{"id":20433,"date":"2025-01-21T13:48:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T18:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=20433"},"modified":"2026-02-19T09:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:06:54","slug":"vin46","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin46\/","title":{"rendered":"NABU VC4404"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>NABU VC4404<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-20435 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png\" alt=\"Carleton U Logo\" width=\"160\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-240x213.png 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-400x355.png 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-768x682.png 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-1536x1363.png 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-2048x1818.png 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-360x320.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-20437 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-160x160.jpg\" alt=\"canada logo\" width=\"97\" height=\"97\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-240x240.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 97px) 100vw, 97px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The NABU VC4404, also known as \u201cThe Chat,\u201d was a Canadian-made video display terminal introduced in 1982 by Volker-Craig, later part of Ottawa-based NABU Manufacturing. Its most notable features included a Zilog Z80A CPU, a 12-inch anti-glare screen capable of displaying 24 lines of 80 characters, and robust connectivity via RS232C, making it compatible with a wide range of computers and early networks.<\/p>\n<p>The VC4404\u2019s claim to fame lies in its role as a key component of the innovative, Canadian-developed NABU Network-an early precursor to online services-demonstrating Canada\u2019s pioneering efforts in personal computing and networked information delivery, though it ultimately remained a niche product with limited commercial success outside institutional and development settings in Canada.<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-21019\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"NABU VC4404\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20250508_131452294-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Volker-Craig (later part of Ottawa-based NABU Manufacturing)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Video display terminal<\/li>\n<li><strong>Release Date<\/strong>: 1982<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: USD $695 (CAD ~$2,500 adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.58 (580 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Hardware Specifications<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Zilog Z80A running at 3.58 MHz16<\/li>\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 12&#8243; anti-glare screen, 24 lines x 80 characters per line114<\/li>\n<li><strong>Memory<\/strong>: 64 KB RAM6<\/li>\n<li><strong>Graphics<\/strong>: Texas Instruments TMS9918A video chip with 16 KB RAM4<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sound<\/strong>: General Instrument AY-3-8910 sound chip4<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keyboard<\/strong>: Detachable QWERTY keyboard with upper\/lower case characters1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connectivity<\/strong>: EIA RS232C communications interface1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Data rates<\/strong>: 110 to 19,200 baud<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"TextRun SCXW136206418 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW136206418 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW136206418 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>The NABU VC4404 was a video display terminal rather than a standalone personal computer, so it did not have its own operating system or native programming languages<\/li>\n<li>When paired with the NABU 1100, the typical operating system was CP\/M, allowing users to run languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, Pascal, and assembly language on the host computer. The VC4404 itself simply displayed output and sent input, acting as an interface to the software running on the connected computer.<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-23611\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-400x533.jpg\" alt=\"NABU VC4404\" width=\"400\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-240x320.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-160x213.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-1153x1536.jpg 1153w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-1538x2048.jpg 1538w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-360x479.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260218_195254164-scaled.jpg 1922w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Notables<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The NABU VC4404 represents an interesting piece of Canadian computer history, showcasing the early days of video display terminals and their role in the evolving personal computer market of the 1980s. It was operational at the faculty of Engineering at Carleton University.<\/li>\n<li>The NABU VC4404 was nicknamed\u00a0<strong>&#8220;The Chat&#8221;<\/strong>\u00a0and was also known as the Volker-Craig VC4404<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\">It was a Canadian-designed video display terminal, notable for its compatibility with a wide range of computers via RS232C and for supporting baud rates up to 19,200, which was high for its era<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\">Its claim to fame was its role in the\u00a0<strong>NABU Network<\/strong>, a pioneering Canadian system for delivering software and information over cable TV, making it an early precursor to online services<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"my-0\">The VC4404 stands out in Canadian computing history as an example of early innovation in networked information delivery and personal computing interfaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>Volker-Craig Ltd. was a pioneering Canadian manufacturer of video display terminals, founded in 1973 by Michael C. Volker and Ronald G. Craig. Both founders were alumni of the University of Waterloo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>Donated by<\/strong>: Carleton University Faculty of Engineering<\/p>\n<p><strong>Carleton University<\/strong>: Was used to connect to Carleton&#8217;s CP6 mainframe<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canadian<\/strong>: The NABU Network was a pioneering Canadian initiative in the early 1980s that foreshadowed many aspects of modern internet and online services. Launched in Ottawa in October 1983, it was among the first commercial computer networks to deliver high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes via cable television<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-20437\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-160x160.jpg\" alt=\"canada logo\" width=\"160\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-240x240.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/canada.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-20435 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png\" alt=\"Carleton U Logo\" width=\"160\" height=\"142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-160x142.png 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-240x213.png 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-400x355.png 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-768x682.png 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-1536x1363.png 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-2048x1818.png 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/B_Logo_V-RGBRedBlackonLight150_130821-360x320.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NABU VC4404 The NABU VC4404, also known as \u201cThe Chat,\u201d was a Canadian-made video display terminal introduced in 1982 by Volker-Craig, later part of Ottawa-based NABU Manufacturing. Its most notable features included a Zilog Z80A CPU, a 12-inch anti-glare screen capable of displaying 24 lines of 80 characters, and robust connectivity via RS232C, making it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NABU VC4404 - 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