The CoCo3 came with 128K RAM, an analog RGB video port, enhanced 640x192 graphics capability, a 64-color palette and much more. (All ports contained on the CoCo 1 and 2 models were also available on the CoCo3, e.g. RS-232 serial, cassette, right and left joystick and a 40-pin expansion slot.)
The built-in Language, named Disk Extended Color Basic 2.1, was a Microsoft BASIC with enhancements by Microware. It was similar to that of the CoCo2, but Microware added the commands/functions to take advantage of the higher resolution graphics and text.
The CoCo3 was upgradeable to 512 KB RAM. (After-market RAM upgrades have gone as high as 8MB, with rumors that 16MB and 32MB RAM upgrades may also be possible). A Multi-Pak (a 4-port bus expander) plugged into the Expansion Slot allowed use of controllers for floppy disk drives, hard drives (MFM, RLL, SCSI and now even IDE), multi-port true RS-232 devices, MIDI units and much much more.
As its microprocessor was still an 8 bit (strange choice when Atari and Commodore were using a 68000), it couldn't access simultaneously to the 128k (or 512k), and thus used several RAM banks which could be switched (as the Thomson TO8, or MSX 2 computers).
Unlike the CoCo and CoCo II the 3 had an interrupt controller. This did away with a lot of the timing loops used in its predecessors, and actually took some of the fun out of programming in Machine Language.
Tandy made several prototypes of a Color Computer model IV but it was never released.
I have uploaded scans of the system manuals, in PDF on skydrive, the Public address is https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid$c1a7e9824022ad17$resid$C1A7E9824022AD17!732
I have some of the most common hardware manuals there too, if you are looking for another manual, most likely I have it.
The manuals are for all 3 Color Computers ( 1, 2, and 3) Schematics and repair manual included.
Please archive these manuals, I don''t know how long I will keep them there, or add them to Old-Computers.com as a direct download.
Does anyone know if the COCO 3 FPGA project has been put into a low cost ASIC chip... i.e. a single ASIC chip Coco 3... I''m wanting to use one instead of a PIC or embedded processor ... It would be great if I could get a single chip coco 3 with the functions of the coco 3 ( Enhanced ) and the functionality of a PIC... I''d love to buy one ...
Monday 27th June 2011
Lez Anderson (England)
The CoCo3FPGA SOC actually started on the Xylinx platform, and was fairly recently ported to Altera. My blog shows my build of the CoCo3FPGA, put into an old CoCo 3 case.
If you want more info about CoCo3FPGA, see the Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CoCo3FPGA/
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