1chipMSX

Infobox computer
Name = 1chipMSX
Photo =
Type = Home computer
Released = 2006
Discontinued = batch 1 completed
Processor = Zilog Z80 implemented in VHDL on an FPGA
Memory = 1MB
OS = MSX-DOS / MSX BASIC

The One chip MSX, or 1chipMSX as the D4 Enterprise distributional name for the ESE MSX System 3, is a re-implementation of an MSX-2 home computer that uses a single FPGA to implement all the electronics (except the RAM) of an MSX-2, including the MSX-MUSIC and SCC+ audio extensions.

The system is housed in a transparent blue plastic box, and can be used with a standard monitor (or TV) and a PC keyboard. Original MSX cartridges can be inserted, as well as SD and MMC memory cards as an external storage medium. Even though it lacks a 3.5" disk drive, disks are supported through emulation on a memory card, including support for booting MSX-DOS. Due to its VHDL programmable hardware, it's possible to give the device new hardware extensions by simply running a reconfiguration program under MSX-DOS. The "one chip-MSX" is equipped with two USB connectors, that can be used after adding some supporting VHDL code.

The ESE MSX System 3 is designed by [http://www.big.or.jp/~saibara/msx/ese/ ESE Artists' Factory] and distributed as 1chipMSX by D4 Enterprise and was supposed to be distributed outside Japan by [http://www.bazix.nl/ Bazix] .However, due to ROHS regulations in Europe, it could not be distributed to Europe in its original form [Newspost on Msx Resource Center about postponed 1chipMSX: [http://www.msx.org/One-Chip-MSX-Western-Edition-postponed.newspost4311.html] ] and the European market had to wait for an adapted version which would be produced through Bazix and distributed to Europe by Bazix. [Newspost on Msx Resource Center about shift of responsibilities regarding 1chipMSX: [http://www.msx.org/1chipMSX-Western-Edition-news.newspost4633.html] ] In the end Bazix stopped being the representative of MSX Association [Statement on Bazix' website regarding the end of their partnership with MSX Association: [http://bazix.nl/] ] [Newspost on MSX Resource Center regarding the breakup between MSX Association and Bazix: [http://www.msx.org/Bazix-breaks-relationship-with-MSX-Association.newspost4799.html] ] [Newspost on MSX Association Europe website regarding MSX Association and Bazix relationship: [http://eur.msxa.org/en/node/6] ] and thus will also not bring the 1chipMSX to the Western market.

According to the [http://eur.msxa.org MSX Association Europe website] , MSX Association is looking for a distributor for the ESE MSX System 3 in the Netherlands and have, according to the article, already found solutions for other countries. [Newspost on MSX Association Europe website about request for distributor: [http://eur.msxa.org/en/node/8] ]

Hardware specifications

*Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240C8N FPGA chip
*32 MB SDRAM
*SD/MMC card slot
*2 MSX Cartridge slots
*2 audio outputs (for future stereo support)
*S-Video video output
*Composite video output
*VGA video output
*PS/2 keyboard connector
*2 USB connector
*2 MSX Joystick ports
*FPGA I/O pin (40 pins and 10 pins)

Included are also:
*A Short English instruction manual, including a short introduction to VHDL
*Full VHDL code used to achieve MSX2 compatibility (default configuration)
*A CD-ROM with VHDL code examples and the following software:
**Altera Quartus 2 Web Edition - VHDL development environment
**PLDLOAD and PLDSAVE - Softare to read and program the FPGA chip
**EP, FDLOAD and FDSAVE - Software to create, load and play disk images
*220V adapter or 110V converter plug
*Schematics to the One Chip MSX PCB
*Blueprint of the One Chip MSX casing

Default specifications of the implemented MSX system

*MSX 2 computer system
*1 MB RAM
*128kB VRAM
*Kanji-ROM
*MSX-MUSIC
*MSX-DOS2 with FAT16 support
*MEGA-SCSI compatible support for SD card as primary drive

ee also

List of MSX compatible computers

References

External links

* [http://www.onechipmsx.com/ Western One Chip MSX Blog]
* [http://free.flop.jp/1chipmsx/ 1chipMSX wiki (in Japanese)]
* [http://www.msx.org/ MSX Resource Center]
* [http://msxbanzai.tni.nl/computers/ese3.html ESE MSX System 3 information] — English technical overview with tutorials and tools.