Interested on an MSX2 in the US

Paragon (1639)

03-01-2018, 00:22

Hi, since I moved to the US, and left my original MSX back in Europe, I've been wanting to get another MSX. But I understand that most of them come from Europe, so, I was just wondering if anyone in the US is interested in selling a working MSX2

Thanks!

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Par Stt1

Hero (606)

03-01-2018, 00:48

How about using some proxy-service in Japan and get MSX2 or MSX2+ from Yahoo JP? That computer would work nicely directly with the US wall sockets as well...

Par santiontanon

Paragon (1639)

03-01-2018, 15:59

Hmm, ok! I didn't think of that! I'll investigate! thanks!

Par Maggoo

Paragon (1216)

03-01-2018, 17:48

While the socket is the same the voltage is slightly different (100v in Japan vs 110v in the US). Most machines will tolerate the difference but on many MSX, I noticed a few side effects in the display.

I use the VCT VT-500J - Japanese Step Up/Down Voltage Transformer Converts Japan 100 Volts which you can buy on Amazon for $35 to work around this problem and avoid damaging the MSX.

Avoid models that boot by default in PAL (European models in general) unless you plan to modify the ROM. Most TV/Monitors available in the US don't like 50hz at all and unless you switch the MSX to 60hz/NTSC, you won't see much. I'd also invest into a SCART to HDMI or SCART to Component converter since SCART connectors are not common over here.

Par Grauw

Ascended (10604)

03-01-2018, 18:49

A little addendum; SCART is a European connector, in Japan they used DIN RGB connectors or or 21-pin connectors (which look similar to SCART but have a different pinout). The signals are the same though, just the connectors / pinouts are different so you can use a simple adapter cable to convert between them.

So how SCART comes into play if you get a Japanese computer in the US is, though most European TVs still have a SCART input for RGB, typically US TVs don’t have RGB inputs. And you really want to use RGB instead of composite video for good video quality. So in the US you want to use an RGB to VGA / HDMI converter, and for those SCART is the most commonly used connector to carry the RGB signal.

(At least that’s my understanding, I don’t live in the US obviously .)

Par santiontanon

Paragon (1639)

04-01-2018, 03:32

Wow, lots of info! Thanks a lot both!!!

Par wyrdwad

Paladin (931)

04-01-2018, 04:25

You can also buy Japanese MSX machines from eBay without paying too much for shipping, as long as you remain alert. I got my Panasonic FS-A1WX from an eBay seller via a Buy It Now auction -- he was asking $300 but had the Make Offer button active, so I made an offer of $250 and he accepted. Shipping was only $50, so I wound up paying exactly $300 for my machine, which is pretty damned good for a Panasonic MSX2+ with its floppy drive belt already replaced!

-Tom

Par santiontanon

Paragon (1639)

04-01-2018, 18:07

ok! I'll be monitoring eBay for some Japanese machines then! Seems to be the way to go!!

Par Pencioner

Scribe (1502)