Abstract: A dual mode raster scanned character display system has a text mode of operation in which characters having a first matrix size are displayed on a CRT screen and a high resolution mode of operation in which display information is bit mapped on the CRT screen. Programmable font characters are stored in a memory and are accessed by controller characters generated in response to display requests supplied by an associated information source, such as a computer or a keyboard. Each controller character includes a special screen attribute multi-bit portion which is used to modify the font characters when coupled to a video signal generator unit to display reverse video, provide underline or strike through, specify one of two fixed intensities, suppress the character or provide a software function, such as CURSOR. In text mode, each character block has a fixed size appropriate to alphanumeric character generation, i.e.