GTA San Andreas not a DVD-9 after all!!

[Discwizard]

A release group (Paranoid) just released GTA:SA, and the NFO says full DVD, and ripped nothing!
Either it is DVD-9, or they rebuilt a scaled-down version and released it.

[pepsik]

wtf?!

october is a fantastic month ;) ffs first halo2 now this!

[backups121]

yea it 2.6 gig rared, 4.5 unrared

[pepsik]

I think it's the beta, because I found that but can't locate a final version.

[Dunny]

already have this on pre-order but I can't resist taking an early look at it! :)

[Discwizard]

If this is a beta, it is a VERY late beta because it is pretty nice. Many features, and the graphics are pretty nice (The xbox version will probably look better when it comes out though) and I haven't found any bugs at all. Either way, I am happy with it until I get my reserved copy!

[kyle5077]

I dont see why it would be a beta. I mean it does come out in 9days (or was it the 26th? Damn, I have to many release dates to remember :p)

Eather way...unless i find a better source, i wont be abil to report my findings for another 24hrs 52mins...**mutters: stupid bittorrent**

[gjac1]

This works with swapmagic :) , i downloaded it last night and have been playing it for hours without any problems.

Only thing i have herd is, when this game is burned at 2x speed, you get a lot of read disc errors, but burn it at 4x speed and it works perfect.

[mash123]

is there any way to play the downloaded "beta" of GTA:SA on the pc???

[keithsonic]

No, it is a PS2 game. Only playable on a PS2.
But what about the burn speed ? How on earth is it possible to get more read-errors when burning at 2x then at 4x ? Burning at lower speed will have less errors on DVD or not ?

[gjac1]

Kethsonic, i tried out the speed thing myself after i read about it, my Aqua V9 ps2 had the read errors on a ritek dvd-r burned at 2x but my silver PS2 V10 played it with no problems. So i burned GTA5 again on a datawrite V3 dvd-r at 4x speed and my Aqua ps2 plays it with no read disc errors.

Go figure ??????

[gjac1]

Mash123, this is not a beta version of the game as far as i know, i have been playing it for almost 5 hours and everything is in there. If this is indeed ment to be a dvd9 game, i can only assume that some of the radio soundtracks have been left out

[handyguy]

Hey, fye.com has GTA2 for just $30 after $20 rebate & free shipping if you preorder now. Thats a great price.

The programers did note on a few web sites that its a DL game.

[mash123]

will i nt be able to play GTA:SA even with an emulator?

[keithsonic]

No, not playable with an emulator. Current PS2-emu´s are way too slow. With a bit of luck you can play some games on an emulator at 5 fps. Until PS3 arrives there is little chance for a decent PS2 emu.

[manali_cream]

Have to say when first playing i was a bit let d own...but 6 hours straight play and i got to say, its a BANGER!

[keithsonic]

I´ve read some comments and they are not very positiveThey say the frame rate is lower than GTA VC and there is still a lot of popup.
Also there is less freedom in SA then in VC.
Can someone confirm this ?

[manali_cream]

lots of popup yes...but less freeedom??

you're having a laugh!

[keithsonic]

Strange, the previews from several sites were talking about much bigger draw-distance and cleaner graphics. But it seems there is much popup and more slowdown. I hoped the framerate would be better this time....

[manali_cream]

played it for 11 hours today :)

it gets better and better

[Dunny]

Strange, the previews from several sites were talking about much bigger draw-distance and cleaner graphics. But it seems there is much popup and more slowdown. I hoped the framerate would be better this time....me too BUT once I got into the game I found it gets better, the cars and bikes are really fast and the graphics up in the mountains are fantastic, the draw distances are impressive. I haven't noticed much (if any) pop-up but I am running it from a HD, no loading either.

definatly the best game I've played and easily worth a purchase. It's huge too, 11+ hours and only 17% through the story, could probably last months with everything else you can do.

Also just like to point out that the graphics look much better when switched to Widescreen mode, I was confused at first as to why it looked worst then Vice City.

[pepsik]

5 huors in and this doesn't look like a beta, don't know what else they can add to make it complete. So many hidden things in this game, like certain convienance stores have arcade machines with mini games. If you increase your bike riding skills you can do tricks in the skate park in Idlewood.

*the vice city weapons cheats work.

[Dunny]

anyone spot the True Crime skit, I guess Rockstar weren't impressed! :D

[RealLex]

so I take it every1 using a non-harddrive loading version of this game is getting lots of loading times or issues with things not appearing properly when you are driving at high speeds?


Wicked game by the way!

Just bit annoying how when I'm travelling like a bat out of hell -there can suddenly be no road.

[Indiana Jones]

What speed did everyone burn their backup at?
I usually burn at 4x and havent had a problem until I burned Driver3, when I tried to play it back it took forever to load and then ingame it would freeze every 20 seconds so I reburned it at 2x and the loading times were speeded up and no ingame freezing but I have read that for some people, burning GTA:SA at 2x makes things worse than at 4x so before I waste a disc it would be nice to see what speed most people have burned at.

[RealLex]

Right guys - gonna post my findings for the non-hard-drive users amongst us + for Indiana jones above me here.

Anyway - got sent the game on printed Ritek recorded at 8X - didn't load - got to the point where the game should have started after it has the long-load at the beginning with bar showing its progress.

I reburnt using Nero + also nti cd/dvd maker - game booted fine but got regular glitches and really poor pop-up. Especially at high speeds - u could regularly drive into a blank area - no roads etc and hit walls that aren't visible. Became unplayable. Every time I left the main first house - it took at least 30 seconds to load the street. Tried this with both progs - got same results.

I have now re-burnt again using dvddecrypter - had to click retry a fair few times as it had a couple of difficult to read bits on the disk right at the end - last 12 megs of data. Burnt it using ISO write at 2 speed and the game works absolutelly perfect. The fact of the matter is - my ps2 is buggered and has difficulty playing most heavy duty games laser wise - yet this game now seems flawless - tried it for bout 10 mins ragging it round at top speed on a bike etc - and not a glitch - or no-where near as bad.
Looks like dvddecrypter is the way forward for my ps2 burning needs.

Hope this helps anyone having difficulties and Indy. Post here if you find this to be crap for yourself and not help at all. Might just be my wonky ps2 :)

Oh - using Ritek gen 4 dvd-r

[HaredX]

This is in fact the real game not a beta, however, though nothing has been ripped, audio has been downsampled in many parts. The retail game IS in fact on dvd-9 and the audio, especially during mission briefings has been downsampled. It may not be very noticeable to you, but I played today with headphones and I can quite easily tell it has been downsampled in some places.

[aciras]

HaredX...you can confirm this? I mean you are sure 100%?
I wouldn't be surprised with the amount of audio and dialogue.

For those asking about burning, I used ritek DVD-r, burnt at 4X (cause i also read its better for this game) and it works perfectly, no glitches or streets disappearing. I used Alcohol 120% to burn.

[Indiana Jones]

Thanks for the advice, burned it at 4x and so far its going well, loading times seem quicker than GTA3 and Vice City and havent had any slow down ingame or glitches but I have only been playing it for about an hour, hopefully it should be fine.

[HaredX]

I am almost 100% sure, that game would just be way too big to fit on dvd-5 without some alteration. If they didnt downsample the audio in some parts then they really did a half *** job making the game cause if you play with headphones it is quite noticeable. But yes, im nearly 100% sure that the official release will be on dvd-9

[manali_cream]

Haha that True Crime reference is funny.

The game is sooo good. Some of themissions are just unbelievably fun....hmmm mototrbikes

[Dunny]

Theres a lot of stuff in this game that has surpassed expectations. Didn't realise you could jump out of a plane and freefall then parachute!

Some good referances to the past two GTA games too, I like the way Rockstar include all the little extras like that.

[jester1001]

told you so!

[pepsik]

I did it!!! I'm in Las Venturas!!!!

I took advantage of the weekend and had a few mates spend the weekend with me and finally after 30 hours of gameplay we have unlocked Las Venturas. Let the gambling begin!

[Scola]

I know that the game was released today here in the US. Does anyone know the final GB's of the game?

[smackme]

people who have it say 5.81

[Ogs]

thats not good for us single layer users, im reluctant to upgrade till DL DVD-R is released

[handyguy]

I'd like to see someone show us that a home written DL game plays on a PS2....

[jester1001]

this game isn't dual layered....

[Ogs]

this game isn't dual layered....
as stated before.... can you back this up? screenshots or something, as i may have to buy a DL +r burner and flog it on for a -R one later, this game looks that hot

[handyguy]

This game is double layered I think. Some group put out a dvd5 version. This is called GTA2 DVD5.

[pepsik]

5.8 gigs so it is dual layered. Now to place my original back into the shrink wrap.

[Discwizard]

This is weird......I have MY original, that I bought, and it is showing 4.2GB in my DVD-Rom. Maybe the PAL version is bigger....or does anybody know if there is a collector's or limited edition?
Either way, mine is showing a single-layer 4.2GB disc.

[pepsik]

Maybe my reader here at work is messed up, but it's giving me 5.8 gigs. I'll check it at home when i get there.

[Discwizard]

OK....ooops, the turd of the month award goes to me, lol. I had my original in my reader, and the release group one in my burner. When I right-clicked for the properties I clicked on the wrong drive..........duuuuuhhhhhhh! Sorry about that, it is indeed, 5.8GB, and therefore MUST be dual-layered. This will give me a chance to try out a DL game with my DL burner (Sony DRU-710A) and let you guys know the results. Although I don't know how I will boot it since I am using a flip-top. Maybe with the memory card exploit/CDLoader trick, and use my GTA:SA original as the DVD refresh disc?
As soon as I can shell out for some DVD+DL media I will let you guys know the results!
And my appolgies to Pepsik for the idiotic move (bleeeeehhhhhh!).

[scrapdoggzilla]

that's funny cause my ntsc original sure is 4.19 GB as stated by nero info tool
and not 5.81 MB "mb stands for MEGABYTES" thats at the bottom of the screen when looking at the disc in windows explorer... open your eyes people.

and heres what dvd-decrypter had to say about the disc as well

SONY DVD RW DRU-500A 1.0f
Current Profile: DVD-ROM
Disc Information:
Status: Complete
Erasable: No
Sessions: 1
Sectors: 2,197,152
Size: 4,499,767,296 bytes
Time: 488:17:27 (MM:SS:FF)
Physical Format Information (Last Recorded):
Book Type: DVD-ROM
Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: 10.08Mbps
Number of Layers: 1
Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP)
Linear Density: 0.267 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track


:mornin:

[handyguy]

"This will give me a chance to try out a DL game with my DL burner (Sony DRU-710A)"

I always wondered if the ps2 can read a home written DL disk.

[CUBIS]

PAL ORIGINAL VERSION : 4.19 GB (Nothing ripped full version)

[Ogs]

i still dont know if i should buy a 108/3500 yet

[PS2Daddy]

Well I got 4.19GB and I copied it and it s working fine for now I guess I know if I finish the games

[Ogs]

yup the one i got was 4.19GB, but if i play the backup, after a few missions, i get a disc read error and the disc no longer works. it cant even be read in dvd decrypter (fails 87%). im using 2x ridisc (yellow, orange and silver). on a v4 fliptop ps2. burnt with nero (latest) and using a lite-on 411s

[handyguy]

You need to make another copy that works. I use very prime media.

[Jesterrace]

I just did a 1:1 copy of the NTSC version original disc as well and it showed up as 4.19GB. IT IS NOT DVD9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it if it was 5.81GB (not without some sort of rip-kit anyways).

[Jesterrace]

yup the one i got was 4.19GB, but if i play the backup, after a few missions, i get a disc read error and the disc no longer works. it cant even be read in dvd decrypter (fails 87%). im using 2x ridisc (yellow, orange and silver). on a v4 fliptop ps2. burnt with nero (latest) and using a lite-on 411s

Lite-Ons are very fussy writers. In general they tend to prefer +R media. If you really want the best results with Ritek, then Pioneer is the choice hands down. Pioneer writers are virtually written for the media. You could give Taiyo Yuden DVD-R a shot in your Lite-On as they are absolute top notch for quality. If your Lite-On won't burn one of those properly then IMHO that says something about the quality of your burner. I really do see more media compatibility issues with them over the Pioneer or NEC writers and so I don't recommend them to anyone.

[a_rouse]

Unfortunately I'm at home at the moment, and GTA is at uni so I can;t test it, but don;t forget that the music is affected by the radio EQ. Turing the radio EQ off does increase the sound quality but i'm not sure if it is the reason for the apparent reduction in sound quality.
Although on the other hand, Vice City almost completely filled a 4.7GB DVD and with all the additions in GTA:SA such as the larger city, and alrger amount of music, I would have thought that a Dual Layer disc would be required, so who knows.

[Jesterrace]

Alot can be done with better coding techniques. This is certainly true with DVD Movies anyways.

[handyguy]

"I just did a 1:1 copy of the NTSC version original disc as well and it showed up as 4.19GB. IT IS NOT DVD9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it if it was 5.81GB"

I tried it once on a real dvd9 game & was able to copy it to a dvd5. But only one layer. I didn't know that until I played it & it couldn't make the layer switch later in the game.

dvds are written in component video, 480i. If you have a tv with component connectors, you can get the maximum affect with component connections. Some games are written in 480i too.

[PS2Daddy]

"I just did a 1:1 copy of the NTSC version original disc as well and it showed up as 4.19GB. IT IS NOT DVD9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it if it was 5.81GB"

I tried it once on a real dvd9 game & was able to copy it to a dvd5. But only one layer. I didn't know that until I played it & it couldn't make the layer switch later in the game.

dvds are written in component video, 480i. If you have a tv with component connectors, you can get the maximum affect with component connections. Some games are written in 480i too.
The last DVD 9 game that I stuck in my computer was the MGS2 Substance showed up with a size larger that 4.38 GB can remember now what the exact size was but San andreas didnt show up larger so I guess I 'll find out when I play it and see if it quits

[Ogs]

@ jesterrace

just got my new NEC 3500a today, so im saying bye to the lite on, ans as i have a flip top ps2, im just going to hope my original doesnt get scratched as i cant be bothered with all the swapping ;)

[Jesterrace]

This is why I always recommend getting the console chipped. It's worth it in the long run. ;)

[Ogs]

ahhh but it was the cheap mans option, but now im stuck in limbo as i wasnt a chipped one, but dont know whether to get a pstwo or just chip my original - fliptop one

[handyguy]

I hear ebgames is giving $100 credit for old ps2s on the price of the new model.

They do check for a sticker on the back sometimes.