Personal Computers of 1980. MSX the standard that evolves in Brazil and in the world (JMJG's first computer)
"When people talk about the MSX standard, I get tears in my eyes. It was my first computer, which I got from my parents, and I bought it used in 1987! (a new one was very expensive). That's how I started my story with computers and electronics." JMJG
The MSX standard means that it is a computer "architecture", and not a brand or manufacturer! For a computer to carry the MSX logo, it had to have certain characteristics, so that it could be considered worthy of carrying this symbol. The MSX standard was born in Japan (the beloved and beloved land of electronics) in 1983, and was created by a company there that was a kind of "subsidiary" of Microsoft.
MSX came about so that computers could have a "standard", that is, be compatible with each other, which today is universal, back then (1970-1980) it was not! Each manufacturer had its own architecture (IBM, Apple, Commodore, etc.) so, if you bought a computer, you had to use everything from the manufacturer, including accessories, cartridges and even the programs. Nothing was compatible!
The MSX came so that several manufacturers could develop computers, but so that an MSX accessory could work on another computer, regardless of its manufacturer! Sensational!
MSX has no meaning explained yet, some say that the M is (Microsoft), but it can also be "Machine" (machine), S is software and X (Exchangeability). But Japan claims that M is from Matsushita the fusion (National+Panasonic) S from "Sony" and X from (x-power). Anyway, either way MSX is the power of the 80s.
Practically all major manufacturers supported the idea and manufactured their MSX computers, and to this day it is possible to find MSX computers from various brands (Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, National, Philips, etc.).
And several countries also adopted the MSX standard, whichhi almost worldwide success, only the USA and England and a few other countries did not adopt the MSX standard, and developed their own standards.
The MSX standard was discontinued only in 1995, with the exclusive launch in Japan of the model MSX-TurboR (Panasonic). There were four MSX standards (MSX1, MSX2, MSX2+), with the MSX-TurboR being an exclusively Japanese model manufactured only by Panasonic.
In Brazil, the standard was very well represented by the major manufacturers, Gradiente and Sharp!
MSX1 Standard Basic Hardware
At a time when there were other famous architectures (Apple2, TRS-80, IBM-PC, ZX Spectrum, etc.) the MSX standard established the following basic hardware:
- Processor 8bits using the classic Z-80 (Zilog) with exact 3.58Mhz clock.
- VPU (video processor) from Texas Instruments TMS9918/TMS9128.
- PSG (Programmable Audio Generator) Audio Processor from General Instruments AY-3-8910 with 3 channels + noise and effects generator.
- Intel 8255A Peripheral Controller
- 16Kb of independent Video Memory accessed by the VPU.
- 64Kb of RAM (expandable up to 512kb)
32 Kb ROM+Microsoft Basic interpreter, loaded directly at Boot without an active operating system.
Cartridge Slot (at least 1)
I/O for K7 Tape (recorder for storing programs)
RGB+RCA Video Output
RCA Audio Output+Internal Speaker
Centronics Printer Output
Data Bus for accessories (disk drive, etc.)
Input for JoyStick DB9 Kempson (Atari 2600 standard)
This relatively "simple" hardware was very agile for the large applications of the time. The low cost of the MSX was its great advantage, in relation to other micros of the time, in addition to its compatibility with the CP/M and IBM-PC systems, since the floppy disks could be read on the MSX in DOS standards.
In Brazil two manufacturers produced their MSX models, Gradiente and Sharp, both companies that are standards in technological excellence. Although the models were very different from each other, they were completely compatible with each other (accessories, peripherals, programs, etc.).
Sharp HB- 8000 (HOTBIT)
Launched in 1985, this Sharp MSX was compact and well identified. It was a single piece, computer+keyboard, and had a built-in cartridge slot also in the keyboard. The first version was white and gray, but later there was a black version with the BR1.2 system+integrated K7 recorder. This model had preparations to be transformed into an MSX2 but it was never done by Sharp. In Brazil it is called "RotBait" and many schools adopted this model to teach computer science to children (I had my first computer classes with a HotBit at my school in 1987).
Expert Gradiente (XP-800)
Also released in 1985, the MSX Expert had a more modern and futuristic look adopted by most computers today. At the time, it cost around US$500 (it was expensive).
It had the CPU separated from the keyboard, which made the machine take up more space on the desk, but it could accommodate the monitor on top of the CPU, something that Sharp's "Hotbit" could not.
Another highlight is that the Expert had a Double Cartridge Slot in front pannel. The first version 1.0 (gray), was a standard basic MSX, but it was also widely explored and modified by Gradiente.
A Version 1.1 had corrections to the keyboard and accentuation, the Expert-PLus version had more memory and a video card with 80 columns.
The black top model DDPlus had a 3 1/2-inch floppy disk, built into the CPU, exactly on the right side of the slots, where there was already a space reserved for it, since the first generation. In MSX 1.1 and DD+ version also Reset Button and RF circuit Video signal was inserted in the inside of CPU (in the 1.0 version the RF circuit was external).
JMJG had an Expert 1.0, exactly the model in the photo.
Unfortunately, as it is today, Brazil was still very closed to technology, and there was a computer law, protecting national industries. The MSX standard remained stuck at 1, while in the rest of the world the MSX2, MSX2+ standards were born. There were the famous "conversion kits" that were sold, but everything was very expensive and rare.
The MSX in Brazil and in many places around the world became more famous for being a video game console than for actually being a computer! A sad fact, because it is actually a computer and not a game console. However, many applications were developed for it.
 |
| MSX EXPERT-GRADIENTE 1.0BR |
In terms of games, the MSX was a hit! Even more famous than the standard ATARI 2600, there were many companies developing games for it, which developed computing in Brazil. Electronic technicians and engineers (no, I hadn't graduated yet at the time) were also very well served, since the national market was closed to imports, and many "national kits" were developed and designed. The famous one was the MegaRAM kit, and the cartridge to connect disk-drive (5 1/4) and modem (Video Text) to the internet in 1980!
The keyboard was already standard QWERTY, with 88 keys, and had special keys that we don't find on standard PC computers today. The red key STOP (which was used to end the execution of programs in MSX-Basic), and the green keys RGRA LGRA (which were used to generate special characters that were used to create graphics in games). A red LED (IN USE) lit up to indicate that the keyboard was powered.
On the CPU console, there was a Power button (push style with retention), and an LED that indicated when the device was on or not. A Cartridge A Slot Always available on the left side,and already has a smart switch, which turns off the computer every time the lid is opened. This was a common problem at the time, it could easily burn out (Atari, etc.) because distracted users had the habit of inserting/removing cartridges with the equipment on.
Result: They would burn out the product. In the MSX-Expert, the engineers don't forget it and put a switch that turned off the product if the Slot door was opened. The two doors of cartridges are protect by the switch. Below are the DB9 connectors for standard Atari JoySticks, two so that up to 2 players could play at the same time.
On the right side, Cartridge B was available (exclusive to the Expert model), so that the user could better take advantage of combinations such as. The user could insert an floppy interface cartridge into A, and then a game into B, and run the game with Disk-Drive support, for example. In other words, Cartridge A has priority over Cartridge B, and any interface connected to A will run first. However It was not possible to run 2 game cartridges at same time, for example!
In order for the user to take advantage of and use both Slots at the same time, they should connect a special cartridge (interface or MEGARAM) to Slot A, and then Slot B would be available to run their games).
Rear Connections (Gray Expert)
On the back, there was a potentiometer to adjust the volume of the internal speaker (very cool), the RCA outputs (Audio+Video) to connect amplifiers and monochrome monitors. A DataCorder output for the K7 recorder (to record programs and load games, etc.) and an RGB output (to connect the color video interface) so we could use the MSX on the color television at home, wow! They all had a DIN style connector.
The BUS Expansion was a special MSX interface for connecting modems, serial printers, or disk-drive interfaces, etc. It was not possible to use peripherals that were not developed for the MSX standard.
The KeyboardInput, was a special input, a unique connector used by Gradiente. No other computer keyboard can be connected here. Only the Expert's own keyboard! The Printer Output, accepts only standard Centronics parallel printers! The fuse holder, the power outlet to connect monitor and recorder, and the voltage selector 127/240V!
The Expert DD+ model already had a slightly different back, had a "reset" key and did not have a "datacorder" since it had a 3 1/2 drive built-in.
The Expert's Manual was very technical, just like any computer of the time. Its user should have a good understanding of electronics and IT in order to make the most of it. The manual had small explanatory programs, developed especially so that the user could understand the "power" of his MSX. The video processor's 16-color capacity was highlighted, with white+colorless, well explored in graphics programs and games. There was also the connector pinout, in case technical users wanted to build/repair the connection cables with the peripherals. Other more technical information for building interfaces and expansion cartridges.
A Technical Manual on the Basic system was also provided, a kind of Basic Dictionary, which contained all the known commands and sample programs for each of them, thus encouraging the user to create their own programs, and even sell them to other users. Of course, there were companies that only did this, but at that time it was common for the user to create their own programs, since the computer had the command interpreter. A special MSX Expert demonstration cartridge was provided by Gradiente, so that the user could learn about the new features.
MSX Exclusive Peripherals
To connect standard PAL-M monitors (color) or even common televisions TV of the time, the user had to purchase a special peripheral. The TA-1 was a video switcher that "assembled" the component video signal using the RGB output provided by the VDP/VPU.
We could also connect more modern monitors or televisions via RCA video (composite), and on the other side, an antenna (flat parallel wire, those old ones) of 300 ohms, and RF output for a 300 ohm television as well.
The famous RF channel selection switch (3 or 4). The funny thing is that unlike the one used in the ATARI, this switcher was automatic, that is, when the MSX was turned on, it switched channel 3/4 on the MSX video signal by itself, without the user having to do it manually (as was done in the ATARI). Turning off the MSX, the switcher releases the antenna signal. normally.
At a time when computers rarely came with storage units, much less with Disk-Drivers (floppy disk readers), the K7 tape drive was the only cheap and popular alternative for data storage for the user. Many computers had interfaces for these devices, as well as having integrated K7 drives. For the MSX, K7 drives from recorders like these were supported, connected with a special cable. Normally, recorders of that time were MONO. The manufacturer recommended that the recorder have a "Tape counter", as this made it easier to know at which point on the tape a certain program existed.
The MIC was the microphone used to record MSX-BASIC data, the EAR was to load programs into MSX-BASIC, REM was an automatic control that turned the recorder's motor on or off when necessary.
The REM pin was optional, and models that did not have it worked well, but the user had to manually turn off the PLAY or REC buttons on the device. The K7 had a characteristic, it used FSK modulation, so it made a noise, similar to the modems that accessed the internet in the 90s, when they were reading/writing data.
This could be reduced in the MSX, (less irritating), by simply decreasing the volume of the MSX's internal speaker. Depending on the program, the loading process was slow, taking tens of minutes or more!
K7 recorders were cheap and very popular units in the 80s, but they were not the best storage units for computers. This was because each K7 recorder had its own quality, and this could hinder the recording/reading task. The volume, tone, motor speed, noises could affect the reading/writing of data. Therefore, it was common to have problems with losing programs recorded on tapes, or even lending a certain tape to a friend, since the computer's recorder would be different. The tape + the K7 recorder should be lent to reduce the risk of problems. This would change with the famous disk-drive units
In the future, 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 floppy disk drives became cheaper and became popular in computers. They were much more reliable and there would no longer be data recording problems like in K7 drives.
MSX-BASIC had instructions for reading/writing in K7 units (CSAVE, CLOAD) and other different ones for reading/writing in floppy disk-drive units (LOAD/SAVE).
MSX cartridges were state-of-the-art for their time. Reliable, stable and very resistant, they contained the famous ROMs of many games, programs or even special cartridges (interfaces for modems or disk drives). The cartridges had only one defect: they were very expensive! The fit was very different from the famous ATARI'S, which is why it was not possible to run ATARI games on the MSX and vice-versa. Some titles had a version on K7 and then on cartridge, with a good difference in price between them.
The cartridges were much more finished and came in cases or packaging, many of them bringing beautiful prints and manuals.
The Cartridge had a huge advantage that the K7 tape did not have: the reading speed was extremely fast, almost instantaneous! Today we had the same result in SSD or NVME data storage.
There was no need to wait several minutes for the game to load! Inside the cartridge there was a ROM memory chip, so that explains the high speed. Since it could not be recorded, the "Scores" of the games were not registered for the next game, and when the MSX was turned off, the user would have to start all over again! To solve this, some games released "passwords" for the levels, so the user could continue a certain level. But not all games had this....
That's why the greatest quality of MSX games were their music and special effects, better than other consoles in Brazil (ATARI, IBM-PC, etc.). Game developers explored these resources well to create the best melodies. Some didn't even play the games properly, they just listened to the music, lol... Later, there were FM-MUSIC expansion cartridges, which added more advanced musical capabilities, using the Yamaha YM2413 chip. With the FM-MUSIC cartridge, the MSX would gain more channels that were added to the three channels of the AY-3-8910 and even MIDI resources for keyboards.
When it comes to JoyStick, the big news was the DB9 connector standard, the same as the ATARI, they were fully compatible. A great "move", because as these controls were always breaking (users know what I'm talking about), there was always a spare control on hand. And ATARI/MSX users could lend the controls without fear of incompatibilities.
The original MSX-Expert JoyStick felt better, had a more attractive design and smoother buttons, and the movement of the lever had a damping system.
Anyway, the MSX in Brazil was very well represented, and both brands (Gradiente/Sharp) knew how to build machines worthy of the MSX standard.
It's a shame that Brazil fell behind in the standard, and the MSX2, MSX2+ didn't catch on. Some say that Gradiente and Sharp made their models inspired by other imported models (reverse engineering), but there are many MSXs that are the same, since the basic hardware is always the same, there's not much to invent....
Nowadays, the "MSX market" is still active around the world, with the constant buying/selling of devices and peripherals. YES, the MSX is still alive and well in Brazil too. Some companies still develop applications for it.
The MSX also has emulators, which are very good at exploring the resources of the time. For Windows/Linux systems, we have emulators available for download, as well as ROMs for games and applications.
For Brazilian fans, we have excellent news. We will also publish a lot of material about the MSX, including Videos, Games, ROMs and emulators.
For more technical details, the Computer Science Museum maintains a page with details about the MSX-Expert Gradiente.
Click here to see more information that I didn't mention in this post.
Long live MSX, the standard that introduced me to the world of computing and also made Brazil develop its technology a lot. Our tribute to the professionals who work for decades to develop products/peripherals/games and much more!
If you actively participated in this development, leave your comment below, and let the public know in which part of the MSX project you were involved! It will be a pleasure to welcome fellow national developers/technicians!
Stay tuned, soon more news about MSX! Some really will make you cry.
We have the turtle program, and classic games like the Penguin and others....
See you later.
JMJG
(Electronic Engineer)
Posts
