MiSTer FPGA Forum

The CD-I is a platform I feel is a perfect candidate for an FPGA core, if a developer(s) is/are interested. It plays games and multi-media, is becoming very expensive hardware (the controllers alone), emulation is subjectively Jaguar CD level non existent (exception: thank you new BigPEmu build!!), and I think many would dabble if there was a core to play instead of hunting down OG hardware.

If any of the established developers would like an original console to study and work on, please PM me. I have a working console/motherboard with non working CD drive and no digital video add-on. New to the scene developers will be considered.

**My schedule doesn't allow me to check pm every day but I will respond as timely as possible.

I welcome comments below from anyone wanting a CD-I core- just to prove interest to developers.

I sold one a year ago. working with video add on and savekeeper fix (decaped chip with battery). miss it but zelda games where shit and only a few games where cool....I really want this core!!! (and jaguar & 3do).

hope someone make it.

As we all know, CD-i is one of the greatest consoles of all time, as Wrestling With Gaming explains in this video:

Where else are you going to play Thunder in Paradise and Hotel Mario?

Apparently you can emulate CD-i with RetroArch now:

I'm not sure how you can rip your own CDs, it didn't look like my PC could read them.

Where I was an intern, they were developing for CD-i (on Sun Spark stations). I worked a bit on the graphics engine at the time and a few other things. They developed some great looking interactive documentaries there, like "In the wake of captain Cook", as well as educational animated titles for children. They also produced some enhanced music discs.

It is a Motorola 68000 based system (Philips 68070 at 15.5Mhz), it doesn't have a blitter, the CPU is used to draw graphics. It has a delta-yuv mode, which is similar to HAM on the Amiga, but uses hue, saturation and brightness instead of RGB deltas, which works well with photos. It can also do 256 colors or two separate planes of 128 colors (or 256, I don't remember exactly). It plays 'full motion' mpeg-1 quality video. Audio is 16-bit with of course CD audio as well.

I had a CDi and I have to say it was an aaaawful machine. It couldn't even do Lemmings right: it was a dull conversion with poor audio and a ridiculous intro.
I also had Chaos Control (ugh...) and several art history discs in spanish. I am not too sure it deserves to be rescued from oblivion...

vanfanel wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:33 pm

I had a CDi and I have to say it was an aaaawful machine. It couldn't even do Lemmings right: it was a dull conversion with poor audio and a ridiculous intro.
I also had Chaos Control (ugh...) and several art history discs in spanish. I am not too sure it deserves to be rescued from oblivion...

I do agree that the CD-I actually deserves its reputation as a terrible console. You can count the games worry playing on less than 2 hands. Still, it’s absolutely worth preserving. Hotel Mario is actually a decent game despite the atrocious animation. The Zelda CD-I unholy triforce is what memes are made of, and there are a couple of hidden gems like Zenith and Thunder in Paradise that are exclusive.

Also, we’re getting to serious diminishing returns anyways in terms of consoles atm. With Neo Geo CD underway and Robert’s mystery core being worked on, it’s difficult to state that “X” console isn’t worthy of creating a core for especially since we just got a BBC Bridge Companion core lol

Think of the added functionality given to the Playstation core. Maybe games may feel more playable in a CD-I core [just being able to use any controller for it alone would be an improvement]. Maybe some lag improvements... I don't play any MegaDuck FPGA core everyday but am glad it is preserved.

I'd spend an afternoon or two exploring the core if someone ever makes one. For better or worse, that's my level of interest.

Not only would you get games with CD-i, but there are hundreds of various software applications like educational material, movies, music, karaoke, demos, documentaries etc. If you look beyond just gaming there's a lot of interesting software in the CD-i lineup.

Oh man I hope someone picks up on this!

retro wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:14 am

Oh man I hope someone picks up on this!

It would be amazing

yes... I want that also...

I love that there is a new interest check in a CD-I ODE!!
https://www.retrorgb.com/cdi-ode-interest-check.html

I feel a CD-I 'renaissance' brewing like some of the love other consoles have had the past few years. My offer still stands, but may expire if and when said ODE is available. A lack of a CD drive is what ails my system so this may bring it back to life! Still, I don't have a digital video thingy, so there's that.

I think if possible, the ultimate upgrade for the CD-I would be an ODE with built in Digital Video support and a built in feature that would make a dremel not needed on that one pesky chip.

Thus far, I have not had any takers on my offer. This does not surprise me, but it's ok- hopefully someday a core will happen. Maybe after N64 and Saturn are done... we have Neo Geo CD, I think an Amiga CD32 being worked on; eventually I'm sure someone will take on the CD-I and 3DO.

As a fairly new owner of a LG branded CD-I (the BEST model in my opinion, based on built in Digital Video and a MUCH easier to replace timekeeper, and sleekest looking), I recently got the CD-I Bluetooth adapter and wanted to share some news and advice: I could not get my new 8-BitDO controllers to work with it- I tried my Neo Geo CD ones, my SN30 PRO, and barely got my purple PRO 2 to connect, but it disconnects within seconds. I checked which "SADX" setting to set it to and the best was X for 'Direct X' mode.

Wiimote = no. I wondered how it would work without a sensor bar or candles. Apparently you need the later ones with built in Motion Plus. I have yet to test this.

JOY!!! I dug out my old GameSir-G4s (2.4 dongle and Bluetooth) I normally used as a budget PS3 compatible controller and it paired and works like a champ! The stick and D-Pad both work depending on the SPEED you need to work with the cursor. I finally was able to play 'Thunder In Paradise" better. Not great though- a light gun would be the only way.

I honestly think more people would enjoy the CD-I library if and when a Mister core comes out. The CONTROLS alone (PS lightgun, Genesis pad, etc and finally WIRED) would make a core play BETTER than OG hardware in my view. The Bluetooth adapter makes a big improvement for a real CD-I experience, but it is still imperfect and limited in controller compatibility IMHO- a CD-I core would absolutely shine here...

@Wrestling With Gaming - One day we will have our dreams come true.

I would say keep the faith on this coming one day. It's a 4th gen system rather than 5th gen, so simpler than PSX, Saturn, N64 and we have a cores for parts of it already. Maybe down the road when the remaining bigger doable consoles are done one of the big devs will decide to look at this one.

Yes, I am sure it will happen one day too. The CD-I may be the 'pick me last' guy in gym class, but when all the other cores are done, it will be the elephant in the room, which... is still an elephant.

It will be nice to experiment with foreign language curiosities and oddities I just can't get myself to burn a cd for.

Based on Pixel Cherry Ninja's latest video about Fixel joining the MARS project where a 3DO core 'may' be worked on, perhaps we are at least hearing the spoon start to scratch the walls of the ice cream container, haha.

I would like this also. I used to play this a lot at the furniture store my grand father worked at.

It is being worked on,

https://github.com/Slamy/CDi_MiSTer

niallquinn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 12:14 pm

It is being worked on,

https://github.com/Slamy/CDi_MiSTer

I LOVE IT!!

One member reached out to me about my offered CD-I for the core, but ultimately decided instead that time would be devoted to different development. I don't know the developer linked here. [That statement is neither here nor there though as I tend to hear more about the most popular cores via the usual MiSTer related Youtubers]. I only found one post by a 'Slamy' here so I don't know how often Slamy (if indeed the same) checks in here. I sent a P.M. Anyone wish to put us in contact? I know ZERO about the current development beyond that link. Is it a team working on this or an individual? Would a CD-i unit help get this made?

Maybe an entirely different developer that specializes in decapping and high res photographing would be interested? I don't care what anyone says- the CD-I may not be the main go-to system for gaming, but it is SUCH an interesting multi-media curiosity. Even some games are worth a try!

Slamy has made multiple hardware projects and even an Amiga game, and is certainly a capable developer (and, musician!).

Here’s his site: https://slamyslab.blogspot.com

He also has a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Slamy4096

Hey limi,
Thank you for the links. Maybe I will hear from him. Would anyone know if Furrtek would be interested?

yesterday I read about this core and I´m so excited!!! used to have one and have to let it go =(

I hope it arrives soon

and a amiga cd32 independent core would be nice......

and someone finish the atari jaguar core please....

mister is so great! thanks to all developers!!!

niallquinn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 12:14 pm

It is being worked on,

https://github.com/Slamy/CDi_MiSTer

Just to add, it's getting updates quite regularly, although we're some way off I believe. I mean it'll start on the mister, but not do much else just yet. Give it a go.

Slamy is on the Mister discord, if anyone can help.

This is wonderful we have a core in progress even if it's way off from beta. I wonder if I should start collecting .bin/cue or .chd format

Way ahead of you mate, just in case! Grab the current Redump and the TOSEC iso sets for it. Easily convertible to chd or whatever format is used.

Sorry, er, I mean, buy all the cdi titles from Ebay, and dump them yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkPo6eQrBxk

This is pretty cool. I was able to get Hotel Mario to boot up. I didn't expect to be able to boot any games any this soon. Very nice work to the core creator

LAtest build astounding, huge leap forward. Great stuff!!

Where you guys are getting the CDi core to test?

Its from Discord but its not a finished build, It needs an unstable main. Its not ready for wider use and thats fine as the author has done amazingly
well so far.

If you go in expecting to be able to load Game X and have it working you will be disapointed. I do always feel that the youtube people hype things up before they are ready for use just for the clicks.