This is a quite particular MSX 1 computer as it has a tape-recorder built-in (BitCorder)with its own counter, and a kind of joystick screwable in the middle of the cursor keys, a bit like the Spectravideo SV-318.
Apart from that, it seems to be the same machine as the Hit-Bit 75. There is even the same built-in software (Personal Data Bank) composed of an agenda, a memo and an address manager, with which you can save your work with a special RAM cartridge.
The Hit-Bit 501 is the only MSX computer with the Sanyo PHC-30 to have a built-in tape-recorder.
As with all the Hit-Bits exported outside Japan, the last letter of the name indicates the country in which it was meant to be sold : HB-501F for France, HB-501D for Germany, HB-501P for PAL systems, etc...
NAME
Hit-Bit 501
MANUFACTURER
Sony
TYPE
Home Computer
ORIGIN
Japan
YEAR
1985
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0) Personal Databank sofware built-in
KEYBOARD
QWERTY mechanical keyboard AZERTY for the HB-75F
CPU
Z80A
SPEED
3,6 Mhz
RAM
64 kb, 30 kb left for the programming
VRAM
16 kb
ROM
32 kb + 16kb for built-in software
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
I/O PORTS
2 joystick sockets 2 cardridge slots RGB video output Centronics interface Monitor video output
(France, december 85)
