Two 32-bit RISC processors, which provide the main processing engine for the Sega Saturn and work in concert with the system's more specialized chips. Having dual processors means double the potential processing power. Each includes 1 megabyte RAM and is cartridge compatible with Sega Genesis
VDP1 and VDP2 (Video Digital Processor) -- each of which handles separate graphics tasks. VDP1, the advanced geometry engine, generates all of the character and gameplay images via polygons and sprites (graphical "objects"), while VDP2, the background and scrollplane processor, creates the graphics "behind" the gameplay.
1.54 megabytes VRAM
90,000-100,000 texture mapped polygons/sec
approximately 900,000 flat polygons/sec
Display:
16.8 million colors
720x576 (?) resolution
MPEG decompression/playback
16:9 (wide screen) compatible
Audio:
Sega Custom Sound Processor (SCSP), which includes a 128-step digital signal processor (DSP) with 540 kilobytes audio RAM
16 bit, 44.1khz sampling rate (CD quality audio)
32 PCM channels (pulse-code modulation)
3D sound and reverb
Audio CD, CD&G, Karokee CD, MPEG-1 compatible
Ports:
High speed transfer port
Sega Channel compatible
Multi-link compatible (link two or more Saturn machines)