I live in Tokyo and you're right about the C64, etc. The only 8-bit computers I find here are local Japanese machines. I collect classic Macs and there are lots of those here, thankfully, but even early DOS machines in the 286/386 range are hard to find because of PC-88 and PC-98. (I mean that the standard type of ccustom built PCs that were common in the US weren't that common here.

That being said, if you're interested in an MSX machine or a PC-88/PC-98 machine, they are relatively easy to find in Tokyo if you can speak some Japanese. Shipping is expensive these days, but if you're interested in something specific, let me know.

- Vaelen

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Newtype Len wrote to All:

From what I do know: there isn't a lot of ownership or appreciation for Amiga/C64 et all in Japan, so it's not like a one-sided relationship with retro computing.

I guess it's all about what you have grown up with and what was popular in
your corner of the world. I only knew about the MSX1 type systems, even
back in the day. I liked the Sony HitBit series but it wasn't until a few
years ago that I've actually came to posess one.

Aside from that, all I know about other japanese systems I know thanks to online museums and the likes. What is amazing is that one of those 8 bit systems from the mid-80s was able to "Genlock" video and superimpose the computer video over it.

That japanese companies did not dominate the global microcomputer market
in the 1980s is some sort of oddity to me. Yet, that is was happened.


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Re: Re: Japanese Computers
By: lodger to Newtype Len on Mon Apr 28 2025 13:15:22

What is amazing is that one of those 8 bit systems from the
mid-80s was able to "Genlock" video and superimpose the computer
video over it.

No 8-bit micro could do this. However, your probably thinking of the Video Toaster, which did have a builit-in genlock. The VT was a plug-in card for the Amiga 2000 or higher. An awesome piece of technology for the day. You can watch the original promo videos on YouTube.
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Re: Re: Japanese Computers
By: Mortar M. to lodger on Mon Apr 28 2025 14:15:30

Hi, Mortar.

What is amazing is that one of those 8 bit systems from the
mid-80s was able to "Genlock" video and superimpose the computer
video over it.

No 8-bit micro could do this.

The (8 bit) BBC micro could do Genlock, I believe they used to sync the computers to the studio timing feed when they filmed the BBC Computer Literacy stuff like Making the Most of the Micro so that the screens could be recorded without flicker during the live demos.

There's a random story about an ex-studio(?) Beeb turning up in the Netherlands here:

https://stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13573

BobW
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Mortar M. wrote to lodger:

Re: Re: Japanese Computers
By: lodger to Newtype Len on Mon Apr 28 2025 13:15:22

What is amazing is that one of those 8 bit systems from the
mid-80s was able to "Genlock" video and superimpose the computer
video over it.

No 8-bit micro could do this. However, your probably thinking of the Video Toaster, which did have a builit-in genlock. The VT was a plug-in card for the Amiga 2000 or higher. An awesome piece of technology for the day. You can watch the original promo videos on YouTube.
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It was the Fujitsu FM77AV which could do this. Just looked it up here:

https://museum.ipsj.or.jp/en/computer/personal/0017.html



... unplug the web now!

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Re: Re: Japanese Computers
By: Bob Worm to Mortar M. on Mon Apr 28 2025 22:14:38

The (8 bit) BBC micro could do Genlock...

With the help of a genlock add-on card. In this case, it was the Cox 630B genlock card, so after a fashion, your right.
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Re: Re: Japanese Computers
By: Mortar M. to Bob Worm on Tue Apr 29 2025 00:40:32

The (8 bit) BBC micro could do Genlock...

With the help of a genlock add-on card. In this case, it was the Cox 630B genlock card, so after a fashion, your right.

I was talking to my Acorn friend today and he claims you didn't need a Genlock add-on card to sync to a central studio clock - there was apparently a fairly simple mod that could do it.

I don't have a source for this, though :)

BobW
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