One Chip MSX on sale in Japan

This morning, D4E have started taking orders on the brand new One Chip MSX at a sales price of 20,790 yen on their One Chip MSX website. As announced earlier, an initial batch of 5,000 One Chip MSX computers is to be produced.

MSX fans outside Japan eager to get their hands on this new MSX did receive some bad news, though, as none of these 5,000 One Chip MSX computers is to be distributed outside Japan by Bazix. Although there is no absolute certainty yet, availabilty of the One Chip MSX outside Japan does only seem to be a matter of time. Through their One Chip MSX newsletter, Bazix have announced that a few parts on the One Chip MSX board are not compliant with European production directives, which means that the One Chip MSX cannot be distributed to Europe or the USA in its current form. Together with D4 Enterprise and the manufacturer of the One Chip MSX, they are currently investigating the possibility of producing a separate batch of One Chip MSX computers that should comply with these production directives. Bazix is to keep people interested in the One Chip MSX up-to-date via their One Chip MSX newsletter. Naturally, we at MRC will keep you posted about it all as well.

Relevant link: One Chip MSX website at D4E

Comments (37)

By Huey

Prophet (2694)

12-10-2006, 12:35

Why can't they be more specific about the problem? Is it that disturbing?

By Ivan

Ascended (9341)

12-10-2006, 13:05

Where is that CE logo? I can't see it!

By shaiwa

Champion (385)

12-10-2006, 13:52

Thinkt that RoHS compliance is the problem.

By iamweasel2

Paladin (709)

12-10-2006, 15:47

RoHS compliance problem? What does that mean?

By Grauw

Ascended (10706)

12-10-2006, 15:50

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) 2002/95/EC was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive takes effect on July 1, 2006, but is not a law; it is simply a directive. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic e-waste. In casual conversation, it is often pronounced "ROSH".

(Wikipedia is your friend.)

But it’s probably CE compliance that’s causing the problems.

Anyway, they need a phone number, I’ll buy a cellphone tomorrow so then I can order my One Chip MSX! Yay . I hope they will ship it soon, I brought my CF-IDE with me to Japan especially in anticipation for the OCM .

~Grauw

By Huey

Prophet (2694)

12-10-2006, 16:19

@grauw: What about bringing some more OCM's back home?

By Gilneas2

Master (235)

12-10-2006, 19:51

True that, import ftw

By Latok

msx guru (3927)

12-10-2006, 20:36

I have Yokoi's cell phone number. Could I use that one?

By iamweasel2

Paladin (709)

12-10-2006, 21:27

any news about code licensing?

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

12-10-2006, 21:41

anyone has any ideas why can't it be sold in the US?

By snout

Ascended (15187)

12-10-2006, 22:23

We're indeed (mainly) talking about CE/RoHS here. Starting in mid-august it looked like this would all work out just in time but unfortunately it didn't. Currently I'm optimistic about finding a solution (and getting that special European-batch out there), but I can't guarantee anything yet. For completeness sake the mail Bazix sent out today:Thank you very much for subscribing to the One Chip MSX newsletter. The reactions we received so far are overwhelming. It's about time to give you an update on the One Chip MSX distribution status. In Japan, D4 Enterprise has just started taking orders on the first batch of 5,000 One Chip MSX computers.

As you may have noticed, Bazix has not started taking orders yet. It has turned out that a few parts on the One Chip MSX board are not compliant with European production directives, which means that the One Chip MSX cannot be distributed to Europe or the USA in its current form. However, together with D4 Enterprise and the manufacturer of the One Chip MSX, we are currently investigating the possibility of producing a separate batch of One Chip MSX computers that should comply with these production directives. We expect to be able to reveal more information on this in the near future.

We understand you would like to get your hands on a One Chip MSX as soon as possible, and highly appreciate your patience and understanding. Through this newsletter, we will keep informing you on the status of the One Chip MSX production, distribution, pricing and (pre)ordering.Hang on, fellow MSX friends!

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8263)

12-10-2006, 23:49

Pardon my French, but why the HELL is this bullcrap announced now? Couldn't this be investigated in an earlier stage? What about the prototypes, they have been shipped from Japan, haven't they? This sucks.

By MSi

Resident (62)

13-10-2006, 04:01

I am in Hong Kong this week for my work, and just asked one of my friends there (who regulary goes to japan) to order one for me. Would be nice to receive it in some weeks.

By Grauw

Ascended (10706)

13-10-2006, 10:01

Huey: ugh -_-;;

By the way, I tried ordering one today, but the form complains about my name on my credit card details right before placing the order. I sent them an email, hope they understand my English/Japanese mix .

~Grauw

By AuroraMSX

Paragon (1902)

13-10-2006, 10:01

Pardon my French, but why the HELL is this bullcrap announced now? Couldn't this be investigated in an earlier stage?As snout said: in august it looked as if stuff would work out fine. This rohs stuff is only in effect since july, so I can very well imagine that this was a bad surprise for Bazix, too.

What about the prototypes, they have been shipped from Japan, haven't they?Probably befor july. Besides, there's quite a diffrence between bringing one or two prototype OCMs, or a complete 5000 piece production batch. (I'm just wildly guessing the numbers & figures here )

This sucks.Yup

By spl

Paragon (1470)

13-10-2006, 17:28

SO.... I WILL buy it through Japan resellers or people we can know that live in Japan?

By Manuel

Ascended (19298)

13-10-2006, 19:44

Good question: any news on the code licensing? As it's on sale, it should be known now.

By Leo

Paragon (1236)

13-10-2006, 19:58

ANy one knows if the VHDL code is available some where , since some japanese user have it in th CDrom bundle It may spread overseas , I personally really needs only the vhdl code the rest is just package , and VHDL code does not need CE logo ( this reason is totally ridiculous ! this logo is mainly aimed to protect children to play with nocive plastics is the toys coming from china ... seriously this is sick )

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

13-10-2006, 20:04

I understand that the ocm can't be sold in europe without the needed certifications. But I'm not sure why European individuals can't buy it directly from japan. In that case I guess its the buyer's problem if customs have any issues with the device.
Are there any similar restrictions that prevents the ocm to be sold to us residents?

By djh1697

Paragon (1696)

13-10-2006, 20:05

The EU prevents certain devices that do not conform to certain CE specifications from been sold with in the EU!

There is nothing to stop people buying them through an auction site such as ebay though?

By Latok

msx guru (3927)

13-10-2006, 20:55

Wasn't the whole RoHS-issue first mentioned in some reaction to an OCM posting here @ MRC? I believe it was.....I wonder what would have happened if it wasn't brought up here in the first place. Sometimes it works just fine being ignorant. D-Tail: the RoHS-directive took effect on the 1st of July 2006. I guess Bazix was taken by surprise as well.

By arnold_m

Master (173)

13-10-2006, 23:15

"Being ignorant" is not acepted as an excuse in a court of law, so Bazix would take big risk, if they would ignorantly sell non RoHS-compliant OCM's in Europe.
I don't think it is fair to blame the person who first mentioned RoHS on MRC for the current situation; I think Bazix would have been prudent enough to check the rules and regulation even without that question about RoHS.

By Latok

msx guru (3927)

13-10-2006, 23:59

You are right, arnold.

By Latok

msx guru (3927)

14-10-2006, 00:18

Alright then. A special RoHs-compliant batch it should be. Who is going to finance that? Is Bazix first going to take pre orders to see how many special RoHs-compliant devices must be produced? And what if lots of people cancel their pre order or simply don't pay? I'd say it incorporates a financial risc. I'm really thrilled with the idea of having a localized OCM, but I fear that now it concerns the OCM device itself which needs to be localized.....Pfew, that's a real challenge.

dvik and djh1697: I just completely read the Dutch Law which incorporates the European directive. It's absolutely allowed for individuals to import non-RoHs-compliant devices. No problem what so ever. It is also allowed for commercial companies within the EU to have non-RoHs-compliant devices in stock or exporting them to non-EU countries. Thing is, though, I don't know about i.e. US Laws regarding this matter. People want this RoHs-directive to become a 'global law' and people predict it will be....But to what extent this already has happened? I don't know.

By Ivan

Ascended (9341)

14-10-2006, 00:31

Indeed. Bazix probably assumed that they could distribute part of those OCMs produced for the Japanese market. Now maybe some people can't wait and import themselves the thing from Japan. What a bad surprise!

By Latok

msx guru (3927)

14-10-2006, 00:36

Well, importing a Japanese OCM obviously reduces the chances of a European OCM being produced. Bazix probably needs the pre orders to make it all happen. And if people already imported a Japanese OCM......Well........Here's a problem......

By Edwin

Paragon (1182)

14-10-2006, 01:26

Was it actually verified that the OCM is *not* RoHS compliant. While it does not appear that Japan has any similar laws, it's more than likely that those won't be far away. Also, Europe is a big market for electronics, so it's not unthinkable that the major exporting companies already have RoHS compatible production facilities.

By snout

Ascended (15187)

14-10-2006, 01:51

To clear things up, as you could have read above, since mid-august (which is long before things were mentioned on the MRC) D4E and Bazix started preparing the RoHS OCM. It just didn't make it in time, that's all. (And yes, the OCM was verified not to be completely RoHS compliant).

RoHS is actually well known in Japan, but not enforced by law. Many Japanese companies have, however, agreed to produce only RoHS compliant products, adding 29 more substances - including PVC - that are no longer to be used in the fabrication. It's a shame, but with all the patience we had to have for the OCM to come to Europe, this does appear to be the final bump in the road. As stated in the newspost and mailing: there's probably news (and hopefully good news) in the near future.

By sirpaul484

Rookie (23)

14-10-2006, 03:35

I'm sort of vexed that the OCM will not be here in the states soon.. but I am patient... and I am also very pleased about the price. I was expecting it to be a little more. At that amount, I should (Hopefully!!) be able to get one when it goes up for sale here.

By sunrise

Paragon (1091)

14-10-2006, 15:42

There is ofcourse another solution namely do it the way it is done with the gamereader. It is most likely faster and all that kind of import is than not necessary. To let down more than 300 people would be stupid

By SaebaMSX

Hero (533)

14-10-2006, 19:40

I just want to add something... if we could wait these years I think that we can wait just a bit more. In fact, most of people here have their own MSX, so for me 1CMSX will be something really great but I can still live without it until it will become a reality.

For all the people involved, just keep the good work.

By GNF

Rookie (23)

15-10-2006, 01:45

OCM in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff2w8upSfyk

By Grauw

Ascended (10706)

16-10-2006, 16:19

Yess, I placed my order .

By Huey

Prophet (2694)

16-10-2006, 19:49

Hope the 'knight rider' leds are an option. It would drive me crazy...

By iamweasel2

Paladin (709)

23-10-2006, 06:32

Still waiting for some info about the code license... I must admit that, after all this time, I don't believe we will get an answer anymore (or maybe the lack of answer is an answer by itself). Anyway, without some info about this important issue, I won't place an order.

By Huey

Prophet (2694)

23-10-2006, 10:59

@weasel: Did you try an e-mail?

By iamweasel2

Paladin (709)

24-10-2006, 12:49

@Huey: No, I didn't. I understand that, since this question was asked before by other people here, there's no need to ask again. Besides, the answer has to come to everyone that is interested in the code license to make his decision about buying OCM, not only me.

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