VRAM:128Kbytes
MSX – Machines with Software eXchangeability
The Gradiente Expert 1 is a Brazilian MSX 1 computer. It is composed of two parts: the main unit and the keyboard. Gradiente is a Brazilian consumer electronic products company. It is not suprising as the unit’s design looks like a HI-FI system… Along with the HotBit, the Experts were the only MSX systems available in Brazil.
MSX Gradiente Expert – Dez 1985 Ad
The Expert XP-800 was in fact a clone of the National CF-3000. It is a quite complete MSX 1 computer with two cartridge slots placed on the front panel and a numeric keypad. The rear of the system is quite populated with a lot of connectors : BUS Expansion port, Keyboard connector, Tape interface (1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, Composite video output (monochrome), Parallel port, Audio output, 2 x power out connector (Max 100W)… On later models (v1.1) a few connectors were added: 6v output for DataCorder, RCA Color Video Composite (PAL-M) and RF-Out with channel selector (PAL-M). A speaker level control and an AC Switch (120V-240V) can also be found.
Sadly, the cassette interface, RGB connector, keyboard connector, expansion connector and printer connector were not compatible with the MSX standard. Gradiente did this on purpose, trying to set their own proprietary standard in Brazil… Also, a little difference in the ASCII table between the Expert (corrected with the Expert GPC-1) and the Hotbit caused a lot of problems in Brazil…
The Expert XP-800 was later followed by the Expert GPC-1 (1986), the Expert Plus (1989) and finally the Expert DD Plus (1989).
MSX Gradiente Expert DD Plus Ad
Technical Information
NAME: Expert XP-800 Gradiente
ORIGIN: Brazil
YEAR: December 1985
BUILT IN LANGUAGE: Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0)
CPU: Zilog Z80A
SPEED :3.58 MHz
CO-PROCESSOR: TMS-9128NL
VIDEO PROCESSOR
RAM=64 KB
VRAM=16 KB
ROM=32 KB BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
GRAPHIC MODES
TEXT MODES=Mode 0 : 40 x 24
Mode 1 : 32 x 24
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
420 x 110 x 280 mm / 4,7 Kg
Keyboard : 420 x 47 x 170mm / 1 Kg
KEYBOARD: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad, 5 function keys and 4 arrow keys. 89 keys.
BUS Expansion port, Keyboard connector, 2 controller ports, 2 cardridge slots, Tape interface (1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, Composite video output (PAL-M), Parallel port, Audio output, Two power out connector (Max 100W)
OS: MSX DOS
Expert XP800: msx.org
Gradiente Expert: Wikipedia
MSX: Wikipedia