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Description
The Sanno SPCmk-II is the first MSX produced for the Sanno Institute of Management, a Japanese Institute, which had as its mission to computerize the Japanese schools. This program was lead by the Sanno Institute of Business Administration and SPC means 'Sanno Primary Computer'. 'mk-II' refers to the fact that Sanno had previously released a (non-MSX) machine based on the Sord M2 computer.
The Sanno SPCmk-II was manufactured by Casio. It's actually the same machine as the Casio PV-7 and was available only in black. It has just 8kB RAM and one cartridge slot, and does not have a printer port. This MSX1 computer has a chicklet keyboard that is said to be not very good and the keys are too small for everyday use.
The joypad keys are arranged in a circle and labeled 'Joypad 1'. Together with the TR1 and TR2 keys on the bottom left of the computer, these are equivalent to a joystick inserted into joystick port 1. Probably, only the games that use the BIOS routines to handle the joysticks are supported by these internal joypad, it includes the BASIC games using the STICK command. (need confirmation about it)
Apart from the 'Joypad 1' keys, the computer also features normal cursor keys aligned above the joypad keys to the left of the Home key.
It's possible to add another 8kB RAM, two cartridge slots and the printer port by combining this computer with the Casio KB-7 expansion unit. To run software from tape, you need the Casio FA-32 or FA-33 CMT I/F adapter, because the tape connector is not standard. The power supply is not internal, the provided AC power adaptor (AD-4110) is required if you don't use the KB-7 unit, which has its own power supply.
The Sanno computers were meant to be used by students. Some other educational software was also created for Sanno. For example: Sanno CG, a graphic editor cartridge by Neos.
| Brand | Sanno (Manufacturer: Casio) |
| Model | SPCmk-II |
| Year | 1984 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | |
| RAM | 8kB (without KB-7) or 16kB (with KB-7) in slot 0 |
| VRAM | 16kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Texas Instruments TMS9118NL |
| Audio | PSG (AY-3-8910) |
| Chipset | none (separate IC's) |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JP50on |
| Extras | Specific button keys TR1 and TR2, (with KB-7) third cartridge slot |
| Emulation | Emulated as Casio PV-7. ROM dump needed for validation. See this thread for details |
Pictures
Specifications
The Sanno SPCmk-II is a MSX1 with a Z80A from NEC (D780C-1).
The pins Sound IN, SW1, SW2, -12V and +12V of the cartridge connector are not connected. In general, MSXs without a protection switch have pins SW1 and SW2 connected to GND. A few cartridges use SW1 and SW2 as GND. Sound IN is connected on cartridge connector of the expansion unit. Cartridges with sound expansion can not be used directly in the cartridge slot of the central unit.
The power adapter input must be AC 100V, 50/60hz, 14VA. It produces a voltage of 10V and a direct current up to 800mA. The negative polarity is at center.
Slot Map without KB-7
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | 8kB RAM* | Cartridge Slot | |||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | |||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | ||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
(*) Only 8kB RAM on bank from E000h~FFFFh
Slot Map with KB-7
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | RAM | Cartridge Slot | Cartridge Slot | Cartridge Slot | |||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | |||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | ||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
Connections
- RF output
- Analog sound output (mono)
- Composite video output
- MT/IF connector (requires CMT I/F package FA-32 or FA-33 as adapter to use a standard tape recorder)
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer (on the left side of the KB-7 expansion)
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 1 cartridge slot without -/+12V, and 2 extra with KB-7
- 1 expansion slot for KB-7 unit
- AC power adaptor connector