Editing Speed Demos Archive (section)

==== Fundamentals ====
Submitted speedruns are typically performed on their native consoles. When performing a run of a PC game, the rules may mandate that certain computer configurations be adhered to. In general, SDA will not accept runs that are performed on emulators, as emulation can be influenced by the configuration of the computer being used. Furthermore, it is particularly difficult to verify whether or not a run performed on an emulator is [[Tool-assisted speedrun|tool-assisted]]. Nevertheless, SDA does permit the use of emulators in certain cases; submissions performed on the Game Boy Player, GameTap, and [[Virtual Console]]<ref name=virtualconsole>{{Cite web|url=http://speeddemosarchive.com/demo.pl?DonkeyKong64_VC_101p_Deaths_SS_55744|title=Donkey Kong 64 Virtual Console Speed Demos Archive – Download|website=speeddemosarchive.com|access-date=2019-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120005557/http://speeddemosarchive.com/demo.pl?DonkeyKong64_VC_101p_Deaths_SS_55744|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> are allowed.<ref name="FundamentalRules">{{Cite web|url=https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Rules#Fundamental_rules|title=Fundamental Rules – Rules – SDA Knowledge Base|website=kb.speeddemosarchive.com|quote=Note that an exception is made for officially sanctioned emulators such as the Game Boy Player, the Virtual Console, and the GameTap.|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152446/https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Rules#Fundamental_rules|archive-date=24 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Virtual machines]] and [[DOSBox]] are allowed in cases where an older PC game does not run properly on modern computers.<ref name=virtualization>{{Cite web|url=https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/virtualization_software_and_dosbox_allowed_for_old_games.html|title=Virtualization Software and DOSBox allowed for old games|website=forum.speeddemosarchive.com|access-date=2019-01-25|quote=Think of these tools as a last resort, not a default option.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125131111/https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/virtualization_software_and_dosbox_allowed_for_old_games.html|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Rule_history|title=Rule history – SDA Knowledge Base|website=kb.speeddemosarchive.com|access-date=2019-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125131101/https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Rule_history|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Use of this software is reserved for specific circumstances and these submissions must adhere to several additional rules.<ref name=dosboxrules>{{Cite web|url=https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/official_dosbox_settings_discussion_topic.html|title=Official DOSBox Settings Discussion Topic|website=forum.speeddemosarchive.com|access-date=2019-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125131126/https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/official_dosbox_settings_discussion_topic.html|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to potential emulation inaccuracies, runs that utilize an emulator may be categorized separately from those of the original release.{{refn|group=Note|"Due to problems with many official emulators, we will place [runs performed on] them in separate categories if the known differences make comparison with runs made on other platforms difficult."<ref name="FundamentalRules" />}}

Non-cosmetic modifications to a game, console, or controller are not allowed. Glitches that are triggered by interfering with the normal operation of the hardware or game media while the game is running, such as the crooked cartridge trick are not permitted. In-game glitches or exploits may be permissible, contingent on the [[Speedrun#Completion|category]] being run.

It is required that runs be recorded using direct-feed capture. This is typically done using a [[TV tuner card#Video capture|capture card]] or [[DVD recorder]]. A run may be rejected if the quality of the recording is insufficient.