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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Console Chat => Topic started by: Ayce on November 17, 2014, 12:24:18 PM

Title: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Ayce on November 17, 2014, 12:24:18 PM
I did a search on the forum and was surprised to see that no one has mentioned the MSU1 chip. I just ordered my copy of the SD2SNES (Flash Cart) and am waiting for it to arrive with anticipation. For those who don't know the MSU1 was a "chip" that was developed to give the SNES the ability to act as if it had a CD-ROM attached to it. With the fallout with Sony for the Nintendo Playstation and then with the canning of the project with Phillips all together we never got to see what the SNES could have done in this area.

Sure not much has been done as of yet with this technology, but it really intrigues me.
One example that I'm excited to try out is to play Road Avenger on the SNES which was one of my favorite FMV games on the Sega CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THJvsIezXrQ

Another person has figured out how to update A Link to the Past to have CD audio and FMV sequences throughout the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v788KslHvbU

There is also a demo of a new Super Mario game that someone was working on just to show off some of the enhancements.

Anyway... I thought I'd drop some info on the forums since I had not yet seen anything here.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Desh on November 18, 2014, 01:33:33 AM
Hmmm... I was unaware of all this.  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Necromancer on November 18, 2014, 02:11:02 AM
It's not been discussed at length, but it has been discussed tangentially (like in the LA thread).  It's an interesting device, but it's not really "what the SNES CD would've been like", as it ignores loading times and ram limits.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Punch on November 18, 2014, 02:57:26 AM
I've read stuff about MSU1, I wonder if it's possible to adapt it to be used in a game using the card port? It would be cool to have good fullscreen video at least
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Ayce on November 18, 2014, 06:00:29 AM
It's not been discussed at length, but it has been discussed tangentially (like in the LA thread).  It's an interesting device, but it's not really "what the SNES CD would've been like", as it ignores loading times and ram limits.
LOL this is true.

I've read stuff about MSU1, I wonder if it's possible to adapt it to be used in a game using the card port? It would be cool to have good fullscreen video at least
Actually it seems as if it does do full screen video. I was watching an example last night of some anime music video that someone made. 
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: ClodBuster on November 18, 2014, 08:19:43 AM
I think the SNES plays and sounds fine as it is, no need for streaming-media-related thingys. Thanks for the information and links though. :)
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Ayce on November 18, 2014, 02:12:07 PM
So do I. But, the idea of being able to do something like this on old hardware is cool.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: BigusSchmuck on November 20, 2014, 08:28:03 AM
So do I. But, the idea of being able to do something like this on old hardware is cool.

Sounds a lot like the Atari 7800 XM well minus the full motion video part. http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/expansion/
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Punch on November 20, 2014, 08:30:01 AM
Actually it seems as if it does do full screen video. I was watching an example last night of some anime music video that someone made. 

I meant to say "use the MSU-1 current design in the PCE", sorry if I wasn't too clear. It would be interesting to do an adaptation of it for the PCE. The "Hyper System Card". I want to believe
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Ayce on November 21, 2014, 12:54:28 AM
Yeah it would be cool if someone would develop some sort of card that would improve the TG16 for homebrew games.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Ayce on November 21, 2014, 12:57:29 AM
So do I. But, the idea of being able to do something like this on old hardware is cool.

Sounds a lot like the Atari 7800 XM well minus the full motion video part. http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/expansion/

I just watched some videos on the XM... that's kinda neat. Though I've not seen the 7800 since the 80's so I don't remember much about the way it looked originally.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: MrBroadway on November 21, 2014, 06:39:09 AM
So do I. But, the idea of being able to do something like this on old hardware is cool.

Sounds a lot like the Atari 7800 XM well minus the full motion video part. http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/expansion/

Or the SGM, to reference an aftermarket add-on that has actually been released. I have hopes that the XM will be released one day, but it's looking unlikely.
Title: Re: SNES MSU1 Chip
Post by: Gentlegamer on November 21, 2014, 10:45:57 AM
Amazing! I have a SD2SNES so must try this out.