VideoTex Demo Server
This is a python script that attempts to show off some features of VideoTex terminal emulator.
VideoTex is the software used in Radio Shack's AgVision and VideoTex computers. It is also available as a cartridge for the TRS-80 Color Computer.
Start the server with the command:
python3 vtds.py
It will display the port number it has opened a listening socket on.
The medium resolution graphic feature will display a list of jpeg files in the current directory. After one is chosen the python server will resize the jpeg to 128 x 96 and dither it to by level color per pixel.
The upload binary function currently only will upload the file named "keyscn2.bin" to address $E00. Then change the currently viewed page to 2 ($400). Then execute the code at $E00. This willl cause the VideoTex software to hang up.
The only feature in the reference manual I could not get to work is changing the text caret graphic.
Other Files
- lorem.txt: sample text used by the server
- pick.jpg: Sample image used by the server
- woman.jpg: Sample image used by the server
- pick.jpg: Sample image used by the server
- keyscn2.asm: Source to keyboard scan program the server can send to the machine
- keyscn2.bin: Assembled binary of keyscn2.asm
- build.sh: Build script for keyscn2.asm
Known problems
- Trying to retrieve text a second time in the same session will fail. But the third time will work.
- Changing the cursor graphic doesn't see to work.
Documentation
https://colorcomputerarchive.com/search?q=videotex
-- tim lindner tlindner@macmess.org November 2022