Mega SD. FPGA Mega CD via the cartridge slot

[spanky debrest]

 

https://www.retrorgb.com/terraonion-mega-sd-worlds-first-sega-cd-ode.html

 

"The ultimate accessory for Genesis/Mega Drive. Complete FPGA recreation of the entire Mega-CD/Sega CD hardware into a plug and play Cartridge

 

World’s First Mega-CD/Sega CD FPGA Optical Disc Emulator 

• Plays both ISOS (bin+cue) and ROMS

 • RAM based cartridge for instant boot

• Compatible with all original and region free patched Mega-CD / Sega CD bios

• Supports Megadrive / Genesis, Sega CD / Mega-CD, Master System and 32X games (requires 32X add-on)

 

Fully Supports original Megadrive and Genesis hardware (Nomad included)  

• Fully compatible with Analogue Mega Sg!

• Easy to use interface for navigating your collection with screenshots, genre, year and description

• Save State support for Megadrive and Genesis Cartridge games (8 slots)

• Built in cheat engine for Megadrive and Genesis cartridge games

• Emulates all different Genesis / Mega Drive / Master System / 32x cartridge mappers.

• Stores all different Genesis / Mega Drive / Master System / 32x cartridge saves into microsd card.

• Per game Mega-CD / Sega CD Backup RAM and Cartridge RAM stored into microsd card

• Master System FM Core

• In-Game menu for fast reboot and swapping games (Genesis / Megadrive and Mega-CD / Sega CD)

 

Enhanced Mega Drive games with CD audio and Mega-CD / Sega CD hardware (MSU1 like) 

• 400GB Exfat microsd supported"

 

 

Well, I'm super hyped after watching the presentation here:

https://youtu.be/8fE0GR9prQE?t=1125

 

[Alexlotl]

Hmm, interesting. So they must be using cart slot audio rather than the Sega CD audio lines. Cart slot audio tends to be pretty noisy, but I guess avoiding the official expansion port means they don’t have to worry about what shape to make it for the various models out there, and means it can work with a Nomad too (although the Nomad needs a mod to enable cartridge audio, I think). 

 

Not a Day 1 for me, but definitely keeping an eye on it. 

[spanky debrest]

I was dreading wheeling my Mega CD out to see if it still worked and (probably) trying to fix its godawful CD tray mechanism. This is basically everything inc. flashcart functionality (bar 32X hardware) in one cart.

 

Yeah I think the Nomad requires the audio bypass / SMS function restoration mod (which is fairly painless from what I gather) for this to work properly.

[Lorfarius]

I almost a Mega CD last week  I'm going to hang fire now!

[Goemon]

Ah works with the Mega SG too, nice!

[ulala]

I’m not sure what to make of it.

 

could they have combined this with an fpga megadrive and built a machine?

[SeanR]

I'll wait for the 32X version...

[Kevvy Metal]

Welp! 

 

...I'm totally going to have to pony up for this! 

 

12 minutes ago, SeanR said:

I'll wait for the 32X version...

 

You'll be waiting forever then...

[Alexlotl]

59 minutes ago, ulala said:

I’m not sure what to make of it.

 

could they have combined this with an fpga megadrive and built a machine?

 

Theoretically possible, but I think the FPGA space needed for a Mega Drive *and* Mega CD is beyond the consumer level chips being used in these devices. You’d either have to put two in there, or go for a massively higher specced FPGA - both options would cost a packet. 

 

Also, by making it a cart they can sell to both the Mega SG users and the original hardware users, and not have to dick around with stuff like HDMI certification.

[Zio]

Watching the video, they also suggest they *may* bring out an adaptor to plug it into the Megadrive's expansion port (like a real Mega CD) at some point too, if there's a demand for it. From the video, they suggest the only reason anyone would want this is if they wanted to play 32X CD games, as they won't work via the cartridge slot through a 32X (although regular Mega CD games do).

 

I do actually own a Mega CD, although last time I tried it the BIOS graphics were corrupt and it wouldn't launch any CDs - which I guess could just be dodgy capacitors. That said, I am extremely tempted by this thing, particularly for use with my Mega SG. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on it.

[spanky debrest]

7 hours ago, Alexlotl said:

Hmm, interesting. So they must be using cart slot audio rather than the Sega CD audio lines. Cart slot audio tends to be pretty noisy, but I guess avoiding the official expansion port means they don’t have to worry about what shape to make it for the various models out there, and means it can work with a Nomad too (although the Nomad needs a mod to enable cartridge audio, I think). 

 

Not a Day 1 for me, but definitely keeping an eye on it. 

 

FirebrandX designed the audio board so it'll (probably) sound pristine.

[Alexlotl]

10 hours ago, spanky debrest said:

 

FirebrandX designed the audio board so it'll (probably) sound pristine.

 

Now I look, it seems both Sega CD and Cartridge audio have bus noise on the Mega SG and are controlled by the same config switch, so it probably won't be any different. The noise isn't evident on real hardware as the output is naturally much noisier anyway.

 

Looks like a plan with no drawbacks then. I'll watch batch 1 with interest, then probably jump on batch 2. In the meantime, need to get around to selling my Mega Everdrive X7...

[ulala]

Im still in two minds about this.

 

Emulation of megadrive with Mega SG £200

Emulation of Sega CD with this Mega SD £200

Playing downloaded roms

 

Thats a lot of money to play mega CD rom images, something i can already do on a low powered computer (99% as good)

 

[Kevvy Metal]

1 hour ago, ulala said:

Im still in two minds about this.

 

Emulation of megadrive with Mega SG £200

Emulation of Sega CD with this Mega SD £200

Playing downloaded roms

 

Thats a lot of money to play mega CD rom images, something i can already do on a low powered computer (99% as good)

 

 

Then don't buy it! 

 

This is certainly in "enthusiasts" territory and I have all sorts of retro gaming gizmo's  and I'm totally up for some more. 

[Camel]

Also you could buy a Mega Drive instead of a Mega SG which would make it cheaper.

[WizRider]

I've ordered one to go along with my (brilliant) Super SD System 3.  Looks like it should be delivered sometime in August.

I'd offer to do a review on here but I suspect that the various YouTubers will have reviewed it by the time I get mine.

 

Looking forwards to digging out some Mega CD exclusives - pity Shadowrun hasn't had a fan translation.

[spanky debrest]

Yeah, I'm not in the market for a Mega SG. This will be for use on a CRT.

 

Provided my Mega CD isn't desperately in need of repair (who am I kidding it probably is) it and my small-but-decent CD library is going to be sold to help pay for this. Nearer the time I'll sell my Everdrive X5 too and with a little luck a new Mega SD won't end up being an additional expense at all.

 

Yes a translated Shadowrun would be amazing. I've always wanted to try out Compile's take on it.

[Camel]

So does this run carts too then like an Everdrive?

[spanky debrest]

Yes, it seems to have most (if not all) of the X7's functionality (over the X5);

 

- Save States

- SMS FM sound support

- Larger ROM size support

[NEG]

A month after I got my EverDrive X7 

[Kevvy Metal]

25 minutes ago, WizRider said:

I've ordered one to go along with my (brilliant) Super SD System 3.  Looks like it should be delivered sometime in August.

I'd offer to do a review on here but I suspect that the various YouTubers will have reviewed it by the time I get mine.

 

Looking forwards to digging out some Mega CD exclusives - pity Shadowrun hasn't had a fan translation.

 

Can I ask, was it a pre-order option or do you have to pay upfront now?

[Kevvy Metal]

21 minutes ago, Lord Melbury said:

 

Upfront.

 

eesh! 

Thanks for the reply though! 

[spanky debrest]

2 hours ago, NEG said:

A month after I got my EverDrive X7 

 

Legit EverDrives tend to hold their value pretty well from what I've seen.

[NEG]

40 minutes ago, spanky debrest said:

 

Legit EverDrives tend to hold their value pretty well from what I've seen.

 

It's fine, as I already have a Mega CD, but a bit blah nonetheless (I'd certainly prefer not having to put in CD's). Though to be fair I still trust Krikzz more with flash carts, TerraOnion isn't perfect if reviews of their other products are anything to go by.

 

Spoiler

BUT OF COURSE I WANT ONE REGARDLESS 

 

[spanky debrest]

Terraonion have an impeccable record for the flashcart sides of their products.

 

They definitely made mistakes with their SSDS3 (by not consulting with the experts in the community regarding the quality of the RGB circuitry, by handling criticism badly and by using a particularly toxic forum as their official support forum) but a few revisions down the line the SSDS3 is as near to perfect as a product for the PC Engine can be.

 

IMO they seem to have learned their lessons by virtue of the consulting they did for this product and only announcing it when it was 6 revisions in.

 

I totally understand the caution though. They really did piss a lot of people off back in the early days of that product.

[Lorfarius]

I suspect a few months after its release a fair few Hong Kong versions will pop up at a much better price. Won't be perfect I'm sure but if you can't stomach that price probably worth the wait.

[spanky debrest]

35 minutes ago, Lorfarius said:

I suspect a few months after its release a fair few Hong Kong versions will pop up at a much better price. Won't be perfect I'm sure but if you can't stomach that price probably worth the wait.

 

It's magnitudes more complex a device than a regular EverDrive or GDEMU so I don't think we'll see a clone any time soon, personally.

[spanky debrest]

Well I'm pretty chuffed to find that my long neglected Mega CD is in working order and seemingly communicating well with my NTSC MD (thanks to the EverDrive being able to flash a region free USA BIOS).

 

I can't shake the feeling that it shouldn't really be doing this though, that sync errors and glitchy behaviour must be inevitable after certain amount of time.

 

I told myself I'd be packing it up ready to sell but it looks so awesome with its flashing lights and running Keio Flying Squadron I can't bring myself to. Not yet.

[Lorfarius]

1 hour ago, Lord Melbury said:

 

I don't know of any clones for their other products (Neo SD range and SSDS3).  Maybe it's the complexity, or the use of an FPGA that makes cloning unviable (either technically or financially).

 

Are they financially viable as a product though? Those belong to very expensive bits of kit whereas clones for stuff related to the MD, SNES, SMS, NES etc. etc. are a huge market that will drive a lot of Chinese companies to do knock offs. They often aren't up to a higher standard but I've used plenty of cheaper alternatives that don't cost an arm or a leg.

[Kevvy Metal]

15 hours ago, Lorfarius said:

I suspect a few months after its release a fair few Hong Kong versions will pop up at a much better price. Won't be perfect I'm sure but if you can't stomach that price probably worth the wait.

 

Yes, or you could buy it from the people who actually engineered this wonder. 

R&D costs money and I want Terraonion to be a viable company and continue to make these awesome products.