Jump to content
Have You Played Atari Today?
2600|5200|7800|Lynx|Jaguar|Forums|Store  

Andromeda Stardust

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    18,891

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    16

Posts posted by Andromeda Stardust

  2. Posted

     

    The idea is generally sound. I've yet to find a good implementation of it, but most of them are done in the analog domain. Doing it after the ADC might be more reliable, but in general I think the question is: how reliable is the noise floor, in practice? And is it possible to reliably detect the signal without introducing a delay before it "clicks" on? Generally the places I've seen it used fall down on the latter more than the former.

    I had a speaker system once that was full volume all the time (adjust sound with the pc volume instead of independant controls) and I wanted to listen quietly enough that I could sleep to it. Well the audio output from the soundcard wad below the standby threshold so it cut off automatically.

     

    I've also seen stndby chips malfunction. My fince's sound system cuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity. Somehow the sensor malfunctioned an it will shut off after 30 minutes weather music is playing or not. Workaround, disable the standby cutoff.

  3. Posted

    Right, only some of the PAL relesees were optimized for 50Hz. Most run slow on PAL and regular speed on NTSC.

    There may be a list of PAL optimized games somewhere.

    Some games just play fine either way too. Psycho Pinball might be one of them.

     

    For instance, Mario Bros "Classic Serie", the obscure 1993 Scandinavian enhanced rerelease of Mario Bros. I have played it on my AVS at both 60Hz and 50Hz. Pitch is slightly sharp at 60Hz, but the game runs at a speed that is comfortable either way.

     

    Now the PAL 3-in-1 Super Mario Bros / Tetris / World Cup feels like Mario on steroids at 60Hz. Physics are sped up just enough to screw with my muscle memory. A lot of pirate multicarts randomly include the PAL variant of Super Mario for whatever reason. :P

  4. Posted

    IIRC, most games run at about 17% slower on the PAL 50Hz video standard. Just watch a playthrough of Sonic on a PAL Mega Drive and it will look like it's running in a slow motion mode, complete with slow music too.

     

    There were some games which took this slowdown into consideration and adjusted the original game for PAL 50Hz, so that it would match the speed of the NTSC counterpart. Codemasters did this with Micro Machines, so if you play the PAL-optimized version on an NTSC system then it's going to be 17% faster than it should run.

     

    There may be more to it than this. I'm just going off of memory here from when I used to download MD roms from a German BBS in the early 90's.

    what about psycho pinball? That's also a PAL exclusive cart I own. Plays great on my model 1 @60hz.

  5. Posted

    With auto detect region unchecked:

     

    If you set it to NTSC games will play at 60hz. If you set it to PAL games will play at 50hz. You should match the resolution setting to avoid judder i.e. PAL-1080p50, NTSC-1080p60.

     

    As to the correct speed thats a more complicated issue. Many games were not optimised to account for the speed differences so play slower on PAL systems and even have slower sound so setting these to NTSC can be considered correct.

     

    Some games are fully PAL optimised so leaving these on PAL is correct. Set to NTSC they run too fast or glitchy.

     

    Most PAL exclusives should probably be run at 50hz but its not always easy to tell and they often run fine at 60hz

     

    Some games are partially optimised i.e. the sound plays correctly but the gameplay is slow. These will be neither correct at 50hz or 60hz.

     

    Its a nightmare tbh

    Psycho Piball is PAL exclusive and played great at 60Hz on my Genesis. Ditto for Micro Machines II.

  7. Posted

    Would a cost-reduced NT Mini be redundant in a market with the AVS? How many people have chosen to buy that instead of waiting for Analogue to come out with a hypothetical cheaper NT? I did and I am 100% happy with it. I do understand where RandomRonn is coming from. I never expected additional cores for the Super NT, but I admit I'm disappointed it never happened.

    I bought the AVS as well and it's awesome. No jailbreak but I got a powerpak and everdrive.

  8. Posted

    In short, it'd be awesome to have a Sega 16-bit and before console and a Nintendo 16-bit and before console. I don't expect it though and neither should anyone else. Analogue never sold that to us at all or even hinted at it.

    I think NES has too many pins compared to snes, even if ten of them (aside from the audio mod) are unused.

     

    When do we get the Game Gear adapter? And yeah I know they are rarer than unicorn farts, but will the Retrofreak game Gear adapter work with Mega SG?

  9. Posted

    Wait. Virtua Racing 2? Thats an awfully weird mistake for two otherwise-unrelated people to make in regards to the Mega Sg. ;)

     

    e097bb93cb9bd6fd67830f100b9d642a.jpg

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190401/ded5803fd023d77c0887d052dec735f9.jpg

     

    Proof that the jailbreaker is involved with whoever wrote the PDF on Analogues website?

     

    I mentioned it to them on Twitter a couple weeks ago and they did revise the manual to fix it. Strangely, that specific page still has the old revision number even though it was revised to remove the 2.

    1893b705daa61c9b0579d7aed6af1c0d.jpg

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190401/9fb1f490250e25fecddab76cfff602f5.jpg

    Apparently Kevtris has multiple personality disorder! :evil:

  10. Posted

    i understand your idea is honest and good natured. My only point is that the gaming world in particular has a problem with over stuffing the market with redundant "retro" products from new small companies that have a tendency to lack quality and fail financially. It would be nice if the kind of designers you speak of focused on products that are needed or in short supply, rather than causing a glut in the market for something that is readily available.

    A fullsize trackball and pro arcade endoder inside a custom sturdy enclosure with the necessary conversion circuitry to convert the signal to CX-22 standard would cost a pretty penny. Much moreso than an old controller in pristine condition.

     

    It's going to be cheap and poorer quality compared to the original controller, or nicer and very expensive!

  11. Posted

    That is why I bought a atari 2600 jr. Can't believe those things still work after almost 40 years. To top it all off got me an old crt tv and some slim jims. The complete retro look.

    I used NTSC channel 2 on my 4-switch model. :cool:

  12. Posted

     

    I wonder why they just don't let us swap the buttons? They were shipping entire replacement motherboards out for the Super NT in the two instances I saw when a system was DOA. Replacement buttons would seem to be trivial by comparison and would appease those bothered by this at a minimum of expense for Analogue.

    Yes, that is bunk. It is so hard to tell whether or not you got the wrong system until you open the box, but then it's too late to return it. Do most people even check the labels with a fine toothed comb before opening the box? I didn't check, nor did I know where to check, but I unlike many others in this thread, I actually did get the Japan version I ordered.

     

    How hard is it to just send some free buttons to those who ask for it? RetroUSB did this with improved cart slot connectors for the "green stripe" games, though we did have to pay shipping. Even if we have to wait weeks to get them, Analogue needs to just make an announcement that they will send us the buttons already... :roll:

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    Im domestic (Georgia, USA) and still got slapped with a Foreign Transaction Fee when I ordered my two Super Nt systems last year. They fingered the bank and the bank fingered them. Made sure to use a card with no foreign transaction fees this time: Amazon Rewards VISA from Chase (my other Chase cards have the fee). Pretty sure my Toyota Rewards VISA from Comenity Bank also has no foreign transaction fees. Curious to know if anyone got a fee like that this time around.

    There is no international transaction fee when I use my Chase Slate card, as long as the currency is specified in USD.

     

    Many foreign sites that specialize in exports even let you chose the currency at checkout. If you pick the wrong currency and get slapped an exchange fee, it's your own fault.

     

    For conversion to foreign currency, the fee is very reasonable, like a couple percents, much less than the sales tax I pay on domestic transactions either online or in my home town.

     

    Still, I try to use Paypal whenever possible for foreign transactions, so my bank doesn't slap a hold on my card. You seem to be the only person with the transaction fee issues.

     

    If it bothers you, talk to your bank and see if they can waiver it or adjust your account. If the say "no," feel free to close the account and put your money elsewhere. I have no loyalty to Chase but they have always been very good to me.

  14. Posted

     

    My power base converter is older and had the back trimmed to work on a model 2 sega genesis. Using this power base converter I can confirm it does work on the mega sg. I tested the sega cards and that loaded as well.

    Does the Mega NT provide FM sound with a stock converter? IE Powerbase or an older non-FM enabled Powerbase Mini?

     

    Do you get FM sound by playing SMS games on an older Everdrive MD that doesn't support FM audio like the Mega ED?

     

    I ask because I do not own a Master Everdrive or a Mega ED, so sans jailbreak firmware, I have no option for playing FM sound on games I do not own physically. Buying an additional Everdrive specifically for playing SMS ROMs with FM sound would be redundant, especially if Kevtris or an anonymous cohort drops jb firmware.

     

    And yeah, totally getting the Game Gear adapter. That system is easy to collect for since 90% of the original unmodded units have capacitor plague, the pool of available games vastly outnumbers the available hardware. I have a stack of games with no system to play them on... :_(

  15. Posted

    I know which one Id pick since I wouldve picked the cheaper color from the start if they werent all the same price. :D

     

    Now, why couldnt I have been one of the ones with the mixed up button color?! :(

    If they send out the buttons, you could do a custom white/blue SMS scheme (PAL power button with JPN reset) Mega SG with a totally unique button combination. Unicorn rare! 🦄

  16. Posted

    This shipping mix-up might actually work out okay for me. I ordered the JPN SKU but started to regret it later (I'm not sure I like the red/blue button combo). If I end up getting the EUR SKU, I think I'll be happy with the white buttons. It would go nicely with my JPN Super Nt.

     

    Still though, it's obviously an unfortunate situation for most people if they don't get the version they ordered.

    Both the Red/Blue and the White/Gray buttons look good imo. However I really like the splash of color the red/blue palette provides. The USA palette just used the red from Japan and the gray from PAL. I got lucky in that I got the JPN color scheme I ordered.

     

    Rather than accepting returns for open box consoles then risking shipping out cosmetically imperfect units, perhaps Analogue could just mail out power/reset buttons to those who request them. A set of either Red/Blue or White/Gray replacement buttons could match any color scheme. To convert to or from a USA console, only one button needs to be replaced.

     

    That would be cheaper than shipping complete shells as one poster recommended.

     

    It still requires full disassembly of the console, presumably by lifting the corners of the rubber pad at the base, if it is constructed like the Super NT. I'm not sure if Analogue is willing to allow customers to swap their own parts.

     

    Retrousb gave explicit instructions for cartridge port replacement on the AVS and offered free repairs or replacement of broken power connector, even after botched repair attempts by customers.

     

    I'm not sure how Analogue would feel about sending out conversion "kits" to swap the buttons, but it would be far cheaper and more convenient compared to return shipping both ways.

     

    And a visible code would be helpful. The box literally has only an 8pt font text on it designating the region color scheme.

     

    Colored dots (ie white, red, blue, gray) on the outside of the shrik wrap or really anything to help identify the packaging to aid inventory workers and prevent mistakes like this.

     

    I ordered a 3x nfl jersey last year where they attached a 3x tag to a 2x jersey (that obviously didn't fit correctly). The exchange process was painless.

     

    It is still up to Analogue to correct the issue if customers are dissatisfied. Many may keep the console but be unhappy about the colors. This could impact future sales from these customers.

     

    Just food for thought.

     

    Also a USPS medium flat rate priority is $15 anywhere in continental United States, and regional rate boxes even cheaper in many instances. Reliance on third party courier services is outrageous, especially since the USPS will deliver free boxes and collect shipments at the door.

     

    I would hope that the cart adapters aren't $30 to ship for a $10 connector. Drop single orders in a small padded Readypost envelope for $3.95 shipped. If customer orders two or more, a small flat rate Priority box will accommodate this.

  21. Posted

     

    Right here

     

    rIG5zZP.jpg

     

    Was lurking the thread and refreshing the page just as it updated with the buy link lol, pretty sure I might have actually purchased before TailChao made the post on the forum saying the game was available :twisted: Looks like he came across my twitter as well after I posted this pic there, the sly fox ;)

     

    I'm actually pretty new to the 7800 scene pretty much as a direct result of this game, didn't even own a 7800 console before (bought one on eBay the same day I ordered my copy of this in fact :o ) although I do have a 2600. Bought the game on steam about a month ago and was amazed at how well it looked and played given the hardware so had to get a physical copy to add to the rest of my retro collection.

     

    Just gotta get a different controller now, cause trying to play something like this on the 7800 joystick is not the easiest/most comfortable thing in the world

     

    Anyways, thanks for the great game and I definitely look forward to playing it more on here!

    homebrews were the primary readon I bought a 7800. You will get tons of usage out of it. Be sure to check out the atariage store too for more games. Anything by Pacman Plus (Bob Decrescendo) is worth buying. I recommend you check out Pacman Collection if you're a fan.
    • Like 2

  23. Posted

    Every Analogue Mega SG console will include an unreleased Sega Genesis game: HARDCORE by Digital Illusions from 1994. https://twitter.com/analogue/status/1098975745601204225

    Hot-diggity! :cool:

     

     

    I can't really get into the Turrican games (gets ass handed to self very early on) but I don't mind their inclusion and am happy for the fans who get enjoyment out of it. I feel the same about Megaman and Contra as well. I am more of a classic Shmup fan (from Galaga to Blazing Lazers), and generally prefer run-and-jump platforming style (ie Mario, Sonic) over run-and-gun.

     

    Having a free game on the boot menu that you aren't interested in playing doesn't make owning the console any less fun, so I cannot see why anyone would argue for it's omission.

     

    I hope we get a free game on the Mega SG but not going to hold my breath.

     

    So the alt Ghostly boot menu is technically included on recent firmwares, just locked out unless you bought the Ghostly version? Gotcha.

     

    Yes, and the Super NT is more a spiritual successor to the AVS based upon price point and features, than the NT Mini. I think it's plausible the AVS is why Analogue hasn't released a competing price reduced NT yet. Based on social media posts and forums I have read, many people have bought the AVS and Super NT.

     

    I gotta admit, not a fan of solid white consoles, but that would look nice sitting next to the white Mega SG. :thumbsup:

  25. Posted

     

    It's an investment. Just like you can get mutable investors in a business. For sure you will see this up for sale later. As classic video games are getting harder and harder to find, the really rare ones in flawless shape will go for some big money. This one just falls as a ultra rare one that not many are known to exist.

     

    It makes you think....all the games I paid for back in the day...if I just got 2 of each and kept one sealed...maybe one day it would be my retirement.

     

    This does show that people not in the know, should see video games are not just a toy...

    But if everyone did this they would be worthless. You gotta be well ahead of the curve. Every collectible commodity goes through this. Baseball cards were discarded and thrown away before they became valuable. Toys got used and broken.

     

    Like 90s era baseball cards are practically worthless, only cards released before it became popular are worth anything. Ditto for toys. And games, though people do still buy used games to play as well as collect.

    • Like 1
AtariAge
Forums
Store
General
Follow AtariAge

Copyright ©1998-2021 AtariAge

×
×
  • Create New...