One Chip MSX MKII

Yay? \o/

Wow, that's amazing Impressive features and it looks good too.

now, the cherry on the cream would be to name it 'mPod' ^_^

please change that blue case!!

I like this blue case ... as I like the blue MSX screen ... and blueMSX !

Just one question tho, will the ocm contain SPYWARE ?

I've heard this thing uses WiFi to send identifyable usage stats to Bazix... It's all quite scary, really!!!

Too good to be true, it's really, really, really official?

Wow! Impressive! Actually, this is the first time I feel like buying it! Reading MegaROMs from SD is just too good to be true

Way cool ! Get me two of those :-)

What is the device called, blueMSX ?

more like a zip drive then a famicom

guess it can be sent worldwide ?

Wondeful news from Japan. Too good to be true but I believe I'll have one of them in my hands sooner or later.

Write down today's date, because it's a new milestone in MSX history...

Nice work.Case is perfect.

Native FAT16 support in DOS 2??
I WANT THIS ROM RIGHT NOW!!!

Excite translation is better :

- As a learning material

If the source program described by the VHDL form used to reproduce MSX not to mention an existing MSX language (BAISC etc.) is rewritten, the function of MSX is extensible in my hand. "Original MSX standard" that you thought about can be made. It might be also interesting that everyone thinks about dream "MSX3".

See complete Excite translation in this forum thread

Of course, MSX-BASIC (5.0 ?) is only an example of new (personal) development !

I want one now!!

These USB ports, are they 1.1 or 2.0?

Ok, never mind, of course USB 2.0 would be a waste.

Man, that's what I call good news. Fantastic. The price is not cheap but it's fine (19800 yen)

Thought so already, it's like organs, in the 80's we had our own repairservice because back then they *could* be repaired.. when the digital keyboards came a) they never broke down, and b) we wouldn't be able to fix it anyway. So, let's assume these OCMs won't break down..
(otoh, they ARE computers )

Wolf, that has more reasons.
If you want to import those chips it and have it on stock, costs simply a fortune.
And that for something that is still not for sale, besides I think decent asking by Bazix and also allowing it since there is guarantee as said by snout , what is good news also ofcourse.
And to be honest, we have togehter contributed and they listened. So, for me no obstacle to buy anymore

poke will colour it for you

nah, it'still ain't a turbo r if that's what you mean
so ehhh 189 euros ?

Hmmmm, checking back, last year would have been more like 147. The 172 must have included something else then.

It's good news indeed.
I liked the case, is really nice. And there are improvements, as we asked.

Some questions:

1) Would it be possible to have a english page (or someone translate so we can know more)?
2) What about those USB ports? Can I plug one Pen drive on it and use it as an HD?
3) If the OCM uses 256kb of RAM, all the 32 MB of RAM is free for us or is it being used for something else?
4) What about FAT16 support? How is it done? Is it a improvement in DOS2 (can we use that DOS2 in our MSX machines )?

@poke, jup I mean a MSX turbo R.

The swapping of letters was a joke, fool!
(remember mr. T? eh)

and for all mr. t fans : http://youtube.com/watch?v=5H5Yza2XO8k

yes... rap....

about...

yes....

I had the same doubt, how accurate will be the emulation?
Accurateness and compatibility will be a huge issue in the OCM,
IMHO we will see an MSX compatible, bug free release (comparable with
the level of the current SW emulators)in 1-2 years.

BTW the advantage of an FPGA device is that any new OCM release can be
distributed like it were common SW.

It would be great if we someone could answer all the questions we (still) have. OCM release it's a great news, but it seems that the japanese guys never let us forget that this product is not for us, only to japanese people. This would explain the lack of news in a language (english?) people outside Japan understands...

It would be great if we someone could answer all the questions we (still) have. OCM release it's a great news, but it seems that the japanese guys never let us forget that this product is not for us, only to japanese people. This would explain the lack of news in a language (english?) people outside Japan understands...

This is quite an unfounded complaint, imho. Sure, the D4E site is in Japanese, as D4E is to distribute the OCM in Japan. Only a few days later, MRC presents the same news in English. The Japanese don't know any more than the non-Japanese do at the moment. Just wait! Of course many questions rise when a new product is announced, but in most cases you just have to wait for the release and see it for yourself! Probably the service you get with the OCM makes that you know a lot more about the thing before its actual release than you would for many other announced products.

So in short: the Japanese guys do nothing wrong. Nobody does something wrong. As long as not all the details are cleared, just let your imagination work - anticipating is fun too.

The Japs usually don't write/talk english, because they can't .., and perhaps they already count with Bazix for their english translations..

Hello Snout, it's nice to talk with you again. Do you have a answer to any of the questions posted here?

Yep.. definitely going to get it..

I am debating, though... Should I keep it the original color, or should I try and paint it black to match my current MSX?

oh well, either way it's nice. I definitely love the specs. Now, if only I can find an MSX compatable gamepad... *sighs*

uhm.. there is *more* than the last time .. (FPGA reset, MSX2, 12v etc.)

I think with these, all questions that had not been answered yet have been answered by now

Q: What will the price of the OCM be?
A: In Japan, the price has remained unchanged. The goal for Bazix is to release the OCM at the same price (€ 153,- ex VAT) or at a bit lower price (the yen is on our side). Please wait for the official announcements on this one.

Q: When can I order the OCM?
A: In the near future. I can assure you that I'm at least as impatient about this as you are, but we're almost there now.

Q: When will there be an official OCM website in English?
A: Bazix have decided to open such a website as soon as (pre)ordering is possible, and the news goes to press.

Q: Will the OCM be available outside Japan?
A: Yes, Bazix will distribute the OCM outside Japan.

Q: What can the USB ports be used for?
A: By default, the USB ports are not supported. With VHDL, you can use them for virtually anything though. Considering the amount of people who would like to use a pendrive or external HD, I think it will only be a matter of time until someone releases a VHDL upgrade for this functionality.

Q: If the OCM uses 256kB, all the 32MB is free?
A: Part of the 32MB is used for RAM and VRAM. The rest is ready for use.

Q: How is FAT16 support accomplished?
A: Similar to Okei's FAT16 patch, which is already available for 'ordinary' DOS2 MSXes. On the OCM, FAT16 works out-of-the-box though. And did I mention the SD slot is hot-swappable?

Q: The PS/2 connector doesn't show on the pictures. Is it there?
A: It is the intention to have it on the final product. Please wait for the official announcements on this one.

Q: How about accuracy?
A: The MSX2 prototype demonstrated on (e.g.) Bussum 2005 was already quite accurate. Many improvements have been made since. I think testing the OCM in the Emulator Comparison would be a good idea indeed of giving a clear, objective indication on how close the OCM gets to the real thing at this moment. Although I'd like to completely rewrite the Emu Comparison soon, I'll see if it's possible to write a test of the latest prototype with the latest 'firmware' in the nearer future. I'll keep you posted on this.

Q: May J-War marry Wolf_?
A: Only in some countries, lads. But you have my blessing! ^_^

Q: May J-War marry Wolf_?
A: Only in some countries, lads. But you have my blessing! ^_^
That's really a cucumber FAQ...

(msd wanted me to post this)

>Q: The PS/2 connector doesn't show on the pictures. Is it there?
>A: It is the intention to have it on the final product. Please wait for the official announcements on this one.

AFAIK, this version includes the PS/2 connector in the back side
Front: USB x2, Joystick x 2, card slot
Back: Power, composite video RCA, audio RCA x 2, PS/2, VGA, SVHS
Upper: Cartridge slot x 2, power switch, reset
Bottom: Config switch

>idd, it looks like there's a connection on the far right (and rear) of the case, think that might be the PS/2 connector.
Yes, that is the PS/2 connector, next to the VGA connector. And between the VGA and RCAs is the SVHS one.

as in the step at the end of the chain, before the output. Like routing a synth through an effectpanel

ugly box looks cheap!

yes and thats all.nice a 1chipmsx bad casing. it breaks the fun

Well, a l33t casing would raise the price of the machine, don't you think? I don't think your suggestions for a nicer case will create a mass following.

Complete MSX2 support? YAW!!!! I just hope that this time we can actually get one of these brand-new MSX

I actually like the transparantness of the case (as you can see it's all really about one chip. no tricks!) and the case itself. Surely, it's only a matter of taste...

About the VHDL license: another 'wait for the official announcements' on that one

Cool! I will certainly buy one.

well hey it does like a zip drive or your average cardreader
So hey, reason the more for some case modding zett ^_^
if my fake mac add wasn't inspiration enough, the phletora
of msx machines is
What about a HB201P mod ? nice

For me: Just skip that PS/2 connection. It's not MSX and a USB keyboards/mouse should not be a problem. Saves a few cent on manufacturing and saves some gates in the FPGA. (Although you can always make a FPGA image without the PS/2 VHDL code.

Yes, simple and robust looking case design. Nice!

Yes, Pat, we should get rid of PS/2 connection. It's not MSX! We should use the place for an additional USB connector instead.
And USB should be useable out of the box! I think, the design of the case is appropriate to the product. I like it, too! It looks very nice.

Yes because USB is msx and PS/2 isn't .. So what use instead USB keyboards?

ah, after the casport and the case, we have a new subject of useless debate: the ps2 port ;P

Yes, I want one for sure but knows someone anything about the performance (CPU + VDP speed) ?
I can imagine that for compatibly reasons the speed is standard set at normal z80 and VDP speed but is there with the current VDHL code some extra performance possible what can be easy 'activated'?

and howmany gates are used for this standaard configuration? Is there still some space left for enhancements?

Snout, could you shine your light on this questions please?

Thx!

I've seen the ocm run with vdp delays disabled. The parallax scroll in the sd-snatcher intro was really smooth and fast

Yes, Pat, we should get rid of PS/2 connection. It's not MSX! We should use the place for an additional USB connector instead.
And USB should be useable out of the box! I think, the design of the case is appropriate to the product. I like it, too! It looks very nice.Yes, let's get rid of the PS/2 connector which isn't MSX and replace it with the USB connector MSX has had such a long history with! Now there's a good point!! ^_^

Stupid question: so... you can't use a keyboard without making some coding or is ps/2 activated for keyboard using?

yeah that connector isn't MSX.
Let's also just toss the flashcard, that's not msx either...or VGA port.. not MSx either
Or usb2 ports. Not msx either.
What, all on one chip ? real msx has more then 1 chip. NO msx.
I suppose not buy it then

A couple of questions for Snout...
Snout, do you know if ASCII is planning to release another issue of MSX Magazine this year, now that the OCM is coming, or are they mostly done with the MSX, since it isn't them that are going to release the OCM? I am a big fan of MSX Magazine and would love to see another issue come out.

Another question: I suppose MSXA is still planning to release upgrades for the OCM in the future, right? Like a MSX2+ or TR upgrade...

I am spreading the news about the OCM in some US forums. There have been a lot of interest on the MSX....

Eduardo

actually, some of us, msx users living in (south) america, use 220 V. But that's not a big issue (at least, not to me).

the device was mentioned on InsertCredit (www.insertcredit.com/),
which I see as a good indication; it hints at the device already getting a lot more attention than last time.

ehhh it is NTSC ? that's... inconvenient

Probably blueMSX as multi-platform emulator (MSX, SVI, Coleco, Sega) has also contributed to the MSX promotion in U.S. !

Did you notice that the design of the PCB is different from the old 1chip MSX prototype?

added: ROM configurator (for restoring default config)
changed: location of i/o ports (for fitting into that neat casing)

As for the cassette port: you could use one of the audio cinch connectors as an audio-in and connect a cassette recorder to that. Even stated that in the newspost itself. Afaik Manuel Pazos has already demonstrated a prototype which runs with the necessary code. Check over here.

As for the MSX(2) logo: Apart from the fact that the picture is still a non-final prototype, and the final might differ slightly from the picture above, I'm sure you'll agree the OCM is different from any other MSX2 computer. And can be a lot more than that, actually.

heh.. I had already edited my post... point is though, even before the OCM has hit the streets, there's a VHDL patch for all those casport purists out there! Just one example of how FPGA can come in handy

@mars2000you: yes how very strange that a mrc admin can change all messages

>@mars2000you: yes how very strange that a mrc admin can change all messages

I can do the same on the blueMSX forum, so I know how it works

Kazuhiro Tsujikawa doesn't sound spanish

OCM news up @ barrapunto.com and cooler-online. (Yeah I know, MSX in the Media challenge... I'm closing in on my MRC ToDo list backlog, but... patience!) :)

System will be in NTSC ... It's a bad new for european people

It's already there... just switch a few jumpers on the bottom and (with the right cable) you have an RGB output ready to be used on your TV or old MSX monitor. (yay!)

Would I be right is guessing that the VGA connector would then be used for RGB output (which it already is really) and that you'd need to make a DB15 -> scart cable?

Awesome stuff!

How many games support MSX2+ only (percentage)? Looking at the specs, it looks like they wanted to keep the colors to 256 or lower, is this is a limitation of the FPGA?