BACKUP CDs: woes about CloneCD & PPFs

[andrewwan1980]

(I know this is PS2 forum, but couldn't find the PSX forum. Plus I talk about PS2...)

I own a copy of PAL Final Fantasy 9. I know the 2 best backup software is Alcohol 120% and CloneCD. Both can only create CCD images (Alcohol can also create MDS I know).

What I would like is to apply a FF9 trainer (which comes in PPF format) to this game and burn the CD so that I can play on my PS2 slim with this cool trainer.

However, PPF can only be applied to ISO images because they are really diffs between two ISO images... not CCD images. FF9 comes with a large subchannel (30MB) and I guess this is the audio music part of the CD. Am a bit weary about using CCD to ISO converts... as some may ignore the subchannel or even the hidden error-bits that CDs use for copy-protection.

So my question is:

1. Is it possible to apply a PPF patch to a CloneCD image?
2. CloneCD/Alcohol images retain every single bit, including error bits used for copy-protection. If this CCD image gets burnt back onto CD, does this really mean it can be played on PS1/2 console? If not, why not if this backup is truely a cloned 1-to-1 backup?
3. If I converted CloneCD image to ISO image and burnt the ISO, (as long as I use modded PS2) would I be able to play the ISO on my modded console?

[Squall-Leonhart]

Audio tracks are not stored in subchannel, audio tracks are stored in a second track within the main image itself, the sub file just contains location and track pointers.

not to mention that FF9 uses midi for most music.

[andrewwan1980]

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

Audio tracks are not stored in subchannel, audio tracks are stored in a second track within the main image itself, the sub file just contains location and track pointers.

not to mention that FF9 uses midi for most music.

Lol. Thanks for the heads up.

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

not to mention that FF9 uses midi for most music.

oh really?

[andrewwan1980]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

oh really?

Final Fantasy games have great scores. They even have OST original music soundtrck

[Squall-Leonhart]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

oh really?

FF9 doesn't play in my Stereo so it must do. games that have a CDDA track can play in a Stereo.

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by Squall-Leonhart

FF9 doesn't play in my Stereo so it must do. games that have a CDDA track can play in a Stereo.

Have you ever heard of PSF?

[Squall-Leonhart]

Yes, but if you have the correct software, the music files are all midi format.

[lagunareturns]

To answer your questions
1. Is it possible to apply a PPF patch to a CloneCD image?
Yes if there is a ppf made for one, ppf files patch specific files so if i create one for the .bin it will only patch it, sure you can patch any file but it will corrupt it unless its 100% identical to the file it was intended for.
2. CloneCD/Alcohol images retain every single bit, including error bits used for copy-protection. If this CCD image gets burnt back onto CD, does this really mean it can be played on PS1/2 console? If not, why not if this backup is truely a cloned 1-to-1 backup?
Depends on the game and copy protection, i think its fine for ps1 games unless it has a unique copy protection. Its when you go into copy protection pc games then it is different.
3. If I converted CloneCD image to ISO image and burnt the ISO, (as long as I use modded PS2) would I be able to play the ISO on my modded console? If you use the correct software where it creates the mds file need yes (for ps2 dvds only,not ps1 and ps2 cd games as it some games needs audio tracks and subchannel data) but it is always best burn the original format since corruption, data loss is very likely to occur when conversions are made.

[jonc2006]

yeah dont convert an image from one format into another. ever. you will more than likely screw the image up and it will not work. if you want to use another format you need to use the game disc to create a new image in that format you desire.

[Squall-Leonhart]

Originally Posted by lagunareturns

To answer your questions
1. Is it possible to apply a PPF patch to a CloneCD image?
Yes if there is a ppf made for one, ppf files patch specific files so if i create one for the .bin it will only patch it, sure you can patch any file but it will corrupt it unless its 100% identical to the file it was intended for.
2. CloneCD/Alcohol images retain every single bit, including error bits used for copy-protection. If this CCD image gets burnt back onto CD, does this really mean it can be played on PS1/2 console? If not, why not if this backup is truely a cloned 1-to-1 backup?
Depends on the game and copy protection, i think its fine for ps1 games unless it has a unique copy protection. Its when you go into copy protection pc games then it is different.
3. If I converted CloneCD image to ISO image and burnt the ISO, (as long as I use modded PS2) would I be able to play the ISO on my modded console? If you use the correct software where it creates the mds file need yes (for ps2 dvds only,not ps1 and ps2 cd games as it some games needs audio tracks and subchannel data) but it is always best burn the original format since corruption, data loss is very likely to occur when conversions are made.

PSX games have a special physical printing method which destinguishes them from psx copies, hence the reason you need a modchip or bootdisk.

i would say Bin format is around 80 exact to an original disk, since the bin format does support certain subchannel data, and it looks like it can fake the copy protection bit....