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One Chip MSX wiki reveals further OCM details

by snout on 03-12-2006, 15:32
Topic: MSX Revival
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Now that the One Chip MSX has hit the streets in Japan, more and more information on the new MSX computer becomes available. Several Japanese owners of the device have created a One Chip MSX wiki, which reveals a lot of new information on the One Chip MSX. Here are the highlights:

  • By default, the Z80 in the One Chip MSX can be configured to run on either 3.58 or 10.74Mhz - which is three times as fast as a standard One Chip MSX. The speed can be set by switching a DIP switch on the bottom of the One Chip MSX, but it seems like switching by software is currently not possible yet. The wiki hints that removing a single comment from the VHDL sources could make the Z80 run at 21.48MHz as well
  • The One Chip MSX's cinch connectors can be configured to be either 2 audio outputs (allowing future stereo extensions) or 1 mono output and 1 mono input. The later can, by default, be used as a cassette port
  • Another DIP-switch allows switching between an SCC+ with ESE-RAM (allowing you to load MegaROMs) configuration in slot 2, or by freeing cartridge slot 2 for own use
  • Both Japanese 106/109 and US-101/104 PS/2 keyboards are supported, configured by - again - DIP switch
  • The One Chip MSX can be configured to either boot from SD/MMC or from another location (e.g. ATA-IDE or FDD interface)
  • MSX-DOS1 can be run on the One Chip MSX as well, by renaming MSXDOS.SYS to MSXDOS2.SYS
  • PSG volume can be increased with F9 and decreased with SHIFT-F9
  • SCC volume can be increased with F10 and decreased with SHIFT-F10
  • OPLL volume can be increased with F11 and decreased with SHIFT-F11
  • Master volume can be increased with PageUp and decreased with PageDown
  • The One Chip MSX has a special VDP debugging monitor, which can be activated and deactivated with F12

An extensive and growing software and hardware compatibility list of the One Chip MSX can be found, in Japanese, over here. The site also reveals the size of the One Chip MSX and its weight. At 135(w)x156(d)x36(h)mm it only weighs a mere 311 grams. We will keep you posted if further information comes in.

Relevant link: One Chip MSX wiki

Comments (23)

By spl

Paragon (1470)

spl's picture

03-12-2006, 15:52

Great! Now, as always, wating for news from Bazix about our One Chip MSX Big smile

By Edwin

Paragon (1182)

Edwin's picture

03-12-2006, 15:56

With the v9938 clock at 21MHz I was already expecting that the speed of the z80 could be easily increased. I'm more surprised by the other features though. The code appears to be much more polished than I initially expected. Anxiously awaiting the delivery of my very own OCM. Smile

By ARTRAG

Enlighted (6933)

ARTRAG's picture

03-12-2006, 16:19

babelfish fails in the translation, any suggestion for common people non Japanese speaking in order to read those webpages?

By jltursan

Prophet (2619)

jltursan's picture

03-12-2006, 16:25

Try cutting & pasting on Excite. It's one of the bests japanese translators around.

By KNM

Master (172)

KNM's picture

03-12-2006, 17:14

Excellent news!!Now,it´s time to have even more patience,waiting for ours OCM´s from Bazix´s guys!LOL!

By cax

Prophet (3740)

cax's picture

03-12-2006, 18:28

Now I see that some features that I was unsure about their avalability are already implemented in OCM.
Why didn't you tell us about those DIPs before ?

By SLotman

Paragon (1242)

SLotman's picture

03-12-2006, 19:27

Am I reading things right?!? Snatcher doesn't run, Fray runs without sound?!?!

Zanac Ex "The title screen after it demonstrates breaks occasionally."???

is that the compatibility level or is something wrong with the translation or the wiki???

By snout

Ascended (15187)

snout's picture

03-12-2006, 19:57

The One Chip MSX's MSX2 compatibility is not 100% perfect yet, indeed. Some problems might be caused by the MegaSCSI/FAT16 being present (which can be disabled by DIPswitch), others can (and should) be addressed by updating the VHDL and releasing patches. The CD-ROM that comes with the Japanese One Chip MSX already features an updated version of the 'firmware', and there are very likely more to follow. I'm not too sure about the nature of the Snatcher/Fray issues, but the Zanac Ex bug also occurs in many MSX emulators such as, for instance, blueMSX. It sure would have been nice to have 100% compatibility straight away, though...

By Ivan

Ascended (9341)

Ivan's picture

03-12-2006, 20:12

Apart from few games that -still- don't run I think that these are very good news. I never thought that the One Chip MSX would come with such options.

SLotman: Don't expect that Windows Vista won't need any update/service pack Tongue

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

dvik's picture

04-12-2006, 08:45

the Zanac Ex bug also occurs in many MSX emulators such as, for instance, blueMSX.
Although a bit off topic, can you refresh my mind about what is not working correctly in blueMSX.

By Samor

Prophet (2168)

Samor's picture

04-12-2006, 11:14

apparantly the title screen sometimes goes corrupt after playing a demo?

I haven't seen it happening in bluemsx myself, though.

By Grauw

Ascended (10707)

Grauw's picture

04-12-2006, 11:46

Great, 7MHz - no, 11MHz! I hope that switch is realtime and doesn’t need a reset (although it doesn’t really matter). For that wiki it seems I need to practice my Japanese more Smile.

Damnit why hasn’t mine arrived yet! >.<

~Grauw

p.s. W00T VDP debugger.

By snout

Ascended (15187)

snout's picture

04-12-2006, 12:49

Grauw - the OCMs that hit the streets until now were sold during the priority sale period - or handed out at the Kanazawa Contents Market. I'm not completely sure, but afaik this week the 'ordinary distribution' is to start. It already arrived at Gigamix ^_^.

By Guillian

Prophet (3516)

Guillian's picture

04-12-2006, 14:46

>Great, 7MHz - no, 11MHz! I hope that switch is realtime and doesn’t need a reset (although it doesn’t really matter).

You can only change from 10.74MHz to 3.58MHz in realtime. To switch to 10.74 you need a reset.

By sirpaul484

Rookie (23)

sirpaul484's picture

05-12-2006, 01:31

I honestly never expected 100% compatibility, so I am pretty happy with the current compatibility level, and am happy that there will be updates available.

I just wish I had one... Crying

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

dvik's picture

05-12-2006, 19:11

I just wish I had one...
Me too, but I didn't order one. I don't think it was too expensive but unfortunately it was too much money for me atm. Crying

By Samor

Prophet (2168)

Samor's picture

05-12-2006, 22:04

kinda the same situation here, so you're not alone Wink

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

dvik's picture

05-12-2006, 22:11

I suppose I can buy one of these instead. Almost the same thing ;)

By Grauw

Ascended (10707)

Grauw's picture

06-12-2006, 10:32

Snout, yes, indeed, I received mine yesterday! W00t Smile.

~Grauw

By spl

Paragon (1470)

spl's picture

07-12-2006, 08:38

Great LOL!

By syntax_error

Resident (51)

syntax_error's picture

07-12-2006, 13:13

is it possible to connect my usb gamereader to the usb port of onechip msx. extra slot for onechip

By Grauw

Ascended (10707)

Grauw's picture

07-12-2006, 14:41

Syntax_error, interesting question Smile. I don’t think there is a technical reason why it wouldn’t be possible, but such functionality has not been created (yet?).

~Grauw

By sirpaul484

Rookie (23)

sirpaul484's picture

08-12-2006, 06:42

dvik: I already have one of them.. I have yet to mod it, though.. maybe if I get another one Tongue

(don't hurt me, please)