| |
| relevant
links |
CPCNG project
An eZ80 based clone of Amstrad CPC. Bears many similarities to the
SPRINTER, although many more hardware functions are supposed to be
integrated into the FPGA. Unfortunatelly the project seems to have
stalled.
Sprinter
The Russian 8-bit "supermicro" – the FPGA-based multiform
architecture allows to an enthusiast to build a brand new SHARP MZ
simply by developing a new configuration. Everything else is
already there, including floppy and IDE controllers, serial port,
even ISA slots. |
| |
| applications |
CP/M
Sharp MZ line is so-called "clean"
Z80 computer: the only software in the ROM is bootloader and
everything else must be loaded from tape or disk, including the
BASIC programming language. This however makes it an ideal
platform for most of the Z80-based versions of the CP/M operating
system, especially on MZ-800 range thanks to its 80 column
display. Apps include all kinds of productivity software.
Wordprocessing:
WordStar
Spreadsheets:
Supercalc
Databases:
dBASE II |
| |
| connector |
What you need in order to be able to use the computer and what
peripherals connect to it.
Unexpanded Sharp MZ:
A TV set (connects to the aerial but without sound) or better
composite video or even better an RGB monitor for display. In case of MZ-811
a standard tape
recorder for loading and saving software (a tape counter is very
usefull).
MZ-1P16 printer/plotter was part of some configurations and
also comes as an external device.
MZ-1E19
The quick disk drive that can take place of the tape recorder. It
uses sequential writing on proprietary 2,5" disks (64 KB)
which are now hard to come by and not too practical.
Floppy disk drives were also supplied, however a controller
card was necessary for those.
Third party
add-ons:
These days various floppy disk controllers, RAM disks, IDE interfaces
and even a Compact Flash adptor are available, mostly however as D.I.Y.
projects. |
| |
| quick
links |
HOME
AMSTRAD
COMMODORE
SINCLAIR |
| |
| check
it out |
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| |
| fact
file |
MZ-711
Year: 1983
Tech stuff: Processor Z80A/ 4 MHz, RAM 64 KB, graphics 80x50
(based on the charcter generator rather than bitmap graphics) 8
colours, 1channel sound.
MZ-721
The same as MZ 711, with a tape
recorder (MZ-1T01) built in.
MZ-731
he same as MZ 711, with a tape recorder
(MZ-1T01) and a printer/plotter (MZ-1P01) built in.
MZ-811
Year: 1984
Tech stuff: Processor Z80A/3,5 MHz, RAM 64 KB, graphics 320x200 4
to 16 colours, 640x200 2 or 4 colours (depending on the video
RAM), 3channel sound
MZ-821
The same as MZ 821, with built-in tape
recorder
Optional add-ons:
• QuickDisk drive – proprietary 2.5"
media with sequential writing (it was also available for some of
the pocket computer models)
• MZ-1P16 – 4
colour pen plotter for installing inside the case
• Dual 5,25" floppy drive
• MZ-1D04 green monitor
• MZ-1D05 colour monitor |
| |
| spotlight
on |
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»
Home computers made by Sharp never gained much fame. Although the X68000
series became very popular in Japan, assuming a position similar to
Commodore's Amiga range, the MZ 800 line made it to Europe only because
it was cheaper than to mill them into a fine powder and burrying them at
the city dump (a fate that met the Apple Lisa) as the design didn't
quite to live up to it's predecessor' promise and couldn't compete with
MSX. So the MZ80 and MZ 700,
although less advanced, especially on the graphics side, are still much
more common all over the world.
»
In the former Czechoslovakia the SHARP MZ 800 was the first personal
computer available in regular shops (well, about two or three ;-) for
the local currency. Although the price represented about four good monthly
salaries, they gained fair deal of popularity and the scene is alive to
this day. Several emulators are available and if you know how to solder
a few chips onto a circuit board, you can expad your MZ with a RAM disk,
floppy or even a hard drive.
»
Unfortunatelly there aren't that many active SHARP users web sites (and
SHARP users for that matter) left,
so the computer museums and collections section of this portal will
yield larger quantity of results.
|
| sharp
mz |
|
| |
|
| SharpMZ.org
[eng] |
Quite
a comprehensive site (with an annoying intro and a painfully
slow menu) on the whole MZ range, downloads, links, a CP/M
section and more. Many useful tips to solve all kinds of
problems. |
| |
|
| Sharp
Emulator Page [eng] |
Zdenek
Adler's website is not only home to his (mildly commercial)
MZ emulator for a PC, but in fact to the whole SHARP community
in the Czech and Slovak republics, along with the Pandora
Conference (see bellow). |
|
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| MzUnity
[cz][eng] |
A
download center – mainly a good collection of emulators,
articles mostly on hardware subjects, interviews etc. |
| |
|
| Sharp
Users Club [eng] |
U.K.
based users' club for owners of ALL Sharp made computers
including PDAs and PCs. |
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| MZ-800
RetroMuseum [ger][eng] |
A
gorgeosly designed site indeed, although not quite finished
yet. However definitely worth visiting. |
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| BOMI
[cz] |
Home
of the BOMI emulator for MS-DOS. |
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| Japanese
Computer Emulation Centre [eng] |
Support
for several SHARP models as well as few other brands. |
| |
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| Sharp
MZ-800 Software Download [eng] |
An
FTP site with emulators, software in .MZF format, disk images,
utilities |
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| Pandora
Conference [cz] |
Home
of web/e-mail based forum as well as hundreds of others.
A major free conference server in the Czech Republic. |
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| MCE
[eng] |
Multi
Computer Environment project – JAVA based emulator of several
8-bit platforms including SHARP MZ-800 |
|
|
| 
The
C64 Banner Exchange
|
|
| sharp
x-series |
|
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| |
|
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| emulation |
|
| |
|
| MZ800em
[eng] |
A
SourceForge home of the MZ-800 emulator for Unix |
|
|
| Japanese
Computer Emulation Centre [eng] |
Support
for several SHARP models as well as few other brands. |
| |
|
| EmuFrance
Sharp Page [fr] |
A
French emulation portal with links to many, many emulateurs.
All in Francaise. |
| |
|
| Sharp
Emulator Page [eng] |
Zdenek
Adler's website is not only home to his (mildly commercial)
MZ emulator for a PC, but in fact to the whole SHARP community
in the Czech and Slovak republics. |
| |
|
| Sharp
Emulators [eng] |
Links
to several emulators of SHARP computers |
| |
|
| MZ-700
Emulator [jp][eng] |
Home
of the MZ700WIN emulator, English and Japanese docs available |
|
|
| EmuZ-2000
[jp] |
A
Japanese only home of the emulator. |
|
|
| EmuZ-2500
[eng][jp] |
Home
of the SHARP MZ-2500 emulator for Win32 |
|
| |
| games
and software downloads |
|
| |
|
| MzUnity
[cz][eng] |
A
download center – mainly a good collection of emulators,
articles mostly on hardware subjects, interviews etc. |
| |
|
| Sharp
MZ-800 Software Download [eng] |
An
FTP site with emulators, software in .MZF format, disk images,
utilities |
|
| |
|
| Didn't
find your website here? Do you know about a site that
absolutely has to be here? Found a broken/dead link?
Please write to siliconcave@seznam.cz. |
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