title: HB-F9P
text: # HB-F9P
  
  The HB-F9P was a Sony MSX2-computer, launched in 1985. The abbreviation HB stands for Hit Bit.
  
  The HB-F9P was unusual in the sense that it did not come with a built in floppy disk drive, instead it had a built in software suite "Memovision" that would run automatically unless a program cartridge was inserted in the cartridge slot or the GRAPH key was pressed during booting.
  
  Memovision could store data on the special HBI-55 (battery backed RAM) "data cartridge" that Sony originally had developed, for their HB-55 and HB-75 MSX computers. These systems contained a simple built in program called the "Personal Databank". Memovision was a continuation of the same idea, but much extended, as it contained stuff like a (birthday) calendar with alarm system, a "family databank" (a combination of a text editor and database) a built in calculator and a timer and time calculator, all rendered in pseudo 3D style.
  
  ## Variants
  
  Of the HB-F9 there were many different localized variants produced:
  
  * HB-F9P, with QWERTY-keyboard layout was designed for the PAL-standard, and meant for European countries, except Germany, France, Spain and the former Soviet Union.
  * HB-F9R, had a Russian keyboard.
  * HB-F9D, had a QWERTZ-keyboard for the German market
  * HB-F9F, had an AZERTY-keyboard for the French market, and was designed for the SECAM-standard.
  * HB-F9S, had a modified QWERTY-keyboard for the Spanish market.
  
  ## Technical specifications
  
  ### Processor
  
     * Sharp LH-0080 or NEC μPD780C
  
  ### memory
  
     * ROM: 96 KB
  
     ** MSX BASIC version 2.0: 48 KB
  
     ** software suite: 48 KB
  
     * RAM
  
     ** VRAM: 128 KB
  
     ** main memory: 128 KB
  
  ### Video
  
     * VDP
  
     ** Yamaha V9938
  
     ** text: 80×24, 40×24 en 32×24 (characters per line × lines) four colors, two foreground colors and two background colors
  
     ** graphical: maximal 512×212 pixels (16 colors of 512) and 256×212 (256 colors)
  
     ** colors: 512 maximal
  
  ### Engine
  
     * MSX-Engine: S-1985
  
     * real-time clock with trickle-charged battery backup
  
  ### sound
  
     * Yamaha YM2149 PSG
  
     * 3 sound channels and one noise channel
  
     * 8 octaves
  
  ### Interfaces
  
     * power cord
  
     * RF-output
  
     * CVBS monitor
  
     * luminance output
  
     * monochrome switch
  
     * headset sound output
  
     * data-recorder I/O (1200/2400 baud)
  
     * 1 general purpose expansion connector
  
     * printer
  
     * keyboard
  
     * 2 joysticks
  
     * 2 cartridge slots
  