...I'm back?

Post by **marshallh** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:38 pm

I'm honestly not sure why you'd go with MIDI. Dealing with patch and sample banks sucks. I know from experience

If I were you, I'd rely on multi-channel MOD music files. ScreamTracker 3 (.s3m) would be easy to implement, and by supporting that you'd also be able to support 4-channel Amiga MODs with just a few code tweaks.

Here's a good start:
http://www.k9spud.com/traxmod/video-0.6.7.php

I'd switch the main CPU to an ARM7 as well. I don't think the Propeller for GPU is a bad choice, it all depends on how well you can take advantage of it.

I'd also use SD cards for game storage. They're cheap, big, and require MUCH less supporting hardware/power than a CD drive. If you ever want to make a portable version, the last thing you want is a huge disc drive.

Post by **bicostp** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:20 pm

marshallh wrote:I'd also use SD cards for game storage.

I second that motion. Seriously, you can get a 1 gig SD card for 6 bucks on Tiger Direct. (4 for a 512 MB) Plus you can make a portable version, and if you sell these things, the individual per-unit cost will be less.

Or, if you already have an ATA interface implemented, switch to CompactFlash; it's compatible.

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:28 pm

MOD files look interesting, but I'll have to look into them further before I ditch the MIDI design.

ARM7 may also be a possibility, but I can't find any chips that are in a discrete microprocessor form. I can only find ones with built in RAM and ROM and tons of unneeded interfaces. Keep in mind I've only looked at Atmel's products, but if you have any suggestions, then let me know.

I'm still thinking about storage media as well. The IDE interface has been designed so an optical media is definitely possible. If I go with that, I'll do it just to learn about the interface and the programming behind it, not practicality.

-dev

ShockSlayer · Post by **ShockSlayer** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:05 pm

CronoTriggerfan wrote:An admin can just simply change the name on your old account, it's no biggie.

Alas, we lowly moderators have no such god-like powers...

Sign: CTF for Admin!

Welcome back, I missed ya!

Negative_Creep · Post by **Negative_Creep** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:11 pm

I think both CD & CF/SD formats should be implented.

...It would be like Sega CD or something

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:12 pm

I'm pretty sure all the mods would make pretty decent admins. The thing is, there's no point.

Also, there's less chance of the whole forum becoming screwed if one of their passwords is somehow discovered. (hey, it happens sometimes).

Nice to see you too SS!

EDIT: Negative_Creep, look at your post count.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:24 pm

blackbox_dev wrote:EDIT: Negative_Creep, look at your post count.

Just in case you missed it, here it is.

eurddrue · Post by **eurddrue** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:36 pm

vskid wrote:
blackbox_dev wrote:EDIT: Negative_Creep, look at your post count.
Just in case you missed it, here it is.

I really don't get the deal with the number 666, I mean my mom once put it on my cousins birthday cake

and I live by mile marker 666 in montana, really its just some number that someone said to another someone that they didn't like,"666 is the devils number, your accosiated with the devil."

DK · Post by DK » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:43 pm

Dodgy bible translation that. The original number of the beast was 616

God bless you QI

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:48 pm

DK wrote:Dodgy bible translation that. The original number of the beast was 616

Ya, but than I wouldn't of had something to comment about now would I?

Negative_Creep · Post by **Negative_Creep** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:04 pm

OH NOES OH NOES OH NOES OH NOES

fixed... lol

okay to be less off-topic.. what kind of graphics do we expect out of Black Box? 720p resolution is already impressive

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:58 pm

I'm thinking around SNES level (as far as color depth goes), but of course in pretty hi-resolution. 3D would be possible, (like Starfox) but I could always code some 3D acceleration related stuff. It very well could be possible to achieve an N64/PS1 level of graphics.

Marshall, this afternoon I started drawing up some ARM7TDMI based schematics.

-dev

Negative_Creep · Post by **Negative_Creep** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:44 am

N64 scale graphics would be crazy, but awesome