THE MSX2 COMPUTER

2.1 MSX2 Standard definition and remarks

Main RAM at least 64kB (e.g. Sony HB-F700 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 version 2.0 or 2.1, the latter has the possibility of a RAMdisk bigger than 32kB in BASIC).
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 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").

Of course this list contains only specs that differ 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 palette)	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 in 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
SCREEN 6
- Used by DTP programs, some MSX-DOS GUIs 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 and 7
- E.g. Video Graphics by Philips, Video Graphics by JVC, Graph Saurus V2.0 by BIT²...

2.3 Special MSX2 machines

Daewoo CPC-400S
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Superimposing capabilities
- Separate keyboard
- 1 diskdrive
- only 1 cartridge slot
- RAM in slot 0-2, which means lots of software will not work
JVC HC-95
- 64kB RAM
- 2nd CPU HD 64180 (doubles the speed)
- Can control VHD player, like HD-9500 ([1] [2])
  The (known) VHD titles: (see also http://home2.highway.ne.jp/wszk/digital/hardware/old/msxetc.html and Generation MSX)
  - Highway Star (unreleased?)
  - VIA-1: VROOM - Motorcycle Race
  - VIA-2: The Players Club
  - VIA-3: Alice in Chemical Reaction: Alice's Chemical Laboratory
  - VIA-5: Star Arthur Densetsu; Wakusei Mephius (Star Arthur Legend; Planet Mephius)
  - VIA-1001: Thunder Storm
  - VIA-1501: Game Kit: Video Scramble
  - VIA-1502: Game Kit: Xevious Map
  - MVIA-101: Birdie Try
  - MVIA-102: Time Gal
  - Road Blaster
National FS-5500F2
- 64kB RAM
- Digitizing and superimposing capabilities
- Separate keyboard with ball-mouse
- 2 diskdrives
Philips NMS 8280
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- Digitizing and superimposing capabilities
- Separate keyboard and 2 drives in front panel
Sanyo AX-370
- 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM
- 5 builtin softwares
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)
You can download an MPEG-movie of this from the site of David Heremans.
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! And for more info on specific MSX2 computers, please check out the MSX Hardwarelist.

2.4 Software

MSX2 software was and is supplied on 360kB and 720kB disks and as well in (Mega) ROM modules, but of course the (old?) MSX1 software can also be used on this MSX, in any medium.

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 an unofficial standard)
Double sided disk drive (3,5" 720kB) and for convenience a SCSI/IDE harddisk/ZIP drive
MSX-MUSIC or/and MSX-AUDIO or Moonsound music cartridge(s) if you like to enjoy great sound
Some of the newest games require GFX9000 graphic card
Recommended: More RAM and a 7MHz (or higher) Z80H kit (for any MSX model) and of course it is cooler to have an 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!