Sega Saturn Technical Specifications

Saturn Chipset
CPUs (2)	Geometry, Sprite Control	Background, Scrolling Control	Sound Processing
2 X Hitachi SH2	VDP1	VDP2	Yamaha 68EC000 Sega CSP
Hardware Specifications
CD-ROM Mechanism		Memory Configuration
2D/3D Properties		Peripherals

Hitachi SH2 32-bit RISC CPUs
Number	Speed	MIPS
2	28 MHz	25
Purpose:Central Processing Units, specially commissioned by Sega, optmized for 3D graphics work. Data that doesn't specifically apply to the geometry engine or sprite graphics gets sent through here. Data calculation, damage, random number generation all gets done here. Dual processors give the Saturn limited parallel processing capabilities, but the segmented cache doesn't allow both to operate simultaneously.
Comment: "The SH2 has a high calculation efficiency. For magnifying, reducing, and rotating 2D and 3D graphics, it's very fast. No chip can change coordinates as quickly." --Chief technician on the SH2 project, Hitachi
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VDP1 32-bit Graphics Processor
Geometry Engine	Sprite Graphics
Texture Mapping Gouraud Shading 200,000 Texture Mapped Polygons/Second 500,000 Flat Shaded Polygons/Second 512K Cache for Textures	Virtually Unlimited Sprites on a Line Virtually Unlimited Sprite Images Virtually Unlimited CLUTs Dual 256K Frame Buffers for Rotation, Scaling Effects
Purpose: Along with the SH2s, the VDP and its frame buffer draws 3D objects on screen as distorted sprites. The geometry engine is effective, but also more of an afterthought on Sega's part, primarily to combat the PlayStation's built-in powerful 3D chipset.
Comments: "The Saturn is very fast at drawing single pixels using its processor, while the PlayStation has to go through its polygon engine. That gives the Saturn programmer more flexibility." --Chief Programmer, Scavenger
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VDP2 32-bit Graphics Processor

Background and Scroll Plane Capabilities

Five Simultaneous Scrolling Backgrounds
Two Simultaneous Rotating Playfields
24-bit Backgrounds
704x480 maximum resolution Backgrounds

Purpose: Takes over the task of drawing in the background. Frees up CPU processing time while creating complex parallax or distortion effects beyond the main play field.

Comments: It's not difficult to use the VDP2, although it takes plenty of time to find an effective use for it. There are so many different ways in which it can be employed."

--Kazuhiro Hamada, Section Chief, Saturn Development Team

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16-bit Motorola 68EC000 Sound CPU Yamaha Sega Custom Sound Processor (SCSP)
Sampling	Synthesis	Signal Processing
16-bit Sound 44.1 kHz	32 Voices FM Synthesis Two CPU Interfaces 16 Channel Digital Mixer	SCSP contains Yamaha FH-1 11.3 MHz, 128 Step DSP DRAM Controller for SCSP memory
Purpose: This is Sega's pride and joy. The Saturn sound system consists of a relatively powerful sound CPU, but the custom Yamaha sound processor gives the Saturn audio capabilites outstripping both the Nintendo 64 and Playstation.
Comments: "Saturn's sound hardware is phenomenal. It's way, way, better than the PlayStation's sound - you can basically plug in a synthesizer and play it through MIDI." --Saturn Developer, Next Generation, December 1995
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CD-ROM Mechanism (manf. by JVC)
Data Transfer	Supported Formats
Direct Memory Access to RAM 150 KB/sec audio transfer 330 KB/sec data transfer 660 MB Maximum Capacity	Audio CD/Redbook CD+G (CD + Graphics) CD+EG (Enhanced CD) CD Single Optional: Photo CD Video CD EBook
Comments: A standard double-speed CD-ROM drive, very similar to the one's you'll find in your PC or a PlayStation. Nothing special, and unfortunately, dated in comparison to today's technology. Possibly something to correct in the next hardware rev? Perhaps.
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Memory Configuration
Memory Type	Bank Size
CPU RAM	2 MB
Video RAM	1.54 MB
Sound RAM	540 KB
CD-ROM Cache RAM	512 KB
Battery Backup	32 KB SRAM
Comments: Standard stuff, nothing especially significant except for the CPU RAM. As it stands, only one SH2 CPU can access the main memory bank at a time, so both CPUs, if not programmed properly, will continually play a game of catch up, where one processor is constantly waiting for the other to finish its task.
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Graphics Specs
Resolution and Depth	2D Capabilities	3D Capabilities
Display Resolution 352x224 640x224 704x480 Depth 32,000 colors displayed in foreground 24-bit (16.7 million colors) palette	Virtually Unlimited Sprites on a Line Virtually Unlimited Sprite Images Virtually Unlimited CLUTs Dual 256K Frame Buffers for Rotation, Scaling Effects Five Simultaneous Scrolling Backgrounds Two Simultaneous Rotating Playfields 24-bit Backgrounds 704x480 maximum resolution Backgrounds	Texture Mapping Gouraud Shading 512K Texture Cache 200,000 texture-mapped polygons/second 500,000 flat shaded polgons/second
Comments: Although the Saturn sports a higher maximum resolution, very few games have managed to use it without losing a lot of speed. As a result, Saturn games have are generally at one of the lower resolutions, but at much higher framerates. Also, the lack of many of the hardware features present in the PlayStation and the N64 have forced many titles to fake transparency and lighting effects. However, these effects are possible, even at high resolutions, as Sega's AM divisions have proved time and time again. Developers are learning to use the main CPUs to generate the effects they need without sacrificing much.
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Saturn Peripherals

Analog Mission Stick

Arcade Racer Analog Steering Controller

Standard D-Pad Controller

Memory Backup Carts

S-Video Adaptor

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