Emulator supporting .ccd files vs bin/cue or iso/cue

[phantasy]

Looks like I may have a big job of converting some of my older files done with Clone CD unless there is a better way. I tried loading one of my sega cds with retroarch and got a message that Retroarch doesn't support .ccd  (I had tried both zipped and unzipped).

 

I thought to see what is the preferred archive format for disc images and do you convert any to uniform them in a collection?  What is the best tool for conversions that can also ensure proper cue files (naming of the file, and the title in quotes within the file, audio tracks, etc.).  Do you finalize it all by zipping or leave them unzipped for emulators on devices like the Wii?

[Yeuxkes]

Wii is best served with wbfs images. It's a format which deletes all unwanted data and thus saves you some space. You can convert your roms with wbfs manager to achieve this.

For systems like Sega CD, Playstation 1, Dreamcast, Saturn, etc I have them zipped and they are in bin/cue format. I then use rocketlauncher to unzip when launching.

Playstation 2 uses iso-files zipped with gz compression which can be done with 7zip. This format is natively supported by PCSX2. The only downside is that on the initial run it takes a long time because PCSX2 creates an index file. Depending on the original image size this can be anything from 2 to 50Mb. Once you have the index file the games run instantly tho.

 

As for tools I use UltraIso to convert between iso and bin/cue. Playstation 1 is a little tricky because of the often loose audio tracks. But with Iso Buster and UltraIso this is easily dealt with, a tutorial on how to achieve this can be found on epforms here

[phantasy]

We are on similar paths.. I forgot to even mention Wii, but yes I was into that scene early on and have converted the same.  I use UltraISO as well.  Do you know a method of batch conversion vs my current 'one at a time' painfully slow way?

 

 

VERY comprehensive summary btw!

[phantasy]

A new snag... how much do people trust their .cue files accuracy?  Some of my conversions from ISO to bin/cue do not seem to include info on the many mp3 / wav tracks.  Is there a good tool for cue creation/checking?

[32assassin]

if you have sega CDs that are  ISOs and mp3s,  their is a very high probability that those ISOs where made on a computer that was running windows 95  or windows 98

 

do yourself a favor and replace them with files that where originally made in Bin/Cue format and not converted from an ISO source.

 

do a search for the Darkwater set (they are free at a certain PD site),  its already in bin/cue format, You may find 2-3 discs in ISO format or missing but that is a manageable number to manually convert.

 

 

and 

zipped --> saves HD space,  long loading times.

unzipped --> faster loading times, sacrifice HD space.

 

You have to decide on what is best for you.  I only have US games for the Sega CD and Saturn,  the collection is not that big, (compared to the PS1 PS2).  I have all the games unzipped.

 

PS1 collection is over 1T ZIPPED!!!!.   I only unzipped my favorite (most played) games for faster load times. the rest are zipped to save HD space.

[phantasy]

Darkwater looks worthwhile for the cue files alone! Hope there is not too much renaming for HS. Would renaming the zips be enough or do all have to be unzipped, renamed (plus rename within cue files) and then RE-zip?

[32assassin]

Cue files are worthless if you don't have the contents of the Cue files.

 

you should take your time renaming the Cue AND Bin files. And after you rename the Bins,  UPDATE the Cue File contents.

And after you do that re-compress the files.

 

the reason you want to rename the Bin files is that some emulators can load Bin files directly aka---> NO NEED FOR DEAMON TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you use an emulator that can load bin files directly  you can actually delete the Cue files. You would no longer be able to mount the bin file on a virtual drive,  this is why you should spend the extra time 

renaming and updating the Cue files. 

 

Their are are some programs that will do this for you but I never used any,  so I cant recommend one that works.