Contents |
Description
The HX-52 computer, also known as the HX-52I, is an improved version of the HX-51, it has indeed more connectors and a RS-232C interface with a switch at the back.
This computer seems to be the international 'remake' of the HX-32, with an obvious difference : the original case is black, while the HX-52 case is white. It was mainly sold in Italy and Spain.
| Brand | Toshiba |
| Model | HX-52 |
| Year | 1985 |
| Region | Italy and Spain |
| Launch price | |
| RAM | 64kB (split between slots 0 and 3-0) |
| VRAM | 16kB |
| Media | Cartridges |
| Video | Toshiba T6950 Texas Instruments TMS9918 compatible (Integrated in MSX-Engine T7937) |
| Audio | PSG-sound chip General Instrument AY-3-8910 compatible (Integrated in MSX-Engine T7937) |
| Chipset | Toshiba T7937 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY with accents key |
| Extras | RS-232C interface + switch + RS-232C BASIC |
| Emulation | ROM dump needed. See this thread for details |
Pictures
Specifications
The HX-52 is a MSX1 computer with 2 cartridge slots (one at the top, one at the back). All the main components (Z80A, VDP, PSG) are integrated in a MSX-Engine, the Toshiba T7937.
The 2 joystick ports are located on the right side of the computer, as well as the data recorder connector.
The integrated VDP is the Toshiba T6950, which does not support some undocumented features of the Texas Instruments TMS9918, TMS9928 and TMS9929 VDP's.
The 64kB RAM is split between slots 0 and 3-0, a configuration that can cause poorly written software to crash. Also, with this layout, the POKE-1,(15-PEEK(-1)\16)*17 trick to workaround buggy software that does not handle subslots properly will not work on this machine.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Upper 32kB RAM | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Lower 32kB RAM | RS-232C | |||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh |
- The RS-232C rom is a 16kB ROM including mirror at 6000h
Connections
- RF output
- RGB output (SCART)
- Analog sound & Composite video
- RS-232C connector (DB-25) with ON/OFF switch
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatible Parallel port for a printer
- 2 general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2 cartridge slots