a few other the older line of displays, however. vendors offer VT320 emulation in their general-purpose ASCII dis Description plays. The VT320 is a monochrome dis play that provides single-session Vendor support for text-oriented applica Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) tions. The VT330 and VT340 both 146 Main Street provide dual sessions and graphics Maynard, MA 01754-2571 capability. (508) 493-5111 Strengths In addition to introducing dual Price session support with the VT300 fam The North American Version of the ily, Digital designed higher VT320 sells for $575; the interna resolution, faster processing speed, tional version of the display costs and greater customization capability $625. The VT330 and VT340 sell for into the displays while lowering $1,995 and $2,795, respectively. prices significantly.

Limitations Vendors such as Wyse Technology, TeleVideo, Microterm, and Hewlett Packard offer VT clones that provide enhancements such as multiple dis play configurations, more function keys and interfacing options, and more internal memory.

© 1990 McGraw-Hili. Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. JULY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-102 Dlttltal Equipment Datapro Reports on Corporetlon Data Communications Terminals VT300 Dlaple, 'eml.,

amber, or paper-white characters in 80- and 132- column formats. This terminal provides the small est footprint of any display yet offered by Digital. Analysis Unlike the VT240 andVT241· displays, the VT330 and VT340 support dual-session capability over one or two wires. The VT330, a monochrome model, comes with a 14-inch screen that displays either green, amber, or paper-white characters in 80- or 132-column text arrangements. For graphics applications, up to four levels of shading are sup Product Strategy ported. The VT340 includes a 13-inch screen that Digital Equipment Corporation's VT300 family, supports 16-color graphics and 80- or 132-column which consists of the VT320, VT330, and VT340 text arrangements. display terminals, is the third and most advanced generation of display terminals designed by Digital for communications with applications running on Competitive Position VAX host computers. Digital occupies a distinct but somewhat separate These displays feature full backward compati subsection of the asynchronous display market re bility with their predecessors, the VT220, VT240, ferred to as the ANSI segment. With the release of and VT241 models, while providing ergonomic the VT100 display in 1978, Digital became the first improvements and better functionality. With the vendor to support the American National Stan VT330 and VT340, Digital introduced dual session dards Institute's (ANSI's) X3.64 standard, which capability. The VT300 products operate up to five . was first published in 1977 to standardize control times faster than the older models, provide higher codes for all terminals. To offer VT emulation, resolution, and display fonts that are more pleasing other vendors have also adopted this standard for to the eye. Enhanced setup menus provided with their display terminals. these displays allow greater keyboard customiza Various research organizations have esti tion. mated that Digital holds from 60 to 80 percent of The VT320 is an entry-level, single-session the ANSI terminal market. Over 1 million VT 100 display that replaces the VT220. Designed for text and one millionVT200 family displays were sold oriented applications, the VT320 includes a 14- prior to their discontinuance, and Digital has re inch monochrome screen that displays green, cently announced the shipment of the one mil lionth VT320 display.

The Digital Equipment Cor poration VT300/amily con sists a/the VT320, VT330, and VT340 displays. The VT320 is a single-session text terminal; the VT330 is a monochrome text/graphics terminal with dual-session capability and support/or six levels 0/ shading; the VT340 is a 16-color text/ graphics terminal also with dual-session capability.

JULY 1990 © 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on DItI!tIII Bqulpment C25-384-103 Data Communications CorpoNtIon VT300 DI8pI., '.mll, Terminals

and VAX/VMS operating of $12.7 billion, up 11 per Company Profile system with announce cent from $11.5 billion the ments of new and more previous year. Net income Digital Equipment powerful VAX models. was $1.1 billion, down 8 percent from $1.3 billion Corporation The current VAX family in 1988. According to the consists of V AXstation president's letter to Digi desktop workstations; tal's shareholders in MicroVAX departmental 1989, "Digital's revenue systems; VAX 6000 Se growth came from over ries medium-range sys Corporate Company Background seas markets, particularly tems; and VAX 9000 Headquarters Year Founded: 1957 Europe and Japan." 146 Main Street No. Employees: ,125,000 Series high-end main Maynard, MA 01754-2571 frames. Management Digital is a leading sup Statement (508) 493-5111 In addition to the VAX plier of computer systems Digital has a $1.5 billion family, Digital offers DEC In Canada and associated peripher dollar investment in new systems that use reduced Digital Equipment of Can als, networks, communi product development. Ac instruction set computing ada, Ltd. cations, software, and cording to the president's (RISC) technology and P.O. Box 13000, 100 Het services. The products letter, Digital is "continu operate under ULTRIX, zbug Road are used in a variety of ing to invest heavily in Digital's implementation Kanata, ON K2K 2A6 applications in business, VAX and RISC-based sys of the UNIX operating (613) 592-5111 industry, government, and tems and VMS and UNIX scientific areas. Both di system. European Headquarters software." Within the next rect and indirect channels is in Geneva, Switzerland. To support its systems, year, "Digital's strategy is are used to market and General International Digital offers disk, storage to focus on the computing support products world Headquarters is in Acton, array, and solidstate environment of the 1990s. wide. MA. memory products, optical Digital will offer the widest In 1977, Digital introduced disks, tape devices, dis selection of technology Officers the VAX Series of 32-bit plays, and printers. Be and continue to make sig Pres.: Kenneth H. Olsen minicomputers, one of the sides hardware and nificant investments in Sr. VP, Mrktg., Sales, Ser most successful product software, Digital offers a R&D and new products in vice, Channels, Interna launches in computer in range of communications response to dynamically tional: John J. Shields dustry history. Since in and networking products changing customer Sr. VP, Eng. & Mfg.: John troducing the first VAX, and services. needs." F. Smith the 11/780, Digital has Pres. & CEO, European Financial Profile continued to enhance the Operations: Pier Carlo For the 1989 fiscal year, basic VAX architecture Falotti Digital reported revenues

The rest of the ANSI market is controlled by HP 700/32 displays boast VT320-compatibility general-purpose ASCII display vendors that offer with enhancements such as more programmable VT clones and VT emulation. The VT100 is the function keys, greater interfacing flexibility, higher most widely emulated asynchronous terminal, with resolution, faster transmission speeds, multiple over one million imitations sold. Digital also suf display configurations, and more screens of inter fered competition from numerous low-priced nal storage. The TeleVideo and Wyse models sell VT200 imitators, which caused the vendor to ad for only $499. MMicroterm's 5530 display, a just prices accordingly. VT330-compatible product priced at $1,495, pro At present, there is a small handful ofVT300- vides 16 shades of gray. Microterm also offers a compatible displays on the market. Wyse Technol VT340-compatible terminal, the 5540, which sells ogy's WY-185, Qume Corporation's QVT323-EV, for only $2,350 and provides color mapping for Microterm's model 5520, and Hewlett-Packard's each individual session and 16 colors from a

© 1990 McGraw·HiII, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. JULY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-104 Digital Equipment Datapro Reports on Corporation Data Communications Terminals VT300 Display Family

262, 144-color palette. Both the 5530 and 5540 sup Date First Installed: VT320-September 1987; VT330 port transmission speeds as high as 38.4K bps. A and VT340-May 1987. few vendors, including AT&T, Falco Data Prod Number of Installed Units: Over 1 million VT300 termi ucts, and Visentech Systems, have incorporated nals have been installed. VT320 emulation into their general-purpose ASCII displays. Vendors continue to play the better price/ Serviced by: Digital Equipment Corporation. performance game. It appears, however, that fewer of them are able or willing to match Digital's moves this time around. System Components The Digital VT300 display terminal family consists of three models: the VT320, VT330, and the VT340. All Decision Points three conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. The VT330 family provides two major improve ments over its predecessors-dual session capabil Transmission Specifications ity (for the VT330 and VT340) and up to five times faster processing speed. These models offer Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode, with user-selectable local echo, seven- or eight-bit ASCII higher resolution, more versatility, easier-to-read code, one or two stop bits, and any of the following display fonts, and a new paper-white phosphor types of parity: even, odd, none, even no-check, odd character color for the monochrome VT320 and no-check, mark, and space (seven-bit only). Users se VT330 models. The VT340 supports up to 16 col lect host communications parameters through setup ors, while the older VT241 supports only four. screens. Characters are transmitted one by one, as These enhancements, with much more competitive each key is depressed. Selectable transmission speeds of 75, 110, 150,300,600, 1200,2400,4800,9600, and prices, have helped Digital to maintain its strong 19,200 bps are supported over DEC423 or RS-232-C position in the display market. cable. Digital's VT300 products are completely backward-compatible with previous Digital dis plays, as well as the software supporting them-a Device Control factor that gives Digital a decided advantage over The VT300 is fully backward compatible with the VT220 general-purpose ASCII terminals that offer only display; similarly, the VT330 and VT340 are fully com VT emulation. Digital's reputation for manufactur patible with the VT240 and VT241 displays, respectively. ing reliability and full service and support for its Users can install and use VT300 family terminals with VAX systems also contribute to the vendor's ad out software modifications to existing application pro grams that support VT200 family products. vantage over competitors offering VT clones with The default character sets for these displays are improved price/performance. the Digital Multinational ISO Latin-1 character sets. With VT330 and VT340 displays, and the international version of the VT320, users can optionally select English, Ger man, or French versions of the setup menu system, and any of 12 national replacement character sets. Visual attributes of these displays include reverse video and text highlighting using a blinking block or a blinking underline. Both the VT330 and VT340 support Characteristics two high-level graphics instruction sets: Digital's Re mote Graphics Instruction Set (ReGIS) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics protocols. Programmable function keys enable the user to define and store commonly used sets of commands (up to 256 characters in length), which can be executed with a single keystroke. Models: VT320, VT330, and VT340 The VT320 includes a 14-inch, flat, antiglare monochrome screen with either green, amber, or paper Date Announced: VT320-August 1987; VT330 and white characters, a Digital LK201 keyboard that comes VT340-ApriI1987. in 16 different international versions, and an integrated tilt mechanism. Swivel capability is offered optionally

JULY 1990 © 1990 McGraw-Hili. Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on Digital Equipment C2S-384-105 Data Communications Corpol'lltlon VT300 DI.play Family Terminals

through an alternate type of base. Each keyboard style a palette of 4,096 colors, and a maximum screen resolu provides 15 programmable function keys and a numeric tion of 800 pixels by 500 lines, Both models come with a keypad. Digital LK201 keyboard available in 16 international ver Designed for text-oriented applications, the VT320 sions. Each keyboard style provides 15 programmable provides single-session capability with a screen ar function keys and a numeric keypad. rangement of 24 lines by either 80 or 132 columns, and The VT330 and VT340 provide screen arrange a maximum screen resolution of 1,200 pixels by 300 ments of 24 lines by 80 or 132 columns, and a 25th sta scan lines. The screen includes a 25th status line, which tus line for system messages or terminal-specific can be programmed to display either system messages information, such as cursor position or printing status. or terminal-specific information, such as cursor position Users can view two sessions simultaneously in split or printing status. The VT320 provides a series of setup screen mode, or switch between full-screen sessions screens, allowing the user to customize keyboard, host with a hot key. A comprehensive set of menu screens communications, printing, and display characteristics. (in English, French, and German) allows users to cus The VT320 comes in two versions: a North Ameri tomize keyboard, display, host communications, and can version and an international version. Both types printing characteristics. include two DEC423 MMJ serial communications The VT330 and VT340 provide one RS-232-C host ports-one for a host connection and one for a display communications port and one DEC423 host communi attached Digital printer. Adapters for connecting non cations port. Dual sessions, running on a single host, Digital printers are also available optionally. The North can be conducted over a single cable, if desired, using American version accommodates 120 volt power, and Digital's Session Support Utility (SSU). Each VT330 and includes a DEC423 cable and a 25-pin adapter that is VT340 display also includes one DEC423 port for a compatible with most standard U.S. modems. The inter display-attached printer. Adapters for non-Digital print national version accommodates 240 volt systems, and ers are available optionally. provides full modem support through an RS-232-C, 25- pin adapter. The international version also includes setup screens in English, French, and German. Pricing The VT330 and VT340 are dual-session displays designed for graphics and text applications. They both The North American version of the VT320 sells for $575, provide storage of six screens of text or two screens of while the international version of the same display sells graphics for fast switching between sessions. The for $625. The VT330 and VT340 displays are priced at VT330 includes a 14-inch, flat, monochrome screen with $1,995 and $2,795, respectively. Digital offers a wide either green, amber, or paper-white characters. For selection of warranty and service agreements for these graphics applications, the VT330 supports four levels of products. Users can choose on-site coverage up to 24 shading, providing a maximum screen resolution of 800 hours a day, seven days a week. Carry-in and mail-in pixels by 500 lines. The VT340 includes a 13-inch con repair arrangements are also available .• vex screen that displays up to 16 colors selectable from

Datapro Reports on C25-384-101 Data Communications Terminals

DEC VT300 Video Display Terminal Family

In this report: Product Summary

Analysis ...... -102 Editor's Note Competition Digital now offers the VT320, VT320-compatible displays are of Characteristics ...... -104 VT330, and VT340 displays, succes- fered by TeleVideo, Wyse Technol sors to the VT200 family that pro- ogy, Qume Corporation, Pricing ...... -105 vide complete backward- Microterm, and Hewlett-Packard. compatibility with improved Microterm also offers VT330- and ergonomics and functionality. Digi VT340-compatible displays. AT&T, tal continues to provide service for Falco Data Products, and a few other the older line of displays, however. vendors offer VT320 emulation in their general-purpose ASCII dis Description plays. The VT320 is a monochrome moni tor that provides single-session sup Vendor port for text-oriented applications. Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) The VT330 and VT340 both provide 146 Main Street dual sessions and graphics capability. Maynard, MA 01754-2571 (508) 493-5111 Strengths In addition to introducing dual Price session support with the VT300 fam The North American Version of the ily, Digital designed higher VT320 sells for $575; the interna resolution, faster processing speed, tional version of the display costs and greater customization capability $625. The VT330 and VT340 sell for into the displays while lowering $1,995 and $2,795, respectively. prices significantly.

© 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. MAY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-102 DEC Datapro Reports on VT300 Yid.eo Display Data Communications Terminals Terminal Family

amber, or paper-white characters in 80- and 132- column formats. This terminal provides the small est footprint of any display yet offered by Digital. Analysis Unlike the VT240 andVT241 displays, the VT330 and VT340 support dual-session capability over one or two wires. TheVT330, a monochrome model, comes with a 14-inch screen that displays either green, amber, or paper-white characters in 80- or 132-column text arrangements. For graphics applications, up to four levels of shading are sup Product Strategy ported. The VT340 includes a 13-inch screen that Digital Equipment Corporation's VT300 family, supports 16-color graphics and 80- or 132-column which consists of the VT320, VT330, and VT340 text arrangements. display terminals, is the third and most advanced generation of display terminals designed by Digital for communications with applications running on Competitive Position VAX host computers. Digital occupies a distinct but somewhat separate These displays feature full backward compati subsection of the asynchronous display market re bility with their predecessors, the VT220, VT240, ferred to as the ANSI segment. With the release of and VT241 models, while providing ergonomic the VT 100 display in 1978, Digital became the first improvements and better functionality. With the vendor to support the American National Stan VT330 and VT340, Digital introduced dual session dards Institute's (ANSI's) X3.64 standard, which capability. The VT300 products operate up to five was first published in 1977 to standardize control times faster than the older models, provide higher codes for all terminals. To offer VT emulation, resolution, and display fonts that are more pleasing other vendors have also adopted this standard for to the eye. Enhanced setup menus provided with their display terminals. these displays allow greater keyboard customiza Various research organizations have esti tion. mated that Digital holds from 60 to 80 percent of The VT320 is an entry-level, single-session the ANSI terminal market. Over 1 million VT100 display that replaces the VT220. Designed for text and one million VT200 family displays were sold oriented applications, the VT320 includes a 14- prior to their discontinuance, and Digital has re inch monochrome screen that displays green, cently announced the shipment of the one mil lionth VT320 display.

The Digital Equipment Cor poration VT300 family con sists ofthe VT320, VT330, and VT340 displays. The VT320 is a single-session text terminal; the VT330 is a monochrome text/graphics terminal with dual-session capability and support for six levels ofshading; the VT340 is a 16-color text/ graphics terminal also with dual-session capability.

MAY 1990 © 1990 McGraw·HiII,.lncorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on DEC C25-384-103 Data Communications VT300 Video Dlapl.y Termin.1 F.mlly Terminals

and VAXNMS operating of $12.7 billion, up 11 per Company Profile system with announce cent from $11.5 billion the ments of new and more previous year. Net income Digital Equipment powerful VAX models. was $1.1 billion, down 8 percent from $1.3 billion Corporation The current VAX family in 1988. According to the consists of VAXstation preSident's letter to Digi desktop workstations; tal's shareholders in MicroVAX departmental 1989, "Digital's revenue systems; VAX 6000 Se growth came from over ries medium-range sys Corporate Company Background seas markets, particularly tems; and VAX 9000 Headquarters Year Founded: 1957 Europe and Japan." 146 Main Street No. Employees: 125,000 Series high-end main Maynard, MA 01754-2571 frames. Management Digital is a leading sup Statament (508) 493-5111 In addition to the VAX plier of computer systems Digital has a $1.5 billion family, Digital offers DEC In Canada and aSSOCiated peripher dollar investment in new systems that use reduced Digital Equipment of Can als, networks, communi product development. Ac instruction set computing ada, Ltd. cations, software, and cording to the president's (RISC) technology and P.O. Box 13000,100 Het services. The products letter, Digital is "continu operate under ULTRIX, zbug Road are used in a variety of ing to invest heavily in Digital's implementation Kanata, ON K2K 2A6 applications in business, VAX and RISC-based sys of the UNIX operating (613) 592-5111 industry, government, and tems and VMS and UNIX scientific areas. Both di system. European Headquarters software." Within the next rect and indirect channels is in Geneva, Switzerland. To support its systems, year, "Digital's strategy is are used to market and General International Digital offers disk, storage to focus on the computing support products world Headquarters is in Acton, array, and solidstate environment of the 1990s. wide. MA. memory products, optical Digital will offer the widest In 1977, Digital introduced disks, tape devices, dis selection of technology Officers the VAX Series of 32-bit plays, and printers. Be and continue to make sig Pres.: Kenneth H. Olsen minicomputers, one of the sides hardware and nificant investments in Sr. VP, Mrktg., Sales, Ser most successful product software, Digital offers a R&D and new products in vice, Channels, Interna launches in computer in range of communications response to dynamically tional: John J. Shields dustry history. Since in and networking products changing customer Sr. VP, Eng. & Mfg.: John troducing the first VAX, and services. needs." F. Smith the 11/780, Digital has Pres. & CEO, European Financial Profile continued to enhance the Operations: Pier Carlo For the 1989 fiscal year, basic VAX architecture Falotti Digital reported revenues

II> 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. MAY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C2S-384-104 DEC Datapro Reports on VT300 Video Display Data Communications Terminals Terminal Family

262, 144-color palette. Both the 5530 and 5540 sup Date First Installed: VT320-September 1987; VT330 port transmission speeds as high as 38.4K bps. A and VT340-May 1987. few vendors, including AT&T, Falco Data Prod Number of Installed Units: Over 1 million VT300 termi ucts, and Visentech Systems, have incorporated nals have been installed. VT320 emulation into their general-purpose ASCII displays. Vendors continue to play the better price/ Serviced by: Digital Equipment Corporation. performance game. It appears, however, that fewer of them are able or willing to match Digital's moves this time around. System Components The Digital VT300 display terminal family consists of three models: the VT320, VT330, and the VT340. All Decision Points three conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. The VT330 family provides two major improve ments over its predecessors-dual session capabil Transmission Specifications ity (for the VT330 and VT340) and up to five times faster processing speed. These models offer Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode, with user-selectable local echo, seven- or eight-bit ASCII higher resolution, more versatility, easier-to-read code, one or two stop bits, and any of the following display fonts, and a new paper-white phosphor types of parity: even, odd, none, even no-check, odd character color for the monochrome VT320 and no-check, mark, and space (seven-bit only). Users se VT330 models. The VT340 supports up to 16 col lect host communications parameters through setup ors, while the older VT241 supports only four. screens. Characters are transmitted one by one, as These enhancements, with much more competitive each key is depressed. Selectable transmission speeds of 75, 110, 150,300,600, 1200,2400,4800,9600, and prices, have helped Digital to maintain its strong 19,200 bps are supported over DEC423 or RS-232-C position in the display market. cable. Digital's VT300 products are completely backward-compatible with previous Digital dis plays, as well as the software supporting them-a Device Control factor that gives Digital a decided advantage over The VT300 is fully backward compatible with the VT220 general-purpose ASCII terminals that offer only display; similarly, the VT330 and VT340 are fully com VT emulation. Digital's reputation for manufactur patible with the VT240 and VT241 displays, respectively. ing reliability and full service and support for its Users can install and use VT300 family terminals with VAX systems also contribute to the vendor's ad out software modifications to existing application pro grams that support VT200 family products. vantage over competitors offering VT clones with The default character sets for these displays are improved price/performance. the Digital Multinational ISO Latin-1 character sets. With VT330 and VT340 displays, and the international version of the VT320, users can optionally select English, Ger man, or French versions of the setup menu system, and any of 12 national replacement character sets. Visual attributes of these displays include reverse video and text highlighting using a blinking block or a blinking underline. Both the VT330 and VT340 support Characteristics two high-level graphics instruction sets: Digital's Re mote Graphics Instruction Set (ReGIS) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics protocols. Programmable function keys enable the user to define and store commonly used sets of commands (up to 256 characters in length), which can be executed with a single keystroke. Models: VT320, VT330, and VT340 The VT320 includes a 14-inch, flat, antiglare monochrome screen with either green, amber, or paper Date Announced: VT320-August 1987; VT330 and white characters, a Digital LK201 keyboard that comes VT340-April 1987. in 16 different international versions, and an integrated tilt mechanism. Swivel capability is offered optionally

MAY 1990 @ 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on DEC C2S-384-10S Data Communications VT300 Video Display Terminal Family Terminals

through an alternate type of base. Each keyboard style a palette of 4,096 colors, and a maximum screen resolu provides 15 programmable function keys and a numeric tion of 800 pixels by 500 lines. Both models come with a keypad. Digital LK201 keyboard available in 16 international ver Designed for text-oriented applications, the VT320 sions. Each keyboard style provides 15 programmable provides single-session capability with a screen ar function keys and a numeric keypad. rangement of 24 lines by either 80 or 132 columns, and The VT330 and VT340 provide screen arrange a maximum screen resolution of 1 ,200 pixels by 300 ments of 24 lines by 80 or 132 columns, and a 25th sta scan lines. The screen includes a 25th status line, which tus line for system messages or terminal-specific can be programmed to display either system messages information, such as cursor position or printing status. or terminal-specific information, such as cursor position Users can view two sessions simultaneously in split or printing status. The VT320 provides a series of setup screen mode, or switch between full-screen sessions screens, allowing the user to customize keyboard, host with a hot key. A comprehensive set of menu screens communications, printing, and display characteristics. (in English, French, and German) allows users to cus The VT320 comes in two versions: a North Ameri tomize keyboard, display, host communications, and can version and an international version. Both types printing characteristics. include two DEC423 MMJ serial communications The VT330 and VT340 provide one RS-232-C host ports-one for a host connection and one for a display communications port and one DEC423 host communi attached Digital printer. Adapters for connecting non cations port. Dual sessions, running on a single host, Digital printers are also available optionally. The North can be conducted over a single cable, if desired, using American version accommodates 120 volt power, and Digital's Session Support Utility (SSU). Each VT330 and includes a DEC423 cable and a 25-pin adapter that is VT340 display also includes one DEC423 port for a compatible with most standard U.S. modems. The inter display-attached printer. Adapters for non-Digital print national version accommodates 240 volt systems, and ers are available optionally. provides full modem support through an RS-232-C, 25- pin adapter. The international version also includes setup screens in English, French, and German. Pricing The VT330 and VT340 are dual-session displays designed for graphics and text applications. They both The North American version of the VT320 sells for $575, provide storage of six screens of text or two screens of while the international version of the same display sells graphics for fast switching between sessions. The for $625. The VT330 and VT340 displays are priced at VT330 includes a 14-inch, flat, monochrome screen with $1,995 and $2,795, respectively. Digital offers a wide either green, amber, or paper-white characters. For selection of warranty and service agreements for these graphics applications, the VT330 supports four levels of products. Users can choose on-site coverage up to 24 shading, providing a maximum screen resolution of 800 hours a day, seven days a week. Carry-in and mail-in pixels by 500 lines. The VT340 includes a 13-inch con repair arrangements are also available .• vex screen that displays up to 16 colors selectable from

@ 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. MAY 1990 DelranNJ 08075 USA

C25-384-101 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT100 Video Display Terminal Family

The VT100 Video Display Terminal is an acknowledged standard in the terminal in dustry. It is the most popular ASCII terminal ever produced, with 1,000,000 units sold since its introduction in 1978. A large emu lation market has sprung from the VT100. Digital Equipment Corporation has intro duced the VT200 display terminal family, a new generation that will replace the VT100 product line.

MODELS: VT1 00, VT102, VT125, and VT131. DISPLAY: All models feature a 12-inch (di agonal) display; characters are displayed in white. All models feature 80-/132-column display capability. Since its introduction in 1978, Digital Equipment Corporation KEYBOARD: All models feature a detach has sold 1,000,000 VT100 terminals. able keyboard with a typewriter-style layout. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY COMPETITION: Several vendors continue to offer terminals with VT100 emulation; how ever, the market is now geared toward UPDATE: Upon the introduction of the VT200 display VT200 terminal emulation. terminal family in 1983, Digital Equipment Corporation PRICE: Purchase prices range from $895 to stated that it would continue to offer the older VT100 line for $3,800. at least two years. Digital has recently slashed prices for its VT100 video display terminal family, indicating that the product line will soon be discontinued. As ofnow, ~he VT100 CHARACTERISTICS terminals are no longer being manufactured; we have updat ed this report due to the significance of the product line. VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation, 146 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754-2571. Telephone (617) 897-5111. The end is finally near for the VT 100 display terminal. Following the introduction of the VT200 terminal family in DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT100-June 1978; 1983, Digital has made good on its promise to keep the VT125-July 1981; VTlOl and VTl31-September 1981. VT100 available for at least two additional years. In Octo DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VT100-September 1978; ber 1985, however, the company announced significant VTl25-September 1981; VTI0l, VTI02, and VT131- price cuts for the VT 100; this move is likely to clear out October 1981. . Digital's remaining inventory of VT100 terminals. NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: 1,000,000 Digital's VT100 Video Display Terminal stands as the (worldwide). most successful and most widely emulated ASCII display SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. terminal ever. The VT100, which is used chiefly with Digital's VAX line of computers, created an emulation MODELS market that is second only to the IBM 3270 market in size. According to Digital, VT100 sales reached the 1 million The VT100 terminals are stand-alone, desktop units featur ing a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detachable, unit mark in the fall of 1985, some seven years after its typewriter-style keyboard. The following models currendy introduction in 1978. The VT 100 succeeded the company's comprise the famBy: earlier VT52 terminal; in November 1983, Digital intro duced the VT200 Series of displays, which succeeds the • VT100-The basic model. The unit is upgradable, and can VT100. be configured with the Advanced Video Option and the Printer Port Option.

In its basic configuration, the VT 100 can display 24 lines of • VTI01-A nonupgradable, entry-level model; it contains 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. Transmission is all of the base features of the VT100, but will accept no performed in character mode. Like all members of the options. The VTlOI is no longer available. family, the VT100 features a 12-inch (diagonal) display • VTI02-A1so nonupgradable, but contains all VT100 screen and detachable, typewriter-style keyboard. Other base features plus the AVO and Printer Port Option as standard features include scrolling (jump or smooth), re- standard features.

J::> verse video, variable screen brightness, audible key click, ~ • VT12S-Contains all of the features of the VT100, plus a and auto repeat keys. The VT100 will support expanded business graphics capability. The VT100 can be upgraded capabilities and options. By adding the Advanced Video to the VT12S via the VT12S upgrade kit. Option (AVO), the VT100 gains the following features: four • VT131-The block mode/local edit version ofthe VT102. alternate character attributes-bold, underline, blink, and reverse-which can be selected on a character-by-character basis; expanded display memory allowing for a display TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS format of 24 lines by 132 characters; and provision for Transmission is asynchronous, in full-duplex mode (the alternate character sets. VT102 and VT131 also support half-duplex mode); at speeds of SO, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, In 1981, Digital Equipment Corporation expanded the 2000,2400,3600,4800,9600, and 19,200.bits per second. VTl 00 family by adding several submodels of the VTl 00. The 7- or 8-bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no These included the VTlOI (no longer available), an entry parity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is stan dard on the VTI01, VT102, and VT131, and available on level model without the expansion capabilities of the VT100s equipped with the printer port. An RS-232-C inter VT100; the VTl02, like the VT101, a nonexpandable face is standard; a 20 ma current loop interface is optional. model, but including the Advanced Video Option and Printer Port Option; the VT131, a block mode version of DEVICE CONTROL the VTl02; and the VTl25, a terminal with business On the VT100, VT101, VT102, and VT12S, transmission is graphics as well as alphanumeric capability. With the intro performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is duction of the VT200 Series, Digital Equipment Corpora depressed by the operator. On the VT131, data is stored in tion placed these submodels in "maintenance mode"; this the terminal buffer as it is keyed. It is then transmitted in meant that they would no longer be manufactured, but block form. The VT100 terminal memory is nonvolatile Digital would continue to supply them on an "as available" feature settings are retained when the terminal is powered down. basis and to support them. Production of the VT 100 has also ceased, but Digital has promised to continue to sup The selection and storage of local terminal features is port its installed base of VT100 terminals for service and performed in Set-Up mode. When entering Set-Up mode, the status ofthe features stored in the temporary memory is repair. shown on the screen. Features can be changed, and new features stored on a temporary basis by leaving Set-Up COMPETITIVE POSITION mode. The new features can be stored on a fixed basis by performing a save operation. If a recall operation is per As was mentioned earlier in this report, the VT100 Video formed, the terminal is reset, or terminal power is turned off, Display Terminal achieved such widespread acceptance all temporary settings are replaced by the features that have been stored on a fixed basis. that it created a sizable emulation market. Virtually every major general-purpose ASCII display terminal vendor in The VT100 family terminals are compatible with either of cluded a VT100 emulator in its product line. Now, the two different programming standards: ANSI, or Digital same can be said of the new VT200 terminals, particularly F,quipment Corporation VTS2. In ANSI mode, the VT100 terminals will respond to software based on ANSI stan the VT220, a direct replacement for the VT100. However, dards. In VTS2 mode, the terminals will respond to software Digital is now positioned to take an even larger share of this written for use with Digital Equipment Corporation's older market. VTS2 video display terminal.

When the VT 100 was introduced, Digital did not anticipate In addition to selection of ANSI or VTS2 mode, the follow ing features can be selected when in Set-Up mode (note that the huge demand for the terminal; because of this, it was not all features are available on all models); answerback unable to sufficiently meet the demand it had created for message, full-duplex communications, host editing, local the terminal. Lead time for delivery of a VTl 00 terminal edit/block mode transmission, local echo, auto X-on/X-off, was often three-to-five months. In addition, the VT100 display format (80- or 132-column), on-line/local operation, new line, parity, parity sense, receive/transmit speeds, carried a high price tag. The independent terminal vendors scroll, tabs, wraparound, character set (U.S., U.K., and made the most of this opportunity, offering lower priced special line drawing sets are standard on all models), cursor, emulators and shorter delivery times. key click, margin bell, screen background (normal or re verse), screen brightness, and auto repeat.

Digital has apparently learned from its VT100 experience. Cursor controls move the cursor up, down, left. right, home, The new VT200 terminals are priced competitively, and and return. The cursor may be selected as either a blinking are readily available. Nevertheless, the independent ven block or blinking underline. dors have jumped on the VT200 bandwagon quickly, and VT200 clones are plentiful. The result, ofcourse, is that the Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink, and underline functions in any combination with each other and user can now purchase a VT220 emulator for as little as with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132- $795; and prices may fall even lower. character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The Advanced Video Option also provides additional circuitry to add an ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS alternate or custom character set in the future. Thus, two character sets would reside in the terminal.

The VT100 achieved its high degree of success despite the The VT100 provides composite video input and output. fact that, traditionally, it carried a high price tag. The Composite video input permits the user to overlay video functions available on the VT 190 (particularly the full- J::> output from a remote terminal or processor without interfer- J

Feature VT100 VT101 VT102 VT131 VT125

Base VT 100 Features Std. Std. Std. Std. Std. Upgradable Yes No No No Yes Advanced Video Option (AVO) Opt. No Std. Std. Opt. Printer Port Opt. No Std. Std. Std. Local Echo Opt.' Std. Std. Std. No Full-duplex Communications Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Half-duplex Communications No No Yes Yes No Modem Control Support No No Yes Yes No Host Editing Opt.' No Yes Yes No Block Mode Transmission/Local Editing No No No Yes No Bit Map Graphics Opt. No No No Std.

'With Printer Pa/t.

E> screen 132-column display capability) were not always ~ ing with local usage. Composite video output permits the available from less expensive imitators, and obviously VT100 to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where offset the higher price. Also, given the popularity of Digi data or text must be displayed to a group of people. tal's VAX series computers, the VT 100 terminals served a huge market. Digital Equipment Corporation, with the The VT12S directly executes Digital Equipment Corpora introduction of the VT200 terminals, has moved to close tion's general-purpose graphics descriptor, ReGIS (Remote the price/performance gap that competitors had tradition Graphics Instruction Set), providing a bit map graphics capability, ReGIS allows the creation and storage of pictori ally used to obtain a share of this market. al data as simple ASCII text. Graphics capabilities in the ReGIS firmware allow for the plotting of trend lines, bar USER REACTION charts, and pie charts. In engineering laboratory applica tions, point plot graphs and strip charts can be plotted. In Datapro's 1985 Terminal Users Survey, conducted in Digital Equipment Corporation makes available an upgrade conjunction with Data Communications magazine, a total kit to convert a VT100 to the VT12S. of 111 users responded with ratings for the VT100 family terminals. These users represented a total installed base of 7,975 units. Seventy-one of these users reported on their COMPONENTS experiences with the VT100, totalling 6,096 installed termi nals; the remaining 40 users reported on the various sub CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A l2-inch (diagonally measured) models of the VT100 family, covering 1,879 VTlOI, display screen is standard on all models. Characters are displayed in white (P4 Phosphor) on a dark background, VTl02, VTl25, and VTl31 terminals. The users were and are formed utilizing a 7-by-9 dot matrix with descend asked to rate their terminals with regard to seven separate ers. The 96-character upper-/lowercase ASCII set is dis categories. The ratings given to the VTI 00 family terminals playable. U.S., U.K., and line drawing character sets are by these users are summarized in the (ollowing tables: standard on all models. The VT12S provides business graphics display. VT100 The standard display format on the VT100, VT12S, and Excellent Good Fair Poor W A* VTlOl is either 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. By adding the AVO to the VT100 and VT12S, Overall performance 33 34 4 0 3.4 the l32-column format is increased to 24 lines. The AVO is Ease of operation 33 31 5 0 3.4 standard on the VTl02 and VT13l; it is not available on the Display clarity 23 38 6 2 3.2 VTlOI. Keyboard feel & usability 29 28 12 0 3.3 Ergonomics 8 18 31 10 2.4 Hardware reliability 31 30 5 3 3.3 Standard video attributes include normal or reverse video Maintenance service/ 28 26 9 4 3.2 (full screen), double-high/-wide characters (line-by-line ba technical support sis), and adjustable screen brightness. Terminals equipped with the AVO have these additional video attributes; bold, *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. underline, blink, and reverse. These attributes can be select ed on a character-by-character basis. The AVO also pro Other VT100 family (VTlOl, VTl02, VT125, VT131) vides for alternate character sets to be mapped in a ROM and inserted into the terminal. These alternate characters Excellent Good Fair Poor WA * can also be selected on a character-by-character basis. Overall performance 15 24 1 0 3.4 Ease of operation 17 20 3 0 3.4 KEYBOARD: A sculptured typewriter-style, detachable Display clarity 14 18 8 0 3.2 keyboard which is attached to the monitor via a 6-foot coiled Keyboard feel & usability 18 16 5 0 3.3 cord. The keyboard contains 83 keys, including a 6S-key Ergonomics 3 10 20 5 2.3 main array and an I8-key numeric/function pad. The nu Hardware reliability 14 21 5 0 3.2 meric pad includes four program function keys. Visual indi Maintenance service/ 13 14 10 I 3.0 cators on the keyboard include seven LEDs; three are technical support dedicated to ON-LINE, LOCAL, and KDB LOCKED, and four are user-programmable. Audible signals include key _ *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. click and bell. -

MARCH 1986 © 1986 OAT APRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08076 USA fll:PRODUCTION PROHIBITED C25-384-104 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT100 Video Display Terminal Family t> The users were.' also asked wheth~t or not they wouid EQUIPMENT PRICES recommend the VT100 family terminals to other users. Overall, 83 users said that they would recommend them; 11 Purchase Monthly stated that they would not. The remaining users were Price Maint. undecided, or chose not to answer the question. 0 ($) ($)'

VT100 895 18 PRICING .. VT102 995 22 The VT100 family terminals are available for purchase VT131 995 22 only, on an "as available" basis; they are no longer manufactured. Digital Equipment Corporation will continue to sup- VT125 3,800 29 port the terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide. Advanced Video Option (AVO) 95 --.

The VT100 Video Display Terminal is an acknowledged standard in the terminal in dustry. It is the most popular ASCII terminal ever produced, with over 500,000 units in stalled since its introduction in 1978. A large emulation market has sprung from the VT1 00. Digital Equipment Corporation has introduced the VT200 display terminal fam ily, a new generation that will eventually replace the VT100.

MODELS: VT1 00, VT1 01, VT102, VT125, and VT131. DISPLAY: All models feature a 12-inch (di agonal) display; characters are displayed in white. All models feature (80-/132-column) display capability. Since its introduction in 1978, Digital Equipment Corporation KEYBOARD: All models feature a detach has shipped over 500,000 VT100 terminals. able keyboard with a typewriter-style layout. COMPETITION: A large number of vendors provide VT100 emulators, including CIE Ter MANAGEMENT SUMMARY minals, Visual Technology, Teleray, and Lear Siegler. UPDATE: Digital Equipment Corporation's VT100 video PRICE: Purchase prices range from $1,945 display terminal family, despite the introduction of the to $3,800. VT200 series, remains an active product line.

Digital Equipment Corporation's VT100 Video Display CHARACTERISTICS Terminal is the most successful, and most widely emulated, ASCII display terminal ever. The VT100 has created an VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 emulation market that rivals the IBM 3270 market in size. Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754-2571. Telephone (617) 897-5111 or 1-800-DIGITAL Ext. 990. According to Digital Equipment Corporation, over 500,000 VT100 terminals have been shipped since its introduction DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT100-June 1978; in 1978. The VT 100 succeeded the company's earlier VT52 VT125-July 1981; VTI0l and VTI31-September 1981. terminal; in November 1983, Digital Equipment Corpora DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VT100-September 1978; tion introduced the VT200 Series of displays, which will VT12S--September 1981; VTI0l, VTI02, and VT131- eventually succeed the VT100. Digital Equipment Corpo October 1981. ration announced, however, that it would continue to manufacture the VT100 for at least the next two years; as of NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Over 500,000. this writing, the VT 100 family ofterminals is still available. SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation.

In its basic configuration, the VT 100 can display 24 lines of MODELS 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. Transmission is performed in character mode. Like all members of the The VT100 terminals are stand-alone, desktop units featur ing a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detachable, family, the VT100 features a 12-inch (diagonal) display typewriter-style keyboard. The following models currently screen and detachable, typewriter-style keyboard. Other comprise the family: standard features include scrolling (jump or smooth), re verse video, variable screen brightness, audible key click, • VT100-The basic model. The unit is upgradable, and can and auto repeat keys. The VT 100 will support expanded be configured with the Advanced Video Option and the Printer Port Option. capabilities and options. By adding the Advanced Video Option (AVO), the VT1 00 gains the following features: four • VTI01-A nonupgradable, entry-level model; it contains alternate character attributes-bold, underline, blink, and all of the base features of the VT100, but will accept no reverse-which can be selected on a character-by-character options. basis; expanded display memory allowing for a display • VTI02-Also nonupgradable, but contains all VT100 format of 24 lines by 132 characters; and provision for base features plus the AVO and Printer Port Option as alternate character sets. 1:> standard features. ~

NOVEMBER 1985 © 1985 DATAPRO RESEARCH CORPORATION. DELRAN. NJ 08075 USA REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED C2S-384-102 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT100 Video Display Terminal Family p In 1981, Digital Equipment Corporation expanded the •• VT125-Contains all of the features of the VT100, plus a VT100 family by adding several submodels of the VT100. business graphics capability. The VT100 can be upgraded These included: the VTIOI, an entry-level model without to the VT125 via the VTl25 upgrade kit. the expansion capabilities of the VTl 00; the VT 102, like • VT131-The block mode/local edit version ofthe VTI02. the VTlOl, a nonexpandable model, but including the Advanced Video Option and Printer Port Option; the VTl31, a block model version of the VTl 02; and the TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS VTl25, a terminal with business graphics as well as alpha Transmission is asynchronous, in full-duplex mode (the numeric capability. With the introduction of the VT200 VTl02 and VT131 also support hitlf-duplex mode); at series, Digital Equipment Corporation has placed these speedsof50,75,110, 134.5,150,200,300,600, 1200, 1800, submodels in "maintenance mode"; they will no longer be 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600, and 19,200 bits per second. manufactured, but Digital Equipment Corporation will The 7- or 8-bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is stan continue to supply them on an "as available" basis and to dard on the VTlOl, VTl02, and VT131, and available on support them. It is likely, however, that these submodels VT100s equipped with the printer port. An RS-232-C inter will remain available for some time through Digital Equip face is standard; a 20 ma current loop interface is optional. ment Corporation distributors; therefore, we will continue DEVICE CONTROL coverage in this report. On the VT100, VTI0l, VTI02, and VT125, transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is Digital Equipment Corporation also offers the option of depressed by the operator. On the VT131, data is stored in converting the VTl 00 terminal into a personal computer the terminal buffer as it is keyed. It is then transmitted in through the addition of the VTl8X Personal Computing block form. The VT100 terminal memory is nonvolatile Option. The VTl8X kit consists of a Z80 microprocessor, feature settings are retained when the terminal is powered down. 64K bytes of memory, dual 5if4-inch diskette drives, and installation hardware. The resulting VTl80 Personal Com The selection and storage of local terminal features is puting Terminal features a CP/M operating system. The performed in Set-Up mode. When entering Set-Up mode, VTl81X option is not available for models in the VT100 the status of the features stored in the temporary memory is shown on the screen. Features can be changed, and new family other than the VTl 00 itself. features stored on a temporary basis by leaving Set-Up mode. The new features can be stored on a fixed basis by performing a save operation. If a recall operation is per COMPETITIVE POSITION formed, the terminal is reset, or terminal power is turned off, all temporary settings are replaced by the features that have As was mentioned earlier in this report, the VT 100 Video been stored on a fixed basis. Display Terminal has achieved such widespread accep The VT100 family terminals are compatible with either of tance that it has spawned a sizable emulation market. two different programming standards: ANSI, or Digital Virtually every major general-purpose ASCII display ter Equipment Corporation VT52. In ANSI mode, the VT100 minal vendor includes a VT100 emulator in its product terminals will respond to software based on ANSI stan line. Advanced Resources Development, a market research dards. In VT52 mode, the terminals will respond to software firm, estimated 1982 shipments ofVT 1OO-type terminals at written for use with Digital Equipment Corporation's older VT52 video display terminal. 155,000. Of these, approximately SO percent were Digital Equipment Corporation units, the remainder were emula In addition to selection of ANSI or VT52 mode, the follow tors from various vendors, including CIE Terminals, Visu ing features can be selected when in Set-Up mode (note that al Technology, Datamedia, Teleray, Ann Arbor, Micro not all features are available on all models); answerback message, full or fully duplex communications, host editing, Term, and Lear Siegler. Given the huge number of Digital local edit/block mode transmission, lQC8l echo, auto X-on/ Equipment Corporation computers in use, the demand for X-off, display format (80- or 132-column), on-line/local VT100 emulators should remain strong for some time to operation, new line, parity, parity sense, receive/transmit come. The new VT200 products should further strengthen speeds, scroll, tabs, wraparound, character set (U.S., U.K., this market, keeping it profitable for both Digital Equip and special line drawing sets are standard on all models), cursor, key click, margin bell, screen background (normal or ment Corporation and its competitors. reverse), screen brightness, and auto repeat.

Cursor controls move the cursor up, down, left, right, home, ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS and return. The cursor may be selected as either a blinking block or blinking underline. The VT100 has achieved its high degree of success despite the fact that, traditionally, it has carried a price tag that has Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink, and underline functions in any combination with each other aud been somewhat high for the ASCII terminal market. The with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132- functions available on the VT100 (particularly the full character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The Advanced screen 132-column display capability) are not always avail Video Option also provides additional circuitry to add an able from less expensive imitators, and obviously offset the alternate or custom character set in the futnre. Thus two higher price. Digital Equipment Corporation, with the character sets would reside in the terminal. introduction of the VT200 terminals, has moved to close The VT100 provides composite video input and output. the price/performance gap that competitors have used to Composite video input permits the user to overlay video obtain a share of this market. ~ output from a remote terminal or processor without interfer- •

Feature VT100 VT101 VT102 VT131 VT125

Base VT100 Features Std. Std. Std. Std. Std. Upgradable Yes No No No Yes Advanced Video Option (AVOI Opt. No Std. Std. Opt. Printer Port Opt. No Std. Std. Std. Local Echo Opt.' Std. Std. Std. No Full-duplex Communications Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Half-duplex Communications No No Yes Yes No Modem Control Support No No Yes Yes No Host Editing Opt." No Yes Yes No Block Mode Transmission/Local Editing No No No Yes No Bit Map Graphics Opt. No No No Std.

"With Printer Port.

t> USER REACTION ~ ing with local usage. Composite video output permits the VT100 to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where In Datapro's 1985 Terminal Users Survey, conducted in data or text must be displayed to a group of people. conjunction with Data Communications magazine, a total The VT12S directly executes Digital Equipment Corpora of 111 users responded with ratings for the VTl 00 family tion's general-purpose graphics descriptor, ReGIS (Remote terminals_ These users represented a total installed base of Graphics Instruction Set), providing a bit map graphics 7,975 units_ Seventy-one of these users reported on their capability, ReGIS allows the creation and storage of pictori al data as simple ASCII text. Graphics capabilities in the experiences with the VT 100, totalling 6,096 installed termi ReGIS firmware allow for the plotting of trend lines, bar nals; the remaining 40 users reported on the various sub charts, and pie charts. In engineering laboratory applica models of the VT100 family, covering 1,879 VTI0l, tions, point plot graphs and strip charts can be plotted. VTl02, VTl25, and VTl31 terminals. The users were Digital Equipment Corporation makes available an upgrade asked to rate their terminals with regard to seven separate kit to convert a VT100 to the VTI2S. categories. The ratings given to the VTl 00 family terminals COMPONENTS by these users are summarized in the following tables: CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) VT100 display screen is standard on all models. Characters are displayed in white (P4 Phosphor) on a dark background, Excellent Good Fair Poor W A * and are formed utilizing a 7-by-9 dot matrix with descend ers. The 96-character upper-/lowercase ASCII set is dis Overall performance 33 34 4 0 3.4 playable. U.s., U.K., and line drawing character sets are Ease of operation 33 31 5 0 3.4 standard on all models. The VT12S provides business Display clarity 23 38 6 2 3.2 graphics display. Keyboard feel & usability 29 28 12 0 3.3 Ergonomics 8 18 31 10 2.4 The standard display format on the VT100, VTI2S, and Hardware reliability 31 30 5 3 3.3 VTI0l is either 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 Maintenance service/ 28 26 9 4 3.2 characters. By adding the AVO to the VT100 and VTI2S, technical support the 132-column format is increased to 24 lines. The AVO is standard on the VTI02 and VT131; it is not available on the ·Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. VTI0l. Standard video attributes include normal or reverse video Other VT100 family (VTIOl, VTI02, VT125, VT131) (full screen), double high/wide characters (line-by-line ba sis), and adjustable screen brightness. Terminals equipped Excellent Good Fair Poor W A * with the AVO have these additional video attributes; bold, underline, blink, and reverse. These attributes can be select Overall performance 15 24 1 0 3.4 ed on a character-by-character basis. The ABO also pro Ease of operation 17 20 3 0 3.4 vides for alternate character sets to be mapped in a ROM Display clarity 14 18 8 0 3.2 and inserted into the terminal. These alternate characters Keyboard feel & usability 18 16 5 0 3.3 can also be selected on a character-by-character basis. Ergonomics 3 10 20 5 2.3 Hardware reliability 14 21 5 0 3.2 In September 1981, Digital Equipment Corporation intro Maintenance service/ 13 14 10 1 3.0 duced two new options for the VT100 CRT. The first option technical support is a tilt-and-swivel base, enabling the user to adjust the display for ease of viewing. The second new option is an *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. antiglare filter kit for use with the display screen. The users were also asked whether or not they would recommend the VTl 00 family terminals to other users. Overall, 83 users said that they would recommend them; 11 stated that they would not. The remaining users were undecided, or chose not to answer the question. 0

KEYBOARD: A sculptured typewriter-style, detachable EQUIPMENT PRICES keyboard which is attached to the monitor via a 6-foot coiled cord. The keyboard contains 83 keys, including a 65-key Purchase Monthly main array and an 18-key numeric/function pad. The nu Price Maint. meric pad includes four program function keys. Visual indi ($) ($) cators on the keyboard include seven LEDs; three are dedicated to ON-LINE, LOCAL, and KDB LOCKED, and VT100 1,945 18 four are user-programmable. Audible signals include key VT10l 1,350 15 cUck and bell. VT102 1,710 22 VT131 1,825 22 VT125 3,800 29 Options

VT125 Upgrade Kit 1,800 PRICING Advanced Video Option (AVO) 180 Printer Port Option 350 20 ma Current Loop 140 The VT100 family terminals are available for purchase Tilt-and-Swivel Base 89 only. Installation is priced at $150. Digital Equipment Cor Anti-Glare Filter Kit 60 poration supports the terminals through its Field Service, VT 18X Personal Computer 1,295 available worldwide. Upgrade •

© 1985 DATAPAo RESt:ARCH C:ORPOI=!ATION, OELRAN, NJ 08075 USA NOVEMBER 1985 REPROOUCtlON PROHIBITED C25-384-101 Display Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VT100 Video Display Terminal Family

The VT100 Video Display Terminal is an acknowledged standard in the terminal in dustry. It is the most popular ASCII terminal ever produced. with over 500.000 units in stalled since its introduction in 1978. A large emulation market has sprung from the VT100.

MODELS: VT100. VT1 01. VT1 02. VT125. and VT131. DISPLAY: All models feature a 12-inch (di agonal) display; characters are displayed in white. All models feature 80/132-column display capability. KEYBOARD: All models feature a detach able keyboard with a typewriter-style layout. Since its introduction in 1978, DEC has shipped over 500,000 COMPETITION: A large number of vendors VT100 terminals. provide VT100 emulators. including CIE Ter minals. Visual Technology. Datamedia. Te leray. and Lear Siegler. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY PRICE: Purchase prices range from $1.945 to $3.800. DEC's VT100 Video Display Terminal is the most success ful, and most widely emulated, ASCII display terminal ever. The VT100 has created an emulation market that rivals the IBM 3270 market in size. A.::cording to DEC, CHARACTERISTICS over 500,000 VT100 terminals have been shipped since its VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 introduction in 1978. The VT 100 succeeded the company's Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754. Telephone (617) 897- earlier VT52 terminal; in November 1983, DEC intro 5111. duced the VT200 Series of displays, which will eventually DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT100-June 1978; succeed the VT100. DEC has announced, however, that it VT125-July 1981; VTI0l, VTI02, and VT131-Septem will continue to manufacture the VT100 for at least the ber 1981. next two years. DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VT100-September 1978; In its basic configuration, the VT 100 can display 24 lines of VTl25-September 1981; VTI0l, VT102, and VT131- October 1981. 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. Transmission is performed in character mode. Like all members of the NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Over 500,000. family, the VT100 features a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and detachable, typewriter-style keyboard. Other SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. standard features include scrolling Gump or smooth), re MODELS verse video, variable screen brightness, audible key click, and auto repeat keys. The VT 100 will support expanded The DEC VT100 terminals are stand-alone, desk-top units capabilities and options. By adding the Advanced Video featuring a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detach Option (AVO), the VT 100 gains the following features: four able, typewriter-style keyboard. ·The following models cur rently comprise the family: alternate character attributes-bold, underline, blink, and reverse-which can be selected on a character-by-character • VT100-The basic model. The unit is upgradable, and can basis; expanded display memory allowing for a display be configured with the Advanced Video Option and the format of 24 lines by 132 characters; and provision for Printer Port Option. alternate character sets. • VT101-A non-upgradable, entry-level model; it contains all of the base features of the VT100, but will accept no In 1981, DEC expanded the VT100 family by adding options. several submodels of the VT100. These included: the VT101, an entry-level model without the expansion capa • VTI02-A1so non-upgradable, but contains all VT100 bilities of the VT100; the VTl02, like the VTlOl, a non base features plus the AVO and Printer Port Option as standard features. expandable model, but including the Advanced Video Op tion and Printer Port Option; the VT 131, a block model> • VT131-The block mode/local edit version ofthe VTI02.~

};::o-version of the VTl02; and the VTl25, a terminal with ~. VT12S-Contains all ofthe features of the VT100, plus a business graphics as well as alphanumeric capability. With business graphics capability. The VT100 can be upgraded the introduction of the VT200 series, DEC has placed these to the VT12S via the VT12S upgrade kit. . sub-models in "maintenance mode"; they will no longer be manufactured, but DEC will continue to supply them on an TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS "as available" basis and to support them. It is likely, however, that these submodels will remain available for Transmission is asynchronous. in full-duplex mode (the VTI02 and VT131 also support half-duplex mode); at some time through DEC distributors; therefore, we will speeds of SO, 7S, 110, 134.S, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, continue coverage in this report. 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600, and 19,200 bits per second. The 7- or 8-bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no DEC also offers the option of converting the VTl 00 termi patity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is stan dard on the VTlOl, VTl02, and VTl31, and available on nal into a personal computer through the addition of the VT100s equipped with the printer port. An RS-232-C inter VTI8X Personal Computing Option. The VTI8X kit con face is standard; a 20mA current loop interface is optional. sists of a Z80 microprocessor, 64K bytes of memory, dual 5lf4-inch floppy disk drives, and installation hardware. The DEVICE CONTROL resulting VTl80 Personal Computing Terminal features a On the VT100, VT101, VT102, and VTI2S, transmission is CP/M operating system. The VTl8X option is not avail performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is able for models in the VT I 00 family other than the VT100 depressed by the operator. On the VT131, data is stored in itself. the terminal buffer as it is keyed. It is then transmitted in block form. The VT100 terminal memory is non-volatile COMPETITIVE POSITION feature settings are retained when the terminal is powered down.

As was mentioned earlier in this report, the DEC VT100 The selection and storage of local terminal features is Video Display Terminal has achieved such widespread performed in Set-Up mode. When entering Set-Up mode, . acceptance that it has spawned a sizable emulation market. the status of the features stored in the temporary memory is Virtually every major general-purpose ASCII display ter shown on the screen. Features can be changed, and new minal vendor includes a VT100 emulator in its product features stored on a temporary basis by leaving Set-Up mode. The new features can be stored on a fixed basis by line. Advanced Resources Development, a market research performing a save operation. H a recall operation is per firm, estimated 1982 shipments ofVT I OO-type terminals at formed, the terminal is reset, or terminal power is turned off, 155,000. Of these, approximately 50 percent were DEC all temporary settings are replaced by the features that have units; the remainder were emulators from various vendors, been stored on a fixed basis. including CIE Terminals, Visual Technology, Datamedia, The VT100 family terminals are compatible with either of Teleray, Ann Arbor, Micro-Term, and Lear Siegler. The two different programming standards: ANSI, or DEC VTS2. new VT200 products should further strengthen this market, In ANSI mode, the VT100 terminals will respond to soft keeping it profitable for both DEC and its competitors. ware based on ANSI standards. In VTS2 mode, the termi nals will respond to software written for use with DEC's ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS older VTS2 video display terminal. The VT100 has achieved its high degree of success despite In addition to selection of ANSI or VTS2 mode, the follow ing features can be selected when in Set-Up mode (note that the fact that, traditionally, it has carried a price tag that has not all features are available on all models): answerback been somewhat high for the ASCII terminal market. The message, full- or half-duplex communications, host editing, functions available on the VT100 (particularly the full local edit/block mode transmission, local echo, auto screen 132-column display capability) are not always avail X-on/X-off, display format (80 or 132 column), on-line/lo cal operation, new line, parity, parity sense, receive/trans able from less expensive imitators, and obviously offset the mit speeds, scroll, tabs, wraparound, character set (U.S., higher price. DEC, with the introduction of the VT200 U.K. and special line drawing sets are standard on all terminals, has moved to close the price/performance gap models), cursor, key click, margin bell, screen background that competitors have used to obtain a share of this market. (normal or reverse), screen brightness, and auto repeat.

USER REACTION Cursor controls move the cursor up, down, left, right, home, and return. The cursor may be selected as either a blinking In Datapro's 1983 Terminal Users Survey, conducted in block or blinking underline. Data Communications conjunction with magazine, a total Advanc:ed Video Option provides dual intensity, blink and of 73 users responded with ratings for the VTloo family underline functions in any combination with each other and terminals. These users represented a total installed base of with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132- 13,040 units. Fifty-three of these users reported on their character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The Advanced experiences with the VT100, totalling 12,362 installed ter Video Option also provides additional circuitry to add an alternate or custom character set in the future. Thus two minals; the remaining 20 users reported on the various character sets would reside in the terminal. submodels of the VT100 family, covering 678 VTlOI, VTl02, VTl25, VTl31, and VTl32 (discontinued) termi The VT100 provides composite video input and output. nals. The users were asked to rate their terminals with Composite video input permits the user to overlay video regard to seven separate categories. The ratings given to the output from a remote terminal or processor without interfer ing with local usage. Composite video output permits the VT100 family terminals by these users are summarized in VT100 to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where the following tables: I> data or text must be displayed to a group of people. ~

TABLE 1. VT100 FEATURE COMPAF:ISON

Feature VT100 VT101 VT102 VT131 VT125

Base vn 00 Features Std. Std. Std. Std. Std. Upgradable Yes No No No Yes Advanced Video Option (AVO) Opt. No Ste!. Std. Opt. Printer Port Opt. No Std. Std. Std. Local Echo Opt.' Std. Std. Std. No Full-duplex Communications Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Half-duplex Communications No No Yes Yes No Modem Control Support No No Yes Yes No Host Editing Opt.' No Yes Yes No Block Mode Transmission/Local Editing No No No Yes No Bit Map Graphics Opt. No No No Std.

'With Printer Port.

~ COMPONENTS ~VTIOO Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) display screen is standard on all models. Characters are Overall performance 35 12 2 0 3.7 displayed in white (P4 phosphor) on a dark background, and Ease of operation 27 20 3 I 3.4 are formed utilizing a 7 x 9 dot matrix with descenders. The Display clarity 22 25 4 0 3.4 96-character upper/lower case ASCII set is displayable. Keyboard feel & usability 15 31 6 0 3.2 U.S., U.K., and line drawing character sets are standard on Ergonomics 12 31 9 0 3.1 all models. The VT125 provides business graphics display. Hardware reliability 11 34 6 I 3.1 Maintenance service/ 24 20 3 I 3.4 The standard display format on the VT100, VT125, and technical support VTI0l is either 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. By adding the AVO to the VT100 and VT125, the 132-column format is increased to 24 lines. The AVO is standard on the VTI02 and VT131; it is not available on the VTI0l. Other VT100 family (VTlOI, VTl02, VT131, VT125) Standard video attributes include normal or reverse video Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* (full screen), double high/wide characters (line-by-lineba sis), and adjustable screen brightness. Terminals equipped with the AVO have these additional video attributes; bold, 13 5 0 0 3.7 Overall performance underline, blink, and reverse. These attributes can be select 10 10 0 0 3.5 Ease of operation ed on a character-by-character basis. The AVO also pro Display clarity 12 7 I 0 3.6 vides for alternate character sets to be mapped in a ROM Keyboard feel & usability 10 7 3 0 3.4 and inserted into the terminal. These alternate characters 5 12 I I 3.1 Ergonomics can also be selected on a character-by-character basis. Hardware reliability 8 8 4 0 3.2 10 8 I 0 3.5 Maintenance service/ In September 1981, DEC introduced two new options for the technical support VT100 CRT. The first option is a tilt-and-swivel base, enabling the user to adjust the display for ease of viewing. *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. The second new option is an anti-glare filter kit Cor use with the display screen. The users were also asked whether or not they would recommend the DEC terminals to other users. Overall, 62 KEYBOARD: A sculptured typewriter-style, detachable users said that they would recommend them; 6 stated that keyboard which is attached to the monitor via a 6-foot coiled they would not. The remaining users were undecided, or cord. The keyboard contains 83 keys, including a 65-key main array and an 18-key numeric/Cunction pad. The nu chose not to answer the question. 0 meric pad includes four program function keys. Visual indi cators on the keyboard include seven LEDs; three are dedicated to ON-LINE, LOCAL, and KBD LOCKED, and four are user-programmable. Audible signals include key .. The VT125 directly executes DEC's general purpose graph click and bell. ics descriptor, ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruction Set), providing a bit map graphics capability. ReGIS allows the creation and storage of pictorial data as simple ASCII text. Graphics capabilities in the ReGIS firmware allow for the PRICING plotting of trend lines, bar charts, and pie charts. In engi neering laboratory applications, point plot graphs and strip The VT100 family terminals are available for purchase charts can be plotted. DEC makes available an upgrade kit only. Installation is priced at $150. DEC supports the to convert a VT100 to the VT125. terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide. ..

Purchase Monthly Price Maint.

VT100 $1,945 $18 VT101 1,350 15 VT102 1,710 22 VT131 1,825 22 VT125 3,800 29

Options

VT 125 Upgrade Kit 1,800 Advanced Video Option 180 (AVO) Printer Port Option 350 20mA Current Loop 140 Tilt-and-Swivel Base 89 Anti-Glare Filter Kit 60 VT18X Personal Computer 1,295 Upgrade •

DEC's popular line of ASCII display ter minals.

All models feature an 80/132-column display. Other standard features include a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detachable. typewriter-style keyboard. Fea tures available with some of the models include the Advanced Video Option (AVO) • . printer port. and business graphics capa bility. Character and block mode transmis sion versions are available. and some models have upgrade capability.

Purchase prices for the VT100 terminals range from $1,350 to $3.800. DEC's VT125 features business graphics. as well as alpha numeric. capabilities. Using DEC's Remote Graphics Instruction Set (ReGIS). pictorial data is created and stored as simple ASCII CHARACTERISTICS text. An upgrade kit is available to enable a standard VT100 to be configured with the graphics capabilities of the VT125. VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754. Telephone (617) 897- 5111. The VT100 Video Display Terminal is the single most DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT100-June 1978; widely emulated ASCII terminal on the market today. VTl25-July 1981; VTlOl, VTl02, and VTl31-September Introduced in 1978, the VT100 has been joined in DEC's 1981. VT video display family by a wide variety of models for various applications. This report covers only those models DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VT100-September 1978; VTl25-September 1981; VTlOl, VTl02, and VTl31- in the VT100 family which are designed for general October 1981. purpose business use. NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Information not available. Five models currently comprise the VT100 family: the VT100, which is the basic model; the VTIOI, an entry SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. level model without the expansion capabilities of the MODELS VT100; the VTI02, like the VTIOI, a non-expandable model, but including the Advanced Video Option (AVO) The DEC VT100 terminals are stand-alone, desk-top units and Printer Port Option; the VTl31, a block-mode featuring a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detach version of the VT 102; and the VT 125, which has business able, typewriter-style keyboard. The following models graphics capabilities. currently comprise the family: • VT100-The basic model. The unit is upgradeable, and can be configured with the Advanced Video Option and In its basic configuration, the VT100 can display 24 Jines the Printer Port Option. of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. Transmission is performed in character mode. Like all • VTlOI-A non-upgradeable, entry-level model; it contains all of the base features of the VT100, but will members of the family, the VT100 features a 12-inch accept no options. (diagonal) display screen and detachable, typewriter-style keyboard. Other standard features include scrolling • VTl02-Also non-upgradeable, but contains all VT100 (jump or smooth), reverse video, variable screen base features plus the AVO and Printer Port Option as standard features. brightness, audible key click, and auto repeat keys. The VT 100 will support expanded capabilities and options. • VTl31-The block mode/local edit version of the VTl02. By adding the Advanced Video Option, the VT100 gains • VTl25-Contains all of the features of the VT100, plus a the following features: four alternate character attri business graphics capability. The VT100 can butes-bold, underline, blink, and reverse-which can be be upgraded to the VTl25 via the VTl25 upgrade kit. selected on a character-by-character basis; expanded display memory allowing for a display format of 24 lines TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS by 132 characters; and provision for alternate character Transmission is asynchronous, in full-duplex mode (the sets. t:> VTl02 and VTl31 also support half-duplex mode); at •

I> The three newest members of the VT I00 family~the ~ speeds of 50, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, VTlOI, VTl02, and VTl31-were introduced in Septem 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600, and 19,200 bits per second. The ber 1981. Unlike the VT100, these models are non 7- or 8-bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard on expandable; they cannot be upgraded as user needs the VTIOI, VTl02, and VTl31, and available on VT100s change. The VTlOI is an entry-level model which equipped with the printer port. An R5-232-Cinterf8ce is contains all of the base features of the VTI 00, plus local standard; a 20rnA current loop interface is optional. echo. The VT 102 adds the A VO and Printer Port Option as standard. The VTI 31 is a block mode version of the DEVICE CONTROL VTI02. On the VT100, VTlOI, VTI02, and VTl25, transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is The VT 125 provides the functionality -of the VT 100 along depressed by the operator. On the VTl31, data is with a business graphics capability. The VTI25 utilizes stored in the terminal bulter as it is keyed. It is then transmitted in block form. The VT100 terrninal memory is DEC's graphics instruction set, ReGIS (Remote Graphics non-volatile-feature settings are retained when the terrninal Instruction Set). In addition to alphanumerics, the unit is powered down. can plot trend lines, bar charts, and pie charts. A VTI25 upgrade kit is available for the VT100. ,- The selection and storage of local terminal features is performed in Set-Up mode. When entering Set-Up mode, the status of the features stored in the temporary memory is For applications requiring hard copy of the screen shown on the screen. Features can be changed, and new contents, DEC supplies the DECwriter III and features stored on a temporary basis by leaving Set-Up DECwriter IV Printer Terminals. mode. The new features can be stored on a fixed basis by performing a save operatiqn. If a recall operation is performed, the terminal is reset, or terminal power is turned DEC also offers the option of converting the VT100 olt, all temporary settings are replaced by the ftlll~res that terminal into a personal computer through the addition of have been stored on a fixed basis. the VTI8X Personal Computing Option. The VTI8X kit consists of a Z80 microprocessor, 64K bytes of memory, The VTl 00 family terminals are compatible with either of two dilterent programming standards: ANSI, or DEC dual 5Y<1-inch floppy disk drives, and installation VT52. In ANSI mode, the VT100 terminals will respond to hardware. The resulting VT 180 Personal Computing software based on ANSI standards. In VT52 mode, tbe Terminal features a CP/M operating system. The VTl8X terminals will respond to software written for use with option is not available for models in the VT100 family DEC's older VT52 video display terminal. other than the VT100 itself. In addition to selection of ANSI or VT52 mode, the following features can be selected when hI Set-Up mode USER REACTION (note that not all features are available on all models): answerback message, full- or half-duplex communications, During June, July, and August of 1982, Datapro, in host editing, local edit/block mode transmission, local echo, auto X-on/X-oIf, display format (SO or 132 column), on conjunction with Data Communications magazine, line/local operation, new line, parity, parity sense, conducted the first Terminal Users Survey. A question receive/transmit speeds, scroll, tabs, wraparound, char naire, designed by Datapro, was mailed to approximately I> acter set (U.S., U.K. and special line drawing sets are standard on all models), cursor, key click, margin bell, screen background (normal or reverse), screen brightness, and auto repeat. --

Cursor controls move the cursor up, down, left, right, home, and return. The cursor may be selected as either a blinking block or blinking underline.

Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink and underline functions in any combination with each other and with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132- character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The Advanced Video Option also provides additional circuitry to add an alternate or custom character set in the future. Thus two character sets would reside in the terminal.

The VT100 provides composite video input and output. Composite video input permits the user to overlay video output from a remote terminal or processor without inter fering with local usage. Composite video output permits the VT100 to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where data or text must be displayed to a group of people.

The DEC VT100 is one of the most popular. as well as one of The VTI25 directly excutes DEC's general purpoSe graphics descriptor, ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruction Set), the most wide~v emulated. video display terminals on the providing a bit map graphics capability. ReGIS allows the market today. When equipped with the Advanced Video creation and storage of pictorial data as simple ASCII text. Option. the terminal can display 24 lines of80 or 132 characters. Graphics capabilities in tbe ReGIS fIrmware allow for the andfeatures video attributes such as bold. blink. underline. and plotting of trend lines, bar charts, and pie charts. In reverse on a character-by-character basis. engineering laboratory applications, point plot graphs and J

TABLE 1. VT100 FEATURE COMPARISON

Feature VT100 VT101 VT102 VT131 VT125

Base VT100 Features Std. Std. Std. Std. Std. Upgradeable Yes No No No Yes Advanced Video Option (AVO) Opt. No Std. Std. Opt. Printer Port Opt. No Std. Std. Std. Local Echo Opt.' Std. Std. Std. No Full-duplex Communications Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Half-duplex Communications No No Yes Yes No Modem Control Support No No Yes Yes No Host Editi ng Opt." No Yes Yes No Block Mode Transmission/Local Editing No No No Yes No Bit Map Graphics Opt. No No No Std.

"With Printer Port. t> 10,000 addresses selected at random from Data strip charts can be plotted. DEC makes available an upgrade Communications' U.S. end-user subscriber base. A total kit to convert a VT100 to the VTl2S. of 60 users of DEC VT100 family terminals responded to COMPONENTS the survey. Breaking the responses down by model yielded the following totals: 47 of the users reported on their CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) experiences with the VT I00, representing an installed base display screen is standard on all models. Characters are of 2,193 terminals (an average of 47 terminals per user); displayed in white (P4 phosphor) on a dark background, and are formed utilizing a 7 x 9 dot matrix with descenders. The and 13 of the users responded on the newer members of the 96-character upper/lower case ASCII set is displayable. VT100 family, including the VTIOI, VTl02, VT125, and U.S., U.K., and line drawing character sets are standard on VT13I, representing an installed base of 569 units (an all models. The VTl25 provides business graphics display. average of 44 terminals per user). The users were asked to The standard display format on the VT100, VTl25, and rate the terminals with regard to six separate categories. VTlOl is either 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 The ratings given to the VT100 family terminals by these characters. By adding the AVO to the VT100 and VTl25, the users are detailed in the following tables: 132-column format is increased to 24 lines. The AVO is standard on the VTl02 and VTl31; it is not available on the VTlOl. ---VT100 Standard video attributes include normal or reverse video Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* (full screen), double high/wide characters (Iine-by-Iine basis), and adjustable screen brightness. Terminals equipped with Overall performance 31 IS I 0 3.6 the AVO have these additional video attributes: bold, Ease of operation 26 19 2 0 3.5 underline, blink, and reverse. These attributes can be selected Display clarity 20 20 6 I 3.3 on a character-by-character basis. The AVO also provides Keyboard feel & usability 19 23 S 0 3.3 for alternate character sets to be mapped in a ROM and Hardware reliability 22 22 3 0 3.4 inserted into the terminal. These alternate characters can Maintenance service/ IS 19 8 4 3.0 also be selected on a character-by-character basis. technical support In September 1981, DEC introduced two new options for Other VT100 family (VTIOI, VTI02, VT131, VTI2S) the VT100 CRT. The fJrst option is a tilt-and-swivel base, enabling the user to adjust the display for ease of viewing. Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* The second new option is an anti-glare filter kit for use with the uplay screen. Overall performance 2 II 0 0 3.2 Ease of operation 2 10 I 0 3.1 KEYBOARD: A sculptured typewriter-style, detachable Display clarity 3 8 2 0 3.1 keyboard which is attached to the monitor via a 6-foot coiled Keyboard feel & usability S S 3 0 3.2 cord. The keyboard contains 83 keys, including a 65-key Hardware reliability 2 7 3 0 2.9 main array and an 18-key numeric/function pad. The Maintenance service/ 3 4 4 0 2.9 numeric pad includes four program function keys. Visual technical support indicators on the keyboard include seven LEDs; three are dedicated to ON-LINE, LOCAL, and KBD LOCKED, and *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. four are user-programmable. Audible signals include key click and bell. The users were also asked whether or not they would PRICING recommend the DEC terminals to other users. Of the The VT100 family terminals are available for purchase only. VT I 00 users,· 38 responded that they would recommend Installation is-priced at 5150. DEC supPorts the terminals them, while 2 stated that they would not; the remaining 7 through its Field Service, available worldwide. users were either undecided or did not respond to that question. Of the other VT100 family member users, 8 responded that they would recommend their terminals, 2 said that they would not, and the remaining three were undecided or did not respond.O

Purchase Monthly Price Maint.

VT100 $1,945 $18 VTl0l 1,350 15 VTl02 1,710 22 VT131 1,825 22 VT125 3,800 29

Options

VT125 Upgrade Kit 1,800 Advanced Video Option (AVO) 180 Printer Port Option 350 20mA Current Loop 140 Tilt-and-Swivel Base 89 Anti-Glare Filter Kit 60 VT18X Personal Computer Upgrade 1,295 -.

© 1983 DATAPRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08075 USA JANUARY 1983 DI:DDnnl 1f"'T1f"\t\1 DDf"\UIDITCn C25-384-101 Display Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VT100 Video Display Terminal Family

A family of stand-alone ASCII display terminals. headed by the widely-emulated VT100.

All models feature an 80/132-column display. Other standard features include a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detachable. typewriter-style keyboard. Fea tures available with some of the models include the Advanced Video Option (AVO). printer port. and business graphics capa bility. Character and block mode transmis sion versions are available. and some models have upgrade capability.

Purchase prices for the VT100 terminals range from $2.150 to $3.800. The DEC VT100 is one of the most popular, as well as one of the most widely emulated, video display terminals on the market today. When equipped with the Advanced Video Option, the terminal can display 24 lines of80 or 132 characters, CHARACTERISTICS and features video attributes such as bold, blink, underline, and reverse on a character-by-character basis. VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754. Telephone (617) 897- 5111. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT100-June 1978; Digital Equipment Corporation's VT100 Video Display VTl32-June 1978; VTl25-July 1981; VTlO1, VTl02, and Terminal is the single most widely emulated ASCII VTl31-September 1981. terminal on the market today. Introduced in 1978, the DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VT100-September 1978; VT100 replaced the company's older VT52 terminal. VTl32-December 1980; VTI25-September 1981; VTlO1, Initially, production problems with the VT100 caused a VTl02, and VTl31-0dober 1981. delivery lag, with DEC unable to supply its distributors NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Information not with enough units. This situation was viewed as an available. opportunity by many independent terminal manufac turers, who entered the DEC market with VT100 SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. emulators. After several months, however, DEC resolved its problems, and the company is now in full production MODELS and able to meet its delivery schedules on time. The DEC VT100 terminals are stand-alone, desk-top units featuring a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and a detach Six models currently comprise the VT100 family: the able, typewriter-style keyboard. The following models VT100, which is the basic model; the VT132, which is a currently comprise the family: block-mode version of the VT100; the VTI01, an entry • VTl 00-The basic model. The unit is upgradeable, and level model without the expansion capabilities of the can be configured with the Advanced Video Option and VT100; the VTI02, like the VTIOI, a non-expandable the Printer Port Option. model, but including the Advanced Video Option (AVO) and Printer Port Option; the VT131, a block-mode • VTl32-The block mode/local edit version of the VT100. version of the VTI 02; and the VTl25, which has business • VTI0I-A non-upgradeable, entry-level model; it graphics capabilities. contains all of the base features of the VT100, but will accept no options. In its basic configuration, the VT100 can display 24 lines • VTl02-Also non-upgradeable, but contains all VT100 of 80 characters, or 14 lines of 132 characters. base features plus the AVO and Printer Port Option as Transmission is performed in character mode. Like all standard features. members of the family, the VT100 features a 12-inch (diagonal) display screen and detachable, typewriter-style • VTl31-The block mode/local edit version of the VTl02. keyboard. Other standard features include scrolling • VTl25-Contains all of the features of the VT100, plus a Uump or smooth), reverse video, variable screen business graphics capability. The VT100 can brightness, audible key click, and auto repeat keys. The t> be upgraded to the VTl25 via the VTl25 upgrade kit. ~ DECEMBER 1981 © 1981 DATAPRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08075 USA REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED C25-384-102 Display Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VT100 Video Display Terminal Family

I:> VT100 will support expanded capabilities and options. TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS • By adding the Advanced Video Option, the VT100 gains the following features: four alternate character attri Transmission is asynchronous, in full-duplex mode (the VTl02 and VTl31 also support half-duplex mode); at butes-bold, underline, blink, and reverse-which can be speeds of 50, 75, 110,134.5, ISO, 200,300,600, 1200, 1800, selected on a character-by-character basis; expanded 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, %00, and 19,200 bits per second. The display memory allowing for a display format of 24 lines 7- or 8-bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity by 132 characters; and provision for alternate character is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard on sets. The VTl32 has all of the features of the VT100, but the VTlOI, VTl02, and VTl31, and available on VT100s and VTl32s equipped with the printer port. An RS-232-C it allows for block mode transmission and permits local interface is standard; a 20mA current loop interface is editing (block mode transmission is not supported on optional. DEC systems). DEVICE CONTROL

The three newest members of the VT 100 family-the On the VT100, VTlOl, VTl02, and VTl25, transmission is VT 10 I, VT 102, and VT 13 I-were introduced in Septem performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is ber 1981. Unlike the VT100 and VTl32, these models are depressed by the operator. On the VTl31 and VTl32, data is non-expandable; they cannot be upgraded as user needs stored in the terminal butTer as it is keyed. It is then transmitted in block form. The VT100 terminal memory is change. The VTIOI is an entry-level model which non-volatile-feature settings are retained when the terminal contains all of the base features of the VT100, plus local is powered down. echo. The VTI02 adds the AVO and Printer Port Option as standard. The VT 131 is a block mode version of the The selection and storage of local terminal features is performed in Set-Up mode. When entering Set-Up mode, VTI02. the status of the features stored in the temporary memory is shown on the screen. Features can be changed, and new features stored on a temporary basis by leaving Set-Up The VTI25 provides the functionality of the VT100 along mode. The new features can be stored on a fixed basis by with a business graphics capability. The VTI25 utilizes performing a save operation. If a recall operation is DEC's graphics instruction set, ReGIS (Remote Graphics performed, the terminal is reset, or terminal power is turned Instruction Set). In addition to alphanumerics, the unit otT, all temporary settings are replaced by tbe:features that can plot trend lines, bar charts, and pie charts. A VT 125 have been stored on a fixed basis. upgrade kit is available for the VT100. The VT100 family terminals are compatible with either of two different programming standards: ANSI, or DEC VT52. In ANSI mode, the VT100 terminals will respond to For applications requiring hard copy of the screen software based on ANSI standards. In VT52 mode, the contents, DEC supplies the DECwriter III and terminals will respond to software written for use with DECwriter IV Printer Terminals. See reports C27-384- DEC's older VT52 video display terminal. 20 I and C27-384-30 I, respectively, for information on In addition to selection of ANSI or VT52 mode, the these products. following features can be selected when in Set-Up mode (note that not all features are available on all models): answerback message, full- or half-duplex communications, USER REACTION host editing, local edit/block mode transmission, local echo, auto XON/OFF, display format (80 or 132 column), on In the 1981 survey of alphanumeric display terminal line/local operation, new line, parity, parity sense, bit map graphics, receive/transmit speeds, scroll, tabs, wraparound, users, Datapro received responses from six users of the character set (U.S., U.K. and special line drawing sets are DEC VT100 video display terminal. These users reported standard on all models), cursor, key click, margin bell, screen on their experiences with a total of 41 terminals. Their background (normal or reverse), screen brightness, and auto ratings are as follows: repeat. Cursor controls move the cursor up, down, left, right, home, Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* and return. The cursor may be selected as either a blinking block or blinking underline. Ovenlll performance 5 I 0 0 3.8 Ease of operation 4 I I 0 3.5 Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink and Display clarity 4 2 0 0 3.7 underline functions in any combination with each other and Keyboard feel & usability 4 2 0 0 3.7 with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132- Ha~dware reliability 4 2 0 0 3.7 character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The Advanced Maintenance service 3 I I 0 3.4 Video Option also provides additional circuitry to add an Technical support 3 3 0 0 3.5 alternate or custom character set in the future. Thus two character sets would reside in the terminal. *Weighted Average based on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. The VT100 provides composite video input and output. Composite video input permits the user to overlay video As in the 1980 survey, the ratings given the VT100 termi output from a remote terminal or processor without inter nals were consistently high. Typical applications fering with local usage. Composite video output permits the mentioned by the respondents included program VT100 to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where development (5 users), data entry (4 users), intra data or text must be displayed to a group of people. company message transmission (2 users), and text editing The VTl25 directly excutes DEC's general purpose graphics (2 users).D descriptor, ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruction Set), ..

TABLE 1. VT100 FEATURE COMPARISON

---Feature ---VT100 ---VT132 VT101 ---VT102 VT131-- ---VT125 Base VT100 Features Std, Std, Std, Std, Std, Std, Upgradeable Yes Yes No No No Yes Advanced Video Option (AVO) Opt Opt No Std, Std, Opt Printer Port Opt Opt No Std, Std, Std, Local Echo Opt' Opt' Std, Std, Std, No Full-duplex Communications Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Half-duplex Communications No No No Yes Yes No Modem Control Support No No No Yes Yes No Host Editing Opt' Opt' No Yes Yes No Block Mode Transmission/Local Editing No Yes No No Yes No Bit Map Graphics Opt No No No No Std,

'With Printer Port,

~ providing a bit map graphics capability. ReGIS allows the Standard video attributes include normal or reverse video creation and storage of pictorial data as simple ASCII text. (full sereen), double high/wide characters (line-by-Iine basis), Graphics capabilities in the ReGIS firmware allow for the and adjustable screen brightness. Terminals equipped with plotting of trend lines, bar charts, and pie charts. In the AVO have these additional video attributes: bold, engineering laboratory applications, point plot graphs and underline, blink, and reverse. These attributes can be selected strip charts can be plotted. DEC makes available an upgrade on a character-by-character basis. The AVO also provides kit to convert a VT100 to the VTl25. , for alternate character sets to be mapped in a ROM and inserted into the terminal. These alternate characters can COMPONENTS also be selected on a character-by-character basis.

CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) In September 1981, DEC introduced two new options for display screen is standard on all models. Characters are the VT100 CRT. The fIrSt option is a tilt-and-swivel base, displayed in white (P4 phosphor) on a dark background, and enabling the user to adjust the display for ease of viewing. are formed utilizing a 7 x 9 dot matrix with descenders. The The second new option is an anti-glare filter kit for use with 96-character upper/lower case ASCII set is displayable. the display screen. U.S., U.K., and line drawing character sets are standard on all models. The VT125 provides business graphics display. KEYBOARD: A sculptured typewriter-style, detachable keyboard which is attached to the monitor via a 6-foot coiled The standard display format on the VT100, VTl32, VTl25, cord. The keyboard contains 83 keys, including a 65-key and VTlOl is either 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 lines of main array and an 18-key numeric/function pad. The 132 characters. By adding the AVO to the VT100, VTl25, numeric pad includes four program function keys. Visual and VTl32, the 132-column format is increased to 24 lines. indicators on the keyboard include seven LEDs; three are The AVO is standard on the VTl02 and VTl31; it is not dedicated to ON-LINE, LOCAL, and KBD LOCKED, and available on the VTlOl. four are user-programmable. Audible signals include key click and bell.

PRICING

The VT100 family terminals are available for purchase only. Installation is priced at 5150. DEC supports the terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide.

Purchase Monthly Price Maint.

VT100 $2,150. $18 VT132 2,575 18 VT1o.1 2,150 15 VT1o.2 2,400 22 VT131 2,450. 22 VT125 3,800 29

Options

VT125 Upgrade Kit 2,000 Advanced Video Option (AVO) 150 The VTl25 features business graphics, as well as alphanumeric, Pri nter Port Option 225 capabilities. Using DEC's Remote Graphics Instruction Set 2o.mA Current Loop 140 (ReGIS), pictorial data is created and stored as simple ASCII TIlt-and-Swivel Base 89 text. Anti-Glare Filter Kit 60. -.

C25-384-101 Display Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT-100 Video Display Terminal

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY A stand-alone teletype compatible display The VT-IOO is an advanced function CRT display de terminal capable of displaying either 80 or signed to supersede the DEC VT 52 while remaining 132 characters per line. Standard features compatible with it. In terms of the DEC product line, include detached keyboard, reverse video, the VT-IOO is a terminal for sale to OEM accounts; it is a split screen addressable cursor, selectable transmission rates, and parity. display terminal which can be sold on DEC systems; and it forms the base of the PDT-II terminal line, a An optional advanced video function provides user programmable family of terminals compatible with full 24-line x 132-character screen capacity; the PDP-II series of computers. blink, underline and dual intensity in any combination; and provision for storing an The standard VT-100 can display 24 lines of 80 char alternate or custom character set. acters or 14 lines of 132 characters. An optional advanced video function provides an additional 10 lines of 132 Available for purchase only at $2,050 in characters. Characters are formed in a 7 x 9 matrix quantity one. OEM discounts are available. with upper/lower case displayed either as white on black· or black on white. CHARACTERISTICS The VT -100 has two mechanical switches, one for con VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 trolling the power supply and the other for turning the Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754. terminal on and off. All functions, (setting tab stops, transmission rates, parity, etc.) are set via the operator's DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: June 1978. keyboard. The keyboard is detached and connected to the DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: September 1978, volume display by means of a six-foot coil cord. delivery November 1978.

NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Information not avail A printer port option has recently been added to the VT- able. 100. This option enables a hard copy printer (including the DECprinter III and the DECwriter IV) to be SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. attached. CONFIGURATION USER REACTION The standard VT-IOO is a CRT with detached keyboard which displays upper and lower case ASCII characters in a In the 1980 survey of alphanumeric display terminal format of 24 lines of 80 characters or 24 lines of 132 characters. An optional printer port is available, only for users. Datapro received responses from 10 users of the terminals equipped with the advanced video option. DEC VT-IOO display terminal. These users reported on their experiences with 23 installed units. Their ratings are TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS as follows: 1:> The VT-IOO transmits in fun duplex mode, asynchronously. Transmission speeds are switch selectable at 50, 75, 110, 134.5, ISO, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600 or 19.2K bps. A total of 94 ASCII characters may be transmitted. Odd, even, or no parity is also switch selectable from the operator keyboard. A standard EIA RS-232-C interface is the standard connection. A 20 mA current loop interface is available as an option. DEVICE CONTROL

Transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is depressed by the operator. A split screen capability permits prompts and status indi cations to be displayed independent of keyed data. Smooth scrolling in either direction is also standard. The split screen also permits only part of the screen to scroll. Thus menu selection or prompts may be scrolled without disturbing keyed data.

The basic character set includes a number of line drawing graphies which may be used to form pictorial information ~

1> Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* ~ on the display screen. Simple forms, graphs and charts may ---- be created when required using these graphic characters. . Overall performance 7 3 0 0 3.7 Ease of operation 7 2 I 0 3.6 The VT-IOO provides compositl! video input and output. Display clarity 7 3 0 0 3.7 Composite video input permits the user to overlay video Keyboard feel & usability 7 3 0 0 3.7 output from a remote terminal or processor without inter Hardware reliability 7 3 0 0 3.7 fering with local usage. Composite video output permits the Maintenance service 4 4 2 0 3.2 VT-IOO to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where Technical support 4 3 2 I 3.0 data or text must be displayed to a group of people.

*Weighted Average on a. scale of 4.0 for Excellent. The VT-l00 is compatible with the DEC VT-52. Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink and Datapro conducted telephone interviews with three .of underline functions in any combination with each other and the respondents to obtain additional comments. The first with reverse video. This option also adds 10 additional 132-character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The user interviewed was a west coast manufacturer, who Advanced Video Option also provides additional circuitry praised the reliability of the terminal. The company had to add an alternate or custom character set in the future. required no service on the unit in the I Y:1 years that it had Thus two character sets would reside in' the terminal. been operating. The user added that the VT-100's smooth scroll feature was " ... a nice thing to have." The terminal's CRT DISPLAY UNIT: The standard VT-I00 terminal displays 24 lines of 80 characters, or 24 lines of 132 VT-52 emulation is often utilized, stated the user, but the characters. Characters are upper/lower case, formed on a 7 132-column capability had never been needed for their x 9 matrix; however, double size of double width characters applications. The only negative point mentioned was an may be displayed on a line-by-line basis. Lower case imperfection in the keyboard, which the operator was characters have two-dot descenders for those characters which extend below the base line. The user may select white capable of correcting himself. characters on a black screen or black characters on a white screen on a character-by-character basis. A 128-character The second respondent questioned was a southwest ASCII set is displayed. The display monitor measures 14.5 utility company. Although in limited use, the user praised inches high, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. his VT-IOO for its versatility, reliability, and the excellent KEYBOARD: The detached keyboard is connected to the quality of the characters generated. "It's a little expensive display terminal via a six-foot coil cord permitting virtually for our application," he added, "but the readily available any convenient keyboard placement. The keyboard is . service from DEC makes it worth it". sculptured and arranged in conventional typewriter configuration. In addition, there is an 18-key numeric/ function keypad which provides calculator-style numeric The final user polled was an east coast software input plus single keystroke entries for program controlled development house. This user felt that the VT-100's main application functions. There are a total of 83 keys. attribute was its human engineering. He praised the clear characters, smooth scrolling, keyboard layout and feel, PRICING and the detachability of the keyboard. He stated that The VT-loo is available for purchase only at $2,050 per unit. although the l32-column format was hard to read and The Advanced Video Option is priced at $290 per unit. contained a design problem (the text is pressed too close Monthly maintenance is available from DEC at $17.00 per to the left margin), "All in all, we are very p\eased.D unit.•

A stand-alone teletype compatible display tenninal capable of displaying either 80 or 132 characters per line. Standard features include detached keyboard, reverse video, split screen addressable cursor, selectable transmission rates, and parity.

An optional advanced video function provides full 24-line x 132-character screen capacity; blink, underline and dual intensity in any combination; and provision for storing an alternate or custom character set.

Available for purchase only at $1,900 in quantity one. OEM discounts are available.

CHARACTERISTICS

VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) 146 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754 .

. DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: June 1978.

DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: September 1978, volume deliver,y November 1978.

NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Information not avail able.

SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY CONFIGURATION The standard VT-l00 is a CRT with detached keyboard The VT-100 is an advanced function CRT display de which displays upper and lower case ASCII characters in a signed to supersede the DEC VT 52 while remaining format of 24 lines of 80 characters or 14 lines of 132 compatible with it. In terms of the DEC product line, characters. the VT-IOO is a terminal for sale to OEM accounts; it is a display terminal which can be sold on DEC systems; TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS and it forms the base of the PDT-II terminal line, a The VT-l00 transmits in fun duplex mode, asynchronously. user programmable family of terminals compatible with Transmission speeds are switch selectable at 50, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2000, 2400, 3600, the PDP-II series of computers. 4800, 9600 or 19.2K bps. A total of 94 ASCII characters may be transmitted. Odd, even, or no parity is also switch The standard VT-100 can display 24 lines of 80 char selectable from the operator keyboard. A standard EIA acters or 14 lines of 132 characters. An optional advanced R5-232 interface is the standard connection. A 20 mA video function provides an additional 10 lines of 132 current loop interface is available as an option. characters. Characters are formed in a 7 x 9 matrix DEVICE CONTROL with upper flower case displayed either as white on black or black on white. Transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is depressed by the operator. The standard VT -100 terminal displays 24 lines of 80 characters, or 14 The VT-100 has two mechanical switches, one for con lines of 132 characters. Characters are upper flower case, trolling the power supply and the other for turning the formed on a 7 x 9 matrix; however, double size or double terminal on and off. All functions, (setting tab stops, width characters may be displayed on a line-by-Iine basis. transmission rates, parity, etc.) are set via the operator's Lower case characters have two-dot descenders for those characters which extend below the base line. The user may keyboard. The keyboard is detached and connected to the select white characters on a black screen or black char display by means of a six-foot coil cord.D acters on a white screen on a character-by-character basis.

A split screen capability permits prompts and status indi cations to be displayed independent of keyed data. Smooth scrolling in either direction is also standard. The split screen also permits only part of the screen to scroll. Thus menu selection or prompts may be scrolled without disturbing keyed data. ~

,... The basic character set includes a number of tine drawing The detached keyboard is connected to the display terminal graphics which may be Used to form pictorial information via a six-foot eoiI cord permitting virtually any convenient on the display screen. Simple forms, graphs and charts may keyboard placement. The keyboard is sculptured and arranged be created when required using these graphic characters. in conventional typewriter configuration. In addition, there is an IS-key numeric/function keypad which provides ealeu The VT-tOO provides composite video input and output. lator-style numeric input plus single keystroke entries for Composite video input permits the user to overlay video program controUed application functions. There are a total output from a remote terminal or processor without inter of 83 keys. fering with loeal usage. Composite video output permits the PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS VT-tOO to drive an auxiliary monitor which is useful where data or text must be displayed to a group of people. The VT-tOO display monitor measures t4.5 inches high, 18 inches wide and 14.25 inches deep. The keyboard measures The VT-tOO. compatible with the DEC VT-S2. 3:4 inches high, 18 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Because the base of the monitor is recessed, the total depth of the terminal is 20.25 inches if the keyboard is placed directly Advanced Video Option provides dual intensity, blink and in front of, and flush with the monitor. The weight of the underline functions in any combination with each other and terminal is 34.5 pounds. with reverse video. Th. option also adds 10 additional 132-character display lines for a total of 24 lines. The PRICING Advanced Video Option also provides additional circuitry The VT-IOO is available for purchase only at 51,900 per unit. to add an alternate or custom character set in the future. The Advanced Video Option is priced at 5270 per unit. Thus two character sets would reside in the terminal, switch Monthly maintenance is available from DEC at 517.00 per selectable by the operator. unit ••

A low-cost family of teletype-compatible CRT keyboard/display terminals.

Standard features include selectable trans mission rates, tabulation, extensive cursor control, addressable cursor, program func tion keys, numeric pad, etc. Options include an RS-232C or current loop interface and a serial/parallel printer interface.

Configurations are stand-alone. Pricing ranges from $1,300 to $2,320 including all options. The VT50 and VT52 are available for The VT52 has the same physical appearance as the VT50, but fea purchase only. OEM and end-user quantity tures an auxiliary keypad (standard), a 1920-character screen, and discounts are available. several other significant features not found on the earlier VT50.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), One Known as the IBM of the minicomputer industry, Digital Iron Way, Marlborough, MA 01782. Telephone (800) Equipment Corporation is also a manufacturer of ter 225-9480. minals that complement its minicomputers and provide DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: VT50-June 1974; VT52- total systems capability. Its terminals have also achieved September 1975. prominence within the industry and are integrated into '>v"tems offered by several vendors. These prominent DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: VTSO-December 1974; DEC terminals include the DECwriter, a teleprinter ter VT52-December 1975. minal (Report C27-384-101), and the DECscope, a dis NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: About 80,000. play terminal. The DECscope is available in two models, the VT50 and a newer, more sophisticated version, the SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. VT52. Both models are identical in appearance and in clude a 12-inch CRT screen and an integral keyboard. MODELS The terminals are teleprinter-oriented and provide Tele Model VTSO and VT52 DECscope Video Display Termi type compatibility. nals are stand-alone, Teletype-compatible alphanumeric dis play terminals with integral keyboards. The VT52 can ac As alternatives to teleprinter terminals, the DECscopes commodate a printer via the optional Printer Interface Module. The option provides a serial (RS-232C) and paral offer several useful features that provide increased op lel interface and can accommodate the DECwriter or the erating flexibility, communications efficiency, and per DEC LA180 printer. formance. Paramount among these features is the Hold Screen mode, which lets the user view displayed data at TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS his own pace by freezing the page; when ready, the user Transmission is asynchronous and is performed in the half requests additional data. Under user control, the termi~ or full duplex mode at switch-selectable data rates of 75, 110, nal automatically regulates the volume of data trans ISO, 300, 600, 1200, 2400,4800, and 9600 bits/second. The mitted by the host computer via commands that inter HI- or ll-unit, 8-level ASCII code is used. Parity is switch rupt or request the transmitted data. This useful feature is selectable_ Even parity or a mark condition ("1") are select able; odd or a space condition ("0") are selectable if speci complemented by the Alternate mode feature provided fied. Each character includes one start bit and one or two

Display clarity is improved on the VT52 over the VT50, DEVICE CONTROL which has lower character resolution. And unlike the VT50, the VT52 displays both upper and lower case sym Transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis bols in addition to 33 graphic symbols. as each key is depressed. The terminal interprets 33 discrete remote commands and executes the appropriate function. Most of these commands are keyed or received escape se Neither model provides edit functions, such as character quences (the escape control code followed by an alphanu- and line insert and delete, or format protection for struc- I:> meric character). The commands that are executed by the ~ .

1:> tured data entry applications. These functions require ~ VTSO and VT52 perform carriage return, line feed, space, buffered operation and block transmission, which the backspace, tabulation, screen erase, line erase, sound audible VT5(} and VT52 do not provide. The DECscope models alarm (bell), cursor movement, terminal identification, en able and disable Hold Saeen mode, and enable Fscape are designed to satisfy the teleprinter market, and as such mode. The VT52 also executes commands for cursor ad are not required to include data entry functions, which dressing (line and character), additional cursor movement, would result in higher prices. and auxiliary keypad, Alternate mode, Graphic and Print mode enable/disable.

Only the VT52 is available with a printer interface, which The Hold Saeen mode freezes a page of displayed data until may be a severe limitation for some potential users of the the Scroll function is keyed, which permits the next line or VT50. The optional printer interface for the VT52 accom page of data (defmed by one or more line feed codes) to be modates a serial or parallel printer interface (the DEC displayed. The terminal remains in the Hold Screen mode writer or DEC LA180 can be used) and responds to local untiI disabled by the appropriate command (Fscape se quence). An internal buffer (Silo) receives data to be dis or remote commands that condition the printer to print played from the host computer when the terminal is in the only displayed data as a local copy printer or data re Hold Screen mode. A line or page of data is transferred from ceived from the communications line that is not dis Silo and displayed for each depression of the shift and/or played. Printing can be performed by line or page (via scroll keys. When the Silo is full, an XOFF code is transmit command), which provides added flexibility. ted to the host computer to interrupt transmission. Trans mission is continued when the terminal transmits an XON code, which indicates that the terminal can accept one or The salient features of the VT50 and VT52 are as fol more lines of data depending on the quantity of data remain lows: ing in the Silo. The transmmsion of XON and XOFF con trol codes is an automatic function of the terminal and the • 1920-{VT52) or 960-(VT50) character screen. Scroll function is active only in the Hold Screen mode. When not in the Hold Screen mode, data automatically rolls • 96 displayable symbols plus 32 additional graphic up by one line when data is displayed on the last line and a symbols (VT52 only). line feed occurs; the fIrSt line is lost as it rolls oft'the screen.

Cursor movement results from carriage return, line feed, tab, • Individual cursor control keys (VT52 only). space and backspace functions. Cursor movement is also di rected by keyed or received Fscape sequence commands and • Addressable cursor (VT52 only). by individual cursor control keys on the VT52. Carriage re turn positions the cursor to the beginning of the line occu pied by the cursor. Line feed moves the cursor to the same" • Tabulation. character position of the next line. The data scrolls up by one line if the last line contains data when a line feed is received; • Character-by-character transmission. the fIrSt line is lost as it scrolls oft'the screen. Space and backspace move the cursor forward or backward by one • Switch-selectable transmission rates from 75 to 9600 character position. Tab moves the cursor to the next tab stop. Tab stops are spaced at 8-character intervals up to the bps. 72nd character position. The tab function advances the cursor by one character position following the 72nd charac • Asynchronous operation. ter position. Individual cursor controls on the VT52 move the cursor up, down, left, and right and transmit the ap propriate control codes. Escape sequences move the cursor • RS-232C interface (optional on VT50). up, down (VT52 only) right, left (VT52 only), and home. Cursor functions do not feature wraparound; movement • "20 rna dc current loop interface (standard on VT50). stops at the end of a line or at the top or bottom line.

• Printer interface (a VT52 option only). Erasure functions are also directed by Escape functions and include screen and line erase. Screen erase erases alI dis played data from the cursor position to the end of the dis • Auxiliary keypad including numeric keys (standard play. Erase line erases all data displayed on the line occupied on VT52 only). by the cursor beginning with the cursor location.

USER REACTION The auxiliary keypad on the VT52 operates in one of two modes; Numeric or Alternate. In Numeric mode, numeric codes (difJerent from those generated by the main key In Datapro's 1976 survey of alphanumeric display termi group) are generated for each numeric key. In Alternate nal users, 4 users reported on their experience with a total mode, each numeric key generates a unique escape sequence. of 19 DEC VT50 display terminals. Their ratings are pre The cursor and blank keys generate the same escape se quence in either mode. The escape sequences generated by sented below. the numeric keys in the Alternate mode can be defmed by user programs. The Caps Lock function on the VT52 afJects Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* the main keygroup only, not the auxiliary keypad. When en abled, the Caps Lock function disables lower case; only Overall performance 3 0 I 0 3.5 upper case codes are transmitted. Ease of operation 4 0 0 0 4.0 Display clarity 2 2 0 0 3.5 The Printer mode, provided for the VT52 only via the op- ... Keyboard feel and 3 I 0 0 3.8 tional Printer Interface Module, features local or remote usability I:> control of an attached printer. Keyed or received control se- ~

1> Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* boIs. The VTS2 provides a character set of 96 ASCII charac ters including upper and lower case alphabeties, numerics, Hardware reliability 3 0 0 I 3.3 and specials plus 32 additional special symbols with the Maintenance service 2 I I 0 3.3 Graphics mode. Data is displayed in white. The VTSO dis Software & technical 2 2 0 0 3.5 plays each character within a >by-7 dot matrix. The VTS2 support displays each character within a 7-by-7 dot matrix. The cursor is displayed as a blinking underscore. *Weighted Average on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. VTSO KEYBOARD: A 62-key, typewriter-style integral key board. Key functions include Back Space, Break, Line Feed, These satisfied users unanimously cited low cost as the Delete, Carriage Return, Tab, Escape, Bell, Scroll, Shift, and key advantage of the VT50. Flexibility, reliability, and Control Shift. The keyboard generates any of 64 ASCII strong vendor support each received two mentions. Per upper case codes. formance limitations were cited by two users as the basic VTS2 KEYBOARD: A 62-key, typewriter-style integral key disadvantage. 0 board. Key functions include Back Space, Break, Line Feed, Delete, Carriage Retuin, Repeat, Escape, Tab, Bell, Scroll, ~ quences execute a print screen or print cursor line operation Caps Lock, Shift, and Control Shift. The keyboard gen or enable or disable Auto-Print or Printer-Controller modes. erates any of 128 ASCII characters. The 19-key auxiliary The Auto-Print mode prints the line occupied by the cursor keypad located to the right of tbe main keygroup includes II and moves the cursor down by one line for each line feed. numeric key (including decimal point), four cursor control The Printer-Controller mode prints without displaying data keys, and the Enter key. received from the communications line. PRICING

COMPONENTS DEC offers direct purchase of equipment through its catalog sales with discounts up to 9 percent off list price for cash CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonal measurement) with the order, and up to S percent for cash within 30 days CRT with a viewing area 4.1 inches high by 8.3 inches wide. for approved, open account customers. The DECscope can The display arrangement is as follows: also be ordered through the Components Group, which pro vides discounts of up to 38 percent on orders of SO or more units over a 12-month period. End-user and OEM Dollar VTSO VTS2 and Unit Volume discount agreements are available for end user and OEM orders that include the DECscope as part of Chars./display: 960 1920 complete minicomputer systems. Contact Digital Equipment Chars./line: 80 80 Corp. for the discounts for these arrangements. Lines/display: 12 24 InstaIlation is pried at 595 per terminal. The field installation charge for the Printer Interface Module is 5S0 per option The VTSO provides a character set of 64 ASCII characters plus a 54S site charge. The monthly maintenance charge is including upper case a1phabetics, numerics, and special sym- for prime-shift service.

Purchase Price 1-49 50-99 100-199 Units Units Units

VT 50 with 20 rna de current loop interface $1,300 $ 995 $ 925 VT50 with RS-232C/CCrrr interface 1,360 1,041 967

VT52 with 20 rna dc current loop interface 2,095 1,570 1,425 VT52 with RS-232C/CCITI interface 2,095 1,570 1,425 Printer Interface Module (VT52 only) 225 -.

Datapro Reports on C25-384-201 Data Communications Terminals

Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Display Family

In this report: Product Summary

Analysis ...... -202 Editor's Note Limitations Digital Equipment Corporation no Because of the strong demand for the Characteristics ...... -203 longer manufactures the VT200 dis- VT220, Digital raised its price to play family. Its successor, the VT300 $1,395. Other vendors countered by Pricing ...... -206 display series, offers full compatibil- introducing VT220 clones for less ity, improved ergonomics, and than $800, forcing Digital to lower greater functionality at a lower price. its price accordingly. Today, VT220 Because of the high market penetra imitations are still marketed for as tion of the VT200 family, Datapro little as $499. continues to include this product report in Datapro Reports on Data Competition Communications. Wyse Technology, Hewlett-Packard, TeleVideo Systems, Qume Corpora Description tion, Esprit Systems, and several oth The VT200 family of video display ers. terminals consists of three models. The VT220 is a monochrome termi Vendor nal designed for text-oriented appli Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) cations. The monochrome VT240 146 Main Street and the color VT241 both offer bit Maynard, MA 01754-2571 mapped graphics capability. (508) 493-5111

Strengths Prices The VT200 display terminals pro The VT200 family is no longer mar vide improved price/performance keted. over the VT100. Their monitors of fer smaller footprints and more streamlined designs, and their low profile keyboards are more comfort able. With the VT241 , Digital introduced color capability.

@ 1990 McGraw-Hili. Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. JULY 1990 DAlrAn N.I /IRIl7!; LJ!':A C25-384-202 Digital Equipment Datapro Reports on CorporaUon Data Communications Terminals VT200 Display Family

low-end model, a general-purpose interactive dis play which directly replaces the venerable VT100. Features include a 12-inch monochrome display, Analysis 80-/132-column display capability, and a detach able keyboard. The VT240 combines the VT220's text functions with graphics capability; two graph ics protocols are available (Digital's ReGIS and Tektronix' 4010/4014). The VT241 is a color text! graphics terminal, combining the features found on the VT220 and VT240 with color display capabil Product Strategy ity and a slightly larger (13 inches) display screen. Digital Equipment Corporation's VT200 series, The VT200 terminals incorporate a modular announced in November 1983, more than aptly enclosure design not found on the older VT 100 succeeded its predecessor, the VT100 product line. models. As a result of this design, the VT200 ter Prior to its discontinuance, the VT 100 was the minals are more compact and take up less desk most successful and most widely emulated ASCII space than the older VT100 models. The VT220 terminal, with more than one million sold. Featur features two-piece construction, including the ing full VT100 compatibility, the VT200 terminals monitor and keyboard; terminal logic is contained offer a modular design based on the company's line in the monitor housing. The VT240 and VT241 of personal computer products, and provide the feature three-piece construction, consisting of the user with an improved price/performance ratio monitor, the keyboard, and a system box contain over that found on the VT 100 terminals. With the ing the terminal's logic. The VT200 monitors have demand for the VT220 being so strong, Digital, a wedge-shaped design with a built-in tilt feature; being confronted by independent terminal vendors the keyboards incorporate a low-profile design and offering clones for as little as $795, responded to conform to the DIN standard for ergonomics. the intense competition by reducing the price of this general-purpose model to match that of the clone versions offered by its competitors. Competitive Position The VT200 family consists of three models: Digital's VT100 display terminal ranks as the most the VT220, VT240, and VT241. The VT220 is the successful ASCII terminal ever marketed. Since its

The VT220 offers a 12-inch monochrome green, amber, or paper-white screen pro viding 80- or 132-column display capability. Its 103- key typewriter-style key board, which includes 15 programmable function keys and a numeric pad, is avail able in any of16 interna tional styles.

JULY 1990 I§l 1990 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on Digital Equipment C2S-384-203 Data Communications Corporation VT200 Displa, Famll, Terminals

introduction in 1978, 1 million VT100s have been design, provide full VT100 compatibility and func shipped, including submodels VT 10 1, VT 102, tionality, and are priced lower than their predeces VT125, VT131, and VT132. sors. In addition, the VT240 and VT241 have Into this ready-made market came the VT200 graphics capabilities previously found only on the family. Digital imbued the VT200 terminals with VT125. Color has also been added to the Digital full VT100 compatibility, virtually assuring them terminal product line with the VT241. of a successful product life. Demand for the VT220 Significant features carried over from the in particular was initially strong, enabling Digital VT100 terminals include 80-/132-column display to raise the price of the terminal from $1,295 to capability and conformance with the ANSI X3.64 $1,395. standard for control codes. The American National After the VT200 introduction, however, a Standards Institute (ANSI) first published the large number of terminal vendors introduced X3.64 standard for two-dimensional data devices VT200 emulators, most of them emulating the in 1977. The goal was to standardize control codes VT220. These competitors included Wyse Tech for all terminals, effectively eliminating compati nology, Hewlett-Packard, TeleVideo Systems, bility problems. The VT100 was the first display Qume Corporation, Esprit Systems, CIE Termi terminal to conform to the ANSI standard. In or nats, Zentec, Liberty Electronics, Microterm, Vi der to provide true Digital emulation, the makers sual Technology, and many others. These vendors of Digital emulators must also provide ANSI unveiled their VT220 clones with purchase prices X3.64 code compatibility on their products. as low as $795, which forced Digital to lower the Digital created a display terminal standard price of the VT220 to match those of the indepen with the VT100. The company succeeded in ad dent manufacturers. vancing that standard with the success of the Years after their withdrawal, an emulation VT200 terminals. market for the VT200 and VT 100 still flourishes. The VT 100/200/300 emulation market is second in size only to the IBM 3270 emulation market in overall display terminal sales. Most major general purpose ASCII display terminal vendors provide models with some VT emulation as part of their Characteristics product lines. When Digital introduced the VT100 in 1978, the company underestimated the demand for that terminal. Orders piled up until a three-to-five month wait for delivery was not uncommon. Into this gap came the independent vendors with their Models: VT220, VT240, and VT241. VT100 emulators, and a lucrative emulation mar ket was born. Having apparently learned from this Date Announced: November 1983. experience, Digital was prepared for the demand for VT200 terminats, and did not report serious Date Firat Installed: November 1983. shortages of the terminal despite the strong de mand generated for the product. The indepen Number of Units Sold: Over 1 million. dents, seeking an entry into this market, turned to price as a weapon. The result meant greater value for the consumer. Models The Digital VT200 display terminal family consists of three models: Decision Points • VT220-an interactive display for text-oriented ap The VT200 terminals provide significant pricel plications. The VT220 is a two-piece modular unit consisting of a 12-lnch monochrome display/control performance improvements over the VT 100. These unit and a detachable keyboard. The display fea models incorporate an improved terminal housing tures 80-/132-column display capability and has am ber, green, or white phosphor characters.

C) 1890 McGraw-Hili, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. JULY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-204 Digital Equipment Datapro Reports on Corporation Data Communications Terminals VT100 DI ...lay Famll,

or PDP-1. In 1963, the The current VAX family Company Profile company introduced its consists of VAXstation Digital Equipment landmark PDP-8, the first desktop workstations; successful minicomputer. MicroVAX departmental systems; VAX 6000 Se Corporation The PDP-8 established a ries medium-range sys whole new market for tems; and VAX 9000 smaller computers and Series high-end main made Digital a rising star frames. within an industry then Corporate Company Background dominated by mainframe In addition to the VAX Headquarters Year Founded: 1957 vendors. Digital's smaller family, Digital offers DEC 146 Main Street No. Employees: 125,000 machines soon became a systems which use re Maynard, MA 01754-2571 No. Systems Sold (cumu price/performance alter duced instruction set (508) 493-5111 lative): More than 500,000 native to big mainframes computing (RISC) tech and also introduced the nology and operate under In Canada Led by Kenneth H. Olsen, concept of distributed ULTRIX, Digital's imple Digital Equipment of Can three engineers founded processing. mentation of the UNIX ada, Ltd. Digital Equipment Corpo operating system. P.O. Box 13000, 100 ration in 1957. Using their In 1977, Digital introduced Herzberg Road own money in addition to the VAX (virtual address To support its systems, Kanata, ON K2K 2A6 funding from a Boston extension) Series of 32-bit Digital offers disk, storage (613) 592-5111 venture-capital firm, they minicomputers, one of the array, and solidstate set up operations in an most successful product memory products; optical Officers old brick wool mill in May launches in computer in disks; tape devices; and President: Kenneth H. nard, MA. dustry history. Since in printers. Besides hard Olsen troducing the first VAX, ware and software, Digital Senior Vice President, En Digital's first product was the 11-780, Digital has offers a range of commu gineering, Manufacturing, a set of electronic mod continued to enhance the nications and networking and Product Marketing: ules for computer test basic VAX architecture products and services. John F. Smith equipment. Three years and VAXfVMS operating Business Overview President and CEO, Euro after its founding, Digital system with announce Digital likes to character pean Operations: Pier introduced its first com ments of new and more ize itself as the world's Carlo Falotti puter, the Programmed powerful VAX models Data Processor Model 1, over the years.

• VT240-an interactive display with both text and resolution of 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics in graphics capabilities. The VT240 is a three-piece struction sets have bit-mapped graphics capability. modular unit consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display unit, a detachable keyboard, and a system All models conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. box. The display features 80-/132-column display capability and has amber, green, or white phosphor characters. Screen resolution is 800 by 240 pixels. Transmission Specifications Two graphics instruction sets have bit-mapped graphics capability. Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode at transmission rates from 50 to 19.2K bps. The 7- or 8-bit • VT241-an interactive, graphics-oriented terminal ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is se with color. The VT241 is a three-piece modular unit lectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard. An consisting of a 13-inch color display unit, a detach able keyboard, and a system box. The display fea tures 80-/132-column display capability, and has a

JULY 1990 @ 1990 McGraw·Hili. Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA Datapro Reports on Digital Equipment C25-384-205 Data Communications Corporation VT200 Display Family Terminals

leading supplier of net- integrate desktop sys- from the $1.3 billion offered severance pack- worked computer systems and large system earned in 1988. Revenues ages to 700 manufactur- tems as well as a leader resources involving both for 1989 were $12.7 bil- ing and administrative in systems integration. To Digital and non-Digital lion, up 11 percent from employees. remain a leader, particu- systems. the $11.5 of the previous Management larly in these specific ar- year. In 1988, Digital introduced Statement eas, the company Enterprise Management Earnings for the second Digital is making a $1.5 believes it must support Architecture (EMA), an fiscal quarter, ended De- billion investment toward openness and industry integrated network man- cember 30, 1989, were new product develop- standards to remain com- agement strategy. $155.4 million compared ment. According to the petitive in the 1990s. The with $279 million for the president's letter, Digital company is a key partici- Financial Profile same period last year, a is "continuing to invest pant in industry standards Digital Equipment contin- 44 percent drop. (See heavily in VAX and RISC- organizations such as the ues to rank as the second graph for revenue and based systems and VMS Open Systems Founda- largest U.S. computer earning trends over the and UNIX software." tion (OSF), an industry company as measured by last several years.) Within the next year, group founded in 1988 to total revenues. While Digi- "Digital's strategy is to develop industry- tal enjoyed record reve- Digital blamed the profit focus on the computing recognized specifications nue and profit growth drop on flat U.S. sales environment of the 1990s. for UNIX. UNIX will be the through the 1980s- and lower demand for Digital will offer the widest standard operating sys- largely on the strength of high-margin products. selection of technology tem for users who prefer its VAX platform and net- Like major competitors, and continue to make sig- open systems rather than working architecture- Digital continues to do nificant investments in proprietary systems. sales and profits have better internationally. R&D and new products in been sluggish within the Network Application Sup- In moves designed to re- response to dynamically last couple years. port (NAS), a new Digital duce expenses, last sum- changing customer strategic direction ad- For fiscal 1989, ended mer Digital announced needs." dressing VAX compatibil- June 30, Digital reported that it would begin shifting ity and multivendor net earnings of $1.1 bil- 4,000 manufacturing em- connectivity, will let users lion, down 18 percent ployees to other jobs and

EIA RS-232-C or 20 mA interface is included; also stan cursor driven. The set of menus presents plain dard is an RS-232-C serial printer port. An integral mo language choices in any of three selectable languages: dem with auto dial and auto answer capabilities is English, German, or French. optional on the VT241. Visual attributes include reverse video and char acter highlighting. The Selective Erase feature allows the user to select positions on the screen to be erased Device Control without erasing the whole screen. Programmable func tion keys allow the user to store commonly used com All VT200 models provide full VT100 compatibility. mands and execute them with a single keystroke. Also VT200 terminals can emulate the operation of the featured is a downline loadable character set, allowing VT100, enabling the user to use the terminals with exist as many as 94 characters to be loaded into the terminal ing application programs that support VT100 terminals. from the host, thus enabling users to design special For all VT200 models, transmission is performed characters for use in specific applications. on a character-by-character basis as each key is de Both the VT240 and VT241 support two high-level pressed. The selection and storage of local terminal pa graphics instruction sets: Digital's ReGIS (Remote rameters is performed in Set-Up mode. The VT200 Graphics Instruction Set) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 terminals provide a plain-language setup menu, which is graphics protocols. Digital also provides applications software, such as DECgraph and DECslide, to support the graphics features of the VT240 and VT241. The

@ 1990 McGraw· Hill, Incorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Datapro Research. JULY 1990 Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-208 Digital Equipment Datapro Reports on Corporation Data Communications Terminals VT200 Display Family

VT241 features RGB (red/green/blue) output to devices All models feature selectable display formats of such as a color camera and an auxiliary color monitor. 24 lines of 80 characters, and 24 lines of 132 charac Color graphics print output is also available. All VT200 ters. Character brightness and screen contrast are indi models feature composite video output, allowing the vidually adjustable. The VT200 monitors have a built-in user to connect auxiliary monitors to the VT200 termi tilt feature for ease of viewing. nals. Keyboard All models feature a low-profile, detachable keyboard Components that conforms to the international DIN standard for hu man engineering. A total of 103 keys are contained on the keyboard, which features a typewriter-style layout, CRT Display Unit . separate numeric pad, and 15 programmable function A 12-inch (diagonally measured), monochrome, non keys. Function keys can be custom labeled for user glare display is standard on the VT220 and VT240. The defined applications. All keys feature a sculptured, VT241 includes a 13-inch color display. Terminal control matte finish and provide an audible key click. logic is located in the display monitor of the VT220; the A total of 16 different language keyboards are VT240 and VT241 include a separate system box which available for the VT200 terminals; 8 are available in spe houses terminal logic. Amber, green, or white phosphor cialized word processing configurations. The standard characters can be selected for the VT220 and VT240. character set generated is multinational. Four colors out of a palette of sixty-four can be dis played on the VT241. A multinational character set (MCS) that includes the full ASCII set is displayable; any of 256 multinational characters can be generated from Pricing the keyboard. Also available is the national replacement The VT200 family terminals are no longer actively mar character set (NRC), which allows users to generate keted. Digital still offers service and support, international characters and is backward compatible however.• with the VT100. A CRT Saver feature, designed to pro long the life of the CRT, is standard on all models.

JULY 1990 @ 1990 McGraw·HiII,lncorporated. Reproduction Prohibited. Oatapro Research. Delran NJ 08075 USA C25-384-301 Terminals

Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family

cIaIapto VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), 146 Main Street, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754- ANALYSIS 2571. Telephone (508) 897-5111. MODELS: VT220, VT240, and VT241. COMPETITION: CIE Terminals, Zentec, Uberty UPDATE: Digital Equipment Corporation no longer man Electronics, Micro-Term, TeleVideo Systems, Vi ufactures the VT200 Video Display Terminal Family. The sual Technology, Wyse Technology, and several VT300 family is replacing that series. Digital still offers others. service and support for the VT200 family, however. Accord PRICE: The VT200 family is no longer actively ing to Digital, the VT300 family offers full-backward com marketed. patibility, improved ergonomics, and more functionality at a lower price. Datapro will continue to include the VT200 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: PAGE family report, however, due to the high market penetration Product Evaluation ...... 302 ofthis series. Market Position ...... 302 SPECIFICATIONS ...... 303 Digital Equipment Corporation's VT200 Series, an nounced in November 1983, more than aptly succeeded its predecessor, the VT100 product line. Prior to its dis continuance, the VT 100 was the most successful and most vide the user with an improved price/performance ratio widely emulated ASCII terminal, with more than one over that found on the VT 100 terminals. With the de million sold. Featuring full VT100 compatibility, the mand for the VT220 being so strong, Digital, being con VT200 terminals offer a modular design based on the fronted by independent terminal vendors offering clones company's line of personal computer products, and pro- for as little as $795, responded to the intense competition

The Digital VT200 family of video display terminals consists of three models. The VT220 features full VT100 compatibility, the VT240 provides bit-mapped graphics ar chitecture and text/graphics capa bilities. and the VT241 replaces the monochrome display of the VT240 with a color monitor.

REFERENCE EDITION: This is a mature product. No significantfurther developments are anticipated. but because of its importance in the history of the industry, coverage is being continued. No future updates are planned.

JUNE 1989 COPYRIGHT © 1989 McGRAW-HILL. INCORPORATED. REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED DATAPRO RESEARCH. DELRAN NJ 08075 USA C25-384-302 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family by reducing the price of this general-purpose model to conform to the ANSI standard. In order to provide true match that of the clone versions offered by its competi Digital emulation, the makers of Digital emulators must tors. also provide ANSI X3.64 code compatibility on their products. The VT200 family consists of three models: the VT220, VT240, and VT241. The VT220 is the low-end model, a Digital created a display terminal standard with the general-purpose interactive display which directly replaces VT1 00. The company succeeded in advancing that stan the venerable VT100. Features include a 12-inch mono dard with the success of the VT200 terminals. chrome display, 80-/132-column display capability, and a detachable keyboard. The VT240 combines the VT220's text functions with a graphics capability; two graphics MARKET POSITION protocols are available (Digital's ReGIS and Tektronix' 4010/4014). The VT241 is a color text/graphics terminal, Digital's VT100 display terminal ranks as the most suc combining the features found on the VT220 and VT240 cessful ASCII terminal ever marketed. Since its introduc with color display capability and a slightly larger (13-inch) tion in 1978, one million VT100s have been shipped, display screen. including submodels VT101, VT102, VT125, VT131, and VT132. An emulation market for the VT100 now flour The VT200 terminals incorporate a modular enclosure ishes, second in size only to the IBM 3270 emulation design not found on the older VT100 models. As a result market in the display terminal industry. Most major of this design, the VT200 terminals are more compact and general-purpose ASCII terminal vendors provide models take up less desk space than the older VT 100 models. The with some VT100 emulation as part of their product lines. VT220 features two-piece construction, including the monitor and keyboard; terminal logic is contained in the Into this ready-made market came the VT200 family. monitor housing. The VT240 and VT241 feature three Digital imbued the VT200 terminals with full VT100 piece construction, consisting of the monitor, the key compatibility, virtually assuring them of a successful board, and a system box containing the terminal's logic. product life. Demand for the VT220 in particular was The VT200 monitors have a wedge-shaped design with a initially strong, enabling Digital to raise the price of the built-in tilt feature; the keyboards incorporate a low terminal from $1,295 to $1,395. After the VT200 intro profile design and conform to the DIN standard for ergo duction, however, a large number of terminal vendors nomics. introduced VT200 emulators, most ofthem emulating the VT220. These competitors included CIE Terminals, Qume, Zentec, Liberty Electronics, Micro-Term, Tele PRODUcr EVALUATION Video Systems, Wyse Technology, Visual Technology, and many others. These vendors unveiled their VT220 The VT200 terminals provide significant price/ clones with purchase prices as low as $795, which caused performance improvements over the VT100. These mod Digital to lower the price of the VT220 to match those of els incorporate an improved terminal housing design, the independent manufacturers. provide full VT100 compatibility and functionality, and are priced lower than their predecessors. In addition, the When Digital introduced the VT100 in 1978, the com VT240 and VT241 have graphics capabilities previously pany underestimated the demand for that terminal. Or found only on the VT125. Color has also been added to ders piled up until a three-to-five month wait for delivery the Digital terminal product line with the VT241. was not uncommon. Into this gap came the independent vendors with their VT100 emulators, and a lucrative em Significant features carried over from the VT100 termi ulation market was born. Having apparently learned from nals include 80-/132-column display capability and con this experience, Digital was prepared for the demand for formance with the ANSI X3.64 standard for control VT200 terminals, and did not report the serious shortages codes. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of the terminal despite the strong demand generated for first published the X3.64 standard for two-dimensional the product. The independents, seeking an entry into this data devices in 1977. The goal was to standardize control market, turned to price as a weapon. The result meant codes for all terminals, effectively eliminating compatibil savings for the consumer. ity problems. The VT1 00 was the first display terminal to

COPYRIGHT © 1989 McGRAW-HILL, INCORPORATED. REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED JUNE 1989 DATAPRO RESEARCH, DELRAN NJ 08075 USA C25-384-303 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family t> however, a large number of terminal vendors have intro ~ Both the VT240 and VT241 support two high-level graphics duced VT200 emulators, most of them emulating the instruction sets: Digital's ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruc VT220. These competitors include CIE Terminals, ITT tion Set) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics protocols. Digital also provides applications software, such as DEC Qume, Lear Siegler, Liberty Electronics, Micro-Term, Tele graph and DECslide, to support the graphics features of the Video Systems, Wyse Technology, Visual Technology, and VT240 and VT241. The VT241 features color RGB (red/ many others. These vendors have unveiled their VT220 green/blue) output to devices such as a color camera and an clones with purchase prices as low as $795. This has caused auxiliary color monitor. Color graphics print output is also available. All VT200 models feature composite video output, Digital to lower the price of the VT220 to $1,095. allowing the user to connect auxiliary monitors to the VT200 terminals. When Digital introduced the VT100 in 1978, the company underestimated the demand for that terminal. Orders piled COMPONENTS up until a three-to-five month wait for delivery was not CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) uncommon. Into this gap came the independent vendors monochrome nongiare display is standard on the VT220 and with their VT100 emulators, and a lucrative emulation VT240. The VT241 includes a 13-inch color display. Termi market was born. Digital is much more prepared for the nal control logic is located in the display monitor of the demand for VT200 terminals, and serious shortages of the VT220; the VT240 and VT241 include a separate system terminal have not been reported, despite the strong de box which houses terminal logic. Amber, green, or white phosphor characters may be selected for the VT220 and mand generated for the product. The independents, seeking VT240. Four colors (out ofa palette of 64) may be displayed an entry into this market, have turned to price as a weapon. on the VT241. A multinational character set (MCS) that The result: a fully compatible VT220 emulator for well includes the full ASCII set is displayable; any of 256 below $1,000. multinational characters can be generated from the key board. Also available is the national replacement character set (NRC), which allows users to generate international At the time of the VT200 announcement, Digital also characters, and is backward-compatible with the VT100. A announced that it would continue the production of the CRT Saver feature, designed to prolong the life of the CRT, VT100 for at least two additional years. That time is up, is standard on all models. and Digital has recently slashed prices and ceased produc All models feature selectable display formats of 24 lines by tion of the older models, signalling the end of the line for 80 characters, and 24 lines of 132 characters. Character the VT100 family. brightness and screen contrast are individually adjustable. The VT200 monitors have a built-in tilt feature for ease of ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS viewing.

KEYBOARD: All models feature a low-profile, detachable The VT100 achieved its success despite a relatively high keyboard that conforms to the international DIN standard price tag. The terminal's enhanced features (most notably for human engineering. A total of 103 keys are contained on its full-screen 132-column display capability) and high the keyboard, that features a typewriter-style layout, sepa degree of functionality were key factors in the VT100's rate numeric pad, and 15 programmable function keys. early success; later, as prices for display terminals plunged, Function keys may be custom-labeled for user-defined appli cations. All keys feature a sculptured, matte finish and the VT1 00 persevered chiefly because it had become a provide an audible key click. standard in the industry. A total of 16 different language keyboards are available for The VT200 terminals provide significant price/perfor tbe VT200 terminals; 8 are available in specialilzed word mance improvements over the VT100. The new models processing configurations. The standard character set gen erated is multinational. incorporate a new terminal housing design, provide full VT1 00 compatibility and functionality, and are priced PRICING lower than their predecessors. In addition, the VT240 and VT241 have graphics capabilities previously found only on The VT200 family terminals are available for purchase the VT125. Color has also been added to the Digital only. Digital Equipment Corporation supports the terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide in over 400 terminal product line with the VT241. service locations and sales offices. Carry-in service is also available. Significant features carried over from the VT100 terminals include 80-/132-column display capability, and confor mance with the ANSI X3.64 standard for control codes. EQUIPMENT PRICES The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) first published the X3.64 standard for two-dimensional data Purchase Monthly devices in 1977. The goal was to standardize control codes Price Maint. for all terminals, effectively eliminating compatibility (S) (S) problems. The VT 100 was the first display terminal to conform to the ANSI standard. In order to provide true Digital emulation, the makers of Digital emulators must VT220 1.095 6 also provide ANSI X3.64 code compatibility on their VT240 2.195 16 products. 1:> VT241 3.195 23.

MARCH 1986 © 1986 OAT APRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08075 USA REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED C25-384-304 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family t> Digital created a display terminal standard with the VT 100. VT220 Excellent Good Fair Poor W A * The company's ad campaign for the VT200 boasts that they are now "Advancing the Standard." With the success that Mfr.'s maintenance 21 16 6 3.3 the new VT200 terminals have already enjoyed, it would service/technical appear that Digital has indeed succeeded in doing so. support *Weighted Average on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. USER REACTION

In Datapro's 1985 Terminal Users Survey, conducted in conjunction with Data Communications magazine, a total VT240 Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* of 57 users responded with ratings for the VT200 family ------terminals. These users represented a total installed base of Overall performance 8 3 0 0 3.7 Ease of operation 8 3 0 0 3.7 2,592 units. A total of 46 of these users reported on their Display clarity 8 3 0 0 3.7 experiences with the VT220, totalling 2,259 installed termi Keyboard feel & usability 7 2 1 0 3.6 nals; the remaining 11 users reported on the VT240, cover Ergonomics 9 2 0 0 3.8 ing 333 units. The users were asked to rate their terminals Hardware reliability 6 3 1 0 3.5 Mfr. 's maintenance 5 2 1 0 3.5 with regard to seven separate categories. The ratings given service/technical to the VT200 family terminals by these users are summa support rized in the following tables: *Weighted Average on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. VT220 Excellent Good---- Fair Poor WA* Overall performance 33 l3 0 0 3.7 When asked whether or not they would recommend the Ease of operation 31 12 3 0 3.6 VT200 terminals to other users, 49 of the respondents Display clarity 28 17 1 0 3.6 Keyboard feel & usability 22 17 5 2 3.3 answered that they would; none of the users answered Ergonomics 19 20 4 2 3.2 negatively. The remainder were undecided, or chose not to Hardware reliability 24 16 3 0 3.5 answer the question. 0

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Digital Equipment Corporation's VT200 family of display terminals is following in the UPDATE: Digital Equipment Corporation's VT200 Video sucessful footsteps of the discontinued Display Terminal family has had one significant change VT1 00 family. These popular products pro since our last revision. The list price of its most popular vide full VT1 00 compatibility and functional member, the VT220, has been lowered by 27 percent. This ity and considerably lower price tags. Color $300 reduction brings the cost of this model down from graphics, available on the VT241 • is a capa $1,095 to $795. bility not found on the VT100 terminals.

Digital Equipment Corporation's VT200 Series, an MODELS: VT220. VT240, and VT241. nounced in November 1983, has more than aptly succeed DISPLAY: The VT220 and VT240 feature a ed its predecessor, the VT100 product line. Prior to its 12-inch monochrome display; amber, green, recent discontinuance, the VT100 was the most sucessful or white phosphor characters are available. and most widely emulated ASCII terminal, with more than The VT241 is equipped with a 13-inch color one million sold. Featuring full VT100 compatibility, the display. All models feature 80-/132-column VT200 terminals offer a modular design based on the display capability. company's line of personal computer products, and pro KEYBOARD: All models include a 103-key vide the user with an improved price/performance ratio detachable keyboard. The keyboard features over that found on the VT I 00 terminals. With the demand a low-profile design and includes 1 5 pro for the VT220 being so strong, and being confronted by grammable function keys. Sixteen different independent terminal vendors offering clones for as little as language keyboards are available. $795, Digital has responded to the intense competition by COMPETITION: CIE Terminals, Zentec, Lib reducing the price of this general-purpose model to match erty Electronics, Micro-Term, TeleVideo that of the clone versions offered by its competitors. Systems, Visual Technology, Wyse Technol ogy, and several others. The VT200 family consists of three models: the VT220, PRICE: Purchase prices for the VT200 ter VT240, and VT241. The VT220 is the low-end model, a minals range from $795 to $3.195. general-purpose interactive display which directly replaces the venerable VT100. Features include a 12-inch mono CHARACTERISTICS chrome display, 80-/132-column display capability, and a VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation, 146 Main detachable keyboard, The VT240 combines the VT220's Street, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754-2571. Telephone text functions with a graphics capability; two graphics t> (617) 897-5111. ~

The Digital VT200 family of video display terminals consists of three models. The VT220 features full VT100 compatibility, the VT240 provides bit-mapped graphics archi tecture and text/graphics capabili ties, and the VT241 replaces the monochrome display of the VT240 with a color monitor.

APRIL 1987 © 1987 DAT APRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08075 USA REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED-FOR REPRINTS, CALL 1-800-328-2776 C25-384-302 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family t> protocols are available (Digital's ReGIS and Tektronix' ~ DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: November 1983. 4010/4014). The VT241 is a color text/graphics terminal, combining the features found on the VT220 and VT240 DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: November 1983. with color display capability and a slightly larger (13-inch) NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Over 100,000. display screen. SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation.

The VT200 terminals incorporate a modular enclosure MODELS design not found on the older VT 100 models. As a result of The Digital VT200 display terminal family currently con this design, the VT200 terminals are more compact, and sists of three models: take up less desk space, than the older VTl 00 models. The VT220 features two-piece construction, including the mon • VT220-an interactive display for text-oriented applica itor and keyboard; terminal logic is contained in the moni tions. The VT220 is a two-piece modular unit consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display/control unit and a detach tor housing. The VT240 and VT241 feature three-piece able keyboard. The display features 80-/132-column dis construction, consisting of the monitor, the keyboard, and play capability and is available with amber, green, or a system box containing the terminal's logic. The VT200 white phosphor characters. monitors have a wedge-shaped design with a built-in tilt • VT240-an interactive display with both text and graph feature; the keyboards incorporate a low-profile design and ics capabilities. The VT240 is a three-piece modular unit conform to the DIN standard for ergonomics. consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display unit, a detach able keyboard, and a system box. The display features 80-/132-column display capability and is available with COMPETITIVE POSITION amber, green, or white phosphor characters. Screen reso lution is 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction sets Digital's VT 100 display terminal ranks as the most success are available for bit-mapped graphics capability. ful ASCII terminal ever marketed. Since its introduction in • VT241-an interactive, graphics-oriented terminal with 1978, one million VT100s have been shipped, including color. The VT241 is a three-piece modular unit consisting submodels (VTlOl, VTl02, VTl25, VTl31, and VTl32). of a 13-inch color display unit, a detachable keyboard, and An em ulation market for the VT 100 now flourishes, second a system box. The display features 80-/132-column dis in size only to the IBM 3270 emulation market in the play capability, and has a resolution of 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction sets are available. display terminal industry. Most major general-purposed ASCII terminal vendors provide models with some VT 100 AU models conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. emulation as part of their product line. TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS

Into this ready-made market comes the VT200 family. Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode at trans mission rates from SO to 19,200 bits per second. The 7- or S Digital imbued the VT200 terminals with full VT100 com bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is patibility, virtually assuring them of a successful product selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard. An life. Demand for the VT220 in particular has been strong, EIA RS-232-C or 20 ma interface is included; also standard initially enabling Digital to raise the price of the terminal is an RS-232-C serial printer port. An integral modem with auto-dial and auto-answer capabilities is optional on the from $1,295 to $1,395. Since the VT200 introduction, VT241. however, a large number of terminal vendors have intro duced VT200 emulators, most of them emulating the VT220. These competitors include CIE Terminals, ITT DEVICE CONTROL Qume, Zentec, Liberty Electronics, Micro-Term, TeleVi All VT200 family members provide full VT100 compatibil deo Systems, Wyse Technology, Visual Technology, and ity. VT200 terminals can emulate the operation of the many others. These vendors have unveiled their VT220 VT100, enabling the user to implement the new terminals clones with purchase prices as low as $795. This has caused without software modifications to existing application pro Digital to lower the price of the VT220 to match that of the grams that support VT100 terminals. independent manufacturers. For all VT200 models, transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is depressed. The selection and storage of local terminal parameters is per When Digital introduced the VT100 in 1978, the company formed in Set-Up mode. The VT200 terminals provide a underestimated the demand for that terminal. Orders piled plain-language setup menu, which is cursor driven. The set up until a three-to-five month wait for delivery was not of menus presents plain-language choices in any of three uncommon. Into this gap came the independent vendors selectable languages: English, German, or French. with their VT100 emulators, and a lucrative emulation Visual attributes available include reverse video and charac market was born. Apparently having learned from this ter highlighting. The Selective Erase feature allows the user experience, Digital was prepared for the demand for VT200 to select positions on the screen to be erased without erasing terminals, and serious shortages of the terminal have not the whole screen. Programmable function keys allow the been reported, despite the strong demand generated for the user to store commonly used commands and execute them with a single keystroke. Also featured is a downline loadable product. The independents, seeking an entry into this character set, allowing as many as 94 characters to be market, have turned to price as a weapon. The result has loaded into the terminal from the host, thus enabling users meant savings for the consumer. t> to design special characters for use in specific applications...

© 1987 DA T APRO RESEARCH CORPORATION. DELRAN. NJ 08075 USA APRIL 1987 REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED-FOR REPRINTS. CALL 1-800-328-2776 C25-384-303 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family t> ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS When asked whether or not they would recommend the The VT200 terminals provide significant price/perfor VT200 terminals to other users, 54 of the respondents mance improvements over the VT100. These models in answered that they would and 4 answered negatively. The corporate an improved terminal housing design, provide remainder were undecided, or chose not to answer the full VT100 compatibility and functionality, and are priced question. 0 lower than their predecessors. In addition, the VT240 and VT241 have graphics capabilities previously found only on ~ Both the VT240 and VT241 support two high-level graphics instruction sets: Digital's ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruc the VT125. Color has also been added to the Digital tion Set) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics protocols. terminal product line with the VT241. Digital also provides applications software, such as DEC graph and DECslide, to support the graphics features of the Significant features carried over from the VT100 terminals VT240 and VT241. The VT241 features color RGB (red/ include 80-/132-column display capability, and confor green/blue) output to devices such as a color camera and an auxiliary color monitor. Color graphics print output is also mance with the ANSI X3.64 standard for control codes. available. All VT200 models feature composite video output, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) first allowing the user to connect auxiliary monitors to the VT200 published the X3.64 standard for two-dimensional data terminals. devices in 1977. The goal was to standardize control codes COMPONENTS for all terminals, effectively eliminating compatibility problems. The VT I 00 was the first display terminal to CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured), conform to the ANSI standard. In order to provide true monochrome, nonglare display is standard on the VT220 and VT240. The VT241 includes a 13-inch color display. Digital emulation, the makers of Digital emulators must Terminal control logic is located in the display monitor of also provide ANSI X3.64 code compatibility on their the VT220; the VT240 and VT241 include a separate system products. box which houses terminal logic. Amber, green, or white Digital created a display terminal standard with the VT I 00. phosphor characters may be selected for the VT220 and VT240. Four colors (out of a palette of 64) may be displayed The company has succeeded in advancing that standard on the VT241. A multinational character set (MCS) that with the success of the VT200 terminals. includes the full ASCII set is displayable; any of 256 multinational characters can be generated from the key USER REACTION board. Also available is the national replacement character set (NRC), which allows users to generate international In Datapro's 1986 User Ratings of Display Terminals characters, and is backward compatible with the VT100. A conducted in conjunction with Data Communications CRT Saver feature, designed to prolong the life of the CRT, magazine, a total of 68 users responded with ratings for the is standard on all models. VT200 family of terminals. These users represented a total All models feature selectable display formats of 24 lines of installed base of 3,715 units. A total of 53 of these users 80 characters, and 24 lines of 132 characters. Character reported on their experiences with the VT220, totalling brightness and screen contrast are individually adjustable. 3,258 installed terminals; the remaining 15 users reported The VT200 monitors have a built-in tilt feature for ease of on the VT240, covering 457 units. The users were asked to viewing. rate their terminals with regard to seven separate catego KEYBOARD: All models feature a low-profile, detachable ries. The ratings given to the VT200 family terminals by keyboard that conforms to the international DIN standard these users are summarized in the following tables: for human engineering. A total of 103 keys are contained on the keyboard, which features a typewriter-style layout, sepa rate numeric pad, and 15 programmable function keys. VT220 Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* ------Function keys may be custom labeled for user-defined appli cations. All keys feature a sculptured, matte finish and Overall performance 19 2 3.3 30 0 provide an audible key click. Ease of operation 27 25 I 0 3.5 Display clarity 26 24 3 0 3.4 A total of 16 different language keyboards are available for Keyboard feel & usability 19 27 6 I 3.2 the VT200 terminals; 8 are available in specialiized word Ergonomics 14 30 8 1 3.1 processing configurations. The standard character set gen Hardware reliability 23 23 5 I 3.3 erated is multinational. Mfr.'s maintenance 16 32 4 0 3.3 service/technical PRICING support The VT200 family terminals are available for purchase *Weighted Average on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. only. Digital Equipment Corporation supports the terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide through over VT240 Excellent Good Fair Poor WA* 400 service locations and sales offices. Carry-in service is ------also available. Overall performance 7 7 I 0 3.4 Ease of operation 9 4 2 0 3.5 EQUIPMENT PRICES Display clarity 6 9 0 0 3.4 Keyboard feel & usability 6 8 I 0 3.3 Pur- Ergonomics I 9 5 0 2.7 chase Monthly Hardware reliability 6 8 I 0 3.3 Price Maint. Mfr.'s maintenance 8 5 I I 3.3 service/technical ($) ($) support VT220 795 12 VT240 2.195 19 *Weighted Average on a scale of 4.0 for Excellent. VT241 3.195 31 •

C25-384-301 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY The VT200 family succeeds the highly popu UPDATE: Since the introduction of the VT200 family of lar VT100 terminal family in Digital's termi terminals, virtually every independent ASCII terminal ven nal product line. The VT200 terminals dor has introduced new terminal models with VT200 emu combine full VT100 compatibility and func lation, hoping to capitalize on a promising market. Infact, tionality with a new terminal design and demand for Digital's new terminals has been extremely lower price tags. Color graphics, available on strong; the new product line seems assured of achieving or the VT241. is a new capability not found on surpassing the popularity enjoyed by its predecessor, the the VT100 terminals. VT100 family. MODELS: VT220. VT240, and VT241. In November 1983, Digital Equipment Corporation intro DISPLAY: The VT220 and VT240 feature a duced its long-awaited VT200 Series of video display ter 12-inch monochrome display; amber. green, minals. The VT200 terminal family is intended to replace or white phosphor characters are available. the hugely successful VT100 family in Digital's product The VT241 is equipped with a 13-inch color line. The new terminals provide full VT 100 compatibility, display. All models feature 80-/132-column ensuring Digital a ready-made market into which the display capability. VT200 can be sold. The VT200s feature a new modular KEYBOARD: All models include a 103-key design based on the company's line of personal computer detachable keyboard. The keyboard features products, and provide the user with an improved price/ a low-profile design and includes 15 pro performance ratio over that found on the VT 100 terminals. grammable function keys. Sixteen different The demand for the new terminals has been strong, and language keyboards are available. Digital has already slashed the price tag of the general COMPETITION: CIE Terminals, Lear Siegler. purpose VT220, in response to intense price competition Liberty Electronics. Micro-Term. TeleVideo from a number of independent terminal makers. Systems. Visual Technology. Wyse Technol ogy, and several others. The VT200 family consists of three models: the VT220, PRICE: Purchase prices for the VT200 ter VT240, and VT241. The VT220 is the low-end model, a minals range from $1,395 to $3.195. general-purpose interactive display which directly replaces the venerable VT100. Features include a 12-inch mono chrome display, 80-/132-column display capability, and a CHARACTERISTICS detachable keyboard. The VT240 combines the VT220's VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation, 146 Main text functions with a graphics capability; two graphics Street, Maynard, MA 01754-2571. Telephone (617)_ protocols are available (Digital's ReGIS and Tektronix' J:> 897-5111. ~

The Digital VT220 boasts full VT100 compatibility, including 80-/132-column display capability and compatibility with the ANSI X3.64 standard. As was the case with the VT100. several vendors have recently introduced terminals designed to emulate the VT220.

J:> 4010/4014). The VT241 is a color text/graphics terminal, ~ DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: November 1983. combining the features found on the VT220 and VT240 with color display capability and a slightly larger (13-inch) DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: November 1983. display screen. NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Over 100,000. The VT200 terminals incorporate a modular enclosure SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. design not found on the older VT 100 models. As a result of this design, the VT200 terminals are more compact, and MODELS take up less desk space, than the older VT 100 models. The The Digital VT200 display terminal family currently con VT220 features two-piece construction, including the mon sists of three models: itor and keyboard; terminal logic is contained in the moni tor housing. The VT240 and VT241 feature three-piece • VT220-an interactive display for text-oriented applica construction, consisting of the monitor, keyboard, and a tions. The VT220 is a two-piece modular unit consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display/control unit and a detach system box containing the terminal's logic. The VT200 able keyboard. The display features 80-/132-column dis monitors have a wedge-shaped design with a built-in tilt play capability and is available with amber, green, or feature; the keyboards incorporate a low-profile design and white phosphor characters. conform to the DIN standard for ergonomics. • VT240-an interactive display with both text and graph ics capabilities. The VT240 is a three-piece modular unit COMPETITIVE POSITION consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display unit, detach able keyboard, and a system box. The display features Digital's VT 100 display terminal ranks as the most success 80-/132-column display capability and is available with ful ASCII terminal ever marketed. Since its introduction in amber, green, or white phosphor characters. Screen reso 1978, one million VT100s have been shipped, including lution is 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction sets are available for bit-mapped graphics capability. submodels (VT101, VTl02, VTl25, VTl31, and VTl32). An emulation market for the VT100 now flourishes, second • VT241-an interactive, graphics-oriented terminal with in size only to the IBM 3270 emulation market in the color. The VT241 is a three-piece modular unit consisting display terminal industry. Most major general-purposed of a 13-inch color display unit, detachable keyboard, and system box. The display features 80-/132-column display ASCII terminal vendors provide models with some VT I 00 capability, and has a resolution of 800 by 240 pixels. Two emulation as part of their product line. graphics instruction sets are available. Into this ready-made market comes the VT200 family. All models conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. Digital imbued the VT200 terminals with full VT100 com patibility, virtually assuring them of a successful product TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS life. Demand for the VT220 in particular has been strong, Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode at trans initially enabling Digital to raise the price of the terminal mission rates from SO to 19,200 bits per second. The 7- or 8- from $1,295 to $1,395. Since the VT200 introduction, t> bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard. An EIA RS-232-C or 20 ma interface is included; also standard is an RS-232-C serial printer port. An integral modem with autodial and autoanswer capabilities is optional on the VT241.

DEVICE CONTROL

All VT200 family members provide full VT100 compatibil ity. VT200 terminals can emulate the operation of the VT100, enabling the user to implement the new terminals without software modifications to existing application pro grams that support VT100 terminals.

For all VT200 models, transmission is performed on a I character-by-character basis as each key is depressed. The selection and storage of local terminal parameters is per formed in Set-Up mode. The VT200 terminals provide a plain language set-up menu, which is cursor-driven. The set of menus presents plain language choices in any of three selectable languages: English, German, or French.

Visual attributes available include reverse video and charac ter highlighting. The Selective Erase feature allows the user to select positions on the screen to be erased without erasing the whole screen. Programmable function keys allow the user to store commonly used commands and execute them The VT240 is a monochrome terminal with both text and with a single keystroke. Also featured is a downline loadable graphics display capability. Two graphics instruction sets are character set, allowing as many as 94 characters to be availablefor bit-mapped graphics displays. Screen resolution is loaded into the terminal from the host, thus enabling users 800 by 240 pixels. to design special characters for use in specific applications. •

SPECIFICATIONS

MODELS: VT220, VT240, and VT241. without software modifications to existing application DATE ANNOUNCED: November 1983_ programs that support VT100 terminals. DATE FIRST INSTALLED: November 1983_ NUMBER INSTALLED TO DATE: Over 1 million_ For all VT200 models, transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is depressed. The selection and storage of local terminal parameters is per MODELS formed in Set-Up mode. The VT200 terminals provide a plain-language setup menu, which is cursor driven. The The Digital VT200 display terminal family consists of set of menus presents plain-language choices in any of three models: three selectable languages: English, German, or French.

• VT220-an interactive display for text-oriented applica Visual attributes include reverse video and character high tions. The VT220 is a two-piece modular unit consisting lighting. The Selective Erase feature allows the user to of a 12-inch monochrome display/control unit and a select positions on the screen to be erased without erasing detachable keyboard. The display features 80- the whole screen. Programmable function keys allow the /132-column display capability and has amber, green, or user to store commonly used commands and execute white phosphor characters. them with a single keystroke. Also featured is a downline loadable character set, allowing as many as 94 characters • VT240-an interactive display with both text and to be loaded into the terminal from the host, thus enabling graphics capabilities. The VT240 is a three-piece modu users to design special characters for use in specific appli lar unit consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display cations. unit, a detachable keyboard, and a system box. The display features 80-/132-column display capability and Both the VT240 and VT241 support two high-level graph has amber, green, or white phosphor characters. Screen ics instruction sets: Digital's ReGIS (Remote Graphics resolution is 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction Instruction Set) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics proto sets have bit-mapped graphics capability. cols. Digital also provides applications software, such as DECgraph and DECslide, to support the graphics features • VT241-an interactive, graphics-oriented terminal with of the VT240 and VT241. The VT241 features color RGB color. The VT241 is a three-piece modular unit consist (red/green/blue) output to devices such as a color camera ing of a 13-inch color display unit, a detachable key and an auxiliary color monitor. Color graphics print out board, and a system box. The display features 80-/132- put is also available. All VT200 models feature composite column display capability, and has a resolution of 800 video output, allowing the user to connect auxiliary mon by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction sets have bit itors to the VT200 terminals. mapped graphics capability. COMPONENTS All models conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured), TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS monochrome, nonglare display is standard on the VT220 and VT240. The VT241 includes a 13-inch color display. Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode at Terminal control logic is located in the display monitor of transmission rates from 50.0 to 19.2K bps. The 7- or 8-bit the VT220; the VT240 and VT241 include a separate ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is system box which houses terminal logic. Amber, green, or selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard. An white phosphor characters can be selected for the VT220 EIA RS-232-C or 20 rnA interface is included; also stan and VT240. Four colors out of a palette of 64 can be dard is an RS-232-C serial printer port. An integral mo displayed on the VT241. A multinational character set dem with auto dial and auto answer capabilities is (MCS) that includes the full ASCII set is displayable; any optional on the VT241. of 256 multinational characters can be generated from the keyboard. Also available is the national replacement char DEVICE CONTROL acter set (NRC), which allows users to generate interna tional characters, and is backward compatible with the All VT200 family members provide full VT 100 compati VT100. A CRT Saver feature, designed to prolong the life bility. VT200 terminals can emulate the operation of the of the CRT, is standard on all models. VT100, enabling the user to implement the terminals

JUNE 1989 COPYRIGHT © 1989 McGRAW-HILL. INCORPORATED. REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED DATAPRO RESEARCH. DELRAN NJ 08075 USA C25-384-304 Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation VT200 Video Display Terminal Family

All models feature selectable display formats of 24 lines of defined applications. All keys feature a sculptured, matte 80 characters, and 24 lines of 132 characters. Character finish and provide an audible key click. brightness and screen contrast are individually adjustable. The VT200 monitors have a built-in tilt feature for ease of A total of 16 different language keyboards are available for viewing. the VT200 terminals; 8 are available in specialized word processing configurations. The standard character set gen KEYBOARD: All models feature a low-profile, detachable erated is multinational. keyboard that conforms to the international DIN standard for human engineering. A total of 103 keys are contained PRICING on the keyboard, which features a typewriter-style layout, separate numeric pad, and 15 programmable function The VT200 family terminals are no longer being actively keys. Function keys can be custom labeled for user- marketed. Digital still offers service and support, however. 0

COPYRIGHT © 1989 McGRAW-HILL, INCORPORATED. REPRODUCTION 'PROHIBITED JUNE 1989 DATAPRO RESEARCH. DELRAN NJ 08075 USA C25-384-301 Display Tanninals Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VT200 Video Display Terminal Family

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY The VT200 family succeeds the highly popu In November 1983, DEC introduced its long-awaited lar VT100 terminal family in DEC's terminal VT200 Series of video display terminals. The VT200 termi product line. The VT200 terminals combine nal family is intended to replace the hugely successful full VT100 compatibility and functionality VT100 family in DEC's product line. The new terminals with a new terminal design and lower price provide full VT100 compatibility, ensuring DEC a ready tags. Color graphics. available on the made market into which the VT200 can be sold. The VT241. is a new capability not found on the VT200s feature a new modular design based on the compa VT100 terminals. ny's line of personal computer products, and provide the user with an improved price/performance ratio over that MODELS: VT220. VT240. and VT241. found on the VT 100 terminals. The demand for the new DISPLAY: The VT220 and VT240 feature a terminals has been strong, and some shortages of the 12-inch monochrome display; amber. green. products have been reported, reminiscent of the VT100's or white phosphor characters are available. introduction. The VT241 is equipped with a 13-inch color display. All models feature 80-/132-column The VT200 family consists of three models: the VT220, display capability. VT240, and VT241. The VT220 is the low-end model, a KEYBOARD: All models include a 103-key general-purpose interactive display which directly replaces detachable keyboard. The keyboard features the venerable VT100. Features include a 12-inch mono a low-profile design and includes 15 pro chrome display, 80-/132-column display capability, and a grammable function keys. Sixteen different detachable keyboard. The VT240 combines the VT220's language keyboards are available. text functions with a graphics capability; two graphics COMPETITION: CIE Terminals. Lear Siegler. protocols are available (DEC's ReGIS and Tektronix' Liberty Electronics. Micro-Term. TeleVideo 4010/4014). The VT241 is a color text/graphics terminal, Systems. Visual Technology. Wyse Technol combining the features found on the VT220 and VT240 ogy, and several others. with color display capability and a slightly larger (I3-inch) PRICE: Purchase prices for the VT200 ter display. minals range from $1.395 to $3.195.

The VT200 terminals incorporate a modular enclosure design not found on the older VT1 00 models. As a result of CHARACTERISTICS this design, the VT200 terminals are more compact, and VENDOR: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), 146 take up less desk space, than the older VT1 ()() models. The Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754. Telephone (617) _ VT220 features two-piece construction, including the mon- t> 897-5111. -

The VT220 is the low-end model in DEC's new VT200 terminalfamily. The VT220 features two-piece mod ular construction, with a I2-inch monochrome display and a detach able, low-profile keyboard. As with all ofthe new VT200 terminals, the VT220 boasts full DEC VT100 compatibility, including 80-/132- column display capability and com patibility with the ANSI X3.64 standard. As was the case with the VT100, several vendors have recent ly introduced terminals designed to emulate the VT220.

FEBRUARY 1985 © 1985 DAT APRO RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELRAN, NJ 08075 USA REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED C25-384-302 Display Terminals Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VT200 Video Display Terminal Family t> itor and keyboard; terminal logic is contained in the ~ DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: November 1983. monitor housing. The VT240 and VT241 feature three piece construction, consisting of the monitor, keyboard, DATE OF FIRST DELIVERY: November 1983. and a system box containing the terminal's logic. The NUMBER DELIVERED TO DATE: Over 60,000. VT200 monitors have a wedge-shaped design with a built in tilt feature; the keyboards incorporate a low-profile SERVICED BY: Digital Equipment Corporation. design and conform to the DIN standard for ergonomics. MODELS COMPETITIVE POSITION The DEC VT200 display terminal family currently consists of three models: DEC's VT 100 display terminal ranks as the most successful ASCII terminal ever marketed. Since its introduction in • VT220-an interat1ive display for text-oriented applica 1978, over 500,000 VT100s have been shipped; an addi tions. The VT220 is a two-piece modular unit consisting of tional200,000 VT100 submodels (VTlOI, VTl02, VTl25, a 12-inch monochrome display/control unit and a detach able keyboard. The display features 80-/132-column dis VT13I, and VTl32) have also been sold. An emulation play capability and is available with amber, green, or market for the VT 100 now flourishes, second in size only to white phosphor characters. the IBM 3270 emulation market in the display terminal industry. Most major general-purpose ASCII terminal ven • VT240-an interactive display with both text and graph ics capabilities. The VT240 is a three-piece modular unit dors provide models with some VT 100 emulation as part of consisting of a 12-inch monochrome display unit, detach their product line. Dataquest, a San Jose, California-based able keyboard, and a system box. The display features market research firm, estimates that DEC holds better than 80-/132-column display capability and is available with a 60 percent share of the VT 100 market, a market that amber, green, or white phosphor characters. Screen reso accounted for shipments of well over 200,000 units in 1983. lution is 800 by 240 pixels. Two graphics instruction sets are available for bit-mapped graphics capability. TeleVideo Systems, the leading independent display termi nal manufacturer, predicted that shipments of DEC-com • VT241-an interactive, graphics-oriented terminal with patible terminals would hit the 300,000 mark in 1984. color. The VT241 is a three-piece modular unit consisting of a 13-inch color display unit, detachable keyboard, and system box. The display features 80-/132-column display Into this ready-made market comes the VT200 family. capability, and has a resolution of 800 by 240 pixels. Two DEC imbued the VT200 terminals with full VT100 com graphics instruction sets are available. patibility, virtually assuring them of a successful product life. Demand for the VT220 in particular has been brisk, All models conform to the ANSI X3.64 standard. enabling DEC to raise the price ofthe terminal from $1,295 TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS to $1,395. Since the VT200 introduction, several vendors have introduced VT200 emulators, most of them emulat Transmission is asynchronous in full-duplex mode at trans ing the VT220. These competitors include TeleVideo, as mission rates from SO to 19,200 bits per second. The 7- or 8- well as CIE Terminals, Lear Siegler, Liberty Electronics, bit ASCII code is used. Odd, even, mark, or no parity is selectable from the keyboard. Local echo is standard. An EIA RS-232-C or 20 ma interface is included; also standard is an RS-232-C serial printer port. An integral modem, with autodial and autoanswer capabilities, is optional on the VT241.

DEVICE CONTROL

For all VT200 models, transmission is performed on a character-by-character basis as each key is depressed. The selection and storage of local terminal parameters is per formed in Set-Up mode. The VT200 terminals provide a plain langnage set-up menu, which is cursor-driven. The set of menus presents plain language choices in any of three selectable languages: English, German, or French.

Visual attributes available include reverse video and charac ter highlighting. The Selective Erase feature allows the user to select positions on the screen to be erased without erasing the whole screen. Programmable function keys allow the user to store commonly used commands and execute them The VT240 is a monochrome terminal with' both text and with a single keystroke. Also featured is a downline loadable graphics display capability. Two graphics instruction sets are character set, allowing as many as 94 characters to be availablefor bit-mapped graphics displays. Screen resolution is loaded into the terminal from the host, thus enabling users 800 by 240 pixels. to design special characters for use in specific applications. J

TABLE 1. DEC VT220 EMULATORS • Both the VT240 and VT241 support two high-level graphics instruction sets: DEC's ReGIS (Remote Graphics Instruc 80·/132· tion Set) and Tektronix' 4010/4014 graphics protocols. Screen Column Price' DEC also provides applications software, such as DEC Vendor Model Size Display (S) graph and DECslide, to support the graphics featnres ofthe VT240 and vT:Z41. The VT241 features color RGB (red/ CIE Terminals CIT-220+ 12 Yes 1,195 green/blue) output to devices such as a color camera and an Cybernex RG-220 14 Yes auxiliary color monitor. All VT200 models featnre compos Lanpar Technologies Vision 12 Yes 1,195 ite video output, allowing the user to connect auxiliary 2200+ monitors to the VT200 terminals. Lear Siegler ADM 220 12 Yes 1,165 liberty Freedom 12/14 Opt. 795-845 COMPONENTS 220 Micro-Term Ergo 320 12 Yes CRT DISPLAY UNIT: A 12-inch (diagonally measured) Plessey PT-220 12 Yes monochrome nonglare display is standard on the VT220 and TeleVideo 922 12 Yes 995 VT240. The VT241 includes a 13-inch color display. Termi Visual Visual 220 14 Yes 995 nal control logic is located in the display monitor of the Wyse WY-85 14 Yes 799 VT220; the VT240 and VT241 include a separate system Zentec 00220 14 Yes 850 box which houses terminal logic. Amber, green, or white phosphor characters may be selected for the VT220 and *8ased on single-quantity VT240. Four colors (out of a palette of 64) may be displayed on the VT241. A multinational character set that includes the full ASCII set is displayable; any of 256 multinational > Wyse Technology, Visual Technology, and some others. characters can be generated from the keyboard. A CRT Table 1 provides a summary of the VT220 emulating Saver feature, designed to prolong the life of the CRT, is terminals currently on the market. standard on all models. All models featnre selectable display formats of 24 lines by At the time of the VT200 announcement, DEC also an 80 characters, and 24 lines of 132 characters. Character nounced that it will continue the production of the VT100 brightness and screen contrast are individually adjustable. for at least two more years, or possibly longer if demand for The VT200 monitors have a built-in tilt feature for ease of them still exists. The submodels of the VT100 have been viewing. placed in maintenance mode, meaning DEC will continue KEYBOARD: All models feature a low-profile, detachable to support them but has ceased their production. keyboard which conforms to the international DIN standard for human engineering. A total of 103 keys are contained on ADVANTAGES AND RESTRICTIONS the keyboard, which features a typewriter-style layout, sepa rate numeric pad, and 15 programmable function keys. The VT100 achieved its success despite a relatively high Function keys may be custom-labeled for user-defined appli price tag. The terminal's enhanced features (most notably cations. All keys feature a sculptured, matte finish and provide an audible key click. its full-screen 132-column display capability) and high degree of functionality were key factors in the VT100's A total of 16 different language keyboards are available for early success; later, as prices for display terminals plunged, the VT200 terminals; 8 are available in specialilzed word the VT100 persevered chiefly because it had become a processing configurations. The standard character set gen standard in the industry. erated is multinational. PRICING The VT200 terminals provide significant price/perfor mance improvements over the VT1 00. The new models The VT200 family terminals are available for purchase incorporate a new terminal housing design, provide full only. DEC supports the terminals through its Field Service, available worldwide in over 400 service locations and sales VT100 compatibility and functionality, and are priced offices. Carry-in service is also available. lower than their predecessors. In addition, the VT240 and VT241 have graphics capabilities previously found only on Purchase Monthly the VT125. Color has also been added to the DEC terminal Price Maint. product line with the VT241. ($) ($) VT220 1,395 6 Significant features carried over from the VT 100 terminals VT240 2,195 16 include 80-/132-column display capability, and confor VT241 3,195 23 mance with the ANSI X3.64 standard for control codes. • The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) first published the X3.64 standard for two-dimensional data devices in 1977. The goal was to standardize control codes for all terminals, effectively eliminating compatibility DEC created a display terminal standard with the VT100. problems. The VT 100 was the first display terminal to The company's ad campaign for the VT200 boasts that they conform to the ANSI standard. In order to provide true are now "Advancing the Standard." With the success that DEC emulation, the makers of DEC emulators must also the new VT200 terminals have already enjoyed, it would provide ANSI X3.64 code compatibility on their products. 1:> appear that DEC has indeed succeeded in doing so. 0