View Full Version : Supercharger questions
Hey, all. Posted this at AtariAge, but got no responses (except for a smartassed one), so I figured I'd try here. I know there are some Supercharger gurus here (SteveW for one!).
So, I have no experience with this thing, and want to put the games on an IPod (got the games from the Stella CD, and a few links on AA). My IPod is an older Shuffle model, the one that's about as big as a pack of gum and had the big button with the smaller ones arranged in a circle around it. Some of the games are in .wav format, and some are in mp3 format.
So, what do I need to do here? Simply drag and drop them onto the IPod, or do I need to transfer using ITunes or some other program? How do I start a game up? I know once you plug the supercharger in it has the Press Play screen, but do I just plug it into the IPod and hit the play button? How do I know what game I'm selecting?
Sorry, I'm kind of technically retarded with things like this. Any help is appreciated!
Leo_A
06-24-2011, 10:13 PM
If you'd rather just not mess with this stuff, that 2600 reprogrammable multicart that the AtariAge store sells supports the Supercharger files.
I've been playing them on my Cuttle Cart II for years. Sure beats using an actual Supercharger where convenience and reliability is concerned.
So, what do I need to do here? Simply drag and drop them onto the IPod, or do I need to transfer using ITunes or some other program?
The only official way I'm aware of being able to load something on a iPod is by using iTunes. I don't see why you wouldn't just load them up there like any other mp3. Would seem like they're just another song as far as the iPod is concerned.
How do I start a game up? I know once you plug the supercharger in it has the Press Play screen, but do I just plug it into the IPod and hit the play button?
Would seem so.
How do I know what game I'm selecting??
Just like how you'd know what song you're selecting to listen to. Look at the titles on the iPod's screen and select the one you want to play.
Steve W
06-24-2011, 11:34 PM
Just like how you'd know what song you're selecting to listen to. Look at the titles on the iPod's screen and select the one you want to play.
He has an iPod Shuffle, it doesn't have a screen. I'd suggest starting the file names with something that will put them at the end of your music list, like tacking on "ZZ" on the beginning of each one. And when you import the files into iTunes, use a higher quality compression rate for better clarity. You'll have to remember which files are in what order on the Shuffle, since you'll be navigating tracks without a screen. And you'll have to figure out what volume to play the iPod at to load the files properly.
Honestly, without the screen it might be a bit difficult to use a Shuffle. You might always just buy a long audio extension cable to reach from your computer over to your Atari, if they're fairly close to each other.
This all sounds a bit complicated, but it really isn't. Just import the Stella CD at a high setting, transfer over to the iPod, and off you go. I always keep my Supercharger games on my iPod Touch for when I go to conventions and stuff.
Should I convert the ones that are MP3s over to wav files?
Leo_A
06-25-2011, 01:42 AM
Sorry about that, Dore. I didn't realize Apple made iPods that didn't have a screen.
Good luck in getting it all setup and working.
LeonHikari
06-25-2011, 04:00 AM
Should I convert the ones that are MP3s over to wav files?
No point, you're not gaining any quality. In fact, arguably, you're losing quality by transcoding out of a lossy format.
Should I convert the ones that are MP3s over to wav files?
I own the Supercharger and tape games, so I use the original tapes only.
I think if I remember right, you gotta convert the MP3 files to .wav or .wma, Supercharger will not understand MP3 format
slapdash
06-25-2011, 10:06 PM
The Supercharger doesn't care if it's MP3 or WAV; it's just audio coming in to the Supercharger cartridge. But the audio quality must be "good enough", and what LeonHikari says is correct; once you've lost quality, you can't get it back.
There was an article in 2600 Connection #72 (May/Jun 2002) called "Plugging Apple Into Atari" about using an iPod to play Supercharger games.