THE MSX2 COMPUTER
2.1 MSX2 Standard definition and remarks
- Main RAM at least 64kB (e.g. Sony-HBF700 has 256kB RAM) (Internally
expandable to 4MB with the Memory Mapper system, more can be achieved with
connecting multiple Memory Mappers with a slot-expander)
- 32kB BASIC/BIOS and 16kB SUBROM (MSX BASIC V2.0 or 2.1, 2.1 has
the possibility of a RAMDISK bigger than 32kB in BASIC).
- New Video Display Processor Yamaha V9938 (Backward compatible with TMS-9918 & TMS-9928).
- Video RAM at least 64kB (usually 128kB in almost all machines, expandable
to 196kB with 64kB ERAM, which can not be displayed, but can be used internally as a
databank).
- Real time clock chip with rechargeable battery.
- Most of produced MSX2 machines had built in at least one disk drive (360kB or 720kB 3,5").
This list contains ofcourse only specs that differs from an MSX1 machine.
2.2 Graphic capabilities
Screen modes from 0 to 3 are the same as on MSX1, except that in
screen 0 the 80 column mode is always available and that the colours can be
selected from a 512 colour palette.
Mode | Resolution |
Colours | Size | Description
|
4
|
256*192
|
16 of 512 RGB
|
16kB
|
Graphic Mode
|
5
|
256*212/424
|
16 of 512 RGB
|
32kB
|
Graphic Mode
|
6
|
512*212/424
|
4 of 512 RGB
|
32kB
|
Graphic Mode
|
7
|
512*212/424
|
16 of 512 RGB
|
54kB
|
Graphic Mode
|
8
|
256*212/424
|
256 (no pallette)
|
54kB
|
Graphic Mode
|
- Note: the 424 lines can only be displayed in interlace mode!
2.2.1 What are the screen modes used for?
- SCREEN 4
- Almost the same as Screen 2. Used on some
MSX2 games
- E.g. Pennant Race 2 and Space Manbow by Konami.
- SCREEN 5
- Used by very much MSX2 games/drawing
programs, because there are 4 pages available
- E.g. DD GRAPHICS by T&E SOFT/GRAPH SAURUS V2.0 by BIT2...
- SCREEN 6
- Used by DTP programs and some disk magazines.
- E.g. Dynamic Publisher/Aladin/SYNTAX (Danish disk magazine)
- SCREEN 7
- Used by some games/most disk magazines and other
software.
- E.g. the drawing tool CHEESE by NEOS, Graph Saurus V2.0 by BIT2,
Sunrise Magazine, FutureDisk, ...
- SCREEN 8
- Used for displaying digitized images/drawing nice pictures. Not used much for games due to lack of
possibility to redefine colours like in screen 4,5,6 &7
- E.g. Video Graphics by Philips, Video Graphics by JVC, Graph Saurus V2.0 by BIT2...
2.3 Special MSX2 machines
- Daewoo 400S
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Superimposing capabilities
- Separate keyboard
- 2 drives
- RAM in slot 0,0? = lots of software will not work
- JVC HC-95
- 64kB RAM
- 2nd CPU HD 64180 (doubles the speed).
- National FS-5500F1
- 64kB RAM
- Digitizing and superimposing capabilities.
- Separate keyboard with ball-mouse
- Philips
NMS-8255
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Separate keyboard with numeric keypad and 2nd drive in front panel (the
8250 is the same, but with one drive)
- RGB-SCART/CVBS/RF output
- Grey/black desktop case
- Philips
NMS-8280
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Digitizing and superimposing capabilities
- Separate keyboard and 2 drives in front panel
- Sony
HB-F500
- 64kB RAM / 128kB VRAM
- Separate keyboard with numeric key pad
- 2nd drive connector
- White/grey desktop case
- Sony
HB-F700
- 256kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Separate keyboard with numeric key pad
- 2nd drive connector
- External power supply is needed if connecting 2nd drive
- White/grey desktop case
- To obtain colour output use RGB capable monitor or TV. The CVBS socket
gives only B/W output
- Sony
HB-F900
- 256kB RAM / 128kB VRAM
- (Digitizing?) and superimposing capabilities
- 2 disk drives
- Separate keyboard with numeric keypad
- Black desktop case
- Sony
HB-G900
- 64kB RAM (not in a Memory Mapper!)/128kB VRAM
- Slot 0 is expanded (trouble!)
- Superimposing capabilities
- RS232C interface (for connecting modem or Laser Disc Players like the
Sony LDP-180P)
- Space for 2nd drive in front panel
- Separate keyboard with numeric keypad (the same as the F700, but without
the logo)
- White desktop case
- Built in software (ROM) for controlling Sony
laser disc player (LDP-180p) from MSX-BASIC (_LDPINIT, _LDPSRCH, _LDPFRM,
_LDPSTART, _LDPOUT, _LDPSTAT, _LDPWAIT, _GLOAD, _GSAVE, _LDPEND,
_INDEXON, _INDEXOFF, ESCON, _ESCOFF, _LDPCONT, _ASW(), _LDPSTOP,
_SLFONT())
- Built in RS232C software to control the interface from basic (see the
MSX1 page (_COMINI, etc.))
- A videotizer box (HBI-G900) is required to digitize pictures and record
superimposed screens with this computer
"Hit Bit in Orbit" - MSX2 Sony HB-G900 in space !
"A sony 900 has boldy gone where no MSX has
gone before... into space! To celeberate the 25th anniversary of the
Apollo mission, German televisionbroadcasted American and Soviet space
footage. Whilst watching images of the interior of the Russian space
staition Mir, Gerd Pepela recognised his computer - a Sony 900 with
genlocker. He managed to capture this on video. The pictures are a
little fuzzy - but you'd recognise your own machine anywhere,
wouldnt you? Mir was launched on 19 February 1986 to an orbit of 241
miles."
From: MSX-LINK CHIP CHAT (January 1995)
- Yamaha
AX-350
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Builtin ROM with PAINT programme (available once in Poland) - a drawing program which could be used in the interlaced mode
Note: some of these pictures were taken from Maurizio's site. The picture-dir is
here.
Thanks to Patriek Lesparre of MSX Banzai to let me use some of these pics.
More pictures are on The FUNET FTP
MSX-hardware pictures directory!
2.4 Software
MSX2 software was and is supplied on 360kB and 720kB disks and as well
in Mega ROM modules, but ofcourse the (old?) MSX1 software can also be used on
this MSX, in any form.
|
CD SEQUENTIAL
Made by EUROSOFT. A normal CD-PLAYER is required to load
the games, through the cassette recorder connector of an MSX1 or MSX2
computer, so it isn't especially for MSX2, but there are some MSX2 games on
it
|
|
The GAMES COLLECTON CD
|
Games available on this CD:
747 499b Flightsimulator
|
Discovery
|
Playhouse Strippoker
|
Astroblaster
|
Eagle Control
|
Quebert
|
Bankbuster MSX2 (*)
|
Frog
|
Red Dawn
|
Blow-Up
|
Guttblaster
|
SAR
|
Boom
|
Haunted House
|
Scentipede
|
Booty
|
Jet Fighter
|
Space Rescue
|
Breaker-Breaker
|
Kong
|
Starbite
|
Burgerkill
|
Missile Command
|
Starbuggy
|
Chessplayer MSX1
|
Penguin
|
Time Rider
|
Chessplayer MSX2 (*)
|
Pharaoh's Revenge
|
Vortex Raider
|
Chopper One
|
Pinball Blaster
|
Winterhawk
|
The MSX2 games need 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM, and the rest runs on MSX1 with 64kB RAM.
------
MSX2/2+/Turbo R software is still produced by local user
groups/programmers nowadays
2.4.1 What do I need to run the newest MSX2 software?
- MSX2 computer with at least 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
(but people are speaking of putting 256kB up as a standard)
- Double sided disk drive (3,5" 720kB) and if you like a SCSI/IDE harddisk/ZIP drive/SYQUEST drive.
- MSX-MUSIC or/and MSX-AUDIO orMoonsound music cartridge(s)
- Some of the newest games requires GFX9000 graphic card
- Recommended: More RAM/7MHz Z80H kit/MSX2+ or
Turbo R computer
2.5 Companies which produced MSX2 computers
Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, National, Philips, Sakhr (Yamaha),
Talent, Telematica, Toshiba, Yamaha, Daewoo, etc.(?)
For a complete list, check out The MSX Hardwarelist
Back to the FAQ's index!