HB-F9P
The HB-F9P was a Sony MSX2-computer, launched in 1985. The abbreviation HB stands for Hit Bit.
The HB-F9P was unusual in the sense that it did not come with a built in floppy disk drive, instead it had a built in software suite "Memovision" that would run automatically unless a program cartridge was inserted in the cartridge slot or the key was pressed during booting.
Memovision could store data on the special HBI-55 "data cartridge" that Sony originally had developed, for their HB-55 and HB-75 MSX computers. These systems contained a simple built in program called the "Personal Databank". Memovision was a continuation of the same idea, but much extended, as it contained stuff like a calendar with alarm system, a "family databank" a built in calculator and a timer and time calculator, all rendered in pseudo 3D style.
Variants
Of the HB-F9 there were many different localized variants produced:- HB-F9P, with QWERTY-keyboard layout was designed for the PAL-standard, and meant for European countries, except Germany, France, Spain and the former Soviet Union.
- HB-F9R, had a Russian keyboard.
- HB-F9D, had a QWERTZ-keyboard for the German market
- HB-F9F, had an AZERTY-keyboard for the French market, and was designed for the SECAM-standard.
- HB-F9S, had a modified QWERTY-keyboard for the Spanish market.
Technical specifications
- Processor: Sharp LH-0080 or NEC μPD780C
- ROM: 96 KB
- RAM: 128 KB VRAM + 128 KB main memory
- Video: VDP
- *text: 80×24, 40×24 en 32×24 four colors, two foreground colors and two background colors
- *graphical: maximal 512×212 pixels and 256×212
- *colors: 512 maximal
- Engine: MSX-Engine S-1985
- *real-time clock with trickle-charged battery backup
- Sound: Yamaha YM2149 PSG
- * 3 sound channels and one noise channel
- * 8 octaves
- Interfaces
- *power cord
- *RF-output
- *CVBS monitor
- *luminance output
- *monochrome switch
- *headset sound output
- *data-recorder I/O
- *1 general purpose expansion connector
- *printer
- *keyboard
- *2 joysticks
- *2 cartridge slots