The MOS 6567/6569 video controller (VIC-II)
and its application in the Commodore 64
Contents
3. Description of the VIC
3.7. Text/bitmap display
3.7.3. Graphics modes
3.7.3.4. Multicolor bitmap mode (ECM/BMM/MCM=0/1/1)
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Similar to the multicolor text mode, this mode also forms (twice as wide) pixels by combining two adjacent bits. So the resolution is reduced to 160×200 pixels.

The bit combination "01" is also treated as "background" for the sprite priority and collision detection, as in multicolor text mode.

c-access

Adresses
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
VM13 VM12 VM11 VM10 VC9 VC8 VC7 VC6 VC5 VC4 VC3 VC2 VC1 VC0

Data
11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Color of "11" pixels Color of "01" pixels Color of "10" pixels

g-access

Adresses
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
CB13 VC9 VC8 VC7 VC6 VC5 VC4 VC3 VC2 VC1 VC0 RC2 RC1 RC0

Data
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
4 pixels (2 bits/pixel)

"00": Background color 0 ($d021)
"01": Color from bits 4-7 of c-data
"10": Color from bits 0-3 of c-data
"11": Color from bits 8-11 of c-data