Contents |
Description
The HB-101 is called "Hit Bit Mezzo" by Sony. It has a place to store the power cable underneath and a retractable carrying handle. The following models exist:
| Product | Region | PSU | Keyboard | Video and audio out | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony HB-101 | JP | 100V 60Hz | QWERTY/JP50on | RF, Composite video and audio | Red, Black or Gray |
| Sony HB-101P | Europe | 220V 50Hz | QWERTY with £ key | RF, Composite V+A DIN | Black |
The machine comes with a built-in Personal Databank with saving on cassette tape, the HBI-55 data cartridge or an external disk drive.
The Japanese model has only 16kB RAM and a built-in retractable stick is in the middle of the cursor keys, which can be used as a joystick. The European model has 32kB RAM and comes without a built-in stick (however, it can be added as an option).
The integrated firmware program is launched automatically when you boot the machine.
To skip it, press CTRL-SHIFT-CODE-GRAPH when booting, then enter SCREEN 0. You can also use this trick later, at any moment when you are using the Personal Databank.
| Brand | Sony |
| Model | HB-101 / HB-101P |
| Year | 1984 |
| Region | HB-101: Japan HB-101P: Europe |
| Launch price | ES: 53,000 Pts JP: ¥46,800 |
| RAM | 16kB (HB-101) or 32kB (HB-101P) in slot 0 |
| VRAM | 16kB |
| Media | Cartridges |
| Video | Texas Instruments TMS9118NL (HB-101) or Texas Instrument TMS9129NL (HB-101P) |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149F) |
| Chipset | none (separate IC's) |
| Keyboard layout | (HB-101) QWERTY/JP50on - (HB-101P) QWERTY with a "£" key |
| Extras | reset button, pause button, carrying handle, built-in joystick (optional on HB-101P), firmware (Personal Databank) |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated for both the HB-101 and HB-101P |
Pictures
Check also the pages about the different models!
Specifications
The HB-101 has two cartridge slots at the top of the computer. The processor is a Sharp LH-0080, which is compatible with the Zilog Z80A. The PAUSE button halts the CPU.
Slot Map for HB-101
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | 16kB RAM | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | ||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | |||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Firmware | |||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
- Firmware (Personal Databank) must be removed to use some other software (eg Nextor).
Slot Map for HB-101P
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | 32kB RAM | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | ||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | |||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Firmware | |||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
- Firmware (Personal Databank) must be removed to use some other software (eg Nextor).
Connections
- RF output
- Analog sound output and composite video output on HB-101
- 6-pin DIN Audio/Video connector on HB-101P
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
Upgrades
Unlike the firmware of the HB-55 and HB-75 machines, adding a disk drive does not disable the firmware menu (Personal Data Bank). In addition the firmware has been modified to support disk functions, and adding a S-RAM cartridge like the HBI-55 no longer disables the disk drive.
External Links
- Sony HB-101 2-page Flyer (Japanese)
- Sony HB-101 4-page Flyer (Japanese)
- Service Manual HB-101P / HB-201P
Pages in category "Sony HB-101"
The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total.