Noob to MSX, Which System should i get? (MSX, MSX2/Brand Etc..)

Scribe (6544)

03-03-2016, 22:20

Brandon Jay Stickle wrote:

Kanji rom? As in Basically the Bios Screen?

There is BIOS in every MSX, but don't expect of it what I think you expect. You can't enter some PC-like menu with settings. The BIOS in MSX is a set of Machine Language routines to make life of coders easier. So if you don't code, you will never run into anything BIOS related.

Por Grauw

Ascended (10768)

03-03-2016, 23:36

Kanji ROM is essentially just a ROM containing a big Japanese font file. It’s built-in to many (not all) Japanese MSX2 computers though I think some cartridges also contained it (MSX View?). But I would not worry about it. Twinkle Star is the only game that I know uses it, and being a shmup that’s not exactly a text-based game anyway so it’s hardly important.

Por meits

Scribe (6544)

03-03-2016, 23:40

Super Rambo Special and Higemaru have it as well... But for the majority of us it's unreadable in both occasions

Por Brandon Jay Stickle

Rookie (30)

04-03-2016, 01:36

i was confused, i assumed a kanji rom was something i had to put in separately to play specific Japanese games.

Por anonymous

incognito ergo sum (116)

04-03-2016, 01:59

Grauw wrote:

Twinkle Star is the only game that I know uses it, and being a shmup that’s not exactly a text-based game anyway so it’s hardly important.

Wolf Team games such as Midgarts, Final Zone and (I think) Arcus 1 & 2 use it as well. Starship Rendezvous also. Even in those cases, it's only useful if you really want to read certain Japanese texts. They're perfectly playable without.
Oh, and probably games like Burai 1 & 2, Aura Battler Dunbine and Rune Worth. Not 100% sure though.

Brandon Jay Stickle wrote:

i was confused, i assumed a kanji rom was something i had to put in separately to play specific Japanese games.

No, but without, you'll get white bars (or gibberish in case of smaller fonts) instead of Japanese texts with those games. It's only a tiny amount of games that require a Kanji ROM to display Japanese texts. You could easily do without. Most games use their own custom font.

Por sd_snatcher

Prophet (3659)

04-03-2016, 03:23

@Brandon Jay Stickle

Here's an extra tip: A Japanese system is preferable also for another reason. European machines run their video by default at 50Hz (PAL), while Japanese machines run at 60Hz (NTSC). The consequence is that Japanese games will go 16.6% slower when run on European machines. Feels kind of a slow motion. Yes, on MSX2 or higher there are workarounds for that, but since you're a beginner this would only be a hassle.

Check some examples:

For your case, I would recommend to get a MSX2+ machine. Because:

1) They can be bought at fairly decent prices
2) Can run MSX1, MSX2 and MSX2+ games
3) Built-in FM sound and built-in 720KB drive
4) Built-in Kanji font. Useful for some Japanese games as mentioned before

Japanese MSX machines are 100V, but the absolute majority of the models can be connected to up to 127V without any need of step down transformers. Their power supplies support that.

It's easy to connect the machine to a american TV. You just need a JRGB->SCART cable and a SCART->Component-video converter.

The JRGB->SCART cable only adapts the pinout and nothing else. It's very simple and you can even solder one yourself if you want to save some bucks.

The SCART->Component-video converter does analog color conversion (RGB to YPbPr), so it won't add any delay that would ruin your gaming experience like the cheap digital converters/scalers out there. Be sure that your TV set has component-video input (do not mistake it with composite-video) and remember to enable the game mode of your TV.

If you want to save money, Japanese MSX2/2+ machines will always have a composite-video output. But be aware that this kind of connection has an unpleasant video quality.

Por Brandon Jay Stickle

Rookie (30)

04-03-2016, 05:14

Seriously, The community is so helpful here... i would never receive this kind of treatment over when i was an Android developer.

Quote:

Japanese MSX machines are 100V, but the absolute majority of the models can be connected to up to 127V without any need of step down transformers. Their power supplies support that.

i will forget this and will probably ask in the future, That and i dont quite understand what you said, my fathers into power so he can probably explain it.

Quote:

European machines run their video by default at 50Hz (PAL), while Japanese machines run at 60Hz (NTSC).

i know this deal with Super famicoms and European super Nintendo's! they have the same issue sadly, im glad that japan is a little similar to america besides their power gird.

Quote:

For your case, I would recommend to get a MSX2+ machine. Because:

i have not seen a single MSX2+ yet on ebay, but like others have told me on here, just gotta be patient! i mean i would love to buy a machine now, but im willing to wait for more offers.

Quote:

If you want to save money, Japanese MSX2/2+ machines will always have a composite-video output.

i bet i wouldn't mind this, i would like the best quality i can later on though. i think i keep seeing specifically Japanese MSX's with RF (i think its call antenna too) if im right wouldn't this be fine until i get better hardware for best displaying it?

Quote:

Japanese games will go 16.6% slower when run on European machines. Feels kind of a slow motion. Yes, on MSX2 or higher there are workarounds for that, but since you're a beginner this would only be a hassle.

i took at look at those videos... i honestly dont see much of a difference, i'll take your word, but trust me, i have made it sure that i want a Japanese machine! it does not matter if it has Hirigana keys or not, as long as it was meant for the Japanese market i dont mind.

Really guys.. it makes me really happy to receive this help. I cant wait to get my hands on one of these. im kinda actually wanted to get at least an MSX and or MSX2 dont care about the order cx

Por meits

Scribe (6544)

04-03-2016, 07:37

RF is possible, but you really don't want it... You'll go dizzy of the dancing pixels... I haven't tried it for some 25 years so I don't know how it would look like on a modern TV... I could try it tonight and see what happens and make a video/picture of the differences if you want to...

Por Brandon Jay Stickle

Rookie (30)

04-03-2016, 07:39

hey that would be cool i was actually using RF on a playstation 2 and i couldnt see a huge difference between RF and composite when i started collecting more for that platform. its only a 720p small tv, so its nothing special.

Por Brandon Jay Stickle

Rookie (30)

04-03-2016, 08:54

http://www.retroclasificados.com/ has great prices and a great selection! But unfortunately, i would never be able to convince my father to let my buy from there.