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What are SBL and SGL?

Q)

Sega Saturn's development system includes SBL and SGL. How are these different?

A)

There are roughly two environments for developing software for Sega Saturn.

SBL (Software Library) has been developed based on Hitachi's C compiler, SH C, which has been used for a long time.
As a feature, it is a library set that is closer to the hardware, and it is possible for the user to directly access various devices and achieve maximum speed.
Also, since most of the library sources are open to the public, it can be freely customized according to the user's request.
Currently, SBL is compatible with the gcc compiler and incorporates some of the features of SGL described below.
(However, since the SGL bundled with SBL is old, the functions added to SGL in the future may not always be available in SBL.)
The original purpose of this library is to position it as a sample of how to handle Sega Saturn at the hardware level.

SGL (Sega 3D Game Library) is specialized for game development that displays 3D, and has an OpenGL-like interface.
It is possible to use various powerful processes without being aware of detailed hardware-level operations.
Along with this, we are preparing a gcc cross compiler that shifts the processing system to GNU base and outputs SH2 code.

About the converter of bin ← → S28.

Q)

Is there a BIN-> S28, S28-> BIN converter?

A)

As a mutual converter for COFF, S28, and BIN, there is objcopy (sh-objcopy in the SGI version) provided here.
The format is

objcopy (sh-objcopy) -O output format input file name output file name

It will be.
The output formats that can be specified include binary, srec, and sh-coff .
(However, it is not possible to convert a binary file to an object file with symbols such as coff. In this case, if it is SGI, it can be output using the tool called bin2coff provided here.)

Please tell me the specifications of S format.

Q)

Please tell me the specifications of S format.

A)

The S format specifications are described on page 90 and after of the H Series Linker Editor Manual.

Which PC is recommended for development equipment?

Q)

I am thinking of both connecting a machine purchased in-house to an ICE and connecting it as a VCD machine.
It seems that some models cannot be used normally, so please let me know if you have confirmed the operation or if there is such a report.

A)

1) When using as a machine for ICE.

Basically, it works on all models.
(However, it is virtually impossible to test all compatible machines released so far, so I can not say that it will work on all models, but most PC cases that ICE does not work are reported. Not.)

2) When used as a machine for virtual CDs

Please do not use the virtual CD except for VCD compatible models sold by Ado Denshi Kogyo.
This is because machines for virtual CDs require strict access timing, so even if the model number is slightly different from the machine recommended here, it may not work.
(However, I have not tested all compatible machines, so I can not say that it does not work at all other than the recommended model, but at present, I am using a model other than this recommended model. In that case, we cannot support you.)

addcdw does not work.

Q)

I'm trying to use addcdw.exe, but it doesn't work.
In particular,

-master = xxx

When you specify

(0): An unexplained error occurred [fe81]

Is displayed and does not go to write. (However, I only checked the operation with -t)
-debug seems to work. (This is also an operation check with -t only)
Since segacdw.exe is a working environment, it seems that there is no problem with the hardware.
I would like to know if you have any idea that it may cause malfunction.

A)

When you start your PC, the SCSI device will be checked, but at this time, the model number of the CD writer and the firmware version will be displayed.
If the firmware version displayed at this time is older than 1.07, it will not work properly.

I want to make a copy of a write-once CD.

Q)

Is there a way to copy a write-once CD-R?
Please let me know if there is software that can copy CDDA data as well.

A)

is not. You have no choice but to create a disc image and burn it again, or use hardware called a CD duplicator.

What are the precautions when porting from NTSC to PAL?

Q)

Please tell me the tool settings, software changes, and precautions required for PAL conversion.

A)

The biggest difference between NTSC and PAL is that the vertical sync time is 1/60 second (NTSC) and 1/50 second (PAL).

At this time, in a game program that operates based on V-BLANK (NTSC), the progress speed of the game will be 5/6, which will be slower.
Also, the aspect ratio of the dots changes as the vertical synchronization time changes. (It looks like the screen is crushed in the vertical direction)
From these things, the precautions when converting from NTSC to PAL are

• Change the balance of the game
• Rewrite or modify the graphic design for PAL.
• Changed the tempo of the sound for PAL.

Also, for movie playback such as Cinepak and TrueMotion, there is no need to modify the tempo because it also has time information.
However, since the aspect ratio changes, it is necessary to perform processing that prevents the image from being crushed (for example, playing back with VDP2 and using the scaling function of VDP2).

Of course, these things can also be said in the case of PAL → NTSC.
If possible, if you are willing to port from PAL, which is hard to process, to NTSC, the burden on the programmer will be largely eliminated, but it may be better to be aware of both NTSC and PAL in advance. not.

When I make a CD with a Yamaha writer, noise is mixed in between the tracks of the CDDA.

Q)

When I make a write-once disc with a Yamaha writer (CDW-100E), noise gets mixed in between the tracks of the CDDA.

A)

It has been reported that this symptom occurs when the firmware version of CDE-100 is older than 1.07.
To check the version, the SCSI adapter reads Inquiry and displays the vendor, but you can check it in that part.
The manufacturer name, model name, revision, etc. will appear, so the number that appears at the end is the version.

If it is an older version, please contact Sophia Systems if you have purchased it, or contact Yamaha directly for other purchases.