CRT Format

The CRT Format is an artificial format for emulator usage which divides cartridges into the 8 kbyte chunks a C64 or other 8bit Commodore computer often sees at defined memory areas. It sure is in no way the best format since it does not carry too many informations about the cartridge itself, so whenever a new special ROM is found it can usually be not easily emulated by setting some parameters on the .crt file. Such cases will usually require special code just like the cartridge itself likely will require special hardware. The CRT format however holds basic information on the cartridge type, a name whenever it was given during conversion and information on handling the GAME/EXROM lines and how to treat the so called "CHIP" packets - the 8kbyte binary chunks. It is pretty unknown wether the "special cases" for line and ROM/RAM handling on the CHIP packets has led to better working emulation somewhere.

The best and most extensive description for the CRT format can be found at Peter Schepers' site (with a mirror here.)

Weblinks

• Peter Schepers' site
• CCS format description - they are responsible for the numbering as well
• See the Power64 Documentation at E.11