The Philips VG-8020 MSX is an 8-bit home computer produced by Philips, a Dutch company, in 1984. The Philips VG8020 was also marketed with the Phonola brand: Phonola VG-8020. It is the successor of the Philips VG-8000 and Philips VG-8010.
MSX (Machines with Software Exchangeability) is a standard developed in Japan by Kazuhiko Nishi. The intent was to obtain compatible computers with each other, even if built by several producers.
The Philips VG8020 is a computer that complies with the MSX1 standard, and is based on the Zilog Z80A processor.
In my collection there are two Philips VG 8020 computers:
- Philips VG-8020/00
- Philips VG-8020/40
They are several revisions of the same vintage computer model. Both I bought at a good price.
The first MSX I bought is the VG-8020/40: I bought it on eBay at the end of 2021. The second is the Philips VG-8020/00, purchased at the end of 2022: I went to withdraw it in person, since the seller lives not far far away. The Philips VG8020/00 is garage and the lot also includes manuals and some magazines.
Philips VG-8020 MSX computer startup screen
The Philips VG8020 computer starts with two consecutive screens. The first indicates the MSX standard version 1.0 of 1983.
The subsequent startup screen shows the version of the MSX Basic language (1.0) and the indication of the RAM memory bytes available for programming (28815 bytes free). MSX Basic is by Microsoft.
Technical characteristics of the Philips VG-8020 MSX
CPU: Zilog Z80A, 8-bit, 3.576 MHz
ROM: 32 KB
RAM: 64KB (+16KB video separate RAM)
Graphics: V.D.P. Video Display Processor, TMS9929A
Text mode: 40 columns x 24 rows or 32 columns x 24 rows
Graphics mode: 64 × 48 pixels and 256 x 192 pixels (16 colors)
Audio: P.S.G. Programmable Sound Generator, YM-2149
Keyboard: QWERTY 73 keys, includes arrows and function keys
Software included in ROM: MSX BASIC version 1.0 by Microsoft
Expansion ports:
- Parallel (Centronics 14 poles)
- Tape drive (DIN 8-pin)
- Audio/Video (DIN 8 poles)
- RF Audio/Video, for PAL analog TV, channel 36
- N. 2 x 50-pin cartridge connectors (at the top of the computer, with door)
- N. 2 DB9 connectors for controller, joystick, mouse (on the front of the computer)
On the right side of the computer there is the ignition switch.
Emulate MSX computers
The Philips VG802020202020, as well as the other MSX computer models, can emulate with the FMSX emulator, for Windows, Linux, Android, ...
Philips VG8020 MSX power supply
The Philips VG8020 MSX HOME computer power supply is internal. The computer connects a power cable with two -type C7 connector. The computer is powered by 220 V, in alternating current 50 Hz, and absorbs 24 W.
Papers
1. Philips VG8020 installation manual (multilanguage)
2. Philips VG8020 service manual
3. Manuale MSX-BASIC by Sickler (ITA)
Collection entry date: 28/12/2021 (S/N JM00822035875, made in Japan)
Collection entry date: 05/12/2022 (S/N FF05611010049, made in Japan)
Hello, a question. The key next to the right schift, the one that shows the quotes, the double quotes what function does it have? I tried two msx with the keyboard working but on both that key does not work
Ciao! Dai un'occhiata all' "installation manual" in fondo a questa pagina. C'è scritto così:
This key is used to accent over a character.
Examples:
To bring an accent (') above a character, press first the button corresponding to the accent.
At this point, no accent is played on the screen yet.
Then pressing the button corresponding to the character that must be reproduced with the aforementioned accent, then the complete character itself appears on the screen with the relative accent.
For ure the emphasis ('), press first of all the button corresponding to the acanthus simultaneously with the Shift key.
Per ottenere un accento (^) su un carattere, premere prima il tasto dell'accento e successivamente il tasto CODE, seguendo poi la medesima procedura. Per ottenere l'accento(") si segue sempre la stessa procedura, con l'eccezione che in questo caso devono essere pressati contemporaneamente i tasti di CODE, SHIFT e quello dell'accento.
These accents can only be used in combination with vowels.