# MOS Technology VIC

> series of video display controller ICs used in Commodore home computers

**Wikidata**: [Q970039](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q970039)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_VIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mos-technology-vic

## Summary
The MOS Technology VIC (Video Interface Chip) is a series of video display controller integrated circuits (ICs) developed by MOS Technology for use in Commodore home computers. Introduced in 1979, these chips are most notably used in the Commodore VIC-20 and are identified by model numbers such as the 6560 and 6561.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** MOS Technology
- **Inception:** 1979
- **Primary Application:** Used in the Commodore VIC-20 home computer
- **Classification:** Video display controller and model series
- **Technical Designations:** Known as the 6560 and 6561
- **Common Aliases:** VIC-chip, Video Interface Chip, and MOS Technology Video Interface Controller
- **Successor Family:** MOS Technology VIC-II (introduced in 1982 for the Commodore 64 and C128)
- **Digital Documentation:** Featured in 10 Wikipedia language editions and the C64-Wiki

## FAQs
### Q: What is the MOS Technology VIC?
A: It is a series of integrated circuits designed to serve as video display controllers for Commodore home computers. It was first introduced in 1979 and is responsible for managing the video interface and graphics output.

### Q: Which computer models used the VIC chip?
A: The MOS Technology VIC was primarily used in the Commodore VIC-20. Its later variant, the VIC-II, was developed for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 home computers.

### Q: What are the different names for the MOS Technology VIC?
A: It is frequently referred to as the VIC-chip, the Video Interface Chip, or by its specific part numbers, the 6560 and 6561. Its formal name is the MOS Technology Video Interface Controller.

## Why It Matters
The MOS Technology VIC represents a pivotal development in the history of home computing hardware. As a dedicated video display controller, it allowed early home computers like the Commodore VIC-20 to produce graphics and video output efficiently by offloading these tasks to a specialized integrated circuit. Introduced in 1979, the VIC chip helped establish MOS Technology as a leader in affordable, high-performance components, which was essential for the growth of the consumer computer market. 

The chip's design and functionality laid the groundwork for the more advanced VIC-II family, which powered the Commodore 64, the best-selling single computer model of all time. By integrating complex video tasks into the 6560 and 6561 series, MOS Technology enabled the creation of accessible machines that brought computing and gaming into millions of households. Its significance is reflected in its broad documentation across multiple languages and specialized technical wikis, marking it as a foundational technology in the evolution of video display controllers.

## Notable For
- **Core Component of the VIC-20:** Served as the primary video hardware for the Commodore VIC-20, one of the first major successful home computers.
- **Model Variations:** Produced in different versions, specifically the 6560 and 6561, to accommodate various technical requirements.
- **Architectural Predecessor:** Provided the technological basis for the MOS Technology VIC-II family introduced in 1982.
- **Integrated Circuit Design:** A specialized model series that consolidated video interface functions into a single chip, a key innovation for late 1970s hardware.

## Body

### Product Overview
The MOS Technology VIC is a series of integrated circuits (ICs) that function as video display controllers. Developed by MOS Technology, the series began in 1979. It is classified as a "model series" and is a subclass of the broader video display controller category.

### Technical Specifications and Identification
The VIC is known by several technical designations and aliases:
*   **Part Numbers:** 6560 and 6561.
*   **Official Name:** MOS Technology Video Interface Controller.
*   **Common Names:** VIC-chip, Video Interface Chip, and VIC.
*   **Database Identifiers:** Freebase ID /m/01s2n2 and C64-Wiki ID "VIC."

### Hardware Implementation
The primary use of the MOS Technology VIC was in the Commodore VIC-20 home computer. As a video display controller, the chip was responsible for generating the video signal required to display text and graphics on a monitor or television screen. 

### Related Developments
In January 1982, MOS Technology introduced the VIC-II family. This related series of video display controllers was used in the subsequent Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 home computers, building upon the foundation established by the original VIC series.

### Global Recognition
The MOS Technology VIC is documented extensively in digital knowledge bases. It maintains a presence on Wikipedia in 10 different languages, including English, German, Spanish, Russian, and Italian. Visual records of the hardware, such as the MOS 6561 variant, are preserved in the Wikimedia Commons under the category "MOS Technology VIC."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013