Supercharger multiloads <6k

[+batari]

I understand that the Supercharger is capable of multiloads as small as a single page (256 bytes) and I think it can place a page of data into any page in its RAM as they are loaded. However, all multiload binaries that I've tried load the entire 6k. Does anyone know of any multiload binaries that load less than the entire 6k?

 

I need it as a test binary for a new board. I can write my own of course, but it would be easier to work with something that's already out there.

[Eckhard Stolberg]

I understand that the Supercharger is capable of multiloads as small as a single page (256 bytes) and I think it can place a page of data into any page in its RAM as they are loaded. However, all multiload binaries that I've tried load the entire 6k. Does anyone know of any multiload binaries that load less than the entire 6k?

 

I need it as a test binary for a new board. I can write my own of course, but it would be easier to work with something that's already out there.

IIRC Escape from the Mindmaster part 2 and 3 and Dragonstomper part 2 should load less than 6K. I'm not sure if they use any of the data that doesn't get replaced though.

 

 

Ciao, Eckhard Stolberg

[Godzilla]

I wonder if there is a way to just press play and have the 2600 run the game as it feeds, so to speak, allowing for a virtual size of 'whatever the length of the tape is'

[supercat]

I wonder if there is a way to just press play and have the 2600 run the game as it feeds, so to speak, allowing for a virtual size of 'whatever the length of the tape is'

 

On a real SuperCharger, it might be possible to do that reasonably well if loading from CD. The data rate would probably be limited to a byte or two per frame. If using a cassette, things would more likely be flaky, since the playback speed may vary slightly.

 

If SuperChargers were more common, it might be interesting to try, but I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble to support in emulation, nor worth the trouble to debug without emulation.

[mos6507]

I wonder if there is a way to just press play and have the 2600 run the game as it feeds, so to speak, allowing for a virtual size of 'whatever the length of the tape is'

 

No, the Supercahrger is stuck running the loader ROM during a load. The cartridge just converts the analog signal to a hotspot. The 2600 does the heavy lifting of processing the incoming serial stream.

 

However, in theory, the Supercharger could retrieve its own loads automatically, random access. There would still be a pause between loads, but you wouldn't have to manually press play or anything. If you served the files via a PC and used a joystick port to serial connection, then you could rig something up. I was pretty gung ho about this when I was running the aborted Supercharger programming contest. I have a TeraTerm script that will react to a command byte sent from the VCS and launch MakeWAV. What I don't have is a demo program to actually show the concept working. But it should be possible. It would have worked well with Leprechaun, for instance. With a Supercharger-Capable multicart such as CC2, Batari's, or Chimera, the loads will be automatic.

Edited July 15, 2008 by mos6507

[supercat]

No, the Supercahrger is stuck running the loader ROM during a load. The cartridge just converts the analog signal to a hotspot. The 2600 does the heavy lifting of processing the incoming serial stream.

 

That wouldn't preclude having a continuous data stream of one or two bytes per frame. Wouldn't be a whole lot, but could be enough to allow for continuously-scrolling level data. The biggest difficulty would be having to reset the auto to the beginning if the player died.

 

However, in theory, the Supercharger could retrieve its own loads automatically, random access.

 

It's too bad most 2600's don't have audio out, since splitting off an audio out to the PC would have allowed for a relatively unobtrusive means of connection. I suppose one could parallel-in a joystick, but that somehow seems less elegant.

[+batari]

I wonder if there is a way to just press play and have the 2600 run the game as it feeds, so to speak, allowing for a virtual size of 'whatever the length of the tape is'

 

No, the Supercahrger is stuck running the loader ROM during a load. The cartridge just converts the analog signal to a hotspot. The 2600 does the heavy lifting of processing the incoming serial stream.

 

However, in theory, the Supercharger could retrieve its own loads automatically, random access. There would still be a pause between loads, but you wouldn't have to manually press play or anything. If you served the files via a PC and used a joystick port to serial connection, then you could rig something up. I was pretty gung ho about this when I was running the aborted Supercharger programming contest. I have a TeraTerm script that will react to a command byte sent from the VCS and launch MakeWAV. What I don't have is a demo program to actually show the concept working. But it should be possible. It would have worked well with Leprechaun, for instance. With a Supercharger-Capable multicart such as CC2, Batari's, or Chimera, the loads will be automatic.

I hear the Chimera keeps the loading bars in, and I'd assume the CC2 does as well, which will load automatically but the load bars slow things down. I left them out of my firmware, and as a result, it does a full 6k random-access multiload in maybe 6 scanlines of CPU time.