Contents |
Description
The PV-7 is the first MSX computer released by Casio. It has only 8kB RAM and one cartridge slot, does not have a printer port. This MSX1 computer has a chicklet keyboard that is said to be not very good and the keys 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.
To play games on tape, you need the FA-32 CMT I/F package as adapter, because the tape connector is not standard.
It's possible to add another 8kB RAM, two cartridge slots and the printer port by combining this computer with the KB-7 expansion unit. The power supply is not internal, the provided AC power adaptor (AD-4810) is required if you don't use the KB-7 unit, which has its own power supply.
This machine was aimed at the Japanese market. Both the computer and the expansion unit were available in black (BK) and red (RD) colors. There is also a special version of this computer, see Sanno SPCmk-II.
| Brand | Casio |
| Model | PV-7 |
| Year | 1984-10-15 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥29,800 computer ¥14,800 expansion unit ¥3,000 data recorder adapter |
| 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 ICs whose a gate array Fujitsu MB64H131) |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JP50on |
| Extras | Specific button keys TR1 and TR2, Joypad 1 cursors, (with KB-7) third cartridge slot |
| Emulation | ROM dumped and emulated. Note that the emulation includes the FA-32 cassette interface |
Pictures
Specifications
The Casio PV-7 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.
Power adapter input must be AC 100V, 50/60hz, 16VA. It can output up to 800mA with an not regulated voltage of DC 10V, center-negative.
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 Page 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 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, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
- 1 cartridge slot (without KB-7) or 3 cartridge slots (with KB-7)
- 1 extension slot for KB-7 unit
- AC power adapter connector
External Links
- PV-7 ベーシックガイド (Basic Guide) (Japanese)
- PV-7 プログラムライブラリー (Program Library) (Japanese)
- Canon PV-7 on Generation-MSX
- Info about the PV-7 (Japanese) - archived version
- 8kB to 32kB upgrade (Korean)
- Blog post about the PV-7 (Korean)
- Blog post about the PV-7 + KB-7 slot layout (Korean)
- Blog post about attaching the KB-7 to the PV-7 (Korean)
- Blog post about a PV-7 + KB-7 inspection (Korean)