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Difference between revisions of "PC-8801 mkII SR"

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The mkII SR adds a [[YM2203]] chip for FM sound, which incorporates features of the [[AY-3-8910]] seen in earlier NEC computers.
 
The mkII SR adds a [[YM2203]] chip for FM sound, which incorporates features of the [[AY-3-8910]] seen in earlier NEC computers.
  
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Like the mkII, the SR was sold in three configurations; the model 10 (no drives), model 20 (one double-density drive) and model 30 (two double density drives). This machine, and the very similar [[PC-8801 mkII TR]], were the last computers to be produced by NEC that maintained compatibilty for [[PC-8001]] games through its "N mode" graphics mode.
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Like the mkII, the SR was sold in three configurations; the model 10 (no drives), model 20 (one double-density drive) and model 30 (two double density drives). This machine, and the very similar [[PC-8801 mkII TR]], were the last computers to be produced by NEC that maintained compatibilty for PC-8001; newer revisions would axe this mode to reduce production costs.
  
 
===Technical specifications===
 
===Technical specifications===

Revision as of 18:43, 28 January 2022

PC8801mkIISR logo.png
PC8801mkIISR.jpg
PC-8801 mkII SR
Manufacturer: NEC
Release Date RRP Code
PC-8801 mkII SR
JP

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This teeny-tiny article needs some work. You can help us by expanding it.

The PC-8801 mkII SR (also referred to unofficially as the PC-8801 SR or PC-88SR) is the second revision of the PC-8801 computer by NEC. It was launched at the beginning of 1985.

Hardware

While the PC-8801 mkII was more of a case redesign than a hardware upgrade, the PC-8801 mkII SR offers a number of improvements over the previous two PC-8801 models while maintaining backwards compatibility. The SR introduces new FM sound hardware, two joystick ports and a brand new "V2 mode" for enhanced graphics. These three features combined made the system more suited to video games than its predecessors, and would become the de-facto standard for PC-8801 games in the coming years.

The PC-8801 mkII SR builds on its predecessors, being able to load and run PC-8001 software ("N mode"), original PC-8801 software (N88 "V1-S mode") and a new library of PC-8801 mkII SR software (N88 "V2 mode"). Also added, though not prominently featured on the unit itself, is a "V1-H mode" ("high speed"), identical in capabilities to the standard V1-S mode, but leveraging the new technology to speed up graphics rendering.

Like its predecessors, changing modes requires manipulating physical dipswitches on the front of the unit, though typically these only need to be changed to run older PC-8001 software. By default, V2 mode will attempt to run V1 software natively, however the results are not always perfect, facilitiating the need for dedicated V1 modes. Switching down to V1-H mode turns the system into a 1981-spec PC-8801 but with faster draw speeds, with V1-S mode existing for situations where precise PC-8801 timing is required.

The mkII SR adds a YM2203 chip for FM sound, which incorporates features of the AY-3-8910 seen in earlier NEC computers.

Like the mkII, the SR was sold in three configurations; the model 10 (no drives), model 20 (one double-density drive) and model 30 (two double density drives). This machine, and the very similar PC-8801 mkII TR, were the last computers to be produced by NEC that maintained compatibilty for PC-8001; newer revisions would axe this mode to reduce production costs.

Technical specifications

List of games

References



PC-8800 series hardware
PC-8801 (1981) | PC-8801 mkII (1983) | PC-8801 mkII SR (TR | FR | MR | FH | MH | FA | MA | FE | MA2 | FE2 | MC) (1985-1989) | PC-88 VA (VA2 | VA3) (1987-1988)
stuff
haven't worked it all out yet
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