need infos
I am currently converting a Mac/PC Quicktime movie based product to CD32, so I
hope my experience can be of some help…
Unless you want to have practically no market, (almost no-one has an MPEG add
on) you should convert the MPEG video to some other format. I use the HAM-6
mode which gives me reasonable color and results in 75% compression of my
original data. With the double speed drive in the CD32 you should be able to
obtain a reasonable compromise between frame rate and image size. (I was lucky
– the Quicktime movies I had to convert only ran at 5 frames per second,
allowing me to do the movie full screen). I used Adobe's Premiere on the PC to
extract the Sound, and my own Windows App to extract the graphics from my
movies and convert them into my own format (basically interleaving each frame
with a frame's worth of audio, to allow the audio interrupts to provide the
timing)
As far as equipement is concerned, I use a 486/66 to handle my movie conversion
(but only because the original Quicktime movies were on PC CD-ROM). I can then
have the new movie data transferred onto an ISO 9660 CD-ROM which the CD32 can
read. I use an A1200 to write and test the small interactive application, with
just one of the movies stored on its hard drive for testing purposes. An
A4000/040 is the perfect system – Commodore recomend one, I don't want to pay
for it when an A1200 is almost as good (and more like the real CD32).
My CD32 has a Commodore debug board plugged into it (you may have trouble
getting this – Mine came from Commodore UK (who are still in business), but I
am a licensed developer. Try them on +44 (0)628 770088.) It costs about 80
pounds. The board lets you attach a floppy drive and hard drive, serial port
etc. With this, you can copy your application onto floppy, put your data CD
into the CD32 and test your program as if it were all on the CD. (and make
changes without making a new CD!)
I don't know of any authoring systems in particular, but I think one or two
have been mentioned in recent Amiga Mags – keep your eyes open. It is probably
easier to write your own program from scratch – I find authoring programs both
complex and limiting and not worth the trouble ( I also don't want my products
to look like everyone elses)
When you come to sell your product, you will need a license from Commodore, who
take a cut of your profits (I think its about $5 a unit). Its probably easier
to get a professional publisher to do this bit, as they will have the funds for
marketing etc.
Hope this helps
Mal