AR questions again

[sonix]

I want to make everything clear before buying an AR cart so I have few questions, I hope you'll help me I've read a lot about AR but still I'm not sure about some things.

1) Ok, I don't have a 50/60 Hz selector so ALL imports will run slower and in letterbox, right? I doesn't bother me but I know there are problems with audio sync especially during FMVs. Does it occur only during the FMVs or somewhere else in the game, is it a common or rare issue?
Here's a video of Evangelion 2nd Impression:
pl.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIkOEGv7UA
I assume it was run on Pal Sat with AR since the movies are off sync (although the "level" of off-sync varies during the cut-scene), on the other hand the game itself doesn't seem to run slower...

2) So Azel won't work with AR (or maybe?), In the Hunt, KOF 95 obviously won't run too. There are some issues with X-Men/Marvel vs. SF while playing at 50 Hz, do all games that use additional Ram will have similar problems or it just depends on a particular title? Hmm, the description of AR at Rob's store says "Compatible with all Capcom games", it means that this problem is solved?

3) Aside from games above, all other should run? I've read somewhere that AR isn't compatible with games on 2 or more CDs, that is you won't be able to boot discs 2 and up though I don't know why. So if I buy Sakura Taisen, japanese D or Enemy Zero will I be able to play them?

4) Here's the most important one: is there a safe way to use AR without spoiling the cartridge slot? I have a backup maemory cart and I'd like to use it with Pal games and swap it for AR to play imports. I know it can wear out the cart slot, is there a way to prevent it?

I hope you'll answer to my questions beacuse I just can't buy AR as long as I'm not sure about those issues.

[nickellingworth]

I've not seen any slow down or incompatibility yet with my AR but I don't actually own any games which require the RAM carts. I also don't own any of the multi disc games.

To be honest with you I won't ever remove my AR cart until I've filled it's memory or I need to play a 2 disc game and I can't see either of those happening for a long time.

[reverend]

I have an AR cart with no switches. xmen v sf works perfectly with just a few minor glitches in the sound. MSH v sf is unplayable with glitches in sound and graphics.

the 1MB upgrade for Marvel super heroes (uk) and cyberbots (jap) work fine though.

Can't answer any other questions though.

[Madroms]

1) common or rare, difficult to say unless someone tested all the games and played at them from beginning to the end.
In fact, it all depends on how they have been coded internally (how video and audio have been encoded/decoded/called).
Baku baku JPN/USA is one of the titles with bad audio during the intro if running at 50 Hz.

2) Azel will work if you use special AR codes to bypass the anti-cart protection. KOF95 and Ultraman will not work as you need there specific ROM carts. Why In the hunt will not work ?
compatible with all capcom games = newest type of AR with modified board.

3) Games with more than 1 CD will run I think as most, if not all, use a save files to let you go from one CD to another. So to run the CD2, you reboot the saturn and the game check for the save file to allow you continue the game. No Hot Swap.
Someone must test games to be sure.

4) Yes and No. Not only the AR can damage the cart slot, but also to plug/unplug cart frequently.

[sonix]

1) I see, I just wanted to know if it affects every title or does it depend on a game.

2) I know the codes to run PAL and US PDS, but everyone says they won't work with Azel :/ Or maybe you know something that I don't And In the Hunt doesn't work, at least that's what I've read and everyone seems to confirm that.

3) The problem is I don't know which games allow to continue with the next disc without hot swap and which don't (although I don't know what game could require a Hot Swap, "D" perhaps cause it does't use save, and probably nothing else, that's what I think).

4) I guess Chizzles had an answer to that question
"A way to stop it from bending the pins of the cart slot, is to only insert in 1/2 of the way in.

This stops it from reaching the bottom of the pins and bending them into the grooves at the side - although it should be noted that this is easy to repair if it happens."

Thanks for answers

[superdeadite]

In The Hunt should work. The game has a bug that makes it not work with some Saturn systems (even if run on a JP machine), but it has nothing to do with the cart. To make it boot correctly, you must connect your controller AFTER the game has booted. It always works for me.

[Madroms]

Sorry, I don't have the AR codes for Azel JPN, but if they exists for EUR and USA, it could be made for the JPN version.

D use a save file of 1 slot to swap disc (this is what does the EUR version, so the JPN probably does the same). The save file is deleted when you finished the game.

For in the hunt JPN, aka Kaitei Daisensou, 2 versions exists: they made a revised version which works with all the saturn. The first version doesn't work with most ofl the Saturn (i didn't test it on saturn with bios v1.00). But I didn't know the controller thing. Thanks superdeadite, I will test that this week-end and will probably update the info at satakore (check the "Does Not Work On " part in the game page).

[Madroms]

I just retested kaitei daisensou 1st version on model 1 bios v1.01 and on model 2: tested it without controller (putting it after the boot) => it doesn't work.
superdeadite, could you recheck on your side how it works (without controller/with it) and with which version of the saturn ? I have no success.

[superdeadite]

Sure. Though I only have 1 Saturn (V-Saturn MK1) here to test with. My original US MK2 is on the other side of the world right now so I can't confirm. But I swear I played In the Hunt on it using the controller trick.

[Madroms]

what is the bios version of your v-saturn. This can explain that.
Else, could you tell me in detail what you do EXACTLY to let it work ?
Thanks

[sonix]

I haven't bought AR yet but I have another queston I forgot to ask- afaik AR uses file compression for save files, can it result in save corruption? Did it happen to you?

[chizzles]

yeah, it does