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Jag CD memory questions

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:27 am
by Mr SQL
Hello Jaguar programmers! :)

Question on the Jag CD memory - how much RAM is available for CD-only games?

ie, how much RAM is in the CD add-on to load the binary? Is that RAM volatile or does it act like ROM only? The CD add-on for the VCS gives us 6K of flash RAM which can act like ROM and load a standard cart image, but it can also be dynamically changed like RAM and even preinitialised like static RAM. Can we do the same tricks with the RAM in the Jag CD?

How common is the Jag CD - do most gamers have one?

If you write a CD game (and don't modify the RAM used to load the binary) can it be easily converted to a cart ROM for distribution? I assume if you are also streaming content off the CD there's no way that's going into the cart/capacity.

Re: Jag CD memory questions

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:50 am
by a31chris
There is no onboard ram enhancement in the Jaguar CD player. The Jaguar CD player is probably owned by 50% or better of Jaguar owners.

Re: Jag CD memory questions

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 6:00 pm
by a31chris
Here is the tech and schematic information if it means anything to you.

http://console5.com/wiki/Atari_Jaguar_CD

Re: Jag CD memory questions

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:35 pm
by Mr SQL
a31chris wrote:Here is the tech and schematic information if it means anything to you.

http://console5.com/wiki/Atari_Jaguar_CD
Thanks for the info Chris! Surprised that memory expansion was not part of the add-on; a ton of content (relatively) can be streamed from CD or loaded as needed but the game core has to take a big chunk out of system RAM - I guess the idea was cart+CD, not just standalone CD games.

Re: Jag CD memory questions

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 11:11 pm
by a31chris
Mr SQL wrote:
a31chris wrote:Here is the tech and schematic information if it means anything to you.

http://console5.com/wiki/Atari_Jaguar_CD
Thanks for the info Chris! Surprised that memory expansion was not part of the add-on; a ton of content (relatively) can be streamed from CD or loaded as needed but the game core has to take a big chunk out of system RAM - I guess the idea was cart+CD, not just standalone CD games.
Though it has never been done, apparently the Jaguars RAM can be expanded a bit through cartridge. Though it would be slower of course.