Contents |
Description
Computer
The HX-33 is the first MSX2 computer in the third series with the "Pasopia IQ" label. It contains a Kanji-ROM level 1, that is the same as the one included in the HX-M200 cartridge.
As for many machines with this label, the PSG sound output is stereo, with a mono/stereo switch at the back.
The keyboard includes an extra key, marked COPY: when combined with CTRL or CTRL + SHIFT, it allows to make a screencopy and send it to a connected MSX printer. A 2kB SRAM is used as temporary buffer in the procedure.
This computer was aimed at the Japanese market, with as option a RS-232C interface with switch.
| Brand | Toshiba |
| Model | HX-33 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Region | Japan |
| Launch price | ¥99,800 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-0, 2kB SRAM |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges |
| Video | Yamaha V9938 |
| Audio | PSG (YM2149F) |
| Chipset | Toshiba TCX-2001 and TCX-2002 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY/JIS |
| Extras | firmware (Japanese Word Processor - Kanji-Kun v.3.0 + English Word Processor), Kanji-ROM level 1, Printer BASIC, stereo PSG sound, RS-232C BASIC, (optional) Toshiba HX-R702 RS-232C interface + switch |
| Emulation | ROM dumped and emulated, except the COPY feature |
Firmware
The built-in firmware is a Word Processor in 2 versions: Japanese and English. From BASIC, the Japanese version can be launched with CALL JWP or _JWP and the English version with CALL EWP or _EWP. It includes the additional BASIC instructions for RS-232C and printer.
The Japanese Word Processor is actually version 3.0 of the same software available in versions 2.0 and 2.5 on the Toshiba HX-2x series. This version has disk support (and was also released separately on disk for ¥19,800).
The main menu includes 6 options (the 5th option is different from the other versions):
- Japanese Word Processor - if you press twice on ESC, you can access many WP features
- Conversion Tools
- Load and Save
- Printer Settings and Print 1
- Printer Settings and Print 2
- Tools for Idioms and Short Sentences
CTRL+STOP can be used to go back to the previous menu or the main menu, except if you are in the first option. You need to reboot to quit the Japanese Word Processor.
The English Word Processor is the same as on the International versions of the HX-20 and HX-22 machines, but the option to leave the program has been removed. As it was already the case with the Japanese Word Processor, you need to reboot the computer. Returning to the menu from the RS-232C sub-menu is also impossible in this version.
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Japanese Word Processor
English Word Processor
Specifications
The HX-33 is a MSX2 with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back), a Z80A from Sharp (LH-0080A) and 2 unusual MSX-Engines, the Toshiba TCX-2001 and TCX-2002. The 2 joystick ports are located on the right side of the computer, as well as the data recorder connector.
This memory can be upgraded to 128kB by adding two same RAM (41464) at IC5 & IC6 and two ceramic capacitors (100nF) at C5 & C6 in much the same way as for the Toshiba HX-34. 128kB memory is enabled by moving the resistor R12 to GND instead of +5V. R12 location is close to TCX-2020 chip. I think you have to move R12 to the empty location right next to it. (See more information here)
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 64kB Memory Mapper | Firmware | ||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | |||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
- The firmware ROM is actually a 80kB ROM:
- first 16kB = RS-232C BASIC + Printer BASIC + the extra instructions to launch the WPs
- next 32kB = Japanese Word Processor
- last 32kB = English Word Processor
- 7FFFh in slot 3-3 is a control register:
- bit 7: COPY button status (0 is pressed)
- bits 5-6: switch ROM/SRAM in page 8000h-BFFFh
- bits 0-1: ROM segment select in page 8000h-BFFFh (4 16kB pages - the remaining 16kB in page 4000h-7FFFh is the RS-232C ROM)
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output
- Analog sound (stereo) & Composite video
- Slot for the HX-R702 optional RS-232C connector
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mouse, Paddle controlers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots
- Power plug male for main power supply (JIS C 8303 class, AC 100V +/-10% 50/60Hz)