mkpsxiso supports various file types specific to PlayStation CD-ROM development, including standard data files, mixed-mode CD-XA files, and CD-DA audio tracks.
Data Files
Standard data files are the default file type used in PlayStation CD images. These files:
- Are stored as Mode 2 Form 1 sectors on the disc
- Include error detection and correction (EDC/ECC)
- Can be any type of game data, executables, textures, models, etc.
- Are specified in XML without any special type attribute
<file name="SYSTEM.CNF" source="system.cnf"/>
<file name="PSX.EXE" source="build/game.exe"/>
Mixed-Mode Files (XA/STR)
mixed-mode files are CD-XA (eXtended Architecture) stream files used for audio and video streaming on PlayStation.
XA Audio Files
XA audio files contain ADPCM compressed audio data that can be streamed directly from the CD:
- Used for background music and sound effects
- Can contain multiple audio channels interleaved
- Stored as Mode 2 Form 2 sectors (no EDC/ECC)
- Must have proper XA subheaders
<file name="MUSIC.XA" source="audio/bgm.xa" type="mixed"/>
STR Video Files
STR files contain MDEC video streams, often with interleaved audio:
- Used for FMV (Full Motion Video) sequences
- Contain alternating Mode 2 Form 1 (video) and Form 2 (audio) sectors
- Require proper subheader configuration
- mkpsxiso detects data sectors automatically for STR files
<file name="INTRO.STR" source="video/intro.str" type="mixed"/>
XA and STR source files must have proper RIFF headers and subheaders. mkpsxiso will error on improperly ripped or encoded files. Ensure files are dumped correctly from original media.
Important Notes for Mixed Files
- Version 1.25 unified
xa and str modes into a single mixed mode
- Legacy
xa and str type attributes are still supported as aliases
- Files must include proper XA subheaders in the source data
- mkpsxiso implements proper EOL/EOF bits for subheaders
- Submode values can be preserved with the
type XML attribute for dummy sectors
DA (Digital Audio) Files
DA files are pointers to CD-DA (Digital Audio) tracks on the disc. These appear as files in the ISO filesystem but actually reference audio track data:
- Map directly to CD Audio tracks by LBA address
- Appear with CD-Audio attribute making them accessible as WAV files
- Used in games like Wipeout 3 for music playback
- The OS transparently converts them to WAV format when read
<file name="TRACK02.DA" source="audio/track02.wav" type="da"/>
- WAV - Standard PCM audio files
- FLAC - Lossless compressed audio (requires libFLAC)
- PCM - Raw audio data
- MP3 - Compressed audio
<track type="audio">
<pregap>00:02:00</pregap>
<source>audio/track02.flac</source>
</track>
File Type Attributes
| Type | XML Attribute | Sector Format | Use Case |
|---|
| Data | (default) | Mode 2 Form 1 | Game data, executables |
| Mixed/XA | type="mixed" | Mode 2 Form 2 | XA audio streams |
| Mixed/STR | type="mixed" | Mode 2 Form 1+2 | MDEC video with audio |
| DA | type="da" | CD-DA | CD Audio file references |
Special XML Attributes
mkpsxiso supports several XML attributes for maintaining disc image integrity:
xa_edc - Maintain EDC Form 2 integrity for games without ithidden - Mark files/folders as hidden (formerly h_flag)type - Subheader submode value for dummy sectorsorder - Custom sort logic for 2003+ gamesps2 - Regenerate correct submode for PS2 CD-ROM gamesecc_addr - Calculate real address for last postgap sector
Dummy Sectors
Dummy sectors are non-file sectors that preserve LBA ordering in disc images:
These are essential for 1:1 disc rebuilds and maintaining original file LBA addresses.