VT62 DECscope

This document is the User's Guide for the VT62 DECscope, a buffered CRT video display terminal manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation. Published in June 1978, it serves as an input/output (I/O) device for host processors, designed primarily for commercial data capture and retrieval applications by non-technical personnel.

Key features of the VT62 include:

• A 24-line, 80-character display terminal, supporting uppercase and lowercase ASCII characters.
• A standard typewriter-layout main keyboard and a 19-key numeric/special function auxiliary keypad, featuring programmable function keys and adjustable keyclick.
• A formatted split-screen display, divided into a "Display Area" for operator prompting and information, and a "Form Area" for data entry, with program-controlled layout.
• Real-time local data checking and error notification, signaling operator errors with an audible tone, error light, and descriptive messages loaded by the host.
• Eight Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) indicating terminal status and operating modes.
• Support for multipoint DDCMP block-oriented communication, operating as a polled slave station.
• Configurable for EIA synchronous (up to 4800 baud) or asynchronous (up to 9600 baud), and 20 mA asynchronous (up to 9600 baud) current loop communication.
• A printer option to dump screen content or send text.

The guide provides comprehensive information on the terminal's installation, setup, operation, and maintenance. It details procedures for site planning, unpacking, performing off-line acceptance tests, and configuring communications options. It also describes operator controls, keyboard functions, LED indicators, and outlines concepts for user programming by the host computer, covering command and response protocols, screen format, field definitions, and error messages. Basic user maintenance, such as cleaning, and available DEC maintenance arrangements are also included.