Contents |
Description
The HB-F700 is an adaptation of the second generation of the HB-F500 for non-Japanese markets. The architecture has been improved and there is more RAM. The following models exist:
| Product | Region | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Sony HB-F700B | UK | QWERTY with £ key |
| Sony HB-F700D | Germany | QWERTZ |
| Sony HB-F700F | France | AZERTY |
| Sony HB-F700P | Europe | QWERTY with £ key |
| Sony HB-F700S | Spain | QWERTY with ñ key |
No equivalent Japanese model was released. Apart from the supplied (external) keyboard, ROM differences to support the included keyboard, and type markings, the above models are virtually identical. The HB-F700 only comes in white color.
The computer was shipped with a mouse and several software programs on floppy disk. The program collection is called HiBrid which is similar in some ways to early Windows versions or the Macintosh, and included a file manager (visual filer), Hi-Text (word processor), Hi-Base (database), Hi-Calc (spreadsheet), Hi-Graph (business graphics) and Hi-Comm. These programs are available in six languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish).
| Brand | Sony |
| Type | HB-700B / HB-F700D / HB-F700F / HB-F700P / HB-F700S |
| Year | 1986 |
| Region | Europe |
| Original price | NL: ƒ1799 |
| RAM | 256kB in slot 3-3 |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges, 2DD floppy disks |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149 integrated in MSX-Engine S1985) |
| Chipset | Yamaha S1985 |
| Keyboard layout | see table above |
| Extras | One 720kB 3.5" floppy disk drive, reset button, software on floppy disk, MOS-1 mouse |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated for all versions except HB-F700B. See this thread for details about dumping tools. |
Pictures
Check also the pages about the different models!
Specifications
The HB-F700 is an MSX2 with a Z80A from NEC (uPD780C-1) and an MSX-Engine from Yamaha (S1985). Main RAM is a 256kB memory mapper.
Badly programmed or disk conversions of MSX1 games could linger in memory so long that after a reset the game was still there. Even after a considerable amount of time being switched off. Connecting the earth on the backside of the computer to for example a heater pipe in your room could help a bit emptying the memory.
Because the RAM is in secondary slot 3-3, software often needs the infamous POKE -1,... workaround.
The original disk ROM may be considered one of the slowest ever used in an MSX2 computer. Floppy Disk Controller chip is the CXD-1032Q (Sony).
Slot Map
| Slot | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | 3-0 | 3-1 | 3-2 | 3-3 | ||||
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 256kB Memory Mapper | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Disk ROM | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM | |||||||||
Connections
- 6-pin DIN Audio/Video connector
- RGB output (Video and Audio - 8-pin DIN 45328 connector)
- Second Floppy disk drive connector for use with the HBD-30W
- Keyboard connector
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- Screw terminal to connect the metal housing with protective earth
Links
- Sony - A Guide to MSX-BASIC Version 2.0
- Sony - MSX-BASIC Version 2.0 Reference Chart
- Service Manual (from MSXBlog)
- Service Manual for P/F/S/D models
Pages in category "Sony HB-F700"
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.