69 replies to this topic

[notaz]

PicoDrive is Megadrive / Genesis / Sega CD / Mega CD / 32X / SMS emulator.

http://notaz.gp2x.de...coDrive_180.pnd

From the last version, 32X and SMS support was added. This is still incomplete (32X needs work and I lack motivation for SMS), it has been in development for more than a year now and it started taking forever because of other projects, so I figured I should release something as it reached somewhat usable state.

Many 32X games need overclocking and some glitch badly due to bugs. There is still a lot room for improvement though. There should be no need to tweak SH2 underclocking or disabling PWM like on GP2X/Wiz/Caanoo, just give it enough overclock and games should be playable if they are compatible.

Here is complete changelog from last released version:

• Enabled 32X and SMS code. It's still unfinished but better release something
  now than wait even more (it has been in development for more then a year now
  due to various other projects or simply lack of time).
  
• Pandora: added hardware scaler support, including ability to resize the
  layer and control filtering.
  
• Changed the way keys are bound, no need to unbind old one any more.
  
• Handle MP3s with ID3 tags better (some MP3s with ID3 did not play).
  
• Improved shadow/hilight color levels.
  
• Fixed broken cheat support.

[DaveC]

Thanks Notaz for the update.

One suggestion is to add to the scaling options a mode for horizontal scale from 256 to 320 wide to match aspect for those games. Also when doing the horizontal scale have the ability to automatically apply only the filter to the 256->320 mode but leave the 2 x 2 mode unfiltered. This is kind of like it was on the GP2X, the horizontal scale had smoothing, the 1:1 didn't. Also would it be possible to add that mode like you wrote on the GP2X where it did that horizontal one direction smoothing rather than a global filter (maybe the FIR variables could be tweaked to simulate that?) that looked pretty good on GP2X and would look even better with the Pandora's finer resolution.

So in the filter menu would be: none, default, filter 32->40 Col Mode. Or alternatively: none, default, Auto. (auto turns on filter for fractional modes)

Scale menu would add 2x2, 32->40 col. as well as the 2x2, 2x2 etc.

Thanks for the great work, now I need to drum up some 32X stuff to try.

Edited by DaveC, 19 September 2010 - 11:09 PM.

[jonlad1]

Awesome notaz!

Thank you for all the work you have put in.

Question - I have quite a few save states, how can use the new version whilst keeping all my save states?

EDIT: Nevermind, I looked in the mds folder

EDIT 2: OMG! Notaz! This is the shit!!! I think I'm loving the fullscreen mode best!! Is there anyway to set fullscreen as default? Its a little annoying having to set that back up after loading a new rom.

Tried quite a few 32x games, knuckles:chaotix, toughman contest, space harrier, virtual racing, doom - they all work really well, the 3d games do need a bit of an overclock but they are fine by 700mhz. The only game I couldnt get to work was afterburner complete, but that was the US version. Will try EU/J.

Awesome job!!

Edited by jonlad1, 20 September 2010 - 01:14 AM.

[DaveC]

Awesome notaz!

Thank you for all the work you have put in.
EDIT 2: OMG! Notaz! This is the shit!!! I think I'm loving the fullscreen mode best!! Is there anyway to set fullscreen as default? Its a little annoying having to set that back up after loading a new rom.
Awesome job!!

"Save global config" in the menu makes your settings default.

[jonlad1]

Sweeeeeeet!

Cheers Dave!

[EvilDragon]

Wow, AWESOME release!
SMS worked without any problems so far, 32x is pretty neat (Knuckles Chaotics fullspeed - geeez!) and scaling / filter settings rock.

Just one wish for custom scaling:
You cannot scale the picture outside of the LCD area. Some games however only use a smaller area of the visible screen, it would be cool if you could scale them to fit the screen perfectly.
However, as you cannot scale the screen outside of the visible area, you can't do this (I hope you understood what I tried to explain )

[Gruso]

32X has landed! Thanks very much Notaz.

[DaveC]

Wow, AWESOME release!
SMS worked without any problems so far, 32x is pretty neat (Knuckles Chaotics fullspeed - geeez!) and scaling / filter settings rock.

Just one wish for custom scaling:
You cannot scale the picture outside of the LCD area. Some games however only use a smaller area of the visible screen, it would be cool if you could scale them to fit the screen perfectly.
However, as you cannot scale the screen outside of the visible area, you can't do this (I hope you understood what I tried to explain )

You mean for stuff like Starblade, Silpheed and some of the FMV stuff that used a smaller window and big border on a real MD, you can't fill the screen with those is what I get from what you said. I guess a sort of "zoom" mode would fix it although it could look blocky

@ Notaz I noticed in Castlevania some of the colors fall to black a bit too fast. Did something change with the gamma? I didn'nt notice a setting in the emu, maybe there should be one?

Thanks for the filter toggle. Works nice, hopefully there will be an update of Ginge sometime to add this feature.

Thanks for everything.

Edited by DaveC, 20 September 2010 - 03:20 AM.

[jonlad1]

Hey Notaz,

Will the 32x cd games work? ie Corpse Killer/Slam City

EDIT: Just tried Night Trap 32x version and it loads up the megacd bios and then the licensed by sega screen but then hangs (just like the way jap megacd games do...)

Edited by jonlad1, 20 September 2010 - 03:59 AM.

[Pleng]

Ahhh what a time to be without a Pandora!!!

Still, yet another thing to look forward to when my second batcher arrives

[Writing Gaijin]

Thanks Notaz, excellent release Where can I donate?

I didnt realise it didnt have GameGear support, though, started booting them up to find out it was like being on an acid trip Will still have to keep using my SMS/GG emu for now. Any chance of GG support coming later on, as your SMS component seems to be very well done?

[EvilDragon]

Thanks Notaz, excellent release Where can I donate?

Go on his website here

[Writing Gaijin]

Thanks Notaz, excellent release Where can I donate?

Go on his website here

Thanks ED

[notaz]

So in the filter menu would be: none, default, filter 32->40 Col Mode. Or alternatively: none, default, Auto. (auto turns on filter for fractional modes)

I don't think I want to implement that. We can add "horizontal only" filter to firmware (if ED's ok) and I can add "keep 4:3" option.

You cannot scale the picture outside of the LCD area. Some games however only use a smaller area of the visible screen, it would be cool if you could scale them to fit the screen perfectly.
However, as you cannot scale the screen outside of the visible area, you can't do this (I hope you understood what I tried to explain )

This is a limitation of OMAP DSS driver (and maybe even hardware itself). I can work around that in software but it's messy.

@ Notaz I noticed in Castlevania some of the colors fall to black a bit too fast. Did something change with the gamma? I didn'nt notice a setting in the emu, maybe there should be one?

Yes I did, otherwise gray bar level test fails. No I don't want to make an option (unless you can give me 4bit gamma tables maybe).

Will the 32x cd games work? ie Corpse Killer/Slam City

It's not yet supported.

Any chance of GG support coming later on, as your SMS component seems to be very well done?

There seems to be some demand for it so I guess I'll add it soon.

[Writing Gaijin]

Any chance of GG support coming later on, as your SMS component seems to be very well done?

There seems to be some demand for it so I guess I'll add it soon.

Awesome, thanks man. Just sent some cash your way as well as cheers for the great work.