PGEN "free" EVO

[evilo]

Hi guys,

so recently i've been working on an updated version of PGEN in order to get an open-source alternative to the Datel version.

at the moment, my changelog is :

* Updated to compile against PS2SDK
* Updated to latest PS2SDK drivers
* Updated CDVD driver (fix blocking state at init if nothing in the tray)
* Disc stop spinning when CDVD drive is unselected
* Added audsrv for Sound (sjpcm kicked out)
* Removed mod playing in the menu (didn't like it...)
* Updated to latest zlib version (1.2.1)
* Updated Z80 core (V3.5)
* Added USB mass Support (much more compatible than the datel one thanks to the open source driver)
* Code tweak/Optimisation (SPR, less data sent to VRAM, etc....)
* Option to use interlaced video mode

still to be done/finished :
* check compilation flags (there is some issue, following the porting to PS2SDK/GCC 3.2.2)
* some gfx glitches to fix (may be linked to compilation flags)
* extend USB support to save states
* clean/update the interface to something newer

after that, I'll release a first version.

Anyway, concerning the last point, I would need some help to design a new background for that new version (Including a new font to replace the Ocra one), so if someone is interested ?

Also, if you are a serious coder and want to participate, or if you have suggestion of things to be added (furthermore to my changelog) don't hesitate to post them here.

see you,
evilo.

[barf]

Todo list proposal

• Add system reset option in menu
• Add the possibility to rename games, using a USB Keyboard.( Would be better in uLaunch.ELF, but they never added it )

I also have some fonts, what are the X x Y dimensions of each character?

[Drakonite]

Hey evilo! Long time no see!

* Added audsrv for Sound (sjpcm kicked out)

Thank god... I would imagine the sound works better now.. last I knew sjpcm was causing numerous issues...

Maybe a little stretch, but you could think about making a "most recently played games" list or at least a "load last rom" option.

[HypERSoniC]

first, thankyou very much evilo for continuing to develop this emulator!

As for sugestions,

• There is a bug in the sonic series (and possibly other games) with water. In scenes where there is water, the game does not display it correctly. Try one of these games (Sonic 2, 3, Sonic and Knucles are good examples) to see what I mean.
  
• Quick HDD Load + Save buttons in the game. EG, L3 and R3 could be use to quicly load and save.
  
• An ability to change the path and partition PGEN saves its settings and savestates to. I currently have hex edited the ELF to use __boot as the partition, but it would be nice to have a settings file for this information.
  
• The ability to read roms of partitions that have already been mounted for the settings file. EG, if a user wants his settings on __boot, but his roms are also on __boot, PGEN will refuse to mount the volume (fairly enough) because the volume has already booted. Perhaps this code could be changed to if (!hdd_mounted) mount(this_partition) etc etc..
  
• Show __boot in file list, some people may use this partition to store roms, so it would be beneficial to allow this volume in the partition list
  
• RARed ROM support (URARFileLib ?)
  

Here is some useful info for people who want to change the font/gfx

typedef struct
{
	t_gfxTexture pgenBG;			// 320x240x32bpp
	t_gfxTexture ocraFont;			// 192x256x32bpp
	t_gfxTexture zeroHourFont;		// 256x128x32bpp
	t_gfxTexture pgenFolder;		// 16x16x32bpp
	t_gfxTexture emuDisplayTex;		// 320x256x8bpp
	t_gfxTexture emuDisplayClut;	// 256x1x16bpp
} t_pgenTexEnv;

[ZakSpeed]

Any updates will be fantastic. Probably the sound is way better now that you updated the driver.

[Drakonite]

first, thankyou very much evilo for continuing to develop this emulator!

As for sugestions,

• An ability to change the path and partition PGEN saves its settings and savestates to. I currently have hex edited the ELF to use __boot as the partition, but it would be nice to have a settings file for this information.
  
• The ability to read roms of partitions that have already been mounted for the settings file. EG, if a user wants his settings on __boot, but his roms are also on __boot, PGEN will refuse to mount the volume (fairly enough) because the volume has already booted. Perhaps this code could be changed to if (!hdd_mounted) mount(this_partition) etc etc..
  
• Show __boot in file list, some people may use this partition to store roms, so it would be beneficial to allow this volume in the partition list

You shouldn't be using __boot, or any of the other partitions starting with '__' They are special purpose partitions with specially defined purposes and it should be considered unsafe to use them.

Having partitions start with '+' is pretty stupid though IMO, and I don't think pgen should be restricted to partitions starting with + as it originally was setup... Partitions starting with '__' should be kept hidden though.

[HypERSoniC]

I have 2 partitions which i use for file storage - +DATA and __boot. __boot is only used for pgen saves as you cannot use both settings and roms on the same partition.

also, i thought the libhdd documentation specifically recommends the use of __boot for programs and files?

[ZakSpeed]

Forgot to mention. Any chance of adding Sega CD games support?

[romz]

You shouldn't be using __boot, or any of the other partitions starting with '__' They are special purpose partitions with specially defined purposes and it should be considered unsafe to use them.

Having partitions start with '+' is pretty stupid though IMO, and I don't think pgen should be restricted to partitions starting with + as it originally was setup... Partitions starting with '__' should be kept hidden though.

AFAIK, SCE allows game developers to use '_common' partition to save a data instead of a memory card. It is allowed to use folder 'Your Saves' and it seems no other folders have yet been defined.

[evilo]

Hey evilo! Long time no see!

Thank god... I would imagine the sound works better now.. last I knew sjpcm was causing numerous issues...

Hi Drakonite !!!!!! Glad to talk to you also.. it has been a long time yes, but lots & lots of things just changed in my life, only positive things don't worry, but I had to sort everything not to mention that since they changed the firewall policy, I can't connect to irc anymore from the office ...

anyway, yes sounds seems to be better, the update of both the sound driver and the z80 core gave it some fresh

Forgot to mention. Any chance of adding Sega CD games support?

I don't think I'll have the necessary time and knowledge to add segaCD support to Pgen, so don't count too much on it... My first goal was just to add USB support and then a few enhancements, but since PGEN will now become again easily updatable, anyone could be able to enhance it, so I hope that other people will join/contribute and continue it.

There is a bug in the sonic series (and possibly other games) with water. In scenes where there is water, the game does not display it correctly. Try one of these games (Sonic 2, 3, Sonic and Knucles are good examples) to see what I mean.

for the moment, I'm still trying to keep the same compatibility level, but I'm encoutering problem with the migration to the new sdk/toolchain that gives some gfx glitches in some title screen (and I really have problem to identify where the issue is). So first this, and then I will see if I'm able to increase compatibility.

Concerning RAR support, why not...

and then about a new background I already made something (that should be attached to this post), feel free to comment.

[EDIT] forgot to mention, about usb support and compatibility, it should be : http://www.psx-scene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25559

evilo