Sharp X1 Specifications
The original X1 which was released in 1982 had V-RAM for graphics as an option. The storage device, like the MZ series, was a cassette data recorder.
The audio function was better than the timer based square wave generator of the MZ series but still only monaural 8 octave 3 chords.
Even though it lacked pixel graphics, with its Programmable Character Generator, which only later appeared in the MZ series in the MZ-800, allowed it through character definition to create quite advanced graphic games for the time.
SHARP X1 (1st Generation) Specification List
| CPU | Z-80A 4MHz 80C48 (for key scan) 80C49 (for TV control and cassette control) |
| ROM | Monitor (IPL) 4KB Character generator 2KB |
| RAM | 64KB for programs V-RAM 4KB for text User-defined character generator 6KB Graphic V-RAM 48KB (optional) |
| Text display | 80 characters x 25 lines, 40 characters x 25 lines Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical, double horizontal, double vertical and horizontal 8 colors (can be set for each character) |
| Graphic display (Optional) |
640 x 200 dots 1 screen, 320 x 200 dots 2 screens 8 colors (can be set for each dot) 640 x 200 dots 3 screens, 320 x 200 Todd 6 screens 8 colors (can be set for each screen) |
| Screen composition | Text screen and graphic screen Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen Text screen, graphic screen and video screen |
| Priority function | For each color of the text screen and graphic screen Prioritized |
| Background color | 8 colors can be specified |
| Video output | RGB separate output method |
| Cassette tape deck | Built-in (electromagnetic mechanism) Data transfer method /Sharp PWM method Data transfer rate /2700 baud Use audio cassette tape |
| Sound output | 8 octaves 3 chords |
| Audio output | 8cm round speaker 300mW |
| Printer interface | Centronics compliant 8-bit parallel |
| Joystick interface | 2 |
| Extended I /O port (optional) | 4 ports (can be stored in the main unit) |
| Clock function | Built-in (battery backup) |
| power supply | AC100V (50 /60Hz) |
| Power consumption | 28W |
| External dimensions | Body: Width 390 x Depth 331.5 x Height 108 (mm) Keyboard: Width 391 x Depth 188.5 x Height 52.5 (mm) |
| Program language | SHARP Hu BASIC |
The X1 Turbo series appeared in 1984 as the Model 10, 20, 30 and 40, undergoing minor changes during production to the Turbo II and III models.
The machines came with enhanced screen resolution of 640x400 pixel addressed graphics which not only allowed for more advanced games, but with the Kanji ROM installed as standard, the ability to display Japanese Kanji symbols for the first time.
Floppy disk drives were now standard on storage devices, and the cassette data recorder was an external option.
The basic specifications didnt change much over the life of the Turbo series but the components used were reduced with more custom VLSI chips which slightly improved functionality and reduced price.
SHARP X1 Turbo Ⅲ Specifications List
| CPU | Z-80A 4MHz 80C49 (for key scan) 80C49 (for TV control and cassette control) |
| ROM | BIOS ROM 32KB (including IPL 4KB) Character generator 8KB Kanji ROM 256KB |
| RAM | 64KB for programs V-RAM for text 4KB User-defined character generator 6KB V-RAM 2KB for attributes Graphic V-RAM 96KB |
| Text display | 80 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines 40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical, double horizontal, double vertical and horizontal 8 colors (can be set for each character) |
| Japanese display | Character composition /16 x 16 dots Character type /JIS 1st and 2nd level Kanji, 6672 types including 6349 types Screen composition /40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines 20 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines |
| Graphic display | 8 colors (can be set for each dot) 640 x 400 dots 1 screen, 320 x 400 dots 2 screens 640 x 384 dots 1 screen, 320 x 384 dots 2 screens 640 x 200 dots 2 screens, 320 x 200 dots 4 screens 640 x 192 dots 2 screens, 320 x 192 dots 4 screens 8 colors (can be set for each screen) 640 x 400 dots 3 screens, 320 x 400 Todd 6 screens 640 x 384 dots 3 screens, 320 x 384 Todd 6 screens 640 x 200 dots 6 screens, 320 x 200 dots 12 screens 640 x 192 dots 6 screens, 320 x 192 dots 12 screens |
| Screen composition | Text screen and graphic screen Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen Text screen, graphic screen and video screen |
| Priority function | For each color of the text screen and graphic screen Prioritized |
| Pallet function | You can instantly change the color of figures and characters |
| User-defined Character generator |
256 types of patterns can be defined Dot unit color can be specified |
| Black control | One of eight colors can be converted to black (text screen) Two colors, blue and transparent, can be converted to black (graphic screen) |
| Background color | 8 colors can be specified |
| Video output | RGB separate output method, composite output method |
| Floppy disk drive | Built-in 2 5-inch mini floppy disk drives Storage method /double-sided high density, double-sided double density Storage capacity /1MB x 2 (at 2HD), 320KB x 2 (at 2D) |
| Digital teloper function | Output level /NTSC system compliant, 1.0Vp-p /75Ω Terminal /RCA pin jack x 2 (video input, video output) |
| Sound output | 8 octaves and 3 chords |
| Printer I /F | Centronics-compliant 8-bit parallel |
| Floppy disk I /F | Built-in |
| RS-232C I /F | Built-in |
| Mouse I /F | Built-in |
| Joystick I /F | Two Atari specifications can be used |
| Extended I /O port | 2 ports |
| Clock function | Built-in (battery backup) |
| Power supply | AC100V (50 /60Hz) |
| Power consumption | Rated 27W, maximum 39W, standby 5W |
| External dimensions | Body: Width 390 x Depth 390 x Height 108 (mm), 9.5kg Keyboard: Width 390 x Depth 189 x Height 35 (mm), 1.3 kg |
| Program language | CZ-8FB02 V1.0 (Kanji HuBASIC) CZ-8FB01 V1.0, CZ-8CB01 V1.0 |
The last of the series, the X1 Turbo Z which was released in 1986 introduced superior AV functionality including graphics and sound.
The Turbo Z series was the pin ultimate of the X1 series with capabilities raised to compete with competitors and included increased RAM, 4096 colour display, an FM sound generator and High Density Floppy drives
In 1987, Sharp introduced the successor, the "X68000" and the era of 8-bit machines came to an end.
SHARP X1 Turbo ZⅡ Specifications
| CPU | Z-80A 4MHz 80C49 (for key scan) 80C49 (for TV control and cassette control) |
| ROM | BIOS ROM 32KB (including IPL 4KB) Character generator 8KB Kanji ROM 256KB |
| RAM | Main RAM 128KB V-RAM for text 4KB V-RAM 2KB for attributes Graphic V-RAM 96KB User-defined character generator 6KB |
| Text display | 80 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines 40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines 8 colors out of 64 colors (can be set for each character) Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical /double horizontal /double vertical /horizontal |
| Graphic display (Compatible mode) |
8 colors (can be set for each dot) 640 x 400 dots 1 screen, 320 x 400 dots 2 screens 640 x 384 dots 1 screen, 320 x 384 dots 2 screens 640 x 200 dots 2 screens, 320 x 200 dots 4 screens 640 x 192 dots 2 screens, 320 x 192 dots 4 screens 8 colors (can be set for each screen) 640 x 400 dots 3 screens, 320 x 400 Todd 6 screens 640 x 384 dots 3 screens, 320 x 384 Todd 6 screens 640 x 200 dots 6 screens, 320 x 200 dots 12 screens 640 x 192 dots 6 screens, 320 x 192 dots 12 screens |
| Graphic display (Multi mode) |
Standard resolution 320 x 200 dots 4096 colors 1 screen 320 x 200 dots 64 colors 2 screens (simultaneous display possible) 640 x 200 dots 64 colors 1 screen High resolution 320 x 200 dots 64 colors 2 screens 320 x 400 dots 64 colors 1 screen 640 x 200 dots 8 colors 2 screens 640 x 400 dots 8 colors 1 screen * All colors are out of 4096 colors |
| Japanese display | Screen configuration /40 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines 20 characters x 25 lines, 20 lines, 12 lines, 10 lines Inverted characters, blinking characters, double vertical /double horizontal /double vertical /horizontal |
| Screen composition | Text screen and graphic screen Text screen, graphic screen and TV screen Text screen, graphic screen and video screen Interlaced superimpose function 40 characters x 25 lines Full-width kanji display mode Text screen and TV /video screen superimpose possible |
| Priority function (Compatible mode) |
Prioritize text and graphic screens It can be attached to each color of the graphic screen |
| Priority function (Multi mode) |
Prioritize text and graphic screens Attached to each screen |
| Pallet function | Text /8 out of 64 colors Graphic /8 out of 8 colors |
| Pallet function (Multi mode) |
graphics / 4096 colors out of 4096 colors 64 out of 4096 colors 8 out of 4096 colors |
| Background color | 8 colors can be specified |
| Background color (Multi mode) |
4096 colors can be specified |
| Black control | One of eight colors can be converted to black (text screen) Two colors, blue and transparent, can be converted to black (graphic screen) Only transparent colors can be converted to black (border color) |
| Video output | Analog RGB output Digital RGB separate output Composite output |
| PCG | 256 user-defined character generators can be defined |
| Color image digitization (Multi mode) Screen mode |
320 x 200 dots Maximum 4096 colors 1 screen 320 x 200 dots, maximum 64 colors, 2 screens 640 x 200 dots Up to 64 colors 1 screen |
| Color image digitization (Multi mode) Trick capture |
Quantization 4096 colors (4 bit gradation for each color) 512 colors (3 bit gradation for each color) 64 colors (2-bit gradation for each color) 8 colors (1 bit gradation for each color) Mosaic Vertical 1,2,4,8,16,32 dots Horizontal 1,2,4,8,16,32,64 dots Inversion Invert the captured color |
| Chroma key compositing (Multi mode) |
8 colors can be specified |
| Teloper function | Video recording of the display screen is possible |
| Sound output | FM sound source: 8 octaves 8 chords (stereo) PSG sound source: 8 octaves 3 chords (monaural) |
| Floppy disk drive | 5 inch 1MB /320KB dual-purpose drive x 2 drives |
| Display I /F | Analog RGB, Digital RGB |
| Printer I /F | Centronics compliant 8-bit parallel |
| Dedicated cassette | for CZ-8RL1 |
| Joystick I /F | Two Atari specifications can be used |
| Serial I /F | RS-232C compliant |
| Other I /F | mouse, extended FDD |
| Extended I /O port | 2 ports in the main unit |
| Clock function | Built-in (battery backup) |
| power supply | AC100V (50 /60Hz) |
| Power consumption | Rated 32W |
| External dimensions | Body: Width 390 x Depth 390 x Height 108 (mm), 9.0 kg Keyboard: Width 390 x Depth 189 x Height 35 (mm), 1.3 kg |
| Software | NEW Z-BASIC (CZ-8FB03) X1 Turbo BASIC (CZ-8FB02) Graphic tool FM sound source music tool |
SHARP X1 Series Lineage
SHARP X1 Series
| Model name | Model number | Release date | Price | Main specifications |
| X1 | CZ-800C | November 1982 | 155,000 | First generation, graphic RAM (G-RAM) is optional |
| X1C | CZ-801C | October 1983 | 119,800 | Main unit /keyboard integrated |
| X1D | CZ-802C | October 1983 | 198,000 | Equipped with one 3-inch FDD |
| X1Cs | CZ-803C | July 1984 | 119,800 | Two built-in expansion I /O ports in the X1C plotter printer space |
| X1Ck | CZ-804C | July 1984 | 139,800 | X1Cs with Kanji ROM |
| X1F model10 | CZ-811C | July 1985 | 89,800 | Built-in data recorder |
| X1F model20 | CZ-812C | July 1985 | 139,800 | Built-in 5 inch (2D) FDD x 1 |
| X1G model10 | CZ-820C | July 1986 | 69,800 | Built-in data recorder |
| X1G model30 | CZ-822C | July 1986 | 118,000 | 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in |
| X1 twin | CZ-830C | December 1987 | 99,800 | Hybrid machine with built-in PC Engine |
SHARP X1 Turbo Series
| Model name | Model number | Release date | Price | Main specifications |
| X1 Turbo Model 10 | CZ-850C | October 1984 | 168,000 | Built-in data recorder |
| X1 Turbo Model 20 | CZ-851C | October 1984 | 248,000 | Built-in 5 inch (2D) FDD x 1 |
| X1 Turbo Model 30 | CZ-852C | October 1984 | 278,000 | 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in |
| X1 Turbo Model 40 | CZ-862C | July 1985 | 258,000 | 5 inch (2D) FDD x 2 built-in |
| X1 TurboⅡ | CZ-856C | November 1985 | 178,000 | Low-priced version with the same specifications as the X1 Turbo Model 30 |
| X1 Turbo Ⅲ | CZ-870C | November 1986 | 168,000 | FDD now supports both 2HD /2D |
SHARP X1 Turbo Z Series
| Model name | Model number | Release date | Price | Main Specifications |
| X1 TurboZ | CZ-880C | December 1986 | 218,000 | The first TurboZ machine released as the highest peak of 8-bit |
| X1 TurboZⅡ | CZ-881C-BK | December 1987 | 178,000 | RAM64KB added, New Z-BASIC included |
| X1 TurboZⅢ | CZ-888C-BK | December 1988 | 169,800 | The final model of the X1 series, a low-priced version of Turbo ZII |