The X1 is a series of home computer released by Sharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988. It was based on a Z80 CPU.
Despite the fact that the Computer Division of Sharp Corporation had released the MZ series, suddenly the Television Division released a new computer series called the X1. At the time the original X1 was released, all other home computers generally had a BASIC language in ROM. However the X1 did not have a BASIC ROM, and it had to load the interpreter from a cassette tape. On the plus side however, this concept meant that a free RAM area was available that was as big as possible when not using BASIC. This policy was originally copied from the Sharp MZ series, and they were called clean computers in Japan. The cabinet shape of X1 was also much more stylish than others at that time and a range of cabinet colors (including Red) was selectable.
The RGB display monitor for the X1 had a television tuner, and a computer screen could be super-imposed on TV. All the TV functions could be controlled from a computer program. The character font was completely programmable (A.K.A. PCG) with 4bit color, and it was effectively used into a lot of games. The entirety of the VRAM memory was mapped on to the I/O area, so it was controlled without bank change. Since X1 had these features, it was very powerful for game software.
While X1 was struggling to sell, the PC8801 (from NEC) was quickly becoming popular in the Japanese market. In 1984, Sharp released the X1 turbo series with high resolution graphics (640x400, while X1 had 640x200). It had a lot of improvements, but the clock speed was still only 4MHz. In 1986, Sharp released the X1 turbo Z series with a 4096 color analog RGB monitor. An X1 twin, which had a PC-Engine in the cabinet, was finally released as the last machine of the X1 series in 1987. Then this series was succeeded by the X68000 series.
简介编辑本段回目录
The X1 family had a very great success in Japan, and the last models were very powerful. Go figure why Sharp didn't market these computers outside Japan?The most famous and strong feature of the X1 series is its Programmable Charactor Generator(PCG).
Sharp designed the X1 serie as an innovative multimedia system which could work with TV and video. The X1 serie has advanced features to display graphics and text over TV screens (superimpose feature). The X1 could achieve teletext functions without any additional peripherals (only the special X1 TV monitor which can be also used as a TV).
主要参数编辑本段回目录
 |  |
| NAME | X1 (CZ-800C) |
| MANUFACTURER | Sharp |
| TYPE | Home Computer |
| ORIGIN | Japan |
| YEAR | 1982 |
| KEYBOARD | Full-stroke keyboard |
| CPU | Sharp Z80 A |
| SPEED | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| VRAM | 4 KB (up to 48 KB) |
| ROM | 6 KB |
| TEXT MODES | 40 / 80 x 25 |
| GRAPHIC MODES | 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 |
| COLORS | 8 |
| SOUND | 3 voices PSG |
| SIZE / WEIGHT | Unknown |
| I/O PORTS | 2 x I/O ports, 2 x joysticks (Atari), audio out, keyboard, printer |
| BUILT IN MEDIA | Tape |
| OS | CP/M ? |
| POWER SUPPLY | Built-in PSU |
| PRICE | 155,000 yen (Japan) |
参考文献编辑本段回目录
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=313
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_X1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_X1
