Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Next project? (UPDATE 4)

Hi Guys,

as this is project is approaching to its end and all games will be available hopefully soon., I'm opening a new thread to see what project would you like guys to see next.

Here are some ideas:

A) Convert all Sammsiwave games, so they can be played on a NAOMI
B) Make a ALL-in-ONE cartridge for ST-V
C) Improve your VHDL and make new drivers for FPGAArcade Board (www.fpgaarcade.com)
D) DECO Cassete Replacement
E) System24 disk replacement
F) Consoles Drive SD-Card replacement
G) USB2JVS converter
H) Namco 246/256 multi-dongle.
I) Irem M92 "conversion aid tool"
J) CPS1 "conversion aid tool" 
K) Decap a CPS3 Custom SH2 and find a way to reprogramm the keys. 
L) Naomi Universal Bios

Now make your propositions!

Please no crazy stuff, like make my Naomi control my domotic system or that kind of stuff :)))))

Cheers.

92 comments:

  1. Of that list, The ST-V thing would be good to me. IMO, Atomiswave is over-rated. (dodges rocks being thrown)

    What I REALLY need is for someone to develop a new multi-game kit for the Data East DECO systems to replace the tape drive. Someone else had done one already but he disaappeared off the face of the earth and took his project with him. i have a good working DECO cocktail table in storage minus the tape drive and working tapes...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DECO! that's a classic. Do you have information about how it works? I dont have one. From system16 page it looks like its reading the tape to some sort of device that connects to the main PCB. Is that some kind of middle memory? In that case, it can probably be replaced with an Eprom :)

      Delete
    2. If you are interested in doing this project I can get you some more info (or try). I also have a machine to test on. Here are some pages I found:

      http://www.atariprotos.com/deco/deco.htm

      http://www.outerworldarcade.com/arcade/deco/deco_multigame.html

      http://atariage.com/forums/topic/107362-deco-cassette-replacement/

      Delete
    3. I like this one also. Which approach do you think that is better? To replace the drive with a Multiple-Game Eprom or to replace the tape with some sort of device? I think the first one is far more simplier to be honest.b

      Delete
    4. The original guy that did the project replace the tape, drive, and dongle with solid-state replacements I think.

      Delete
    5. Actually, I think the tape drive was bypassed and the dongle was replaced with a pcb containing the eprom replacement and custom bios. Not 100% sure.

      Delete
    6. Namco 246/256 multi-dongle would be awesome :)

      Delete
    7. Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download Now

      >>>>> Download Full

      Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download LINK

      >>>>> Download Now

      Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download Full

      >>>>> Download LINK G2

      Delete
  2. A programmable CPS2 board would be awesome.

    AvP and ProGear for everyone.

    Also would it be possible to replace the CPSIII CD drive with a CompactFlash or SD card reader? (much like the Naomi)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mean like inserting a CF and choose the game with a MENU? What happens to the 18-in-1 available from China? Is not good enough?
      http://xinglisoftware-961574.en.gongchang.com/product/13769061

      Delete
    2. Me parece una buena idea, reemplazar el CDROM SCSI con una interface SCSI-SD mediante una FPGA por ejemplo.

      Delete
    3. there are some SCSI drive replacements already like http://shop.comex.eu/Controller/Bridges/Bridges/Converter/Acard-AEC-7720U::10282.html

      then you need a CF-IDE Adapter (which are very easy and chep to find at ebay).

      Delete
    4. or this one even better: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CF-AztecMonster-CF-3-5-SCSI-Converter-Card-Mac-AKAI-sampler-New-Condition-/300893865638?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D7197555439564874258%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D300672786942%26

      Delete
    5. Wouldn't that act as a HDD, not a CD?

      Delete
    6. 2nd one I'm not sur if will work, but Acard adapter has ATAPI support, so should work.

      Delete
    7. I bought the acard adapter last year since I was already attempting to convert the scsi drive to CF, I havent been able to get the CPS3 to see the acard, it acts as if no scsi is present.

      Delete
  3. Hola Pablo,
    Grandioso el trabajo que realizaste!!!
    Que tal hacer que la CPS3 tenga salida HDMI (audio digital + video digital) a través de una fpga. Tomando las entradas del conversor digital-analogico de video (RGB 555) que tiene la placa. EL audio está en en I2C así que habría que mezclarlo con el video. Soñando un poco más algún procesamiento de video (scanlines, filtros, etc), una interface para poder conectar un joystcik USB al conector jamma.
    Podrías explicar la opción "c"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola y Gracias!

      Supongo que lo mas sencillo es hacer 3 soldaduras con un par de resistencias en las entradas que comentas del 555 y ponerlas en un conversor CGA-VGA como este:
      http://www.ebay.es/itm/RGBS-CGA-EGA-YUV-TO-VGA-converter-1-output-arcade-game-/250675162632

      Delete
    2. Tengo uno de esos y me funciona mal con 3S, problemas de sincronismo :P
      Un UPSCALING decente para la CPS3!
      Insisto, podrías aclarar la opción de VHDL a que haces referencia.

      Delete
    3. VHDL es el lenguaje en el que se programan las FPGAs. No se si era esa tu pregunta :)

      Delete
    4. Mi pregunta apunta a nuevos drivers ¿A que te refieres?¿para que dispositivo?
      Me compré una Spartan 6 así voy a tener que desempolvar mi VHDL :D

      Delete
    5. corregido. Me referia a www.fpgaarcade.com

      Delete
  4. I'm 100% behind the ST-V as well, even though I really like Sammy's Atomiswave and don't think it's overrated, at all.

    If you're looking for suggestions, I personally think making some of the Gaelco boards future-proof [they make use of a suicide battery] would be great, but I'm aware, that Gaelco's titles aren't popular by any standards, so I'm not holding my breath.

    I think Gaelco still fixes them if they die. They did last time I asked about Thunder Hoop and TH: Strikes Back, which was back in 2007, or thereabouts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Morden, I thought decryption on Gaelco was already known. Are you talking about release code for the eproms which works without battery? Do you have more info on this?

      2 to 1 for ST-V :)

      Delete
    2. I meant the EPROMS. I'm not sure about the decryption status, either. Thunder Hoop seems to be fully supported by MAME, but TH: Strikes Back still isn't, giving the "coprocessor bad" message. The game loads, but it's unplayable due to the gameplay being all messed up.

      Also, Alligator Hunt seems to work fine, but despite this, MAME displays a warning, that the game's protection isn't emulated and the game is unplayable. In this case, the ROM data has been hacked [a "clean" ROM will not work], so the protection isn't emulated, which makes me wonder what the real status of decryption is for Gaelco games.

      I have read about the protection mechanism, and even though I don't remember much, overcoming it wasn't as simple as burning the decrypted data.

      Delete
  5. Even if you just converted Hokuto no Ken and Rumble Fish 2 for the atomiswave over to the Naomi, I am sure that would please most people.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I almost forgot. My wife said you should go for the ST-V multicart, since she loves Baku Baku Animal and Cotton more than she loves Dolphin Blue, so that's 3 votes for the ST-V? Haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, thats 3 to 1 :)
      Lovely wife you have. Mine hates "boards"

      Delete
  7. Of your given choices I vote for ST-V multi, but if you are taking suggestions - How about a SEGA System 24 decryption project?

    The floppy disks are what is encrypted, but I think the bigger issue is figuring out how to "copy the floppys". The only way that I have been successfull is with a working System 24 PCB. MAME has some floppy disc images for unencrypted games but I've not been able to make working floppys with an utilities I've tried.

    If you can decrypt the data on a floppy disc and wite it back then we could unlock some great games.

    Brian.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This looks interesting...What utilities have you tried?
      From what I see games have already been dumped and keys are already known, so it would be trivial to make a converting tool for this system. I'm pretty sure that it should work with one of those: http://lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=13.
      I like this project...

      Delete
    2. I've tried Disk Image, WinRite and Raw Write. Only Raw Write will read the .img files that MAME uses and actually write the image to the floppy drive. It still won't read or boot on real hardware.

      I don't think anything like what is in the link you posted is neccessary since the drives on System 24 boards can be replaced with a standard 3 1/2 inch PC floppy drive.

      I've gotten some encrypted discs and have been able to copy them with the PCB, but as long as they are encrypted I can't run them on my spare PCB that doesn't have a FD1094 on it.

      Brian.

      Delete
    3. Well, Unless someone finds an easy way for everybody to copy back images into a disk, one of these would be needed. The idea is to have all games in on SD an load the one you like. I haven't checked the MAME driver yet, but in order for that to happen also the programm code should be coming from the disk. Otherwise we also need to change the eproms for each different game.

      Delete
    4. All the game code comes from the floppy disk and is loaded into RAM when the game boots. There are a couple of BIOS EPROMs, but they are consistent through all games that can be run on a standard PCB. There are a couple of other games that need an additional ROM board so there would be no need to make them run on a decrypted setup.

      There is someone in Japan who has done exactly what you are suggesting (making a SD module that loads all games) but it is $400 for his setup.

      What I was hoping to have is something pretty much just like the CPS-3 decryption project. That is, you devise a way to decrypt the disks and a program that will create working floppys on a standard PC. We would then just make the disks ourselves the same way we make our own CPS-3 CDs.

      Delete
    5. Do you have a System24 system? Can you try to copy a normal PC formatted disk with it? If it can copy it, then I could convert all games' disks to PC format. If not, the only reasonable option is to got for the Floppy emulator.

      Delete
    6. Can you send a link to the japanese guy?

      Delete
    7. He seems to have quite a bit of information on this site. http://www.higenekodo.jp/h24/wiki.cgi

      I'll try to copy a PC formatted disk sometime this weekend.

      Brian.

      Delete
    8. Here is the solution : i asked a guy called Keir Fraser to support in IPF format the sega system 24 disks,
      his tool is Disk Analyser search on google.

      You need in hardware the kryoflux made by SPS.

      Then with the DTC, you can write back with the kryoflux any sega system 24 disks :) I have here Scramble spirit and also Crackdown :)

      Delete
    9. contact me here : dlfrsilver DOT hotmail FR
      for any other informations.

      the disks are indeed encrypted, the fact is that Chris Hardy from Sega resurrection made decrypted disks, but there is glitches, hence why he never released them.

      Delete
    10. That is an interesting idea, Denis.

      It still doesn't get any closer to games running without the proper FD1094, though. It looks like the only benifit would be the ability to create a working Scramble Spirits floppy but does it? You don't state wether the MAME .img files will work (and the site doesn't really either) only the .ipf files created from a real floppy.

      Great solution for getting the floppys copied without a working System 24 board. Maybe it would be good if we determine that the games could be properly decrypted.

      As to Chris' reasons for not releasing the disks, I heard it was because he felt it was too much of a pain in the ass to make copys (since you need to fire up the PCB), not that he was unsuccessfull in the decryption.

      Delete
  8. Why not continue with this and unlock the service menu so we can fit a new battery to dead carts and reprogram the keys? Then CPS3 would truly live forever and using the default CDs.

    Personally, I'd love that, it seems much more 'legit' a hack and you'd be back to using the original hardware and even the CDs. A sort of true 'phoenix' method.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mmm I'm pretty sure that is a fake rumour...there is a special service menu in developer mode of some games with some extra options, but nothing that will bring back the keys....think that in order for the cartridge to run something it needs some keys.... So this special BIOS would need to
      A) replace the content of the BIOS with another one.
      B) reprogram itself with new keys?!?! (Where is it getting it from)

      What happens then?

      There is certainly a way to put back the keys, as happens with CPS2, using some device from capcom and it's of course doable, but without the proper documentation or device, It doesnt look easy at all.

      Delete
    2. The cart utility menu is for writing data to and verifying data on the SIMMs, i.e. you can manually choose which files from a CD are written to which SIMMs. In the case of Darksoft's ISOs this may be useful in order to write, for example, 3rd Strike data from a single CD rather than having to write the data in two passes from two CDs.

      Maybe Darksoft can explain it better than I can, but as for reprogramming the keys, that is something which can only be done - as far as we can tell - with external hardware of some kind. Even then, it's not been discovered exactly what the security data is, how it is read/used and indeed how it is written.

      Basically, we know *why* 2nd Impact works with the battery removed. It's because the security vectors on a dead cart apparently point to an empty region which returns 0x00 bytes (SH-series CPUs use 0x00 for 'blank' regions rather than 0xFF) which happen to match the all-zero security key for that game (Capcom mistake maybe?).

      The difficulty is in locating the security data on a working, non-suicided cart.

      Delete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like my atomiswave. since there are cheap chinese bootlegs available it is also affordable to have all the games for it. No need to convert it to noami imho.

    I'd vote for CPS1/2/3 Multigame/All-in-one PCBs.
    Plus I would totally be willing to donate for that :)

    I must say let's don't rush things - there's plenty of time for new projects when the cps3 works 100%.

    Anyways, thanks to Pablo for his great work!
    People here hopefully donated at least a few bucks for all that supercool stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex!! Nice to see you back.
      I agree, first let's finish this and then we move forward.

      Regarding the Multigame thing, the best I've seen so far is the fpgaarcade.com device.

      Delete
  11. Ultima propuesta (para no ser denso)
    Ya que estas pensando en ST-V, porque no hacer un reemplazo de la unidad optica de la SEGA SATURN( igual que el WODE de WII) ya que esta tiene todo el catalogo de ST-V y más.
    Hay algo hecho en crazy nation pero necesita de ser conectado por USB a la PC que hace servidor :(
    http://www.crazynation.org/SEGA/Saturn/cart.htm
    Una duda importantisima que me quedó ¿¡Tomas Mate?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No conocia el Wode...Lo de hacer unidades virtuales para consolas esta muy bien, seria como esto: http://lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=13 pero para lectores de CD. Lo pongo en la lista...

      Por supuesto que es yerba mate...sale en uno de los videos, no? Es que a uno le gusta lo bueno! Y para desayunar esto: http://www.mate-tee.de/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=2&osCsid=663f1c3b5aecdc3f1a1bb44f270a2b8b

      Delete
    2. Voto por la opción FFFFFF :D


      Si salía en un video, no me acuerdo si un mate o yerba taragüí.
      Me pareció muy loco. Sos todo un Argento para el desayuno jajaja

      Delete
  12. OMG. Yes, an optical drive replacement for ANY classic videogame console would be the most awesome thing.

    There are a bunch of projects going on:

    -psx: http://psio.com.au/
    -dreamcast: http://dknute.livejournal.com/
    -3DO: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?27794-IDE-adapter-for-3DO-FZ-10


    I would KILL for such a device for
    - PC Engine Turbo Duo RX
    - Mega CD
    - Saturn
    - Neo Geo CD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow yes,

      I'd love a replacement drive solution for the Saturn! :D

      Delete
  13. Guess I'm the only one who'd quite like to see Atomiswave games converted for NAOMI then... ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like it too :)
      Rumble Fish 2 without having to remove the Naomi and get the atomiswave out of the cuboard would be great.

      Delete
  14. I vote for ST-V. Deco and System 24, hardly anyone owns them. 1 in a million people could use it. Plus someone in Japan already made a Deco multisystem. With ST-V it's Jamma and the motherboards are plentiful. CPS2 and 1 would be cool too but someone already made multisystems for them and they are pretty easy to convert most of the games around already. Still it would be cool to have everything. I don't know how you would handle the Qsound CPS1 games though. There are not enough of those motherboard types to go around.

    Thanks for the CPS3 work. I finally got enough simms and a new scsi drive and got the stuff working. It's tons of fun. I just had an issue with Jojo loading, I'll check out the next update for that and see if it's still there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please send me a link where I can purchase the Japanese multi-Deco. A US guy did it but has disappeared for several years after only releasing like 10 kits.

      Delete
    2. Mitsu, check here: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?166053-FS-DECO-Cassette-System-Arcade-with-Games

      Maybe you can still grab it and I can copy it! :)

      Delete
    3. or here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/208146-deco-cassette-system-arcade-with-games-for-sale/

      Delete
    4. If I could afford that I wouldn't need to have one made. LOL.

      Delete
    5. How much is he asking for? Is he willing to sell just the PCB?

      Delete
  15. How about creating an all in one security dongle for the namco system 246/256? Thanks for all your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a great idea also.

      1. DECO!!!!
      2. ST-V
      3. Namco 246/256 multi-dongle.

      Delete
    2. Yep, one security dongle for Namco 246/256 would be awesome.

      Delete
  16. I added a new one, which is creating a USB2JVS adapter. This will allow anyone with a JVS system like Naomi, Lindbergh, etc. to use standard USB Joysticks or wheels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm all for this one! As someone that offers padhacks, this would be KILLER!

      Delete
    2. https://github.com/TheOnlyJoey/openjvs this is almost already done

      Delete
  17. I vote for (in the following order, based on market penetration and hardware demand):

    1- Atomiswave to Naomi conversions (just the popular titles). The majority of home-arcade enthusiasts already own Naomi hardware, and are capable of net-loading or compact flash loading games.

    2- Namco 246/256 Universal keys. This would be totally awesome for 246/256 owners. The hardware is cheap, the software is insanely expensive (relatively speaking). Not affordable for your average home-user.

    3- STV Multi-cart. While there are only a handful of worth-while games on the STV, it would be excellent seeing a multi-game of sorts.

    Projects I personally would love to see:

    CPS1 "conversion aid tool". All CPS1 games can be converted granted you have the appropriate PPU (c board) and Pal/Rom dumps on hand. I have heard its possible to rom-hack the program roms to re-point the PPU instructions from Game A to Game B. It would be totally bad-ass if we could convert all games to be compatible with "B-21" revision PPU (the one that is common to Street Fighter 2 CE, the most commonly available jamma board on the market). All of the required information is available in mame source. I know others in the past have manually done these conversions, but unfortunately did not share the information and/or roms.

    Irem M92 "conversion aid tool" - All Irem M92 games have encrypted audio. There is a custom Nanao IC on each board that contains the decryption key. I have heard that it is possible to decrypt game A using mame source, re-encrypt it to be compatible with game B (enabling a game conversion). It would be very handy to have a tool that easily converts rom-sets between the different board revisions. All of the required information is available in mame source. I know others in the past have manually done these conversions, but unfortunately did not share the information and/or roms.

    Keep up the great work!!!

    I personally donated to Darksoft, and urge everyone who frequents this blog to do so too! Great work buddy, keep it up! You're a godsend to us home-collectors!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Bill,

    thanks for nice words. I updated the wish list. We'll probably end up raising a poll, and then I will decide which one is more feasible.

    Time allows, I may decide to go for more than one project :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Naomi Universal Bios (like the ST-V one where you can switch region)

    ReplyDelete
  20. naomi universal bios

    and Convert all Sammsiwave games, so they can be played on a NAOMI

    ReplyDelete
  21. There is a new option K)
    I'm starting to seriously considering it... :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Replies
    1. K is an awesome option, actually.

      Delete
    2. I vote option K.

      Were I to get a second vote, I would again vote option K.

      To reiterate, I choose option K.

      Delete
  23. Wow, some great ideas here.
    I really like A,B,H,and J!
    Here is a new one that is much needed. A CF or SD card replacement for the Konami system 573 hardware.
    A CF/SD replacement for the Namco 246/256 is needed too.
    Both these systems eat CD/DVD drives.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What about Naomi and/or Atomis to Dreamcast? ;_;

    Also good job, sabes mucho de los games <3

    saluditos desde chile

    ReplyDelete
  25. My votes in order!!
    Make a ALL-in-ONE cartridge for ST-V (So many good games, and I wonder if it could be used to hack Saturn games into ST-V)
    Namco 246/256 multi-dongle. (Overall this would be great, even more so with the next item on the list)
    Namco 246/256 CD/DVD replacement (A multidongle with SD or SSD CD/DVD replacement would be sick!!!)
    Consoles Drive SD-Card replacement (Dreamcast or Saturn especially)

    ReplyDelete
  26. My Vote and Comments:
    A) Convert all Sammsiwave games, so they can be played on a NAOMI - This would be awesome!

    D) DECO Cassete Replacement - Anyone have a link to the multi boards for this?

    E) System24 disk replacement - I started this project to use SD or even a floppy to USB thumb drive last year, didnt get far for time reasons..Hope you can...

    H) Namco 246/256 multi-dongle. - These would be simple to make but there is one tiny custom IC in them, would probably have to make changes to the game itself.

    K) Decap a CPS3 Custom SH2 and find a way to reprogramm the keys. - I could probably get one decapped if you really think you could do it.

    L) Naomi Universal Bios- Has CRC check that would need defeated, the carts can easily be region changed by reprogramming IC22. Not sure this would be necessary since most are net booting and or using CF drives in which the region code is removed anyway.

    I would really like to see CPS3 on solid state. The scsi drives are going to fail and this would keep these systems alive. I bought an ACARD scsi to IDE adapter bridge sometime last year, the jumpers on it dont seem to match up with what you need to allow the CPS3 to see it as a scsi drive connectd. If you want me to test anything or have any ideas Ill gladly do it since I already have the acard and they are like 100 bucks.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Brandon,

    what type of Acard do you have? There is a type that works with HDD and another one for CD/DVD Drives. Probably you have the wrong one. Anyway, it seems like this won't help speeding up the process as the bottleneck in CPS3 are the programming time of the Flash memories. If someone makes an adaptor to make the SIMMs sockets of CPS3 to accept Standard SIMMS, then the writing speed will be seconds!

    Send me a PM to neo-geo forum and we can discuss D,E,H,K and L.

    ReplyDelete
  28. My Neo-Geo account doesnt allow me to send PMs yet I dont have enough posts I guess. Can you send me an email to Brandon at summittarcade.com thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  29. One lone vote for the M92 converter. I'd love to see a multigame kit for that someday!

    (and a universal B-board for CPS-1 while I'm dreaming)

    ReplyDelete
  30. H) Namco 246/256 multi-dongle has my vote

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dreamcast controller to Naomi converter...?

    ReplyDelete
  32. H) Namco 246/256 multi-dongle, please!
    I need 2 or 3.

    ReplyDelete
  33. is that possible copy a System 256 DVD game run on Hard disk ?
    (e.g Gundam Seed , DVD Game media , clone / copy to a hard disk and run on system 256)

    ReplyDelete
  34. H) Namco 246/256 multi-dongle.

    I hope they work on the dongle soon. I just got one and i really want to play soul calibur and tekken.

    ReplyDelete
  35. H) Namco 2x6 multi-dongle. Reallywanting to give Soul Calibur 3 a crack.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Breaking Cps3: Next Project? (Update 4) >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK vM

    ReplyDelete