GR8BIT
GR8BIT is an educational 8-bit computer hardware and software platform, upon which users can experiment with computer electronics in a simpler computer architecture compared to modern mainstream electronics. It was created by Eugeny Brychkov and licensed by the MSX Licensing Corporation.
History[]
 | This section is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. (April 2014) |
AGE Labs announced[1] in 2011 the launch of a MSX kit called GR8BIT[2] - the do-it-yourself computer for learning purposes, which was licensed by the MSX Licensing Corporation. The kit is priced at $499 and includes all necessary components to assemble a working MSX2 compatible computer, except for an ATX chassis, power supply, floppy drive, hard disk, PS/2 keyboard and monitor. It also comes with assembly and operational manuals and a supplement compiled from vendor and community support.
Technical specifications[]
| CPU | Zilog Z80 (4-20 MHz), compatible or emulation board (3.3V) |
| RAM | 1 MB |
| VRAM | 128KiB (V9938) |
| Keyboard | PS/2 keyboard interface (requires keyboard controller installed) |
| Display | text: 80×24 rows; graphics: 512×212 pixels, (16 colours out of 512) and 256×212 (256 colours), 32 sprites |
| Sound | General Instrument AY-3-8910 (PSG), 3 voices, white noise, Additional 5 programmable channels when using SCC |
| Ports | Seven (7) GR8BUS internal slots, Two (2) expandable external slots (1 and 2), Two (2) GR8BUS adaptor boards for internal cartridge connection, Advanced printer port / parallel datacomm port, Two (2) compatible joystick ports / general I/O ports |
| Storage | FDD: up to two; Formats: «Standard 1.44» (9 FAT sectors), «Compatible 1.44» (3 FAT sectors) and «Legacy 720» (3 FAT sectors), HDD: up to two ATA (IDE) storage devices, with max 8 logical volumes (LVOLs), 2 active at a time; built-in GR8STORM utility, Micro-SD card interface (using GR8BUS master board, read only) |
References[]
- ^ "The birth of a GR8BIT - The do it yourself MSX 2". MSX Resource Center. 2012-01-18. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "GR8BIT Platform: The Real Engineering Experience". AGE Labs. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- MSX