This is pretty straight forward. I heard that the SWC series can actually do split files for ROMs on floppies in flexible sizes. So unlike Game Doctor where you could format your disks to hold 12mbit games per disk, but 3 disks can't hold a 32mbit game (retarded rom formart) while the SWC can? So basically, with the SWC, could you format 3 floppies to the 1600k format and then split the ROM up into a 12mbit, 12mbit, and 8mbit file set so you save yourself a floppy? I know it's a bit of a strange question. Afterall floppys are a pain.
The SWC header has a flag which denotes the end of the segments, whether or not you can mix and match random sizes probably depends on the BIOS, I don't remember the Magicom being able to do that but I think at least SWCDX2 can. If you use a SMC/SWC to backup a game with split files, it will into 4M files, 3 of which can fit on a 12M formatted disk, 24M on 2 disks. I don't see how having one less disk outweighs the DRAM retention of a GD though.
The DRAM retention was never a huge deal in my eyes. Maybe if you have to turn the system off for an hour or something while you run to the store. Ideally I'd like to see a backup unit that could load from CF or SD memory cards. Although anything really beats those floppies... Although I heard some backup devices could be fitted with 2.88Mbyte floppy disk drives of some kind. It's all really about making loading things less of a hassle. Personally I think loading them off a disk is cool, but the more disks you have to load the less cool it is. I actually was thinking about printing nice labels for the game disks. Anyway, it's all a cost vs benifit sort of thing. I like being able to load ROM images to play on the real hardware and that GDSF3 was very affordable, though not as nice as some other copiers out there. But it sure beats some 300$ price tags I see on SWC DX2s. But it puzzles me why it is that SNES and the Game Doctors are so cheap but nothing for Genesis/MegaDrive is anywhere near as cheap and capable. I guess it's just because SNES was so blessed by so many different copiers.
The UFO 7 and 8 copiers could load files of irregular sizes like that. I remember using SNEStool to do the splitting. IIRC, when dumping games from the UFO, it always split them into 4mbit files.
The whole point of DRAM retention is so you don't have to reload disks which I agree is tiresome. Whenever I use a Game Doctor, I leave the power supply in as long as the console is connected. This way, if I want to play through a game in more than one sitting which I often do, you can while only loading the game once and prevent drive wear. There are plenty of reasons why Genesis/Megadrive units aren't cheap or capable: -Bung, the real innovators, are 6502-centric. Every device by them is 6502 based or strictly logic. It takes more than hardware to do a real time save or the other nifty features of SNES units. -MD's 16-bit data bus is far more costly in terms of ROM, this is why FFE/CCL use the SMS mode for their BIOS. This inherently limits the addition of features without expanding DRAM which was incredibly costly in the early 90s. CCL also didn't have the software skills to really expand upon FFE's work and the programmer for FFE was clearly more partial to Z80 than 68K, a 68K programmer would have allowed for the possibility of the SNES features. -Most importantly: the Sega userbase in Asia was probably less than a quarter of Nintendo's. There was less demand and less resources allocated resulting in less frills and later less availability for collectors.
If I had a SWC DX2, I'd hookup my Iomega Zip disk drive to it. But I can't afford a SWC DX2 at the moment. If you know anyone selling one for a good price let me know. ;p Hell I'd trade my GDSF3 and some stuff to get a SWCDX2.
The SWCDX2 is definatly my SNES backup device of choice. I have nothing against the GDSF7, but the SWCDX2 just happen to have everything I want. It's great to able to have a PC, CDROM and harddrive hooked up to it at once. The SWCDX2 support 3.2MB (2x1.6MB) floppies if you have a 2.8MB drive. The harddrive can be up to 2GB. A CF-to-IDE converter should work fine. For DSP1 support, just plug in a DSP1 cart. If you want to hook up a Zip drive it must be an early 100MB parallel port Zip drive. Later Zip drives, including later 100MB Zip drives, don't work. It cost a small fortune, but I consider it a lifetime investment. CF
Really? My Zip drive supports 250MB disks, so you're saying it probably wouldn't work? That's a bummer. Can you equip a GDSF3 with a higher capacity floppy drive? You are right though that the SWCDX2 is an investment..
What? I was just asking, could my Game Doctor actually use someone like a Extended Density Floppy Drive? Aka 2.88Mbyte disks.
One of these days I'll get a SF6 probably just for the Parallel port. Probably the most efficant way to do it.
GDSF6/7s are great, you can put 128mb of RAM in them, easily build a CD-ROM interface board and they are found for well under $100. I recently picked up a SWC DX2, but it doesn't look as nice and they are pretty expensive. Sadly, it's also only a 32m unit but the fact that I can hook up things other than just a CD-ROM is pretty cool. SWCs are harder to come by and more expensive, though. Genesis/MD copiers are another story. I remember back in the 16 bit days, it was as easy to buy a Genny copier as a SNES copier. But, I'm sure the lack of Asian interest in the MD is a reason that far less units were produced. The easiest units to find for doing Genesis are MGHs (suck horribly) and Double Pro Fighters. Finding a Super Magic Drive or MD+ is pretty difficult anymore. You can also find MGD2s and the Genesis adapters for relatively cheap, but those units are a pain in the ass to use. I might have some extra MGD2 parts if anyone is interested, though.
Don't tempt me. ;p When I finally get around to Genesis I'm just going to buy a Flash Cartridge. Problem with the Game Doctor CDROM is that even if you have 200 games on a CD, you don't even have 8.3 letters to name it. I think you are best to print out a list of numbers with what game it is.
Mott, you are absolutely correct on the file naming. In HK they used to have a standard convention for the naming so that SF8120 in one shop's catalog was the same game as SF8120 in another. You'd probably have to keep a list handy for sure. Even with 8.3, a full CD of games might get confusing as to what is what. If anyone remembers the Numbers Art of Game CDs, you really had to have their number list handy otherwise you'd never know what the games were. Luckily they included those and they easily fit on the front and back of cd jackets. I'd really recommend a DPF and a parallel card if you want to play Genesis stuff. I've never been a fan of flash based devices, unless you are talking about Gameboy or something else where it makes sense.
Doesn't the MegaCart for Genesis make sense? You just boot your SegaCD with it inserted and have it flash whatever game you want to play onto the cartridge so you can. It's limited to 3mbyte/24mbit but that's most games for the system. Notable exceptions are few in number such as Mortal Kombat 3, UMK3, SSF2, and um... I can't think of any more off hand.
Yea, the megacart is actually pretty sweet. I was thinking of getting one just to have since it's a nice product. I'm going to post my copiers collection pictures in the collections thread if you want to check out what I have.
Sounds like tototek has everything you need SF6 + MegaCart One thing I like about the MegaCart is the obvious fact that it works perfect when the MD is connected to the MegaCD. The DPF and most other copiers don't as far as I know. Check the first picture in my collection thread I still like the DPF and was very happy when tototek decided to make the PC adapters - have a feeling they will be hard to find when tototek is out of stock... CF
Well indeed when funds permit it, I'll upgrade my SNES copier (rather replace it with a newer GDSF) and grab a MegaCart. Unfortunately money doesn't permit it at the moment. :O
