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 GRAPH key was pressed during booting.

Memovision could store data on the special HBI-55 (battery backed RAM) "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 (birthday) calendar with alarm system, a "family databank" (a combination of a text editor and database) 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 (48 KB MSX BASIC version 2.0 + 48 KB software suite)
• RAM: 128 KB VRAM + 128 KB main memory
• Video: VDP (Yamaha V9938)
  • text: 80×24, 40×24 en 32×24 (characters per line × lines) four colors, two foreground colors and two background colors
  • graphical: maximal 512×212 pixels (16 colors of 512) and 256×212 (256 colors)
  • 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 (1200/2400 baud)
  • 1 general purpose expansion connector
  • printer
  • keyboard
  • 2 joysticks
  • 2 cartridge slots

References