VG 8020

VG 8020 - 01

The Philips 8020 belongs to the MSX 1 family.
In fact, it wasnt't built by Philips, but, as the Yashica MSX,
built by Kyocera in Japan.
The VG8020 comes in 3 different versions (/00 and /20) and new versions
use sub-slot for ram. 

(www.old-computers.com)

In the early 80's, there were a lot of home computers.
A Japanese company called ASCII corporation (directed by Kay Nishi) decided
to create an industry standard for home computers: MSX was born.
MSX means Machines with Software eXchangeability.
This is the true and only meaning, stop spreading the word about another
explanation please. 

The new standard was based on an existing computer: The Spectravideo SV 318
which can be considered as a beta version of MSX1 computers.
Microsoft designed then MSX1 computers and the first version of the OS:
MSX DOS 1 (which looks like early versions of MS-DOS). 

Almost every Japanese and Korean computer companies made their own MSX
computers (except maybe NEC).
Bill Gates was then very confident about the future of the MSX standard. 

Spectravideo (one of the MSX companies) made an 80 column card and adapted
CP/M for the MSX. 

A lot of programs (especially a lot of games from Sega, Konami, Taito,
ASCII, etc.) and hardware were developed for this standard.
Despite all its qualities, the MSX family didn't have great success in USA.
However it was pretty well known in Europe (particularly in the Netherlands
and France), in South America (Brazil specifically) and Russia (then the USSR).
This standard was replaced in 1985 by MSX 2. 

(www.old-computers.com)
	   

Manufacturer Philips Name VG 8020
Type Homecomputer Origine The Netherlands
Introduction Date 1984 End of production ???
Built in Language Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0) Keyboard AZERTY / QWERTY, mechanical keyboard
CPU Zilog Z80 Speed 3.58 Mhz
Coprocessor ??? Amount of Ram 64 Kb
Vram 16 Kb Rom 32 kb BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
Text Modes Mode 0 : 40 x 24; Mode 1 : 32 x 24 Graphic Modes Mode 2 : 256 x 192 with 16 colors (Hires mode); Mode 3 : 64 x 48 with 16 colors (Multi colour mode) 32 sprites
Colors 16 Sound General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator 3 channels, 8 octaves
Size / Weight ??? Built in Media None
I/O Ports Centronics port, 2 cardridge slots, Tape-recorder connector, RGB video output, 2 joystick sockets (Atari standard) OS MSX DOS
Power Supply Internal Introduction Price 455€ (France, september 85)
Sold ??? Serial Number ???
Other Extras Boxed Bought Where Brussels
Bought When may 13, 2002 Condition Good
Price Paid 12.5 € Specs of my Model ???
Setup Today ???

Total view (Left) Nicely boxed

The other side of the Box Top view on the Box

Back view Serial Number

a Chess Game

	   
	   
VG 8020-01:

Bought via ebay in Brussels on 13/05/2002 for 12.5€