Changes
MSX
,/* History */
A "serious" computer mostly used as home computer for gaming purpose by kids.
== Specifications ==
=== MSX 1 ===
Standard features Obligatory:
*CPU Zilog Z80A compatible at 3.579 MHz (8-bit)
*RAM at least 8kB. (Most of machines had 64kB built in.)
*32kB Main-ROM containing the BIOS and MSX-BASIC version 1.0)
*Video Display Processor: Texas Instruments TMS-9918/TMS-9928/TMS-9929
**Video RAM 16kB
*General Instrument AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator. 8 octaves and 3 sound channels.
*At least 70 keys (including five programmable function keys, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keys. Caps and Accents/Dead keys are optional)
*Connectivity
**One connector for tape/data recorder. Transfer speed: 1200 or 2400 baud in MSX-BASIC (FSK format). The speed can be altered though, with some POKEing or easily in Machine Language programs.
**At least one expansion BUS or cartridge slot. Usually it is the cartridge slot. An expansion BUS must have the standard 50 pin. The pins -/+12V and Sound IN may not connected on expansion bus.
**One or two General Purpose ports. The connector is a normal 9-pin D-connector, male. (Game controllers and paddle controllers are optional)
Standard features Optional:
*Kanji-ROM level 1
*Floppy disk drive interface
**16kB Disk-ROM containing the Disk BASIC and MSX-DOS 1 kernel
**Floppy disk drive 3.5 or 5.25 inch. Some MSX1 computers were sold together with a disk-drive interface and a 360kB (single sided) floppy drive, mostly 3.5" but also 5.25" (mainly used in Brazil, but in the beginning also in the Netherlands)
*Printer interface (8-bit, output only, Centronics 14 pin) (optional, but is actually available on most MSX1 computers)
*MSX-AUDIO with up to 256kB of sample RAM
=== MSX 2 ===
Standard features Obligatory:
*CPU Zilog Z80A compatible at 3.579 MHz (8-bit)
*32kB BASIC/BIOS ROM and 16kB Sub-ROM (MSX-BASIC version 2.0 or 2.1, the latter has the possibility of a RAMdisk bigger than 32kB in BASIC).
*RAM: Minimum of 64kB
*Video Display Processor: Yamaha V9938 (backward compatible with TMS-9918 and TMS-9928).
**Video RAM at least 64kB (usually 128kB in almost all machines, expandable to 192kB but the standard only provides for a maximum of 128kB, this extra VRAM can not be displayed and is only accessible via the VDP commands).
*At least 70 keys (including five programmable function keys, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keys. Caps and Accents/Dead keys are optional), QWERTY with JIS or 50 Onjun key layout for Japanese keyboards.
*General Instrument AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator. 8 octaves and 3 sound channels.
*RTC compatible with RP5C01
*Connectivity
**One connector for tape/data recorder. Transfer speed: 1200 or 2400 baud in MSX-BASIC (FSK format). The speed can be altered though, with some POKEing or easily in Machine Language programs.
**At least one expansion BUS or cartridge slot. Usually it is the cartridge slot. An expansion BUS must have the standard 50 pin. The pins -/+12V and Sound IN may not connected on expansion bus.
**Two General Purpose ports. The connector is a normal 9-pin D-connector, male. (Game controllers, graphic tablet, mice, paddle controllers are optional)
**One Printer interface
Standard features Optional:
*Memory Mapper, makers have to use it for computers and memory expansions more than 64kB RAM.
*Kanji Display
**16kB Kanji Driver ROM
**16kB Single Kanji Conversion or MSX-JE ROM
**Kanji-ROM JIS Level 1 or 2
*Floppy disk drive interface
**16kB Disk ROM including the Disk-BASIC and MSX-DOS1 kernel
**One or two 3.5 inch 1DD/2DD/2HD floppy disk drive, many MSX2 computers have a 1DD or 2DD 3.5" floppy drive built in (2HD is supported by the MX-2021 only)
*MSX-MUSIC
**OPLL YM2413, 9-channel FM synthesizer)
**16kB FM-BASIC ROM
*MSX-AUDIO with up to 256kB of sample RAM
*RS-232C
*Light pen
*MSX-Interface (J3125 chip)
=== MSX 2+ ===
Standard features Obligatory:
*CPU Zilog Z80A compatible at 3.579 MHz (8-bit)
*At least 64kB RAM with Memory Mapper.
*32kB Main-ROM and 16kB Sub-ROM containing BIOS/MSX-BASIC version 3.0, with the instructions adding screen scrolling, three new screen modes (see below) and the display of Kanji modes
*Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor: backward compatible with the TMS9918/TMS9928 and V9938 (for more info: V9958 MSX Video Technical Data Book). The V9938's light pen and mouse support circuitry was removed in the V9958. (It was never used except by a few machines - see here)
**VRAM 128kB (expandable to 192kB but the standard only provides for a maximum of 128kB, this extra VRAM can not be displayed and is only accessible via the VDP commands)
*At least 70 keys (including five programmable function keys, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keys. Caps and Accents/Dead keys are optional), QWERTY with JIS key layout for Japanese keyboards.
*Kanji Display (Japanese computers only)
**Kanji-ROM JIS Level 1
**16kB Kanji Driver ROM
**16kB Single Kanji Conversion or MSX-JE ROM
*General Instrument AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator. 8 octaves and 3 sound channels.
*RTC compatible with RP5C01
*Soft/Hard reset
*Connectivity
**One tape/data recorder connector. Transfer speed: 1200 or 2400 baud in MSX-BASIC (FSK format). The speed can be altered though, with some POKEing or easily in Machine Language programs.
**At least one expansion BUS or cartridge slot. Usually it is the cartridge slot. An expansion BUS must have the standard 50 pin. The pins -/+12V and Sound IN may not connected on expansion bus. (In fact, all produced MSX2+ have only MSX cartridge slots)
**Two General Purpose ports. The connector is a normal 9-pin D-connector, male. (Game controllers, graphic tablet, mice, paddle controllers are optional)
**One Printer interface (The printer is optional)
Standard features Optional:
*Kanji-ROM JIS Level 2
*Floppy disk drive interface
**16kB Disk-ROM including the Disk-BASIC and MSX-DOS1 kernel
**One or two 3.5 inch 1DD/2DD/2HD floppy disk drive, almost all produced MSX2+ machines have a 2DD 3.5" floppy drive built in (2HD is supported by the MX-2021 only)
*MSX-MUSIC
**OPLL YM2413, 9-channel FM synthesizer)
**16kB FM-BASIC ROM
*MSX-AUDIO with up to 256kB of SampleRAM
*RS-232C
*Light pen
*MSX-Interface (J3125 chip)
=== MSX Turbo R ===
Standard Features Obligatory:
*CPU Zilog Z80A compatible at 3.579 MHz (8-bit) and R800 at 7.159MHz
*At least 256kB RAM with Memory Mapper.
*32kB Main-ROM and 16kB Sub-ROM containing BIOS and MSX-BASIC version 4.0
*Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor: backward compatible with the TMS9918/TMS9928 and V9938 (for more info: V9958 MSX Video Technical Data Book).
**VRAM 128kB (expandable to 192kB but the standard only provides for a maximum of 128kB, this extra VRAM can not be displayed and is only accessible via the VDP commands)
*At least 70 keys (including five programmable function keys, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keys. Caps, Accents/Dead and, 実行/Execute, 取消/Cancel keys are optional), QWERTY with JIS key layout for Japanese keyboards.
*Kanji Display (Japanese computers only)
**Kanji-ROM JIS Level 1 & 2
**16kB Kanji Driver ROM
**16kB Single Kanji Conversion or MSX-JE ROM
*Sound
**General Instrument AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator. 8 octaves and 3 sound channels.
**MSX-MUSIC built in: OPLL YM2413, 9-channel FM synthesizer), 16kB FM-BASIC ROM.
**PCM
*RTC compatible with RP5C01
*System Timer (E6h~E7h I/O ports)
*Soft/Hard reset
*Device disabler/enabler (F5h I/O port)
*Connectivity
**At least one cartridge slot. (In fact, all MSX turbo R have two MSX cartridge slots)
**Two General Purpose ports. The connector is a normal 9-pin D-connector, male. (Game controllers, graphic tablet, mice are optional)
**One Printer interface
**Mic IN (used for PCM sound recording)
Standard Features Optional:
*Floppy disk drive interface (all produced MSX turbo R computers except NIA-2001 have one)
**64kB Disk-ROM including the Disk BASIC, MSX-DOS 1 and MSX-DOS 2 kernels
**One or two 1DD/2DD/2HD floppy disk drive, all Panasonic MSX turbo R computers have a 2DD 3.5" floppy drive built in. 2HD is supported only by the MX-2021, that is not MSX tR.
*Extended Kanji: Level 3 with 24 bit font in option
*MSX-MIDI
*RS-232C
*MSX View
== CPC connections ==
