The VIC-II (Video Interface Chip II), specifically known as the MOS Technology 6567/8562/8564 (NTSC versions), 6569/8565/8566 (PAL), is the microchip tasked with generating Y/C/composite video graphics and DRAM refresh signals in the Commodore 64 and C128 home computers.

more info at '[l[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_VIC-II[wiki]

'[o]this is wiki copypasta. delete! —jangler'[/o]