13
13
===============================================================================
15
2.6 to 2.6.1: (May 22, 2008)
17
* Introduced more accurate timing for NTSC vs. PAL modes, where the
18
framerate is based on the number of scanlines per frame. This should
19
eliminate 'clicking' sounds when emulating ROMs that don't follow
20
the exact NTSC or PAL scanline specs.
22
* Added ability to see the current number of scanlines and corresponding
23
framerate to the TIA emulation. This can be set with the '-stats'
24
commandline argument, or dynamically turned on and off with the
27
* Modified '-framerate' commandline argument, where a non-zero value
28
overrides the automatic framerate calculation (based on number of
29
scanlines). Setting 'framerate' to zero re-enables auto-frame
30
calculation. Also, re-enabled changing the framerate from within the
33
* Added '-timing' commandline argument, which sets the type of waiting
34
between processing frames. Setting it to 'sleep' emulates the
35
previous behaviour in Stella; setting it to 'busy' emulates z26,
36
and can in some cases eliminate screen tearing (at the expense of
37
using all available CPU time).
39
* Fixed issue with debugger disassembly and mirrored $40 TIA write
40
addresses. They were actually defined at $30, and generating incorrect
43
* Fixed issue in AtariVox and SaveKey controllers where accessing the
44
EEPROM sometimes failed after the first write.
46
* Changed AtariVox and SaveKey EEPROM emulation to default to $FF for
49
* Fixed regression in cart auto-detection logic; some F6 ROMs were being
52
* Fixed issue with M6532/RIOT timer initialization; it was causing some
53
ROMs to hang (most notably Summer Games). Related to this, reworked
54
the built-in random number generator to generate 'more' random numbers.
56
* Fixed bug in CommandMenu where console buttons (Select, Reset, etc)
57
weren't doing anything.
62
2.5.1 to 2.6: (May 16, 2008)
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* Added AtariVox support using a real AtariVox device, where Stella
65
sends data directly to the AtariVox. For now, this is supported in
66
Linux/UNIX, OSX, and Win32 only. You'll obviously need a real
67
AtariVox, and a serial<->USB adaptor to connect it to your system.
68
Added '-avoxport' commandline argument used to set the serial port
69
to which the AtariVox is connected. Special thanks to Al Yarusso
70
and Richard H. for providing sample hardware.
72
* Added AtariVox and SaveKey EEPROM emulation. This reads/writes data
73
to a 32KB file, not to the actual hardware. Very useful for testing
74
EEPROM support without actually wearing out the real device. Special
75
thanks to J. Payson for providing the EEPROM emulation code, and A.
76
Herbert for answering many driver-related questions.
78
* Added support for CX-22, CX-80, and AmigaMouse trackball controllers.
80
* Improved debugger symfile handling so that addresses accessed as
81
read-only won't use write-only labels (and vice-versa). More work
82
is still needed in this area.
84
* Added M6532/RIOT tab to the debugger. This will be expanded on in a
87
* Added TIA emulation fixes for graphical glitches in Escape from the
88
Mindmaster, Mission Survive, Solaris, and SWOOPS!
90
* Fixed bug where fullscreen OpenGL scaling wasn't working on 4:3 monitors.
92
* Further improvements to the M6532/RIOT emulation, which unfortunately
93
have broken old state files (again).
95
* Added deadzone setting, for adjusting the deadzone amount for
96
analog joysticks. This can be set using the commandline argument
97
'-joydeadzone' or dynamically within the UI.
99
* Make ROM disassembly in debugger take advantage of a wide window.
101
* Fixed bug in 6507 BCD handling introduced in the last release.
103
* For the Win32 port; Win9x should be fully supported again.
106
2.5 to 2.5.1: (April 9, 2008)
108
* Fixed M6532 RIOT timer emulation. More testing is needed, but the
109
changes so far have fixed several ROMs that didn't work before.
111
* Fixed issue with weird characters in the debugger disassembly when
114
* Fixed bug where entering the debugger for 4A50 and E0 carts caused
115
the ROM to be frozen afterwords.
117
* Removed logic whereby starting a ROM from something other than the
118
built-in launcher wouldn't allow the user to go back to the ROM launcher.
120
* Fixed bug (hopefully) with the app icon not showing on the Stella window.
121
Further testing is needed, since I can't duplicate the error myself.
123
* Fixed default snapshot folder issues; the folder will now be
124
automatically created in the same place as state folders, ini files,
125
etc (whereever that may be for your platform).
127
* Re-added 'lastrom' functionality, where Stella will remember and
128
auto-select the last ROM that was successfully launched in the ROM
131
* For Stella developers, fixed SpeakJet emulation so it compiles again.
132
No improvements have been made to the emulation itself, though.
135
2.4.2 to 2.5: (March 28, 2008)
137
* Added RomInfo widget to the ROM launcher, which shows properties
138
information and a snapshot of the currently selected ROM. Updated the UI
139
and added '-romviewer' commandline argument to activate this setting.
140
Note that the ROM launcher will have to be sized at least 640x480 for this
141
to be used. Also note that the snapshots must be in 1x mode with a
142
maximum size of 320x260. This will be expanded on in a future release.
144
* Added ROM audit functionality, whereby ROMs can be physically renamed
145
according to their properties' name.
147
* Added bankswitching support for 0840, SB, X07 and 4A50. A special thanks
148
to Eckhard Stolberg for much help in this area.
150
* Removed "non-browse" functionality from the ROM launcher; it now always
151
uses browse/filesystem mode. The previous 'pretty' names can now be
152
seen by renaming all your ROMs with the new ROM audit feature.
154
* Huge overhaul of controller handling and Stelladaptor support, making it
155
much easier to add new controller types in a future release.
157
* Fixed paddle issues in Night Driver; paddle emulation speed should be
160
* Fixed several 6507 emulation bugs related to BCD handling.
162
* Updated ROM properties based on info from RomHunter.
164
* ROM properties can now be edited from the ROM launcher; you no longer
165
have to start a ROM to do so.
167
* Added support for configurable font to ROM launcher (currently only
168
'small' and 'large'). Updated the UI and added -launcherfont' commandline
169
argument to change this setting.
171
* Added SECAM, NTSC50, PAL60 and SECAM60 to the list of formats that can
172
be used. Also, switching between these modes with 'Ctrl-f' now switches
173
the palette only; the number of scanlines won't change.
175
* Fixed crash when switching between software and OpenGL mode with a
176
Stelladaptor plugged in.
178
* Added '-tiafloat' commandline argument, which determines whether or not
179
the TIA pins are in a 'floating' state. This is useful for testing on
180
certain CMOS EPROM chips where the unused TIA pins on a read are not
181
floating but pulled high.
183
* Fixed issue in debugger where once a .sym file was loaded, it was used
184
in all ROMs loaded after that.
186
* Fixed issue in debugger where equate names weren't showing up in the RAM
187
and CPU widgets. Note that this still isn't perfect, and needs support
188
from DASM for proper functionality.
190
* Updated state file format, creating smaller files (and in preparation
191
for state rewinding in a future release). Old state saves will no longer
194
* Added '-bs' commandline argument, which is an alias for '-type' (which
197
* Removed -pXspeed' commandline arguments, and replaced them with a
200
* Removed '-paddle' commandline argument. The paddle currently emulated
201
by the mouse can still be changed with Ctrl-0..3 or within the UI, but
202
the setting is no longer saved.
204
* Reworked UI for specifying that the console ports have been swapped,
205
hopefully making it easier to understand.
207
* Added 'Ctrl-c' & 'Ctrl-v' to EditTextWidgets, allowing to copy and paste
208
the text widget contents. More work in this area is coming in a future
211
* Added 'Ctrl-leftarrow' and 'Ctrl-rightarrow' to EditTextWidgets, to move
212
to the first character of previous and next words (respectively).
214
* For the Win32 port: fixed OpenGL crashes in Vista. Graphical updates
215
are still slower in Vista compared to XP, though.
217
* For the Win32 port: default folder for Stella config files is now
218
'My Documents\Stella'; this can be disabled if necessary. This should
219
fix issues with losing settings when launching Stella from an IDE,
220
and the creation of stella.ini and 'state' directories in many
223
* For the Win32 port: several fixes to the Visual Studio project files,
224
allowing building in debug or release mode, for both i386 and x86_64.
225
The project files have been upgraded to Visual Studio 2008, and Stella
226
can now be built and distributed without the VS runtime libraries.
228
* Updated configure script for cross-compiling Win32 version in Linux.
231
2.4.1 to 2.4.2: (September 17, 2007)
233
* Made usage of 'GL_TEXTURE_RECTANGLE_ARB' extension configurable, and
234
have it default to off. This should take care of the black/white
235
screen many people were experiencing with ATI video hardware. This
236
is accessible using the 'gl_texrect' commandline argument). Set it to
237
'true' or 'false' to enable/disable the extension.
240
2.4 to 2.4.1: (August 27, 2007)
242
* Re-added OpenGL aspect ratio setting ('gl_aspect' commandline argument).
244
* Re-added non-browser mode to the ROM launcher.
246
* For the Linux/UNIX port; fixed OpenGL vsync issue with Nvidia video cards.
249
2.3.5 to 2.4: (August 20, 2007)
251
* Added new video sub-system where fullscreen and windowed modes are treated
252
differently. Windowed modes now use '-zoom_tia' and '-zoom_ui' arguments,
253
while fullscreen modes can be specified by resolution using the new
256
* Widescreen video modes are now supported; Stella will simply center the
257
image with surrounding black borders.
259
* Many UI-related changes, including resizable ROM launcher and debugger
260
windows, and a new UI palette (the previous 'classic' palette is still
261
available). This is still a work in progress.
263
* The locations of all major config files (statedir, palette file,
264
cheat file, properties file, etc) are now configurable from the
265
commandline and within the UI.
267
* Updates to TIA palette support. Added SECAM support, and removed the
268
built-in 'original' palette. Standard, z26, and user are still
271
* Various bugfixes to some debugger commands. The 'run' command no
272
longer causes a crash, and several others have better error-checking.
274
* Added more complete cartridge auto-detection for Commavid (CV), 3E,
275
3F and Activision (FE) formats.
277
* Removed XStart and Width ROM properties, since the forthcoming TIA
278
rework won't be using them.
280
* Reworked internal storage of ROM properties to be faster and take up
283
* Added several different ways of stretching the OpenGL image to the
284
'-gl_fsmax' argument, for more flexibility.
286
* Removed OpenGL aspect ratio setting favour of the previously mentioned
287
video changes. We'll see how this goes.
289
* Removed dirty-rect support from software rendering, since it was actually
290
sub-optimal in Windows and OSX and defaulted to off in previous versions.
292
* Added support for gzipped ROMs.
294
* Re-added pause support.
296
* Re-added support for Windows 98.
298
* Removed support for 'STELLA_BASEDIR' environment variable, since each
299
config file can be now configured separately.
301
* Removed '-fastscbios' argument, since it must always be turned on.
303
* Removed PSP support, since it hasn't been updated in over a year, and
304
someone else is maintaining another port elsewhere.
306
* For the Unix/Linux port; fixed 'make install' issues, and changed icon to
310
2.3 to 2.3.5: (January 17, 2007)
312
* Greatly improved cartridge bankswitch type auto-detection. Stella
313
can now (mostly) autodetect cartridge types 'E0', 'E7', '3E', '3F' and
314
Superchip carts. Obviously, this autodetection is not infallible, but
315
relies on patterns in the ROM data, and how it was compiled. Because
316
of the auto-detection types already supported, almost all bankswitch
317
info was removed from internal ROM properties. Set the ROM property
318
"Cartridge.Type" to "Auto-detect" for this to take effect.
320
* Added auto-detection of display type (NTSC or PAL). Currently, PAL60
321
ROMs will be detected as NTSC. This is almost 100% accurate, and fails
322
in very few cases (for those that are mislabeled, the ROM properties
323
can be set specifically). Set the ROM property "Display.Format" to
324
"Auto-detect" for this to take effect.
326
* Improved emulation timing when exiting one ROM and starting another.
327
Previously, this could result in the second ROM having its sound start
328
later than it should have.
330
* Removed pause functionality from the core, since it's been superceded
331
by the other event states. You can now enter one of the menus for a
332
similar effect (options, command, debugger, etc).
334
* Added toggle for PAL color-loss emulation, which defaults to off.
335
Previous versions of Stella always used color-loss emulation.
336
Related to this, added 'colorloss' commandline argument.
338
* Added rudimentary support for configuring the UI palette ('uipalette'
339
commandline argument) and ability to change the size of the launcher window
340
('launchersize' commandline argument). This will be expanded on in future
343
* Reworked options menu so it's now accessible from the ROM launcher as
344
well as while playing a ROM.
346
* Re-added ability to change the width and height of a Console. Related to
347
this, changing XStart/YStart/Width/Height dynamically no longer resets
350
* Removed 'tiadefaults' commandline argument, since Stella will now default
351
to using accurate positioning, and not use 'tweaks'.
353
* Joystick code now allows all 4 directions; 'Bumper Bash' now works
356
* Improved Keypad emulation; 'Alpha Beam with Ernie', 'Oscars Trash Race'
357
and 'Magicard' now work correctly.
359
* Reworked GUI code, so that all dialog boxes are automatically centered.
361
* Added 'rominfo' commandline argument, which prints some detailed info for
364
* For the OSX port; fixed crashes in OpenGL mode.
366
* For the GP2X port; some improvements to the sound code.
368
* For the GP2X port; added vertical centering of the TIA image (when possible).
371
2.2 to 2.3: (December 22, 2006)
373
* NOTE: Because of the many changes in this release, all settings
374
will be reset to defaults. If this doesn't happen for you, it will be
375
necessary to manually delete your previous settings.
377
* Potentially huge speedups in software rendering mode, both in emulation
378
and UI modes. Deactivating 'dirty rects' uses these new modes, which
379
can be 2-3 times faster for many configurations.
381
* For UI navigation, changed from using 'joymouse' to the more familiar
382
'tabbing' functionality, where you move from object to object by use of
383
some tab key. As a result, completely removed the 'joymouse' commandline
384
argument and all associated functionality.
386
* Added event remapping for UI events, separate from events while in
389
* Added support for PAL60 ROMs, which use the PAL palette and resolution
390
but run at NTSC timing (60Hz). Added ROM property for this, and updated
391
the internal properties database for many PAL60 ROMs.
393
* Added support for user-definable palettes. For now, only one extra palette
394
is supported, but in the future we may have them specified per-ROM.
396
* Fixed bug in PAL colour-loss emulation, which wasn't actually being done
397
for the original Stella and z26 palettes.
399
* Fixed several TIA-related emulation bugs as reported on AtariAge. More
400
fixes will come with the TIA rewrite, due in the next release.
402
* Added new scaler infrastructure, replacing the '-zoom' commandline argument
403
with '-scale_ui' and '-scale_tia'. This means the UI and emulation can now
404
be scaled independently.
406
* Added '-gl_vsync' commandline argument and associated UI elements, which
407
uses synchronization to vertical blank interrupt in OpenGL on supported
408
systems. This eliminates tearing in OpenGL rendering.
410
* Changed naming of snapshots and state files. These files are now
411
named based on the names given in the properties database, and no longer
412
use the 'md5sum' name. As a result, state files from previous versions
413
will no longer work unless they're manually renamed. Related to this,
414
removed the '-ssname' commandline argument.
416
* Fixed bug where 'Snapshot saved' appeared when taking snapshots in
419
* Added a 'Previous directory' entry to the top of each listing while
420
in ROM Browse mode, which is equivalent to the 'Go Up' button. This makes
421
it easier to navigate the filesystem, since you never have to 'tab out'
424
* Added all sound related commandline options to the UI, so you no
425
longer have to use the commandline to set those options.
427
* Added new property to ROM properties specifying whether to swap paddles
428
plugged into a virtual port. This eliminates the need to manually set the
429
paddle mode for those ROMs that don't use paddle zero by default.
431
* Added a 'Defaults' button to the Game Properties dialog, which resets
432
the ROM properties to the internal defaults, deleting that ROMs properties
433
from the external properties file.
435
* Fixed bug whereby modified ROM properties weren't being reloaded when
438
* Made 'phosphor' and 'phosphor blend' a ROM property, meaning it can be
441
* Added support for relocating the base Stella directory, by setting the
442
environment variable 'STELLA_BASEDIR'. This must be done each time before
445
* Added '-fastscbios' commandline argument, which speeds up loading of
446
vertical bars in Supercharger ROMs, and made it the default.
448
* Added '-autoslot' commandline argument, which automatically switches
449
to the next available slot after saving a state. This defaults to off,
450
and must be set from the commandline.
452
* Fixed bug in debugger command 'runto', which could enter an infinite
453
loop under some conditions.
455
* Updated configure/build toolchain so patching is no longer required for
458
* Removed dependency on PNG library (PNG snapshots are still present, but the
459
actual library is no longer required).
461
* For the OSX port, improved OpenGL performance on Mac Mini using Intel
462
GMA950 video hardware.
464
* For the GP2X port, added support for PAL ROMs, and updated SDL to use
15
468
2.1 to 2.2: (April 7, 2006)
17
470
* Added new ROM browser option which works like a normal filesystem
added
removed
Changes.txt
