February 8, 2026
Genlock and Load
The Scriptovision Super Micro Script video titler is almost a home computer
Retro fans say it’s a computer; editors say it’s a fancy label maker
TLDR: A 1985 Montreal video titler with computer-like parts may be revived via new chips and a software emulator. The community is split between “it’s basically a computer” and “it’s just a text box,” with Canadians proud and jokesters stoking retro drama.
Canada’s retro crowd is buzzing over a Montreal-made TV text box from 1985—the Scriptovision Super Micro Script—that turns live video into colorful titles and, thanks to its home-computer guts, might be reborn. Under the hood: a Motorola brain, a video chip like old PCs, and a rare built-in genlock so it overlays cleanly. Hackers are eyeing those swap-ready ROM chips, planning a handmade serial port (a simple text cable) and a MAME emulator to code without the hardware. One snag: the unit currently shows no picture. Cue the fix-it frenzy.
The comments went full popcorn mode. Nostalgia nerds swooned—“Love deep dives,” cheered msephton—while practical video editors rolled their eyes: “It’s a fancy label maker.” Purists argued you need a keyboard and storage to call it a computer; tinkerers clapped back: “CPU + video = computer.” Canadians flexed national pride: “Add it to the NABU hall of fame” with NABU memes. Jokes flew: “Chyron for the suburbs,” “Genlock? I barely know her,” and “Tim Hortons-tier tech.” The spiciest take dubbed it “NABU’s artsy cousin.” Drama aside, the crowd’s hooked on whether this nearly-a-computer can be revived, emulated, and made to sing on modern screens.
Key Points
- •The Scriptovision Super Micro Script (circa 1985) is a Canadian-made standalone video titler designed and manufactured in Montréal.
- •It outputs 32x16 or 10x4 character layers with 64x32 block graphics in eight colors and includes a built-in genlock for composite video overlay.
- •Internally it uses a Motorola 6800-family microcontroller and a Motorola 6847 VDG, similar to 1980s home computer architectures.
- •The unit’s socketed EPROMs enable potential firmware extraction/replacement; current issues include nonsensical ROM contents and no video output.
- •Planned work includes repairing the device, adding a bitbanged serial port, and creating a MAME emulation driver for rapid software development.