SDAT File – What is .sdat file and how to open it?


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SDAT File Extension

Nintendo DS Sound Data File – file format by Nintendo

SDAT is a Nintendo DS sound data file format developed by Nintendo. It stores sound effects and music for Nintendo DS games. The format is similar to the WAV format, but it uses a different header and compression algorithm.

Definition of a SDAT File

A SDAT file, or Nintendo DS Sound Data File, is a proprietary audio format developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld gaming console. It is used to store sound effects, music, and voice clips within Nintendo DS game cartridges. SDAT files are compressed using a custom algorithm, enabling efficient storage of audio data on the limited storage capacity of Nintendo DS cartridges.

Technical Details and Usage

SDAT files are organized into banks, with each bank containing multiple sound samples. Each sample is assigned a unique identifier within the bank, allowing it to be referenced by the game code. SDAT files also contain metadata that specifies the sample rate, bit depth, and other playback parameters for each sample. Nintendo DS games load SDAT files into memory at runtime and then access the individual sound samples as needed during gameplay. The use of SDAT files allows game developers to incorporate high-quality audio into their games without significantly impacting the available storage space on Nintendo DS cartridges.

Viewing SDAT Files

To view and extract audio data from SDAT files, specialized software is required. One recommended tool is VGMToolbox, an open-source audio extraction and analysis utility. Once installed, VGMToolbox provides the option to open SDAT files, enabling users to view the file structure and extract individual audio tracks. The extracted audio files can then be saved in various formats, such as WAV or MP3, for playback and further editing.

Converting SDAT Files

For converting SDAT files into other audio formats, software such as Awave Studio or Audacity is commonly used. These tools allow users to import SDAT files and convert them into various formats, including WAV, MP3, and OGG. The conversion process typically involves selecting the desired output format and adjusting any necessary parameters, such as bitrate and sample rate. Once the conversion is complete, the converted audio files can be easily accessed and played back using any standard audio player.

SDAT File Format

The SDAT file format is a proprietary audio file format used by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is a container format that stores audio data in a compressed format. SDAT files are typically used to store music and sound effects for Nintendo DS games.

The SDAT file format is based on the RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format) format. This format is a hierarchical data structure that consists of chunks of data. Each chunk has a header that contains information about the chunk’s type and size. The SDAT file format uses a custom chunk type to store audio data. This chunk type is known as the “SDAT” chunk.

SDAT File Structure

The SDAT file format has a simple structure. The file begins with a RIFF header. This header contains information about the file’s type and size. The RIFF header is followed by a series of chunks. The first chunk is the “SDAT” chunk. This chunk contains the audio data. The audio data is stored in a compressed format. The SDAT file format supports a variety of different audio compression formats, including ADPCM, IMA ADPCM, and μ-Law.

The SDAT chunk is followed by a series of “LIST” chunks. These chunks contain additional information about the audio data. The LIST chunks can be used to store metadata about the audio data, such as the title, artist, and album. The LIST chunks can also be used to store additional audio data, such as loops and cues.

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