MSXVR presentation at Retropolis

Definitely a must have! Let us hope that there will be enough available and everyone can get one.

I will be wanting one also!

nice I hope it is going to support arabic there are alot of arabic msx lover

Thank you! ... now .. work hard and complete the goals. I hope all the users could open again a box with a new MSX inside ... I would want to open mine in the shop where I bought my first MSX .. wow .. that would be great!

From the beginning I didn't believe in this project. Too many shady videos without actual hardware and software running. Again, this presentation promises so much but shows so little. And with 'one hot summer' to go, you can not write 3 books, an OS, all the other software and make a complete machine. They all should have been ready by now so the presentation would include movies from the computer, the OS, all the other software and the machine itself. But again, we get only stills...

Please do understand, I love the specifications! And I love the project! And I hope I am historically wrong with my feelings. But I think a large part of this new MSX world still only exists in the head of its inventors...

I’m very attracted. Is it possible to test my game rom on it (requesting v9990/r800/opl4) ?

Latok, you don't need Netflix tonight: MSXVR on Youtube

@msxvr: there's so much the MSXVR can do, it's a pity that its features, capabilities and specifications aren't really presented on the website in a sort of brief overview.

I has this MSX in my hands and...yes...IT'S REAL

Great, I’ll compile one workable rom file and send it to you asap
It will take something like one week of effort but it worth it.
Thanks for all, your project is really promising, I really appreciate that you
Provide a development framework along with the machine.
See you soon

I thought someone would correct the news post, or there'd be a clarification like "no it's just what we use for testing". Not "it's needed". That is unbelievable! Let's do the math:

MSX cartridge spec is 5V, max. 300 mA (1.5W) per slot, and +12V and -12V 50 mA each (not sure if +/-12V is per machine, or per slot, let's assume the latter). 2x 12V x 50 mA = 1.2W, bringing us to 2.7W per slot. But let's be veeeerrry generous, assume each cartridge uses double the allowed 300 mA @5V, and each cartridge uses both +12 and -12V @ double the allowed current (100 mA each). With 4 cartridges, that would bring us to 4x 5.4 = 21.6W. Note that this is already a ridiculously high number. And slotexpanders normally bring their own external power.

But even then, that leaves 150 - 22 = 128W going into the main unit. Which is essentially a kind of set-top box housed in a plastic keyboard. Where could that 128W possibly go? Have you ever tried putting a 100W lightbulb in a keyboard sized plastic box, leave it on, and see what happens? No need - chances are you'll have a fire on your hands. For comparison:

Routers, media players & similar boxes: typically 5..20W (latter number is on the high side).
Desktop MSX2 machines: around 40W or so (that's rather big metal boxes). Including losses for the internal psu.
A self-built power supply I have here, designed to power machines like Sony HB-G900, Philips NMS8280, Commodore Amiga or Atari ST if needed: tops out around 30W continuous (eg. 5V @ 4A + 12V @ 1A).

So either that psu is like 3..5x oversized, someone can't do math, or you guys need some serious help with the power circuit in that box.

In this video you say Operation Pig was made with VR-Script. But now you say the VR-Script has not been developed yet. That is exactly what I mean. Most of your videos are concept videos. Of how things could be.

Also, could you please react on RetroTechie his comments on the power supply? Maybe you can show me the inside of the machine so I can have a little more faith. Because I want to believe, I really do

No, he says the book for VR-Script has not been started yet. Since you were asking about the status of the books.

Yeah RPi power issues have been well documented. I'm going out on a limb now, but would:

RetroPie + cartridge reader on steroids + custom case/keyboard + boatload of modified / newly written software

...be a fair assessment of "the nature of the beast"? If so: just say so, and I'm sure people will appreciate / value it as such.

Asking because I'm still having some difficulty understanding what exactly it is, or is not. And seems I'm not the only one there.

Also: do you have anyone on your team with expertise concerning power (distribution), signal integrity etc? In complex projects like this, the importance of clean, reliable power (apart from how much of it), or the effect of wiring & how it's laid out, is often underestimated. Could help a great deal to have a 'pro' in such matters on the team. Not voluteering btw... I have my own projects to worry about.

Well, any of you can explain what’s the difference between the V9975 and the V9990 ?
I presume V9975 compatible with 58/38, v9990 not, that I know but functionally wise ?

No, but it was a real project of Yamaha that tried to combine V9958, DMA and V9990 features together (AFAIK, very little amount of paperwork has been found about this project). Therefore it is very bad idea to hijack this name for a project that is something completely different. I would rather suggest using name something like "VR958" or "V9958+" that does not let people to believe this has something to do with Yamaha original V9978 plans.

Ok MSXVR and NYYRIKKI, now it's clearer because I've read somewhere that the V9975 was designed to be somekind of v9990 backward compatible with the 58/38 but abandonned and replaced by the V9990 (not backward compatible at all).
Now, I see what you want to do with the V9975 (wathever the name) and it's a good idea.
I guess, that the V9990 is also available along with the 75 on your device. By the way, (if we can surimpose each other, then my dream comes true )

Looks sweet, but is it in development fase or in concept fase? I will believe it when I see it filmed doing things
Keep up the good work MSXVR team

Well, on the VRMSX youtube channel you see 'something' doing 'things', but these movies are almost all filmed in the dark and with only a part of the machine or the screen visible. Or it is not visible what's connected to the computer and what not and so on and so on. That's why I think it's still in a concept phase. Or in a very early production phase at its best. They do have the keyboard working, that's for sure. And they made a nice casing. But if there really is a ready PCB built inside this case, I don't believe it. Just yet.

In the MSX RU of Barcelona,more or less,200 users could saw the machine un action

I do like its current design (and the funky red colour!). Lets see how the final design looks.

I would prefer bigger cursors keys like in the initial drawings but maybe I am asking for too much.

Agree with Max on cursor keys

Dark green, semi-transparent case would be cool. Like this but with smooth textured surface not high gloss.

Btw I think 2 cartridge slots is enough (personal preference is 1 on top and 1 on the back). The more features machine includes, the less need there is to plug extra cartridges in there. I rarely have >1 cartridge in my 1chipMSX for example, if one at all. More slots just degrade the design.

Very intriguing, I'll keep an eye on this!

I do prefer 4 cartridge slots. Not everything is built in. You can add, for instance, external disk drives to use real floppy disks. Four is better than two!

This is very cool. I will definitely order one !!

MSX VR...SPAIN RULES!
Go for It!

Sorry,
You're really sure with this text:

;DISPLAY SCREEN ON PAGE
;V9938/v9958 (64k/128K VRAM)
VDP[2]=nnnx xxxx  ;bit ;n = 1 or 0, x= aways 0
VDP[14]=xxxx xnnn ;64/128k ;n= bit 0-2 , x = aways 0

;V9978 (4096k VRAM) ???
VDP[2]=nnnn nnnn 
VDP[2]=nnnn nnnn ; 4096k 

In this case, is it really true?

SCREEN 5 
SET PAGE 23,2 : BLOAD "GFX.SC5",S
SET PAGE 33,3 : BLOAD "GFX2.SC5",S

For the moment, no comment.
DanySoft

Price?

It is September 2019, pre order would start this month. Any updates?

https://twitter.com/msxvr_computer/status/117109583708417638...

Final specs:
TECHNICAL FEATURES
CPU 1,4Ghz - 64 bits - Quad Core
MEMORY 1 Gb (RAM/VRAM shared)
VIDEO MAX RESOLUTION 1920x1080x32bits - 1080p(60Hz)
HDMI AUDIO-VIDEO OUT Yes
AUDIO STEREO OUT RCA Yes
VIDEO OUT COMPOSITE Yes
AUDIO OUT 3'5 JACK STEREO Yes
GAME PORTS DB9 - MSX compatible
NUMBER OF GAME PORTS 2
CARTRIDGE SLOTS 50 pin - MSX compatible
NUMBER OF CARTRIDGE SLOTS 4
INTERNAL SD CARD Yes
SD CARD SIZE 16 Gb
WIFI Yes
BLUETOOTH Hardware: YES, Software: NO (license pending)
ETHERNET PORT Yes
DB37-IO Interface Yes
BUTTONS Power/Reset/VCC/Pause
LEDS 9 (Power + 8-User)
USB 2.0 PORTS 4
INTERNAL VOLTAGES 3.3V, 5V, +12V, -12V
PSU INCLUDED Yes
PSU FEATURES 12V/10A - 100-240V - 50/60Hz
POWER SWITCH Yes
POWER ON/OFF Yes
REMOTE 2'5 JACK Yes
EXT-KEYBRD PORT Yes
SLOT AUDIO MIXER Yes
MICROPHONE 3'5 JACK Yes
CSI/DSI CONNECTOR Yes
KEYBOARD INTEGRATED Mechanical - Standard 87 Keys
SOFTWARE OS + Apps + Tools + VRBasic + VRDOS + VMachines + Online updates

INTERNAL HARDWARE
Although the MSXVR uses a Raspberry PI 3B+ inside as a CPU and takes advantage of the rest of the features of this mini-computer, it has been necessary to develop all the special hardware that would allow real-time access to cartridges, clocks, voltage management, On and off system, access to external devices, management of game ports, internal audio mixer, amplifier for slots, remote control jack, LEDs, buttons and everything necessary for the set of elements to coexist offering good performance and functionality

Back Connectors
External Keyboard Port. This is used to connect the MSXVR to a PC or MAC and serve as a USB keyboard. To work in this mode, the MSXVR must be turned off.
Remote control Jack 2,5. Activate / deactivate the remote control. This is the REM of the
Cassette although it may have other functionalities in the future.
EAR Jack 3,5. To be able to connect speakers or headphones.
MIC Jack 3,5. To be able to connect a microphone or as an audio input.
AV OUT RCA. Coaxial connectors for composite video and analog audio. Allows you to connect the computer to a CRT TV.
Ethernet RJ45. Network connector
HDMI. Type-A connector to connect a monitor or television with digital image / audio.
DSI/CSI. Port that allows to connect directly to the camera and screen interfaces.
SD Port. Port where we can extract or insert the SD card used by the system and must contain a compatible operating system. It is not a hot extraction unit.
4 x USB Ports. Standard USB 2.0 Type-A ports
DB37-IO Interface. 37-pin connector with I / O configuration and used to create connectivity with external hardware.
Side Connectors
2 x Game Ports. DB9 ports compatible with MSX.
Power Switch. Safety shutdown switch.
PSU connector. Socket to connect the power supply.
CASE
For the plastic of the housing, both from the top and the bottom, injection molds will be used. The resulting plastic will have a professional quality, in addition to being flame retardant and complying with EU safety / quality directives.

Wait until you hear the even more impressive software line up that comes with the device...

Preorderd too!

One more preorder

You could sell the Zemmix?