The VIC (Video Interface Chip), specifically known as the MOS Technologies 6560 (NTSC version) / 6561 (PAL version), is the integrated circuit chip responsible for generating video graphics and sound in the Commodore VIC-20 home computer. It was originally designed for applications such as low cost CRT terminals, biomedical monitors, control system displays and arcade or home video game consoles.

Its features include:

  • 16 KB address space for screen, character and color memory
  • 16 colors
  • two selectable character sizes (8 × 8 or 8 × 16 pixels)
  • 192 × 200 pixels max. video resolution (176 × 184 used by VIC-20)
  • sound system (3 channels + white noise)
  • on-chip DMA
  • two 8-bit A/D converters

The VIC was programmed by manipulating its 16 control registers, memory mapped to the range $9000–$900F in the VIC-20 address space. The on-chip A/D converters were used for dual paddle position readings by the VIC-20, which also used the VIC's lightpen facility. The VIC preceded the much more advanced VIC-II, used by the VIC-20's successors, the C64 and C128.

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