Canon V-25

The Canon V-25 introduced the improved MSX2 standard to Canon’s home-computer range. Its Yamaha V9938 video processor provided sharper text, higher-resolution graphics and a much larger colour palette while preserving compatibility with MSX1 software.

With 64KB of main RAM, 64KB of video RAM and two cartridge slots, the V-25 was a compact diskless MSX2 system that could be expanded with external storage and specialist cartridges.

Notable Features

• Yamaha V9938 video processor added MSX2 high-resolution and 512-colour capabilities.
• Maintained backward compatibility with the large MSX1 software library.
• Two cartridge slots allowed storage and application hardware to be combined.

Historical Significance

• Canon’s first generation of MSX2 hardware.
• Marked the transition from simple cartridge home computers to more capable graphical MSX workstations.

Collector’s Notes

• The V-25 is diskless; external disk hardware is needed for MSX-DOS use.
• Japanese keyboard and NTSC/RGB display requirements should be considered.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Canon V-25
Manufacturer	Canon
Launched	Tuesday, January 1, 1985
Country	Japan
CPU	Zilog Z80A-compatible processor at 3.58 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MSX BASIC 2.0; MSX-DOS with disk interface
I/O	Video, cassette, printer, joystick and two cartridge slots
Keyboard	JIS keyboard
Storage	Cassette and two cartridge slots; external disk supported
Sound	YM2149 three-channel PSG plus noise
Graphics	V9938 graphics up to 512 x 212 with 512-colour palette
Display	40 or 80-column text depending on mode
ROM	MSX2 BIOS, sub-ROM and BASIC 2.0
RAM	64KB main RAM and 64KB video RAM
CPU Speed	3.58 MHz