[[File:MSX Sony HitBit HB-10P.jpg|thumb|right|MSX Sony HitBit HB-10P]][[File:MSX2.jpg|thumb|right|MSX2 Sony HitBit HB-F1]][[File:MSX2+ Sony HB-F1XDJ.jpg|thumb|right|MSX2+ Sony HitBit HB-F1XDJ]][[File:MSX Turbo-R Panasonic FS-A1ST.jpg|thumb|right|MSX Turbo-R Panasonic FS-A1ST]][[File:MSX BASIC.jpg|thumb|right|MSX BASIC]][[File:Msx-dos.jpg|thumb|right|MSX-DOS]]'''MSX''' was a standardized range of [[Z80 ]] based 8 bit computers developed by Microsoft and various (mostly) Japanese producers to exploit... Microsoft Software.
MSX stands for "Machines with Software eXchangeability".
MSX-DOS was binary compatible with [[CP/M]], allowing access to its vast library of available software.
'''4 generations of MSX were produced''', each with it's own system specs upgrades and retro compatible with past specifications.
The MSX 2 introduced hardware vertical scrolling but it wasn't until the MSX2+ that the MSX could do proper hardware horizontal scrolling; the video card makes software scrolling very difficult, so only as of the MSX2+ and later is smooth scrolling available.
According to Kazuhiko Nishi, the creator of the MSX standard, the MSX sold about 3 million units in Japan and 1 million units overseas. [https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253320 Source (JP)]
The MSX was perhaps to Japan what the CPC was to France (keeping to the proportions of course).
== Specifications ==
=== Unlike the [[Commodore 64]] and [[Atari 8-bit]] computers, the MSX 1 === Mandatory features:standard mandates the same Z80 CPU clock speed (3.579545 MHz, exactly the NTSC color subcarrier frequency) for both PAL and NTSC machines.
*CPU Zilog Z80A compatible However, PAL and NTSC still have to be taken into consideration when developing a game, as there is less time to do updates at 3.579 MHz (8-bit)*RAM 60 Hz than it does at least 8kB. (Most of machines had 64kB built in.)*32kB Main-ROM containing the BIOS and MSX-BASIC version 1.0)*Video Display Processor50 Hz: 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 keysIn games made for 60 Hz, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keysthe CPU sits idle for 20% of the time when running at 50Hz. Caps and Accents/Dead keys are optional)*Connectivity**One connector Games made for tape/data recorder**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 Hz and Sound IN may which utilise the full CPU can not connected on expansion busrun properly at 60 Hz.**One or two General Purpose ports. The connector is a normal 9-pin D-connector, male. (Game controllers and paddle controllers are optional)
Optional features:This is why when developing a game, it’s best to make it targeted for 60 Hz. Then it will be much easier to get it to work at both frequencies.
*Kanji-ROM level 1*Floppy disk drive interface**16kB Disk-ROM containing the Disk BASIC and === Generation 0: Precursors to 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===
The machines in Generation 0 are considered the foundational steps toward the creation of the MSX standard. While not officially part of the MSX family, they share significant hardware similarities with MSX1 systems.
=== MSX 2 ===Systems: ColecoVision, Sega SG-1000, Sega SC-3000, Spectravideo SV-318/328.
Mandatory featuresShared Components with MSX1:* ColecoVision, Sega SG-1000 and SC-3000 feature the same CPU (Zilog Z80A) and Video Display Processor (Texas Instruments TMS-9918 series) as MSX1 machines.* These systems use the Texas Instruments SN76489 sound chip, which is closely related to the General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG) found in MSX1.* The SV-318/328 computers use identical CPU, VDP, and PSG hardware to MSX1, with the SVI-BASIC by Microsoft being very similar to MSX-BASIC.
*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, ASCII's president Kazuhiko Nishi saw the latter has potential in the possibility of Spectravideo computer system. He wanted to make a RAMdisk bigger than 32kB in BASIC).*RAM: Minimum world standard for home computers out of 64kB*Video Display Processor: Yamaha V9938 (backward compatible with TMSthe SV-9918 and TMS-9928).**Video RAM at least 64kB (usually 128kB in almost all machines).*At least 70 keys (including five programmable function keys328 design, Graph, Code/Hangul/Kana/РУС, Select, Stop and four arrow keyscalled the MSX standard. Caps and Accents/Dead keys are optional)Spectravideo agreed with this, QWERTY with JIS or 50 Onjun key layout for Japanese keyboards.*General Instrument AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator. 8 octaves and 3 sound channelsASCII started to make some small changes of the design.*RTC compatible with RP5C01*Connectivity**One connector for tape[https://data recorder**At least one expansion BUS or cartridge slotwww. Usually it is the cartridge slotsamdal. An expansion BUS must have the standard 50 pin. The pins -com/+12V and Sound IN may not connected on expansion bussvhistory.**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 interfacehtm Source]
Optional features<gallery>File:Spectravideo SV-328.jpg|Spectravideo SV-328File:Spectravideo basic.jpg|SVI-BASICFile:Kazuhiko Nishi with Bill Gates.jpg|Kazuhiko Nishi with Bill Gates</gallery>
*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 === Generation 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): MSX1 ===
The MSX1 represents the first official generation of the MSX standard, introduced in 1983.
=== * '''CPU:''' Zilog Z80A @ 3.579 MHz (8-bit)* '''RAM:''' 8 KB to 64 KB* '''Operating System:''' MSX 2+ ===BASIC v1.0* '''Video Display Processor (VDP):''' Texas Instruments TMS-9918, TMS-9928, or TMS-9929* '''Video RAM (VRAM):''' 16 KB* '''Sound:''' General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG)
Mandatory featuresNote:MSX1 machines were produced by various manufacturers (e.g., Sharp, Toshiba, Yamaha), leading to minor hardware variations in CPU, VDP, and PSG components.
*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=== Generation 2: backward compatible with the TMS9918/TMS9928 and V9938. The V9938's light pen and mouse support circuitry was removed in the V9958.**VRAM 128kB*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**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)===
Optional features:Introduced in 1985, the MSX2 brought significant upgrades over its predecessor, enhancing graphics and memory capabilities.
*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 '''CPU:''' Zilog Z80A @ 3.5" floppy drive built in 579 MHz (2HD is supported by the MX8-2021 onlybit)*MSX-MUSIC**OPLL YM2413, 9-channel FM synthesizer'''RAM:''' 64 KB to 256 KB (expandable)**16kB FM-BASIC ROM'''Memory:''' Memory Mapper system*'''Operating System:''' MSX-AUDIO with up to 256kB of SampleRAMBASIC v2.0 or v2.1*RS-232C'''Video Display Processor (VDP):''' Yamaha V9938*Light pen'''Video RAM (VRAM):''' 64 KB or 128 KB*MSX'''Sound:''' General Instruments AY-Interface 3-8910 PSG or compatible (J3125 chipe.g., Yamaha YM2149)
=== Generation 3: MSX2+ ===
=== MSX Turbo R ===The MSX2+, released in 1988, offered further refinements, primarily in graphics and sound, and was marketed mainly in Japan.
Mandatory features* '''CPU:''' Zilog Z80A @ 3.579 MHz (8-bit), switchable to 5.369 MHz on some models* '''RAM:''' 64 KB (expandable)* '''Memory:''' Memory Mapper system* '''Operating System:''' MSX BASIC v3.0* '''Video Display Processor (VDP):''' Yamaha V9958* '''Video RAM (VRAM):''' 128 KB* '''Sound:''' General Instruments AY-3-8910 PSG or compatible (e.g., Yamaha YM2149)* '''Additional Sound:''' Most machines include built-in MSX-MUSIC (Yamaha OPLL YM-2413)
*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 === Generation 4.0*Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor: backward compatible with the TMS9918/TMS9928 and V9938.**VRAM 128kB*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)turboR ===
Optional features:The MSX turboR, launched in 1990, was the final and most advanced iteration of the MSX standard, featuring a new 16-bit processor alongside the traditional Z80.
*Floppy disk drive interface '''CPU:''' ASCII R800 @ 7.159 MHz (all produced MSX turbo R computers except NIA16-2001 have onebit)**64kB Disk'''Secondary CPU:''' Zilog Z80A @ 3.579 MHz (8-ROM including the Disk BASICbit, MSX-DOS 1 and MSX-DOS 2 kernelsfor backward compatibility)**One '''RAM:''' 256 KB or two 1DD/2DD/2HD floppy disk drive, all Panasonic 512 KB (expandable)* '''Memory:''' Memory Mapper system* '''Operating System:''' MSX turbo R computers have a 2DD 3BASIC v4.5" floppy drive built in. 2HD is supported only by the MX-2021, that is not MSX tR0 or v4.1*Extended Kanji'''Video Display Processor (VDP): Level 3 with 24 bit font in option''' Yamaha V9958*'''Video RAM (VRAM):''' 128 KB* '''Sound:''' Yamaha YM2149 PSG* '''Additional Sound:''' Built-in MSX-MIDIMUSIC (Yamaha OPLL YM-2413)*RS'''PCM Synthesizer:''' 8-232Cbit, 16 kHz sample rate*'''Special Features:''' The MSX ViewturboR GT model includes a built-in MSX-MIDI interface.
<br>
*MSX-AUDIO OPL - Yamaha Y8950 [[Media:Y8950 MSX Audio 198608.pdf|Datasheet]] [[Media:Y8950am.pdf|Application manual]]
*MSX-MUSIC OPLL - Yamaha YM2413 [[Media:YM2413B(-F).pdf|Datasheet]] [[Media:Yamaha ym2413 frs.pdf|Application manual]]
*[https://download.file-hunter.com/Manuals/R800%20User%20Manual.pdf ASCII R800 CPU User Manual (japanese)] [https://www.angelfire.com/art2/unicorndreams/msx/Z80R800A.html Z80 and R800 opcode tables]*[[Media:Ricoh rp5c01.pdf|Ricoh RP05C01 RP5C01 Real Time Clock]]
<br>
* [https://map.grauw.nl MSX Assembly Page]
* [https://problemkaputt.de/portar.htm Noca$h's Portar Doc]
* [https://map.grauw.nl/resources/system/msxtech.pdf MSX Technical Data Book] [https://konamiman.github.io/MSX2-Technical-Handbook/ MSX2 Technical Handbook] [https://archive.org/details/MsxTurboRTechnicalHandBookOCR MSX Turbo-R Technical Handbook (japanese)]* [https://www.samdal.com/spectravideo.htm Roger's Spectravideo page]
* [https://youtu.be/AFRf87SqWrw MSX Computers - Scrolling, Sprites, and Stereotypes] by [[Displaced Gamers]]
* [https://youtu.be/xYr0Gsezx0U Sega Genesis & MSX Hybrid Console] by [[Lady Decade]]
* [https://youtu.be/9GrryZdhe3I Casio PV-7 computer: the worst MSX ?] by [[Olipix Retrotech]]
* [https://youtu.be/y49rWWlyBxs Le MSX, une machine 8 bits formidable (1983 - 1991)] by [[Rodrik Studio]]
[[Category:Non CPC Computers]]
[[Category:CP/M]]