Question about Compressed MDS\MDF files

[Nologic]

Okay I'm wondering if anyone has ran into issues when using Daemon Tools Pro compressed MDS\MDF files...as in loss of quality...issues with emulation...anything really.

The reason I ask is because I'm getting a little cramped on space...and starting to think maybe I should write a script to automate converting a large amount of disc images over to this smaller format.

20%-40% space savings is really hard to ignore...hehe

[Brian Hoffman]

Okay I'm wondering if anyone has ran into issues when using Daemon Tools Pro compressed MDS\MDF files...as in loss of quality...issues with emulation...anything really.

The reason I ask is because I'm getting a little cramped on space...and starting to think maybe I should write a script to automate converting a large amount of disc images over to this smaller format.

20%-40% space savings is really hard to ignore...hehe

Im pretty sure pimpdaddystu compressed his psx games with it with good success.. Im actually working on that aswell

[Nologic]

Well if your already doing it...then stop and let me get the script written up for you to test out...hehe much rather fubar your system than mine.

[Nologic]

Oh my god this is like working with a brick...this is ugly and ugly some more.

Well I'll be able to automate most of it.....BUT...there is going to be some human interaction...I hate badly written custom controls....and I absolutely HATE skinned app's when I have to automate them.

If someone can come up with some CLI commands that deal with converting files...I'd sure love to have them...because I can't find any...and this GUI sucks ass.

Is there anything else out there that creates these compressed MDS\MDF files?

[Nologic]

Okay this will work with SubFolders...I'll work on everything in one folder.

Now you'll need to compile it and stuff it into your primary folder...then you'll need to start DTP and click "Tools\Convert Image...", then you'll need to make sure "Compresss Image Data" is checked...at this point double click the executable & go have a beer or two...or a few cases...hehe depends on how many images you'll be converting.

#include <File.au3>
#include <Array.au3>

; File Extensions to Find
$Find = StringSplit ( 'b5t|b6t|bwt|ccd|cue|isz|mds|nrg|pdi|cdi|iso' , '|' )

; Create Directory Array
$DirList = _FileListToArray ( @ScriptDir & '\' , '*' , 2 )

; Wait for Convert Image Window to Exist
$title = '[CLASS:TConvertImage]'
WinWait	( $title )

For $h = 1 to $DirList[0]
; Create File List Array
	$FileList = _FileListToArray ( @ScriptDir & '\' & $DirList[$h] & '\' , '*' , 1 )

; Test File Extensions in Array Order Against Files
	For $i = 1 to $Find[0]

	; Test Current Extension Agaist All Files
		For $j = 1 to $FileList[0]
			$ext = StringTrimLeft	( $FileList[$j] , StringInStr ( $FileList[$j] , '.' , 0 , -1))

		; If Extension Matched Then Convert Image, Then Test Next Directory
			If $ext = $Find[$i] Then
				WinActivate	( $title )

			; Set Source File
				$source = @ScriptDir & '\' & $DirList[$h] & '\' & $FileList[$j]
				ControlFocus	( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit9]' )
				ControlSend	( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit9]' , $source , 1 )

			; Set Destination File
				$destination = @ScriptDir & '\_New_Discs\' & $DirList[$h] & '\'
				DirCreate	( $destination )
				ControlFocus	( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit1]' )
				ControlSend	( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit1]' , $destination & $DirList[$h] & '.mds' , 1 )
				ControlClick	( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeButton4]' )

			; Wait till complete
				Sleep		( 2000 )
				WinWait		( 'Completed - Convert image' )

				ExitLoop 2
			EndIf
		Next
	Next
Next

; End Of File

[Nologic]

Okay just converted over a ISO+WAV Neo-Geo CD set....was 46.5gig...now 36.6gig unarchived.

[redders]

PimpDaddyStu did something similar - http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?sh...ost&p=29483

Saved me a load of HD space.

EDIT: I was just about to try this on a folder full of Sega CD Images but, Fusion doesn't recognise mdf/mds?! Pain.

EDIT 2: Nevermind, just saw this post - http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?sh...ost&p=33387

[Elfo]

Would you please explain what this compression is? The last time I used mdf (years ago) they appeared to be the same size as a bin/cue; is this a new development to the format?

Or is this something that is specifice to Daemon Tools, in which you would have to mount all discs through DT in order to read the compressed image?

[Nologic]

redders -

Fusion doesn't read them directly...but if mounted in a virtual drive it will read the contents just fine.

Elfo -

Yes typically MDF files are the same size as BIN's...the compression bit is new...and far as I know only applies to DTP.

There are other compressed disc image formats out there...but I think all but MDF lose subchannel data...which may or may not be important.

[Stu1983]

Compressed MDS's saved me tons of space with my saturn and dreamcast games, haven't had a single problem with any of them and that was ages ago, my script was dodgy as hell too I really wish they had a batch converter in DT

Stu

[Nologic]

ahh damn...you mean I didn't have to suffer with coding around that hunk of shit....hehe

Yeah batch converter...good CLI...a frigging sane GUI to work with...something...gee's

Only issue with mine...other than having to manual get things setup...was DTP would some times throw errors if the pathing was to long in length....with TOSEC naming it becomes real easy to trip that error...but if your dealing with a sane naming system things should fair nicely....other wise its best to put things as close to root as possible.

So far the only issue I've come across is NeoRaine...but thats only because it won't make use of virtual drives...other wise things have been great so far.

Stu do these keep subchannel data or does that get tossed....or are you clueless like me. I know standard MDF's kept everything including the kitchen sink.

[Nologic]

Really starting to like this....3DO USA from 66.1gig to 42gig...files play fine hehe once the HDD was defragged...other wise had some slight glitches with the sound.

[Stu1983]

Stu do these keep subchannel data or does that get tossed....or are you clueless like me. I know standard MDF's kept everything including the kitchen sink.

Not sure about sub channel data all I know is everything I've tried has worked perfectly

Stu

[redders]

So I finally got some time to mess about with this but, for some reason I cant get the code above to compile.

@Nologic: Would you be kind enough to post a compiled exe or point me in the right direction please.

Thanks.

[bkenobi]

You don't have to compile this script, you can simply run it with AutoIt. If it's giving an error when you try to run it, that's a different matter.

[redders]

 ; Set Source File
                $source = @ScriptDir & '\' & $DirList[$h] & '\' & $FileList[$j]
                ControlFocus    ( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit9]' )
                ControlSend    ( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit9]' , $source , 1 )

            ; Set Destination File
                $destination = @ScriptDir & '\_New_Discs\' & $DirList[$h] & '\'
                DirCreate    ( $destination )
                ControlFocus    ( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit1]' )
                ControlSend    ( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeEdit1]' , $destination & $DirList[$h] & '.mds' , 1 )
                ControlClick    ( $title , '' , '[CLASSNN:TTeButton4]' )

In the above code, how would I amend it so that the files that are compressed stay in their original folder, and dont move to a new folder called '_New_Discs'?

Hope that makes sense, thanks.