MSX STANDARD/APPLI O o „

Video RAM Expansion Connector Display Chip MSX Architecture Some systems can lave All nachiies have a defined ATexas 9918 or equivalent separate video RAM, thus freeing expansion connector provides the display with a more memory for BASIC progra^n rather miserly 16 lines by 32 CPU f columns, 256192 graphics in The popular Z80 microprocessor 16 colours and up to 32 sprites is used as a basis for all MSX machines

ROM 1 The powe rfu MSX BASIC Extras And Add-ons sits in 32 Kbytes of ROM Beyoid the specification, MSX machines can incorporate any extras the manufacturer chooses to provice RAM MSX specifies a minimum of 8 Kbytes of RAM Sound Chip An 8910 chip provides three- voice sound with special eff€

Cartridge Slot Disk Drive MSX machines record on MSX machines all have the same A standardised ca rtridge slot MSX includes a specification for ordina ry cassette recorders at a keys, although thoir exact allows any MSX cartridge to be a disk system using a standard fast rate of either 1,200 or 2,400 baud positioning may va ry plugged in format

system. formats for the 3z inch (), success in the market place. Design Convention 5; inch and 8 inch floppy disks have also been MSX may also provide a pointer to the future. It To make programs and add-ms is hard to suppose seriously that the compatible with all MSX established, systems, The design o an MSX All this means that, if the standards have been microcomputer market will be dominated by micro follows strict rues. Once adhered to, any program written for one MSX eight-bit processors in five or 10 years time. If the the machine reaches the basic machine, stored on any disk, will be guaranteed to MSX standard achieves anything it is likely to specificaton shown here, run on any other MSX computer — and he able to remind computer developers that standardisation designers can aid their own special extras take full advantage of its sound and graphics should come early, rather than late, in the life of capabilities. The advantages to both manufacturer any computer innovation. MSX may make life and consumer are obvious. easier for the big boys with Z80-based products But there are disadvantages to the MSX system. waiting to be sold at the moment; it is difficult to The first of these is that any `standard' will fail to see how it will have any long-term impact beyond take advantage of innovation in the field. If, for convincing the rest of the world that example, a new video controller chip comes along standardisation does matter. In the field of 16-bit with vastly superior capabilities, MSX programs computers, IBM has proved that `might is right' will not be able to take advantage of it and will with its , which has become a de leave the field wide open to competitors able to facto standard. Will the MSX standard be able to provide software capable of utilising the potential do the same for the eight-bit home micro? So far of the new chip. MSX is being supported by a total . of 16 The second is that eight-bit microprocessors, of manufacturers, including Yamaha, JVC, , which the Z80 is the most successful, have a Sony, , , Pioneer, Canon, limited life. Eight-bit processors are inherently and Mitsubishi from , the American unable to address more than 64 Kbytes of main company and Daewoo from Korea. memory directly, nor are they capable of handling No British manufacturer has joined the club so far. data bigger in value than 256 at any one time. In Only time and the market will show if the world this light, the MSX standard could be seen as a last needs more of the same, or the kind of ditch attempt at prolonging the life of the Z80, individualistic innovation we have come to expect which is destined to enjoy only a short-term from entrepreneurs like Sir Clive Sinclair. THE ADVANCED COURSE 143