The new Teletext-C128 viewer from The8BitTheory transforms the Commodore 128 into a functioning Videotext terminal. This clever program taps directly into modern data streams, displaying live ARD Teletext pages straight from the internet. With a C128, 64kB of VRAM, and a WiC64 network interface, users can experience broadcast-style text information as it appeared in the golden age of television.
Using the VDC chip’s 640×225 resolution, the Teletext-C128 viewer renders 16×9 pixel characters that replicate the classic Teletext look. The project demonstrates how 8-bit hardware can still interact with contemporary web services. Instead of relying on static files or emulation, it connects to the actual ARD server at ard-text.de, retrieving and parsing live data.
All of this happens in real time using hand-written 6502 assembly code. The program extracts HTML data from the ARD site, processes it on the fly, and displays the text exactly as viewers once saw on their TVs. It’s a remarkable technical accomplishment that bridges a 1980s microcomputer with a 2020s information service.
The8BitTheory’s approach highlights what makes retro computing so engaging: practical innovation with historical flair. By using the C128’s VDC graphics and the WiC64’s networking abilities, the project blends old and new technology seamlessly. Users can download the D64 image, load it on their C128 setup, and instantly explore Teletext as if tuning in to a vintage broadcast.
For C128 owners seeking something unique, this viewer offers a nostalgic yet modern experience. It shows that creativity on 8-bit systems is alive and well, with the Teletext-C128 connecting decades of computing history through code, color blocks, and scrolling news headlines.
