Sega Saturn Core in Development

[natadiem]

So the saturn core is the only one which cannot stretch then. Hope it's done one day.

[pomegran]

I had been struggling with audio dropouts using a v2.5 128MB ram module that tested at 144 MHz. I ordered a new v3 module that is only testing at 141 MHz, but has greatly improved the sound.

I still occasionally will load a CHD and have it recognized as an audio CD instead of a game. Usually I can reset a few times and it will eventually boot. I think I had that problem with the old ram as well though.

In your opinion, was the upgrade worth it? I have a 2 chip v2.4 and I do get sound drop out too and teetering on buying a v3.0 set of RAM, but I should maybe wait until it's a bit more of a stable core.

Interested in anybody's thoughts!

[AngelicLiver]

I also upgraded my v2.5 module to a v3.0, it improved compatibility significantly. Gone are most of the sound issues and glitches, a night and day difference.

That said however; the core is by no means finished and I put the deposed SDRAM into the second GPIO slot of my arcade MiSTer setup in anticipation of the NARC/Mortal Kombat release. I think anyone on the fence should probably wait for the core to mature and we have a definitive answer to SDRAM compatibility. For those with 4-chip modules the answer is pretty clear, they just won't be compatible due to how the memory is being interleaved.

[PikWik]

yeah, im hoping some kind of wizardry can be done to remedy all of the 2 chip ram incompatibility :fingerscrossed:

[Megahurtz]

I had been struggling with audio dropouts using a v2.5 128MB ram module that tested at 144 MHz. I ordered a new v3 module that is only testing at 141 MHz, but has greatly improved the sound.

I still occasionally will load a CHD and have it recognized as an audio CD instead of a game. Usually I can reset a few times and it will eventually boot. I think I had that problem with the old ram as well though.

In your opinion, was the upgrade worth it? I have a 2 chip v2.4 and I do get sound drop out too and teetering on buying a v3.0 set of RAM, but I should maybe wait until it's a bit more of a stable core.

Interested in anybody's thoughts!

I'd honestly say wait it out. The hard part was not knowing if many of the errors I was seeing were inherent in the core itself or due to my ram. Hopefully it improves in the future.

The thing that really stuck out to me though was that even though my new ram tests slower than my old one, it doesn't have any issues.

[pomegran]

Fair enough. Thanks everyone. I'll just hang in there for now!

[ghorricks]

Interesting to see so many posts on the SD RAM being a factor - It feels like AGES since I discovered this and took the plunge to buy new SDRAM to test it out in July.

Radiant Silvergun - I get a Black Screen after SEGA Logo, soon after launching application from the CD Player screen.
JAP 1.01 BIOS.
JAP 1.02 BIOS (HI Saturn, Bios now boots with sound)

Virtua Racing now boots past the flag video and the game plays. Sound is more stable in many more games.
Clearly the Saturn Core is impacted by SD RAM quality and/or version.

[MrsBison]

Hope its ok that im asking here....maybe i have read over something ....

Salamander 2 on the Salamander Deluxe Pack on Saturn dont work....
I tried CHD
I tried Bin Cue ( 3files )
I make myself a CHD from this Bin Cure files....

It dont work. Only black screen.

On PSX Game Pack is fully working. All three games.

Any ideas ?

Cheers

[Retro-Nerd]

Salamander 2 is still broken. It's a reported issue.

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Saturn_MiSTer/issues/42

[MrsBison]

OK thanx for your fast reply

Kind regards

[Captain FPGA]

Don't know about you guys, but I'm still stoked to play X-Men vs Street Fighter should we be so lucky for it be get fixed! I realize the issues that it's having and submitted them to Github, I beta tested what I could. I feel like one day we'll get to a time where we can play all of the Saturn games on both MiSTer and MARS without any sound issues, crashes or glitches to speak of. So far the v3 RAM module is helping to get us there. Srg will deliver in due time.

Yes, it would be pretty based if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine making things harder on Srg and his people.

[Lightwave]

Don't know about you guys, but I'm still stoked to play X-Men vs Street Fighter should we be so lucky for it be get fixed!

Does the Saturn port have extra features over the CPS2 version?

[Captain FPGA]

Don't know about you guys, but I'm still stoked to play X-Men vs Street Fighter should we be so lucky for it be get fixed!

Does the Saturn port have extra features over the CPS2 version?

viewtopic.php?t=7460

[Najimaru]

I also upgraded my v2.5 module to a v3.0, it improved compatibility significantly. Gone are most of the sound issues and glitches, a night and day difference.

Same here, upgraded from 2.5 to 3.0 SDRAM (single), I don't have sound problems anymore.

[Ikefix]

V3.0 RAM makes sound work, I think that this tip should be added to the github https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Saturn_MiSTer

Thank you Kuba!

[arbitrate]

Its been a while since Ive seen any sort of update from srg320. Anyone know if he is okay?

[Xbytez]

Its been a while since Ive seen any sort of update from srg320. Anyone know if he is okay?

He was on this forum on Wed Jan 03, 2024.

[Captain FPGA]

Its been a while since Ive seen any sort of update from srg320. Anyone know if he is okay?

Don't worry he's in good health.

[FPGA64]

He reported he was safe on Twitter (X)

https://twitter.com/srg320_/status/1742464385363116157

[RalphJB]

I'm so glad srg320 is okay. Even the Saturn core we have now is all we'd ever get, the most important thing is that he's safe and sound. Thankfully, though, he reported that he'll continue work on his cores once he gets his new hardware.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Was he making this core without a MiSTer in his possession? Did he maybe just need a new one?

Really glad he's safe. I can't stand that the war is still going almost two years later.

[FPGAdude]

Was he making this core without a MiSTer in his possession? Did he maybe just need a new one?

Really glad he's safe. I can't stand that the war is still going almost two years later.

I assume it would had been too risky for Sergey to carry FPGA equipment with him when he fled the Russian occupied zone. Who knows what the Russians would had done to him if they found his equipment.

[16Bittt]

I assume it would had been too risky for Sergey to carry FPGA equipment with him when he fled the Russian occupied zone. Who knows what the Russians would had done to him if they found his equipment.

You didn't know? Mister was made by a Russian who happens to be the admin of this website

[C-R-T]

New release incoming! Srg updated the github yesterday.

[MrsBison]

Hopefully sound fix Castelvania

[Chris23235]

Hopefully sound fix Castelvania

These are the fixes:

Update SMPC.sv

-fix system date (Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus: Salamander2)
-fix INTBACK command timing (Digital Pinball - Necronomicon)

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Saturn_MiSTer

[PistolsAtDawn]

Hopefully sound fix Castelvania

I've been playing the new "Ultimate" Meduza team release of Castlevania, and while I will not claim to be an expert on the Saturn version of this game, I have not noticed any sound issues. I've been playing with headphones on the whole time.

Sound issues with the Saturn core are typically due to old SDRAM revisions not being compatible with the interleaving that is necessary to run the core on a single module. Do you have an older revision of the RAM module?

[MrsBison]

Hey,

well dont know it exactly. I bought the Mister before XMas dont know how long this unit was on stock at the store.
The problem is that i only have this kind of audio issue only on this game. No other system and game make that trouble...

And why should only the music shiftet to the left and sfx are normal ?

:/ kind regards

[FPGA64]

its a home pacth so they probably messed it up The core is also alpha, so the only way to be sure is to play it on a real saturn

[C-R-T]

New build!

-fix DSP DMA address increment (Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter,X-Men vs. Street Fighter)
-fix Timer 0 (Shining the Holy Ark)
-fix access to DMA registers (Phantasy Star IV)
-fix Scalled sprite pre-clipping (Linkle Liver Story)
-fix system date (Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus: Salamander2)
-fix INTBACK command timing (Digital Pinball - Necronomicon)