Contents |
Description
KimoHachi (肝八) is an MSX2+ sold in Japan since 2018 by the user Kimoan. It is entirely composed of conventional chips spread over several boards.
By default, KimoHachi works without Real Time Clock (RTC) using patch. The RTC is only available with the additional 2PLUS board, and this chip is required to correctly initialize the MSX2 or MSX2+ Sub-ROM.
KimoHachi is also devoid of case. It has been specially designed for developers. Programs can be directly transferred to the memory with a PC via USB.
| Brand | Kimoan |
| Model | KimoHachi |
| Year | 2018 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥49,800 for the KimoHachi ¥7,800 for the 2PLUS board ¥12,800 for the SCC board |
| RAM | 1024kB in slot 3-0, 128kB SRAM, (optional) extra 512kB SRAM used as MegaSRAM |
| VRAM | 192kB |
| Media | (WIP) MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9958 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149F) |
| Chipset | none (separate IC's) |
| Keyboard layout | PS/2 keyboard |
| Extras | (optional) Kanji-ROM level 1, (optional) MegaSRAM SCC |
| Emulation |
Gallery
Specifications
KimoHachi is an most complete MSX2+ with the 2PLUS board. Data recorder port and printer port are missing, there is only one joystick port and slot cartridge is actually an option.
USB port is used to install and setup the KimoHachi. Setting software is available for Windows and Linux.
Details about boards
2PLUS board: (optional)
It contains the RTC, MSX-MUSIC and Kanji-ROM.
Cartridge slot-Board: (still not available)
WIP...
CPU-Board:
It contains the Z80, bus buffer and a 128kB SRAM with a super capacity (to contain MSX Roms).
Interface-Board:
It contains I/O interface for the system. It controls boards. USB port is used to load system Roms in CPU-Board and SCC Rom in SCC board.
Mapper-Board:
It contains the Memory Mapper system with 1024kB RAM.
PPI-Board:
It contains the interface to manage the slots and the keyboard (PS/2).
PSG-Board:
It contains the PSG, sound output for headphone, volume potentiometer and a sound output for headphone.
SCC-Board: (optional)
It contains the SCC, 512kB SRAM with a super capacity (used as MegaSRAM).
VDP-Board:
This board contains a V9958 with 192kB VRAM and some video outputs (composite video, analog RGB and S-Video)
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | SCC board or Cartridge Slot board | SCC board or Cartridge Slot board | 1024kB Memory Mapper | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | Kanji Driver | |||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | MSX-Music | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RGB output DIN-8 and DSUB-15
- 1 general connector (on the PSG board, for joystick, mouse, paddle controllers, etc)
- 1 Sound output (female mini jack on the PSG board)
- 1 PS/2 keyboard connector (on the PPI-Board)
- 1 Female micro USB (on the Interface-Board)
- Power supply connector (on the Interface-Board, DC 5V plus at center, 2A)
Note: No Centronics compatible port for printer nor data recorder port.
Links
- Kimoan's website (Japanese)
- Tobita Koubou (sales website) (Japanese)