PDI, the new MSX FILE FORMAT for Protected Disks is Finally Created

Expert (103)

03-10-2015, 23:11

The PDI format is better for normal use, will be easily transformed in DMK and vice versa, with a new tool that will be developed.
It's a new standard, easily upgradeable to achieve new limits.
I've made the draft of the standard and will release to anyone that's interested in know how it works and add support for the emulators.
Please don't receive all news with stones, just because you think differently. There are some protections that our format is better to handle.

By Manuel

Ascended (19333)

03-10-2015, 23:12

Randam wrote:

But making DMKs isn't possible on all MSXes atm right? IIRC turbo R couldn't dump disks with the current tool or am I wrong?

You need the WD2793 (or compatible) controller because that one has the proper features to read out the raw track data. The FDC in the turboR doesn't have these commands.

By Manuel

Ascended (19333)

03-10-2015, 23:14

mister.phr0zen wrote:

Please don't receive all news with stones, just because you think differently. There are some protections that our format is better to handle.

I'm interested in the details behind that. (By the way, the DMK format can handle all possible protections, even the ones that aren't invented yet...)

By cbsfox

Champion (428)

03-10-2015, 23:46

"I'm interested in the details behind that. (By the way, the DMK format can handle all possible protections, even the ones that aren't invented yet...)"...

Manuel, you don't have an idea what you are talking about.
I can create at least 10 different protections that nobody in the world can copy it.
So, stop saying what you don't know.
And this thread is to talk about PDI, the best file format for protected disks.

And PDI already has the best tool to handle it which is DSKPRO 9.0.
And you do everything using your MSX. You dont need a PC.
And DSK-PRO already has the support for all Floppy Disk Interfaces.

And this thread is not about to ask your opinion if DSK-PRO can support PDI images or DMK ones.
It will support the better one which is PDI and period.

By mars2000you

Enlighted (6451)

03-10-2015, 23:45

I agree with our Brazilian friends, critizing negatively something before being able to use the tool and making comparisons is meaningless. I'm pretty sure that all the work involved in DSK-PRO since many years will provide an excellent final result.

By mister.phr0zen

Expert (103)

03-10-2015, 23:50

People, noone is obligated to use the PDI format. If you like it, you use. If you prefer DMK, then use it. Simple as that.

By Grauw

Ascended (10722)

03-10-2015, 23:54

cbsfox wrote:

And this thread is to talk about PDI, the best file format for protected disks.

So, can you elaborate on it? I haven’t read any details about it yet, and I’m very curious!

“PDI is the best format for our MSX just because I am an expert in direct disk access and I know what I am saying.” — I’m sure as a fellow programmer you can see how that kind of statement is… problematic . Convincing with facts that PDI is indeed the best format should be easy, right?