emulator: "zcdi"
type: libretro
core_classification: pure_libretro
source: "https://github.com/pastisme/zcdi"
profiled_date: "2026-11-09"
source_commit: "b7481411e6939b2c1745067a646bfd43479e2a3c"
core_version: "0.1.0"
version_basis:
  kind: file
  path: "CMakeLists.txt"
  pattern: 'project\(zcdi VERSION ([0-9.]+)'
display_name: "Philips - CD-i (zcdi)"
cores:
  - "zcdi"
systems:
  - philips-cdi

notes: |
  A Philips CD-i Mono-I emulator written for libretro: SCC68070 CPU, MCD212
  video, CDIC disc controller and the 22ER9141 Digital Video Cartridge, with
  device code from MAME's cdi driver and CDi_MiSTer. It runs the original BIOS.
  ref: src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:113-120

  The Video Standard core option (zcdi_preferred_bios, ntsc by default)
  picks the BIOS: cdi200.rom for NTSC, cdi220b.rom for PAL. The file is read
  from the system directory root, and retro_load_game fails when it is
  absent, also when no disc is loaded. The dump is mapped as it is, with no
  size or hash check.
  ref: src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:55-58, src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:166-173,
       src/libretro/core_options.cpp:110-112, src/libretro/helpers.cpp:70-83,
       src/core/bus.cpp:72-77

  With DVC Enabled on auto (the default), vmpega.rom is read from the system
  directory, and at most 256 KB of it are mapped. Without it the player has
  no Digital Video Cartridge.
  ref: src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:60, src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:175-180,
       src/core/bus.cpp:79-83

  NVRAM is saved per disc by default. The global mode keeps one file,
  zcdi_<bios stem>.nvram, in the save directory, which the core writes
  itself.
  ref: src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:182-190, src/libretro/helpers.cpp:90-97

files:
  - name: "cdi200.rom"
    path: "cdi200.rom"
    system: philips-cdi
    required: true
    description: "CD-i Mono-I BIOS 2.00, NTSC"
    note: "Read when Video Standard is NTSC, the default. The core does not start without it."
    source_ref: "src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:55-58, src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:166-173, src/libretro/helpers.cpp:70-83"

  - name: "cdi220b.rom"
    path: "cdi220b.rom"
    system: philips-cdi
    required: false
    description: "CD-i Mono-I BIOS 2.20b, PAL"
    note: "Read in place of cdi200.rom when Video Standard is PAL, and the core does not start without it then."
    source_ref: "src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:55-58, src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:166-173, src/libretro/core_options.cpp:110-112"

  - name: "vmpega.rom"
    path: "vmpega.rom"
    system: philips-cdi
    required: false
    description: "Digital Video Cartridge ROM"
    note: "Read when DVC Enabled is auto, the default. Bytes past 256 KB are dropped. Without it there is no Digital Video Cartridge and the Digital Video titles do not play."
    source_ref: "src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:60, src/libretro/libretro_core.cpp:175-180, src/core/bus.cpp:79-83"