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240p Test Suite

For full documentation and source code, please visit: http://junkerhq.net/240p/

The 240p test suite is a homebrew software suite for video game consoles developed to help in the evaluation of upscalers, upscan converters and line doublers.

It has tests designed with the processing of 240p signals in mind, although when possible it includes other video modes and specific tests for them. These have been tested with video processors on real hardware and a variety of displays, including CRTs and Arcade monitors via RGB.

As a secondary target, the suite aims to provide tools for calibrating colors, black and white levels for specific console outputs and setups.

This is free software, with full source code available under the GPL.

Downloads

https://artemiourbina.itch.io/240p-test-suite

Versions

There are currently several platforms that run the suite, all have been developed and tested on real hardware. The software should run in NTSC mode by default.

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive:

It was developed using the SGDK, it was the first version of the 240p Test Suite and is fully coded in C. In order to run it, we recommend a Mega Everdrive flash cartridge, or the older Tototek one. The Genesis resolution is 320x224 and is being used fully, in NTSC (60hz).

Sega CD/Mega CD:

This version has the exact same specs as the Genesis one, but you only need a CD-R to run it. The program is fully loaded to the system RAM after startup.

PC Engine/Turbo Grafx-16:

This version of the suite requires a flash cart, such as the Turbo Everdrive. It has support for 224p and 240p, as well as the 3 horizontal resolutions: 256, 320 and 512. It must be noted that most games in 240p really use only 239 lines, so the suite also supports that video mode. It was developed using HuC and ASM.

PCE Duo/Turbo Duo/CD-ROM2/Super CDROM2:

Both versions have the exact same features as the PC Engine one, however there are two variants. The CD-ROM2 version works with Systems that have a System Cars 1.0 or 2.0/2.1, including the American TurboGrafx-16. The Super CD-ROM2 version uses System Card 3.0 or the Arcade Card. The benefit of this SCD version is that it loads only once at startup, and everything is ran from RAM afterwards.

NES/Famicom:

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) can output 240 picture lines in a progressive "double struck" mode. It does not support interlaced video, and its 52-color palette is closer to HSV than RGB.

The 240p test suite for Nintendo Entertainment System was developed in 6502 assembly language using [ca65], with image conversion tools written in Python 3 and [Pillow] (Python Imaging Library). It was tested on authentic NTSC and PAL NES consoles using a [PowerPak].

Since version 0.05, it compensates for differences between NTSC and PAL NES. It should work on PAL famiclones such as Dendy, though this hasn't been tested yet.

Super Nintendo/Super Famicom:

This version of the suite runs in full 256x224p, and has some tests and patterns for the 256x239p mode. It requires a flash cart, such as the Super Everdrive.

Sega Saturn:

This version can be run from either CD (requires homebrew-capable system or ODE) or bootable cartridge. It supports all Saturn's video modes from 320x224i up to 704x512p (some modes are PAL-only). It uses Yaul system library.

Sega Dreamcast:

This version includes more options, but the core functionality for 240p is the same. No special hardware or modifications are needed, it will run on any MIL-CD compatible Dreamcast after burning the CDI image (discjuggler format). It was coded using KallistiOS and some functionality from parallax (font support).

Wii:

This version of the suite needs a console able to run homebrew. It supports 240p, 480i and 480p modes in NTSC, as well as their counterparts in PAL. Can be ran from the SD Card.

Gamecube:

This version has the same features as the Wii version, can be ran from CD or an SD card media launcher.

Contributors

* Code: Artemio Urbina
* Main menu graphics: Asher
* SGDK assistance: Stephane
* KallistiOS SDK assistance: BlueCrab
* PVSnesLib: Alekmaul
* Advisor: Fudoh 
* Extra patterns and collaboration: Konsolkongen & shmups regulars

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.