Picodrive for PS2 OH BABY!

[nightrnr]

can you play actual Sega CD discs, or only ISO's?

No, just the image files +MP3s. This was based on the emulator that was ported to PSP (which obviously did not have the option of running from CD).
That's another feature the Xbox Sega emulator has over this one.

I really don't see a point to abusing a PS2 that way though. A major reason I like these emulators and such on the PS2 is to make systems with dead lasers relevant again...
... and systems with good optical functionality should be put to its original purpose.
Of course, that's just my opinion. People can do whatever they want with whatever they have working.

[nightrnr]

Sorry for the double post, but I have some findings:

Picodrive 1.51b does not recognize my HDD, only the USB device that I have the emulator on. I tried putting the elf and files on HDD and loading it with no luck.

Version 1.35 sees the HDD just fine, however does not recognize cue files (not a huge deal, if you have the ISO/MP3's names matching, but it's a little weird to me since 1.51b reads cues).

Also, I found that the choppy/stuttering of the video scenes in CD games all but disappear when run off the HDD (the occasional glitch appears instead, but not too irksome).

So far, 1.35 is the way to go for Sega CD games.

[nightrnr]

I have experimented a bit more with Sega CD and I am not thrilled about compatibility. It's really hit or miss, but I thought I could at least get Lunar working (which loads but freezes at title screen (Starting video doesn't even load for me ).
Tried Keio Flying Squadron too, and it just can't handle it (slow choppy mess regardless of settings).

Another gripe I have is that several games have a squished proportion (black bars on sides). This was an issue on PGEN as well on the same games (for ex. TMNT:Hyperstone Heist, Shining Force 1/2). Probably wouldn't be an issue with a widescreen TV,, as you would have the option to stretch it to normal.

I know I'm complaining, but this is still a pretty awesome emulator. It plays pretty much every Genesis game that I've tried so far, most at full speed (with some minor screen tearing, but the filter option helps).

Also, if anyone gets Picodrive 1.51b working with HDD support, please let me know.