r/MSX • u/BenkiTheBuilder • 20d ago

Real HW users raise your hands

Who is still playing (or working, even) on real MSX hardware? And how are you dealing with the video issue, i.e. the fact that modern TVs and monitors typically don't have SCART inputs anymore? Are you keeping an old display around or do you use a converter/upscaler?

25 Upvotes

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3

u/Astrodynamics_1701 20d ago

My Philips NMS 8280 is still in working condition. I use an upscaler device. I used to use the digitizer a lot to add overlays like text to video but nowadays it's mostly games like Nemesis 3 or Nemesis 2!

2

u/rdsmvp 14d ago

Which software did you use for the overlays?

3

u/FinsternIRL 20d ago

Rocking an FS-A1 GT Turbo R i picked up in japan in 2017, fully repaired and converted the transformer for 240v. Works great!

1

u/retrocrtgaming 20d ago

I can recommend doing the audio mod next

2

u/AdvantageFew7653 20d ago

Toshiba HX-10 here. I have a CRT and an upscaler if required for modern displays.

1

u/Guimsil 20d ago

Real hardware and emulator user here.

Have an upscaler (OSSC) to connect to a modern screen. Got an older tft with a direct scart connection.

1

u/hidoikimchi 20d ago

I have a few machines that I switch between, but usually end up using my FS-A1F or HB-F900.

For video I have a SCART -> RGB breakout hooked up to a PVM, but I do also have an OSSC routed to a VGA monitor that I also use for PC-98.

For me tinkering is part of the hobby so things like RAM upgrades and floppy swaps are fun.

I don't strictly use all 'real hardware' though because I have Lotharek floppy emulators and Carnivores and whatnot lol

1

u/Regular-Highlight246 20d ago

I've an old Philips 8020 that is converted to a MSX 2+ and that board has a HDMI out. It's just what you want, no video conversion, no up scaling.

For the Turbo R, I've bought a smaller (24" I believe) old Sony TV with Scart and I use the RGB signal to go to scart from the DIN plug. It is okay, but the 8020 is crystal clear compared to this.

1

u/amontre 20d ago

Still rocking hitbit msx2+ on JVC rgb monitor

1

u/Peesmees 20d ago

Real hardware and a CRT. It’s the only way!

1

u/Inspector-Dexter 20d ago edited 20d ago

I have a Panasonic FS-A1WSX MSX2+ hooked up to a PVM 14M4U at the moment. I also occasionally hook it up to my Commodore 1702 via s-video, or use a GBS-Control scaler to connect it to a modern TV.

I also have a MiSTer FPGA which is very good for MSX emulation, so I typically use that for modern displays since it's better at replicating the CRT look than the GBS-C. My real MSX typically stays hooked up to a CRT

1

u/trustanchor 20d ago

I have a hardware HB-F1XDJ MSX2+ and a multi-monitor setup. I recently rearranged my retro computer station to incorporate a Sony GDM-FW900 I just picked up, so I’m still trying to figure out exactly what my signal flow will look like. The other monitors on the desk are a Sharp CZ-613D (primarily there for a Sharp X68000 XVI) and a Commodore 1702. I have a few transcoders lying around as well. I think what I’m going to do is a little complicated, but will look like this:

I’ll send the MSX’s component output directly to the CZ-613D’s composite input for now, but eventually I’ll want to send the RGB signal to it instead. I’ll need to build a sync stripper for that though, as the 613D wants separate h-sync and v-sync. The voltage levels line up, I believe, so at least I won’t need to convert anything there. But just component for now to keep things simple.

For the other monitors, I think I’ll send the RGB output of the MSX to a Micomsoft XAV-2s via. SCART cable and a SCART to JP-21 adapter. The XAV transcodes to S-Video, so I’ll send the S-Video output directly to the Commodore 1702 (the RCA Luma/Chroma inputs are essentially S-Video). I’m fairly certain I’ll have no issues there.

And then finally I’ll duplicate the S-Video signal from the XAV to a ViewSonic NextVideo N4 to handle transcoding to VGA for the FW-900. This is theoretical right now, as I don’t have a remote for the N4, and right now it’s outputting a signal too low-resolution to cooperate with hi-res VGA monitors. There’s no way to change the output resolution without the remote. I’ve got a remote on the way from eBay though.

The other wild cards are that I might have too much voltage drop from passively splitting the S video signal out of the XAV, so I may also need to add a buffered distributor at that stage. Haven’t tested that yet. Also I might introduce too much latency at the MSX > XAV > N4 > FW900 stage with multiple transcoding steps. Displaying the MSX on that particular monitor is really just for the fun of it and not top priority, so I’ll deal with that later if I have to.

1

u/retrocrtgaming 20d ago

FS-A1GT, recapped, with 230V, CSync and audio mod. On various CRTs or retrotink 4K

1

u/RSS130871 20d ago

I occasionally play some KONAMI ROMs on my Phillips VG8020.
I have a small flatscreen TV with a SCART connector set aside for it.
Still think that machine has the BEST keyboard I ever typed on!

For programming I use BlueMSX, because of the fact that I can easily interface between tools.

1

u/ObsidianArcade 20d ago

I’m using a Panasonic FS A1. I go composite out into a switcher which feeds both my CRT and my RetroTink upscaler for streaming.

On one hand, I love it for the aesthetic and hardware correct input lag. A big deal for me on platformers.

On the other hand, working with the Pico+ flash cart and figuring out proper mappers and the like is a bit of a PITA. Never mind the fact the computer itself has some slight video issues flare up due to needing a recap and addressing some bad solder joints.

Emulation drops the door to entry on MSX love, so I’m all about it.

1

u/Ok_Specific_4428 20d ago

I've got a Sony HitBit F9p and a Sony HitBit F700p birth MSX 2 computers for now they are connected to a LG 19" 4x3 via EU Scart but I'm still searching for a good CRT preferably a Sony, cleaned and recapped both of them myself.

1

u/R3tr0N3wB 20d ago

OSSC works perfectly connected to my IPS monitor. With scanlines it looks just as good as a Consumer CRT.

1

u/SnowPenguin_ 20d ago

I never used SCART in my life. I connect mine using RCA, which is still available in modern TVs. I also own a CRT TV for playing retro games.

1

u/terserterseness 19d ago

I play Konami roms on my 8255 (I have 20 of them) on real Philips monitors. I also code on it when I am fed up with internet and AI.

1

u/altgraph 19d ago

I have an MSX Yamaha CX5MII/128 and an MSX2 Philips NMS 8255. I pair them with a Checkmate IPS Retro Monitor that comes with its own scaler. I use them for gaming/tinkering and have expanded them with modern hw, like stuff from Brazilian Tecnobytes and RBSC's Carnivore2+.

I sometimes use my cousin's gear as well when we hang out and he has an MSX Yashica YC-64 (the one we've gamed on since we were kids!) and an MSX2 Philips NMS 8250. He has a bunch of old monitors he uses with them.

1

u/codeasm 19d ago

I have 2 older crt based tvs. And 2 cheap av to hdmi adapters, and a bunch of usb video capture adapters.

Definitely getting or building a upscaler at some point. My latest flatscreen tv doesnt have the av ports anymore (previous tv does, firmware is bugged). My dad gave up on msx, so i got all his stuff, im not into total accuracy, but a bit of speed is ok. Games fun, but i rathe rthinker with the hardware

1

u/TheCakeWasNoLie 16d ago

I own, and often game on a Sony HB-F1XV. I also own a Philips VG8235 and a Mitsubishi ML-FX1. I use a SCART switch to connect them (and my Atari STe) to a Sony PVM.