It had a Yamaha YM9938 VDP video display processor and an S3527 sound chip that enabled three voices over eight octaves.

The Philips NMS-8280 had a cassette interface, video input and output, two cartridge slots and one connection each for the keyboard and a printer.

[1][3][4] With the integrated genlock an external source could be connected to the video input and the image could be digitized.

The Philips NMS 8280 has front sliders to control video and audio digitization levels and an input selector.

[2] Four models were produced with different regional keyboards:[2] In Italy the machine was sold as Phonola NMS 8280.