=============================================================================================

=============================================================================================
 
=============================================================================================
                             Rise of the Robots Preview Release
=============================================================================================

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       :#####X//$#####, -H####@/+$@####@        .=$$$/     .,::::-,.     .,=:::=,.          
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       :#####            /####$   =#####,:::::::-X###M, -####H--/####; #####+:;@####-       
       :#####    ;%%%%.  /####$   =#####:######M +###M, -####+   ....  #############-       
       ;#####=  ,@####,  +####X...+#####.------- +###M, -####+  .XXXX= ####M:==%::::,       
       -M#####M@######, %#############M/        /M####H,,M###M%%H####; @####X+$#####-       
        ./X@######@H$/  $@@@@@@@@@@@$;.         %@@@@@@- ,+XM####M@X+.  ;$@M####@H%;        
            ......                                           ....           ....            


Stand back a bit, it looks better :)
=============================================================================================
ABOUT
=============================================================================================

CD-ice is an emulator of the Philips CD-i for Win9X platforms.
Please check cdice.emuhq.com for news on emulator progress/new versions.

CD-ice currently uses Turbo68k 68000 core by Bart Trzynadlowski (see credits for link).

CD-ice does NOT require a copy of the CD-i bios rom as the entire operating system is being rewritten
from scratch mostly based on my memory of the system and the source code to Rise of the Robots.


=============================================================================================
REQUIREMENTS
=============================================================================================

A copy of CD-ice(Rise)
A Rise of the Robots CD image (ISO)
A PC running Windows (only tested on 98, please report any compatibility issues with NT, XP etc)
in at least 16bpp screen mode with a minimum res (to be safe) of 800x600.


Minimum Spec:

Not known at this point.

=============================================================================================
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
=============================================================================================

This is a preview release of CD-ice emulating the Philips CD-i game "Rise of the Robots".
The game is not included with the emulator and requests for such provisions will be ignored.
Any atempt to run games beside Rise may cause unexpected crashes.. Be warned..


Firstly (if you don't already have it) you must create an ISO image of the Rise CD.
To do this you must use some CD extraction/copying software such as CDRWIN (www.goldenhawk.com).
If you are unsure about how to do this please refer to the faq later in this file and to
the softwares manual.  
CD-ice has only been tested with CDRWIN and CloneCD and other softwares ISO output may not be compatible
at the moment.


Emulation with CD-ice can be achieved in 2 ways. 

1) From a dos box (in windows).
2) From the included .bat file.

Both methods are similar in function and contain exactly the same commandline arguments, the .bat
file is just there to save retyping the command every time you wish to run the emu.

The format of the command is as follows:

cd-ice "isoname" "screenmode" >"debugfile"  (items in " " need to be changed by you).

where cd-ice is the emu name (leave this as it is)
isoname is the path to your Rise ISO (may have extension .bin)
screenmode is one of 3 choices,  ns=normal screen, bs=big screen and sl=scanline mode
	(scanline is currently double width/height with alternate lines missing, may look too dark)
>debugfile is an output of some debug info from the emulator (warning, this may contain profanity).

So an example (see the rise.bat file) would be

cd-ice d:\rise.iso bs >out.txt
Notice the >  this sends the debug output from CD-ice to the text file  out.txt

or maybe yours would be
cd-ice c:\ISOS\rise.bin ns >munkey.txt     (you can call the .txt file anything you want)


To edit the .bat file simply right click on it and go to EDIT, then save your changes when you are done.

If the >"debugfile" is missed from the commandline then the debug info will be output to the dos
console which will slow the emu down (minimizing helps).

If the "screenmode" is missing the emu will revert to CD-i res mode (384*280)

If the "isoname" is incorrect/not found CD-ice will quit.


=============================================================================================
CONTROLS
=============================================================================================

Emulation of only one joypad is supported at the moment with the following keyboard
configuration;

Joypad Directions = Cursor Keys
Button 1 = Z
Button 2 = X

At any point during emulation ESC can be pressed (while the emulated screen is in focus) to
quit CD-ice and stop emulation.


=============================================================================================
WHATS NEW WITH EACH RELEASE OF CD-ICE
=============================================================================================

Preview Release Emulating Rise of the Robots (26/7/2001)
--------------------------------------------------------

- Initial DEMO release

=============================================================================================
F.A.Q
=============================================================================================

Q.	Hey CD-ice man, can I get some ISOs (romz or whatever you want to call them) off you?
A.	No, please don't ask.  CD-i games are available either to buy, or maybe even on internet
	somewhere. I can't supply them to you, in fact if you have any you would like to donate to the
	project, then please get in touch.

Q.	Why only Rise of the Robots?
A.	This is a kind of place holder/demo release just to give you something to look at.

Q.	Why is it so slow?
A.	Depends what speed processor you have. It doesn't use any hardware acceleration at the moment
	and isn't very optimised.

Q.	Why is it so fast?  :)
A.	See above, and there's no frame locking so it may run too fast to be playable. If you're running it in
	normal screen mode, try running it in double res (commandline bs) should slow it down a bit.

Q.	Why is it so quiet?
A.	There's not currently any sound support apart from the CD-i system call handlers.

Q.	Gort! Klatu barada nikto??
A.	I only speak English, so please, when emailing me try to use it because if you don't, I can't understand
	you and its a waste of time for both of us..

Q.	What should I do if it crashes?
A.	Check this readme again to see if you've got the commandline/bat file correct.
	If you have, just try running it again, I've had reports it crashes the first time you run it.

Q.	How do I make an ISO?
A.	The best thing to use (easiest) is CDRwin, it should detect the correct CD type and you only need to
	give it a path/filename and let it do its thing.  Any problems you should consult the softwares manual
	please don't email me.  I will be producing a nice HOWTO document at a later date stating which software
	is compatible and how to use it.

Q.	and why do I need to?
A.	CD-ice only supports ISOs (CD image files) at the moment, when I complete the Windows functionality
	then direct CD support will be included, but at the moment I'm concentrating on the emulation.

Q.	What if I don't have a Rise of the Robots CD/ISO?
A.	To be rude and to the point, tough ;)  You'll have to wait for a future FULL release to see if your
	games work.

Q.	Whats up with those blank lines on the Philips logo?
A.	Bug :) It's part of the DYUV drawing optimiser and will be fixed at a later date.

Q.	How can I help the CD-ice project?
A.	Any CD-i CD contributions would be very welcome, I will be putting a list of the titles I have on
	the website soon, so you can see if there's anything I haven't got. I can only guarentee support for
	your favourite game if I've got a version of it.
	Any CD-i development software would also be VERY helpful, assembler/compiler etc.

=============================================================================================
CONTACT/CREDITS
=============================================================================================
Pete Dabbs (CD-ice Author) :)
web:	cdice.emuhq.com

Bart Trzynadlowski (Turbo68k Author)
web:	trzy.overclocked.org

Jorg Kennis (Maintainer of The International CD-i Association and an Extremely helpful man, thanks Jorg ;)  )
web:	www.icdia.org

Devin Shockwell (and the blackmoon boys)
web:	www.classicgaming.com/blackmoon

PeterD for the hosting at emuhq, and JoseQ for hosting us all at emuviews :)
web:	www.emuhq.com
	www.emuviews.com






Ascii logo courtesy of ASCII PIC 2.0


This is by no means a full credit list of all the people who have helped me by contributing CDs etc.
The next version will attempt to thank you all, so if you've helped, cheers :)  and watch out next
time for a big thanks..
=============================================================================================
DISCLAIMER
=============================================================================================

THIS PROGRAM AND DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, 

The author does not take responsiblity for any loss of data or damage that may result from using this program.  
Altering the program in any way may cause it to act in an unexpected fashion and may cause damamage to your system.