website/content/museum/hitachi-mb-6885-basic-master-jr.md

---
title: Hitachi MB-6885 / Basic Master Jr
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- '6800'
params:
  name: MB-6885 / Basic Master Jr
  image: /media/museum/photos/hitachi_basicmasterjr_1.jpg
  company: /companies/hitachi
  company_name: Hitachi
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: MB-6885 / Basic Master Jr
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Hitachi
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Unknown
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: '6800'
  - label: SPEED
    value: 0,8 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: Unknown
  - label: ROM
    value: 18KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 32 x 24
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 64 x 48 / 256 x 192
  - label: COLORS
    value: '8'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 octaves
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Printer port, Cassette MT interface, Expansion bus(mainly used for the color extension box)
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Build-in PSU
  - label: PRICE
    value: 89,800 yens
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  photos:
  - title: COMPLETE SET-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/hitachi_mb6885_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: AN ADVERTISING FOR THE BM JR
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/bmjr.jpg
  comments:
  - author: Hisayuki Nomura (Japan)
    date: Thursday 10th December 2020
    text: (I''''ll write this as a message because "Add Info" does not work) MB6885 was successor of MB6881 (Basic Master Level II 2) . This machine had 256x192 graphics feature. Color display was also available with optional color-graphics adapter. These new feature was great in "Basic Master Level2 series" but not enough in Japanese market. Hitachi thought the MB-6885 as a hobby computer. But the hobby computer market was a fierce battlefield with NEC (PC-6001) , VIC-1001(Commodore) , JR-100 (Panasonic) and etc. MB-6885 was too weak for that battlefield.
  - author: Summy
    date: Monday 23rd October 2017
    text: |-
      I had this one, so I add some information $\
      Speed : 0.8MHz, VRAM : None(sharing the main memory), I/O ports : Printer port, Cassette MT interface, Expansion bus(mainly used for the color extension box), Power Supply : Build-in PSU\
      As I mentioned, there isn’t a Video RAM, so both the micro processor and the video interface use the main memory using tricky techniques.\
      Its BASIC language is fully compatible with the MB-6880 BASIC Master Level II. In general, it was suitable for beginners. This PC was never a major PC, but it’s my favorite.
  oc_id: 329
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230501140028/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=329
    date: '2023-05-01'
---

MB6885 was successor of MB6881 (Basic Master Level II 2).

This machine had 256x192 graphics feature. Color display was also available with optional color-graphics adapter. These new feature was great in "Basic Master Level2 series" but not enough in Japanese market.

There isn’t a Video RAM, so both the micro processor and the video interface use the main memory using tricky techniques.

Hitachi thought the MB-6885 as a hobby computer. But the hobby computer market was a fierce battlefield with NEC (PC-6001) , VIC-1001(Commodore) , JR-100 (Panasonic) and etc. MB-6885 was too weak for that battlefield.

Thanks to Hisayuki Nomura for the info

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>