Paprium: The Official Thread Mk 2

[TmEE]

There seems to be an STM32 in the cart for doing all the funstuff. If they were available at cost and power that they are now, there would have been no consideration of the TI DSP that earlier version of the cart used.
YM DAC option exists for people with Nomad or some other machine that lacks cartslot audio without modification. In original spec this was the workaround for that, the DSP rendered the audio stream that Z80 could then read out and play back through YM2612, gaining compatibility with all the hardware, though at significantly reduced quality compared to what the DAC hooked to sound chip in the cart could do.

[moon]

Lastly, as I went to the site to get the "customized clamshell box" quote has anybody seen the pricing update? For one, the limited versions state that there is a 26% discount promo. Just the other day I believe they were $169 and maybe $229 for the euro edition (could be remembering incorrectly).

Correct, the prices have been updated.

	19-12-2020	20-12-2020
LIMITED(J)	$169	$229
LIMITED(U)	$169	$229
LIMITED(E)	$229	$459

Now the US and JP editions still say $169.46 (why 46 cents I don't know) and the PAL version is $339.66.

Because $229 x 0.74 ( 26% discount promo ) = $169.46

[roce]

No, it's a dedicated module connected to the jack. Check that :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YRQ...ew?usp=sharing

Good old ESPs, used to add wifi to literally everything these days. They're cheap as chips, 1-2$ depending on model.

[majinga]

There seems to be an STM32 in the cart ...

Did you already checked inside the cart?

[TmEE]

There's a photo from the "release" party time that matches what is in the new carts, and it has enough clues on it to show that there's an STM32 on the cart.

[Devil N]

There seems to be an STM32 in the cart for doing all the funstuff. If they were available at cost and power that they are now, there would have been no consideration of the TI DSP that earlier version of the cart used.
YM DAC option exists for people with Nomad or some other machine that lacks cartslot audio without modification. In original spec this was the workaround for that, the DSP rendered the audio stream that Z80 could then read out and play back through YM2612, gaining compatibility with all the hardware, though at significantly reduced quality compared to what the DAC hooked to sound chip in the cart could do.

That makes sense. I wasn't too far off with my educated guess then. I assume the Yamaha DAC method works similar to the trick detailed in this video from Game Hut then? Where the Z80 streams pre-mixed audio data from a small RAM buffer directly to the YM2612's DAC? Of course all the music synthesis and mixing is done on the cartridge in the case of Paprium, instead of on the 68000 CPU.

[axel]

There's a photo from the "release" party time that matches what is in the new carts, and it has enough clues on it to show that there's an STM32 on the cart.

That's probably for the best, from what I understand of the STM32s they have many more features than the TI chips, more flexibility, better for audio etc.

[nieds16]

Correct, the prices have been updated.

	19-12-2020	20-12-2020
LIMITED(J)	$169	$229
LIMITED(U)	$169	$229
LIMITED(E)	$229	$459

Because $229 x 0.74 ( 26% discount promo ) = $169.46

Lol. Yes yes I understand the math but not the logic in doing this after you already posted the prices.

[zredgemz]

I've taken some macro pictures of Paprium's cover and three others, highlighting the texture of the plastic sleeves: https://imgur.com/a/ulZ99Kd

Normally I try to avoid glare in my photos but here it really helped to bring out the texture patterns.

Paprium's box has the same kind of roughness to it as an older Mega Drive game like Revenge of Shinobi. In close-up the texture looks slightly different but to the touch they feel almost the same. A newer blue-cover game like Ristar has a finer texture to it and so doesn't feel as rough. There's enough variation in original Mega Drive game boxes that I feel Paprium fits right in.

Amazing. This is what i hoped would happen. Thank you. Gald it turned out the way i was hoping it would.

[zredgemz]

Interesting the design has evolved to WIFI! Originally you'd connect to your phone via a dongle. This looks like he's streamlined things to make it a better fit with home wifi tech, I like it! Based on that I'd hope he's worked some magic on the audio cable transfer code to speed things up. It's hard to know given the radio silence from those involved past and present... Combbook back pages may have something? The leaked docs say: Highscores, DLC, Game Updates and hint at 2 player co-op but insinuate that will come later due to technicalities.

This is a really fun idea. I do hope that not only this releases but it becomes a idea others use for future homebrews.

[axel]

This is a really fun idea. I do hope that not only this releases but it becomes a idea others use for future homebrews.

Between this and the enhancements in recent flash carts (CD audio on a cart, direct color video etc) it almost feels like we're seeing the beginning of a "Genesis Plus" platform. I think that would be great if it makes it easier to develop quality titles. I just wish it worked on all consoles.

[matteus]

Lol. Yes yes I understand the math but not the logic in doing this after you already posted the prices.

That's like £250.25 for the EU version 😯 That's insane pricing.

[Devil N]

I only just realized that Paprium's startup screen contains a self-test routine and actually makes mention of a Modem feature. Sub-CPU most likely refers to the Mega CD functionality for the AI coop player. People with a Mega CD attached should be able to confirm that. But this does strongly suggest that the Mega Wire is indeed meant for online functionality.

[matteus]

Amazing. This is what i hoped would happen. Thank you. Gald it turned out the way i was hoping it would.

I'd imagine it's an expensive thing to do. A Megawifi cart for Sega Genesis games was developed a good while back: https://twitter.com/MoonWatcherMD/st...660981248?s=19

[loempiavreter]

Anyone reached the true end of the game already? The one that says the end without the question mark? I've seen that the Wizard who says Ni! has finally reached the sky spa stages. About 3 new boss faces there. Which is always cool. Wonder who is the true final boss though, and which bosses we still have to discover.