Sony Hit Bit HB-F1XV

The Sony Hit Bit HB-F1XV was the company’s final MSX computer. It combined MSX2+ graphics, a 720KB floppy drive, FM music, Japanese word-processing firmware and a suite of creative software in Sony’s compact F1 case.

Bundled disks included music, graphics and game-development tools, while 16KB of battery-backed SRAM supported the MSX-JE Japanese environment. The XV closed a six-year Sony MSX line that had begun with the HB-55.

Notable Features

• Final MSX computer manufactured and marketed by Sony.
• Bundled music, graphics, development and Japanese word-processing software.

Historical Significance

• Completed Sony’s Hit Bit evolution from MSX1 through MSX2+.
• Combined the mature platform’s strongest graphics, sound and productivity features.

Collector’s Notes

• The SRAM battery, floppy belt and HIC-1 daughterboard capacitors require attention.
• Original Creative Tool disks materially improve a complete example.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sony Hit Bit HB-F1XV
Manufacturer	Sony
Launched	Saturday, October 21, 1989
Launch Price	¥69,800
Country	Japan
CPU	Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MSX BASIC 3.0; MSX-DOS 1; MSX-JE; bundled creative tools
I/O	RF, composite, RGB, cassette, Centronics, two joystick and two cartridge interfaces
Keyboard	Integrated Japanese keyboard with numeric keypad
Storage	Built-in 720KB 3.5-inch floppy, cassette and two cartridge slots
Sound	YM2149 PSG plus Yamaha YM2413 MSX-MUSIC FM synthesis
Graphics	Yamaha V9958 MSX2+ graphics with hardware scrolling and expanded palette
Display	Composite or RGB monitor
ROM	MSX2+ BASIC, MSX-JE, Kanji and MSX-MUSIC firmware
RAM	64KB main RAM, 16KB SRAM and 128KB video RAM
CPU Speed	3.58 MHz