A new release of KdL/HRA's OCM-PLD Pack is released. New in this version:

• Added all DIP-SW status LED
  
• Mixed Print Screen and DIP-SW1&2 status LED
  
• Mixed SD/MMC access lamp to DIP-SW8 status LED
  
• Modified VGA full amplitude mode into new VGA 60Hz forced mode without affecting VDP R#9: sync or other graphic problems are possible when PAL mode is selected with this combination (for test purpose only)
  
• New CMT switch is Scroll Lock key (OFF by default)
  
• Scroll Lock status LED is now CMT status LED
  
• Power status LED is now Pause status LED (OFF when Paused)
  
• Num Lock status LED is now Kana (F7) status LED
  
• Restored original VDP model: screen 0 blink problem is fixed now!
  
• Updated DIP-SW User Manual [src_upgrade\doc\dip_sw_v2_2.htm]

Relevant link: OCM-PLD Pack

Source: MSX Banzai!

The MSX IPS Patch Archive now contains a patch for Montana John and the Templar's Treasure. After applying this patch, you can just type in your password in the password screen.

Relevant link: MSX IPS Patch Archive

A new command line utility for Windows is available at the MSX Software section of andrear's website. With this new tool one can extract sprite patterns from a color 16x16x24bit PNG image (other image formats may work as well), upon which they will be converted to -for instance- MSX-BASIC.

Though very simple, this utility may be of use to the MSX contestants coding for the current MSX contests (among others: 2KBOS, the 25th MSX anniversary BASIC contest and the upcoming MSXdev'08). Source code is included (C language, compiled in Windows with gcc-MinGW).

Relevant link: andrear's website - software section

For a while already, classic MSX soundchips rule the scene again. Partly due to the MSXdev contests and partly due to the availability of such tools as Vortex Tracker, the PSG is currently in its renaissance days. Another chip which regained some of its popularity is the SCC chip by Konami and Yamaha. As the scene back in the 90's mostly focussed on FM-Pac, MSX-Audio and later on the Moonsound, the number of available trackers for PSG and/or SCC is a bit on the low side.

XL2s, who are always on the move, are entering the arena with a brand new tracker for PSG and SCC: TwoFun! Initially, the tracker appeared to become a PSG tracker, but some SCC support was added. The editor has a lot in common with the -also under development- Moonsound tracker RealFun.

Features so far include:

• PSG and SCC support
  
• Supports both DOS1 and DOS2
  
• Uses the R800 on turbo-R machines
  
• Multiple song buffers
  
• Every song can have its own colors
  
• PT3-like approach with samples and ornaments

Current requirements:

• MSX2+, but MSX2 or Turbo R will work just fine
  
• Lots of memory, in one mapper
  
• Any DOS version that works
  
• An SCC cartridge in a primary slot

Note that TwoFun is currently in beta state, so there are no 100% guarantees yet. You may nonetheless try it out, for as long as TwoFun is said to be free!

Relevant link: XL2s

A new version of the cross assembler Sjasm has been released. New in this version:

• Fixed WHILE loops
• Improved code part sort
• Added check on negative page numbers

Relevant link: XL2s

From Marco Rossin, we received an utility named GHIBLI. GHIBLI is a symbolic debugger for MSX-DOS applications on MSX2. Once started, you can load the MSX-DOS application to debug, load a symbol table in L80 format and start debugging! Features in this 0.1 release include:

• Software breakpoints
• Dump and disassemble target memory
• Step-by-step execution
• View target screen
• Read and write target cpu registers.

GHIBLI is available from our Downloads section under Utilities/Miscellaneous.

Relevant link: GHIBLI 0.1

A new version of MSX Taper has just been released. New in this version:

• Import Binary, ASCII and Basic files from any folder into a tape
  
• Export Binary, ASCII and Basic files, as well as custom blocks of data from your tape to any folder
  
• Create MP3 Files of your games (via Lame Encoder binaries, that have to be installed on the same computer)
  
• The estimated run time length is now calculated with a more accurate method
  
• Some bugs are fixed, some new bugs are probably being introduced, and the GUI and the graphics have been reworked a little bit (including a brand new icon for the application)

For discussions, bug reporting and other suggestions, see this forum thread.

Relevant link: Windows version (Windows 2000, XP and Vista)
Relevant link: Mac OS X version (Mac OS X 10.3 and above, universal binary)
Relevant link: Linux version (Any linux distribution that supports GTK2)

Yesterday, KdL released a new firmware package for the 1chipMSX. The release is based on HRA's unofficial release, and fixes the refresh rate for VGA mode to 60Hz. Using this fix, you should be able to play Manbow 2 on your 1chipMSX. The S-Video and composite video signals are unchanged.

Other improvements in this release:

• Improved operation precision of SCC and OPLL models
• Restored original PSG model.

Relevant link: KdL's website

Only days after we reported about SjASM 0.4 beta 1, XL2s have released SjASM 0.4 beta 2 for you to try. New in this version:

• Fixed UPDATE command
  
• Fixed jumps to numbered labels
  
• Fixed INCBIN file length check
  
• Added ERROR command
  
• Added CODE! overlay code parts
  
• Added more text to the manual

Relevant link: XL2s

The LPEMMC Driver consists of a BIOS, tools and a set of programs intended for handling the LPEMMC v1-v3 card or the MMC/SD Disk Interface Card by Yeongman Seo. Both boards use MultiMedia Cards and SD Cards as massive storing devices for the MSX family.

Features include:

• Compatible with any MSX computer with a minimum of 16k RAM.
  
• Support for DOS1, DOS2 or higher partitions in both FAT12 and FAT16
  
• Embedded MSX-DOS 2.31 Kernel inside the system, fully functional on MSX1
  
• Internal set of tools, no need for external tools
  
• Tools available using CALL commands in BASIC (format, partition changing, card swapping)
  
• Support for each MMC/SD card from 4 MB to 4 GB
  
• DSK file(s) emulation as extended partition and boot
  
• Possibility to disable all system interfaces during the BOOT DSK emulation
  
• No need of use tools like IMPROVE to emulate DSK files
  
• Support for card hot-swapping
  
• Possibility of using memory mappers in MSX1 without needing the driver installation
  
• Possibility of using the bigger memory mapper as the main one in turbo R and 2+ Panasonic MSX computers in DOS1 and DOS2.31
  
• Compatible with Okei's FAT16 driver
  
• Use of shortcut keys to avoid disk booting, force DOS2 for ROM games which require disk access, avoid the system
  
• Easy-to-use GUI, 100% MSX1 compatible
  
• Functional from any slot/subslot, primary or extended. No interference with other disk interfaces

Relevant link: DRLPMMC