Saturn Optical Drive Emulator

it runs in the vcd port. Also no more cdi files.

 

OK !
Do you confirm that SH-2 will be able to detect if Satisfier is installed (not only unlocking it) or not ?
I ask you that because it's better to show Satisfier menu only when detected, and show regular Pseudo Saturn menu when not detected.

I hope you will be able to implement it
It's good to still be able to play original games while also being able to run backups from VCD port.

Thank you for the information. I will implement cheat codes (and maybe some other side quests) before starting Satisfier things.



Also, will there be some low level accessing (= sector read/write) of the media ?
This would allow to format media directly from Saturn, and consequently get rid the need of PC in order to format media.
(Windows doesn't wants to FAT32 format media larger than FAT32, and using 3rd party tool just for that is frustrating.)




Not my questions, but just in order to put my two cents :

Even if UBC is set up, it wouldn't possible to implement cheat codes since they requires some extra space (= typically flash ROM) in order to run cheat code interrupt.

 

OK let me rephrase. FOr those of us just interested in "Archival" booting of games since our CD drive went Poof. How will this Differ from what RHEA does? WIll it be more compatible? I understand where it installs is different VCD port vs Replacing the CD drive. I also understand one is SD CARD the other is USB (kind of how MNEMOS device works on dreamcast).

This Device looks great if you want to do homebrew, but with systems like Xbox and Xbox 360 already having a huge homebrew market and apps available. (especially Xbox) and it being more powerful. I really do not see much that will happen on Saturn unless someone takes on making new shooters (treasure style) Kind of like how they made new Dreamcast games over the last few years.

I personally will get this as I want a USB solution (RHEA IS GREAT, but SD is still expensive). Also it is hardware dependent (based on which version you have).

If there is something more I am missig please fill me in .. I want to know the "IMPLICATIONS" of this device and everything it possibly will be able to do.

 

I'm actually really curious where the USB connector will stick out. Guessing a 3D Printed back cover wouldn't cost too much, either way already have this in mind to use with it being it's ultra low profile

 

USB ports are pretty fungible, I'd imagine you could either dremmel a slot in the cover, 3D print one, or simply rig up something internal.

 

Would love to see a 3d printed cover, but it's one that has a clip attached, which probably isn't as easy to make.

 

I would guess you would need a good 3d printer for it the plate to look halfway good.
Even more interesting would be kickstarting new injection mold covers for the device. I know the tooling for that can be expensive, but I wonder what the cost would be for the one tiny part?

 

You're looking at something on the order of $3000 + $3/part... so unless you're making 1000 it's not a particularly good deal. I'm sure a commercial 3D printing service could do okay, or you could mill a slot in an existing cover.

 

Exactly. Trying to completely pro-fab new parts seems ambitious to say the least, and a bit of a solution still looking for a problem--especially when 3D printing can achieve decent results with similar applications (ie. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:36894 )

Or, dremmel/exacto-knife.

 

I Know its too soon...But you is the only one already propose to build these for selling? Who/Where/When else we follow to keep update on that subject?

Other question: VCD capabilites will be off (not that really hurts, so), I assume.

 

Why do not simply use the cart port ?

 

Because it's not possible to load a CD image in via the cart port.

 

If all you're looking for is a way to play backups and homebrew, then PseudoSaturn is probably a better answer for you. Otherwise, I'd suggest checking out the debuglive interview of JHL/Professor Abrasive for a better idea of what "Satisfier" is intended to do.

 

Also what he said.

 

Saroo project proved it's possible ?

 

Simple question : why ?

I am not looking for a way to play backup or something else. Just technically know why it's not possible through Saturn's cartridge port

 

I have 5 modchips, these are 4 variants and all are working.

on PS2 this is a real fact, but saturn ? no !
maybe some people screwed with the screws to get CDRW's working in the saturn.

 

Optical drives have a very limited lifespan. Plus, in most cases, it's easier for the user and less expensive to replace a broken USB HDD/SSD than it is a laser assembly (unless you repair the lens yourself which can be a hassle). The moving parts in a laser assembly deteriorate over time, and are the most common point of failure among consoles that have them. Maybe your consoles are working fine now but I wouldn't count on them working like that for much longer. The laser itself also deteriorates with use, maybe now you can easily find replacements but I guarantee in a few years you're not gonna find them anymore, at least not for cheap.

Also, is there any modchip already that allows you to run a game if the optical drive is not working?

 

yes, any part fails sometimes.
but the quality of the opt. drives in the sega saturn are much better than the popular opinion and other consoles.
on the other hand for this reason there are no widely available and therefore cheap replacement drives like on other consoles. mainly you have the buy a full replacement saturn and because saturn sales were 10-15x lower vs. PS1, the current prices are higher for saturn.

this isn't the task for a modchip, but in an another thread here is another ODE discussed.

 

I understand the argument of the optical drives wearing out but you are making this seem like a more desperate situation than it is. It's not yet at a point where having a working optical drive assembly in Playstation and Sega Saturn systems is uncommon. I think everyone here is excited for this solution to the problem of optical drive failure but I would imagine most of us also currently play CD-Rs with modchips or some other method just fine. It's more about the luxury of what it brings.

The eventual failure of the optical drive components is on our minds but it's not here yet. There are plenty of systems out there working just fine still. Some of the ones that have broken drives were damaged by surges or user abuse. Not all of them were broken by normal use.