Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting a video display terminal (VDT) to display variable-intensity pictorial information. The pictorial information is received as serial digital data which is stored in a digital memory. Following this load operation, the stored data are read from the memory under control of VDT synchronization signals, converted to analog signals, and displayed. A variety of formats are possible, including pictorial information only and a concurrent display of pictorial and alphanumeric information. An apparatus permitting concurrent display of variable-intensity and alphanumeric information is disclosed.