General Emulation Discussion

Steve X2 · 12-09-2018 11:55am

Inviere wrote: »

Anybody here use Redream? It's a relatively recent Dreamcast emulator with a free and paid version (the paid version allows you to increase the internal resolution). Half thinking of dropping the €5 for a lifetime license...

Yeah, started testing it out the other week with the free version. I think I'll pay as well to get the extra features and support the guy.
It runs great on weak and powerful systems which is pretty great.

Inviere · 12-09-2018 4:09pm

Steve X2 wrote: »

Yeah, started testing it out the other week with the free version. I think I'll pay as well to get the extra features and support the guy.
It runs great on weak and powerful systems which is pretty great.

I cobbled together the whopping $5 lat night for a lifetime license. Works great, haven't tested it intensively or anything, just configured Launchbox to use it, launch games, and exit games....played a few mins of Crazy Taxi and a few others, but yeah, couldn't be easier, and the increase of internal resolution makes the games like really nice on a modern display panel.

Hellrazer · 20-09-2018 10:38am

Redream looks like an interesting alternative to mame (which by the way has me driven insane again)

I spend more time looking for videos snaps,images etc than actually playing anything.

Maybe a dedicated redream machine??

The Last Bandit · 20-09-2018 12:15pm

Does Redream also emulate Naomi stuff ?

Inviere · 20-09-2018 3:11pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

Redream looks like an interesting alternative to mame (which by the way has me driven insane again)

I spend more time looking for videos snaps,images etc than actually playing anything.

Maybe a dedicated redream machine??

Launchbox should pull all the metadata you need like videos, snaps, images etc (videos need an emumovies sub I believe...well worth it though if you've a big collection of games added). No faffing about with Mame needed really

The Last Bandit wrote: »

Does Redream also emulate Naomi stuff ?

I believe it does, l haven't tried yet myself

Hellrazer · 20-09-2018 6:01pm

Inviere wrote: »

Launchbox should pull all the metadata you need like videos, snaps, images etc (videos need an emumovies sub I believe...well worth it though if you've a big collection of games added). No faffing about with Mame needed really

I'm using launchbox with mame64ui as the exe.
Working brilliant but I think I'm just pricking about too much with it ðŸ˜ŠðŸ˜ŠðŸ˜Š

Not that it's driving me insane getting it working. More that I've kinda become a bit too obsessed with having it EXACTLY the way I want it.

Inviere · 20-09-2018 6:09pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

More that I've kinda become a bit too obsessed with having it EXACTLY the way I want it.

Welcome to the world of emu frontends

I'm about 3 weeks into my emu drive rebuild

Doing about 2 or 3 systems per evening. Have just finished PS3 & PSP

21-09-2018 3:05pm

How's the ps3 emulation?

Inviere · 21-09-2018 4:14pm

Cake of Tremendous Power wrote: »

How's the ps3 emulation?

Making significant strides these days. Still a ways to go, and very game dependent, but very technically impressive. I needed a Super Stardust HD fix, and was pleasantly surprised that it ran beautifully at 60fps. More demanding stuff like Uncharted etc aren’t yet playable, but again, improve with every release. I think the likes of Catherine and Persona 5 run very very well

Hellrazer · 22-09-2018 9:51am

Have to say Im really loving redream.
The 5.00 paid option to change resolution is well worth it.
Ive a 128gb drive built solely for redream with around 80 roms on it.Never realised how much I missed my dreamcast.

eddhorse · 24-09-2018 10:31am

Might look into Redream, thanks.

Inviere · 24-09-2018 11:11am

Cake of Tremendous Power wrote: »

How's the ps3 emulation?

Most recent improvements showcase vid from yesterday. Not all games shown are playable, but the improvements are constantly significant with this emulator. I'd say before long (>24 months or so), at this rate anyway, it'll replace an actual PS3

Inviere · 24-09-2018 11:15am

Another emulator that has been making fairly sudden and significant strides lately is Xenia (Xbox 360). I'd love to see this one continue to develop, because like with RPCS3, they'll be hugely valuable tools for game preservation (there's some cracking XBL & PSN content that's no longer available for reasons like licensing etc.) These emulators, with more dev time, will give bring those removed games back to us which are only playable if you've previously bought them, or have modded consoles

Inviere · 24-09-2018 3:31pm

I'm on the dreaded Taito Type X/2 segment of my emulation drive rebuild

Hopefully it will be kind to me....

Inviere · 24-09-2018 6:55pm

Inviere wrote: »

I'm on the dreaded Taito Type X/2 segment of my emulation drive rebuild Hopefully it will be kind to me....

Done. Phew. The only one I cant get working is Raiden IV (it throws up an error when it detects the screen is rotated). Will do some homework on it, glad the rest of them are done, have been dreading that system.

Inviere · 26-09-2018 5:29pm

TONS of Retroarch work done today. Mostly setting Launchbox up in such a way that I can use different configs for the same core, ie, the Megadrive core is the same one that plays GameGear. So when I want a GameGear game to play, it boots up the game, with the GameGear overlay picture, the screen centered where it should be, and the correct shader for that system. When I play a Megadrive game, I want none of that, just a fullscreen 4:3 image with the right shader for that system.

Normally you can't do this, as once the core is configured a certain way, that's really it. Launchbox uses a wonderful feature called --appendconfig though, where you can push custom settings per Platform, rather then by core.

TLDR, if you have this problem you'll know what I mean, ask me for help if you need it

80s Synth Pop · 26-09-2018 8:57pm

Is there a way to get that launchbox setup working on a 15k crt running an emudriver compatible graphics card? I have groovymame working well on the crt but would like to try a modern frontend like launchbox.

Inviere · 27-09-2018 8:31am

80s Synth Pop wrote: »

Is there a way to get that launchbox setup working on a 15k crt running an emudriver compatible graphics card? I have groovymame working well on the crt but would like to try a modern frontend like launchbox.

From looking online it seems possible. Someone even has a config that sends output for certain systems to a CRT, and other systems to a modern panel, all via config files. I've no experience setting that up however, but consider joining and asking over on their official forums?

pinksoir · 27-09-2018 8:54am

Just to follow up on my last question about getting an android box and being recommended the Shield. Well, I got a shield and it's super sweet. I've been quite happily running Gamecube games, some even at 1080p (ish, in 4:3 so . 3x resolution or whatever). It's top class.

o1s1n · 27-09-2018 11:34am

I've always just thought of my Android box as a content streaming device, never even considered it as an emulator. I've a Rii i8 that I use with it, be really interested to see if I can get some Megadrive/Snes games going.

Inviere · 27-09-2018 12:28pm

o1s1n wrote: »

I've always just thought of my Android box as a content streaming device, never even considered it as an emulator. I've a Rii i8 that I use with it, be really interested to see if I can get some Megadrive/Snes games going.

In such a guise, they’ll pale in comparison to your physical setup. You need a bit of grunt to go beyond the display shortcomings. Some of the demanding RetroArch shaders do several passes to achieve the desired look. CRT-royale, one of the more demanding shaders, does 12 passes I think. Then factor in the run ahead latency reduction feature which runs two instances of the game, and the lack of processing power really begins to let emulation down on non pc based devices.

That said, the Shield TV is looked upon quite favorably

o1s1n · 27-09-2018 2:00pm

Yeah it'd be more of an exercise in emulation out of interest than something I'd be using.

I was actually looking at PVM SDI to component converters on eBay the other day. Was thinking of having my HD content coming out of the LMD LCD and then going over to the BVM just to see what it looks like as a matter of interest. (aKA an excuse to buy more silly broadcast equipment!)

banie01 · 27-09-2018 2:08pm

I'm using a Shield TV and can vouch for it as an emulator.
Running Retrox for my emulation needs at the mo.
I had previously used RetroArch and Mupen64, but the faffing about always got on my nerves.
Retrox is probably my 2nd most used app at the mo!

Inviere · 27-09-2018 2:22pm

banie01 wrote: »

I had previously used RetroArch and Mupen64, but the faffing about always got on my nerves.

Pure RetroArch is very faffy, I’ll give you that. Paired with a front end though, it becomes untouchable imo, outside of the need for the odd standalone emu.

The Last Bandit · 27-09-2018 8:55pm

Where is a good place to download Mame artwork packs ?

Looking for marquees and wheel art for a new attract-mode build and its scrapper fails to find a lot of images.

Hellrazer · 28-09-2018 5:53pm

Inviere have you ever tried coin ops on the PC ?
A new version released a few days ago apparently and it supposed to be better than Launchbox??

Inviere · 28-09-2018 6:17pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

Inviere have you ever tried coin ops on the PC ?
A new version released a few days ago apparently and it supposed to be better than Launchbox??

No never looked into it, as LB does everything I need of it very easily. What does Coin ops offer?

Hellrazer · 28-09-2018 6:19pm

Inviere wrote: »

No never looked into it, as LB does everything I need of it very easily. What does Coin ops offer?

Have it installing now. It's a 20 gb install with 1136 roms.
Tested it on my main pc and it just seems to do everything without any setup.
Going to try it on the nuc and see how it runs.

Inviere · 28-09-2018 6:25pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

Have it installing now. It's a 20 gb install with 1136 roms.
Tested it on my main pc and it just seems to do everything without any setup.
Going to try it on the nuc and see how it runs.

Sounds like you have a preconfigured build with the config all done and roms included, ie, a portable install. You could get same for Launch Box in, em, places, I’d say

I’d say two things about going this route

1) Without having done any of the sometimes tedious setup, figuring out issues, and learning how to use the program, you’re kinda goosed when it comes to adding new systems and/or fault finding. People used to grab preconfigured HyperSpin builds years ago, and be left scratching their heads when they needed to change or add something.

2) I feel like I’ve contributed to LB by buying a license. The preconfigured builds often use pirated licenses with old builds that lack new features etc.

Hellrazer · 28-09-2018 6:44pm

Inviere wrote: »

Sounds like you have a preconfigured build with the config all done and roms included, ie, a portable install. You could get same for Launch Box in, em, places, I’d say I’d say two things about going this route

1) Without having done any of the sometimes tedious setup, figuring out issues, and learning how to use the program, you’re kinda goosed when it comes to adding new systems and/or fault finding. People used to grab preconfigured HyperSpin builds years ago, and be left scratching their heads when they needed to change or add something.

2) I feel like I’ve contributed to LB by buying a license. The preconfigured builds often use pirated licenses with old builds that lack new features etc.

Thanks for the heads up.Ive used coinops on the xbox original before and to be completely honest it just worked.
This new coinops on pc gives me that same warm fuzzy feeling ie install it and just leave it!!!
I think its more of a compliment to Launchbox rather than a replacement if Im honest. This combined with my redream drive and LB and I think I have almost the prefect setup.

Now Im just waiting on my arcade controls to arrive!!!

Inviere · 28-09-2018 7:25pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up.Ive used coinops on the xbox original before and to be completely honest it just worked.
This new coinops on pc gives me that same warm fuzzy feeling ie install it and just leave it!!!
I think its more of a compliment to Launchbox rather than a replacement if Im honest. This combined with my redream drive and LB and I think I have almost the prefect setup.

Now Im just waiting on my arcade controls to arrive!!!

Redream plays beautifully with LB, you should see if you can tie it into Coin Ops for an even more seamless experience

Inviere · 29-09-2018 11:34am

Ooooh, now we're talking. Time to dust off the Switch. RetroArch coming with full glsl shader supoprt...that's going to be pretty special, & will make the Switch possibly the best portable emulation machine available

https://twitter.com/libretro/status/1045606619780968448

Inviere · 29-09-2018 11:56am

Time for some GameBoy

Inviere · 29-09-2018 11:58am

Well, close enough

There's a cracking shader called "dot" which gives the image a very close approximation of the dot matrix lcd display like in the GameBoy etc. There's another one which emulates the motion blur, but that's only for masochists

CiDeRmAn · 29-09-2018 2:31pm

I have a decade old laptop here at home.
I must give it a fresh install of Windows and see what it'll run.
I'm unsure of the specs though.
Might be something I could switch to in the cab, for when I want to play some stuff there that I can't via the RPi, like Super Hexagon and Tempest 2000.

CosmicSmash · 29-09-2018 4:31pm

That Game Boy is impressive. It would be great to get something like that up and running.

Hellrazer · 29-09-2018 5:32pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

I have a decade old laptop here at home.
I must give it a fresh install of Windows and see what it'll run.
I'm unsure of the specs though.
Might be something I could switch to in the cab, for when I want to play some stuff there that I can't via the RPi, like Super Hexagon and Tempest 2000.

What version of Windows is best from an emulation point of view.
I personally find Windows 7 the best.
10 gives me all sorts of direct x errors and missing dll errors.
I find myself starting afresh with 7 after pricking about trying to get 10 to work.

Inviere · 29-09-2018 6:28pm

CosmicSmash wrote: »

That Game Boy is impressive. It would be great to get something like that up and running.

It's a lovely effect, the shader makes it with the dot matrix effect. Very easily done, have the same for all the handhelds (Game Gear, GB, GBC, GBA, NGP, Wonderswan, etc).

Hellrazer wrote: »

What version of Windows is best from an emulation point of view.
I personally find Windows 7 the best.
10 gives me all sorts of direct x errors and missing dll errors.
I find myself starting afresh with 7 after pricking about trying to get 10 to work.

Haven't had a single issue with 10. Everything just works

Inviere · 30-09-2018 8:31am

New Cemu version released, 1.13.2 (for Patreons, free version in a few days). Seems to have given a significant performance increase

Doge · 08-10-2018 10:27pm

Inviere wrote: »

RetroArch coming with full glsl shader supoprt...that's going to be pretty special, & will make the Switch possibly the best portable emulation machine available.

You spoke too soon! :P

https://www.smachz.com

I just found this device advertised on Facebook. Have yet to investigate if it's real or is a scam. Impressive power for its size of it turns out to be true though.

Doge · 08-10-2018 10:37pm

Looks like it's not a scam site after all and had a successful Kickstarter. However a lot of people are saying it has the same fate of the Vega by calling it Scam Z!

Will be interesting to see if it gets released.

Doge · 08-10-2018 10:45pm

Inviere wrote: »

New Cemu version released, 1.13.2 (for Patreons, free version in a few days). Seems to have given a significant performance increase

That's not your channel I presume?.when I heard the Irish accent and since you're the biggest emulation enthusiast on here it got me thinking! Hmmmm

megaten · 09-10-2018 10:41am

I wouldn't hold out much hope for the Smach Z. It's probably been around 5 years or more since they announced the connect and still don't have a functional prototype. Its a shame we don't see more niche handhelds since I really like them. I think my favourite is still the GP2X Caanoo I had years ago despite the ridiculous design decisions it had like having an analog stick instead of a dpad.

CathalDublin · 09-10-2018 2:35pm

megaten wrote: »

I wouldn't hold out much hope for the Smach Z. It's probably been around 5 years or more since they announced the connect and still don't have a functional prototype. Its a shame we don't see more niche handhelds since I really like them. I think my favourite is still the GP2X Caanoo I had years ago despite the ridiculous design decisions it had like having an analog stick instead of a dpad.

I'd the GP2x Wiz, was awful, I sold it and got another PSP phat

Inviere · 09-10-2018 3:16pm

Doge wrote: »

That's not your channel I presume?.when I heard the Irish accent and since you're the biggest emulation enthusiast on here it got me thinking! Hmmmm

Hey Guys, what's up, and welcome back to the ch....no, not mine I'm afraid

I find his videos were instrumental in learning how to set up Cemu though.

2 Scoops · 11-10-2018 7:25pm

Some of these new snes emulators are amazing, they can remove the slowdown in games without speeding up the framerate. I've only tried UN Squadron, Final fight 3 co-op so far and the slowdown is totally removed and the games play like the exact same as the originals otherwise.

Inviere · 15-10-2018 6:55pm

Had a blast of the new Switch Virtual Console release of RetroArch for the Switch. Wow, an absolute game changer for the Switch in terms of homebrew. The shaders look really nice too (they look way better in person, my phone camera didn't do a great job of capturing the image properly)! Very simple setup & useage, I'm truly impressed with it!

The Last Bandit · 16-10-2018 8:15am

It really is a brilliant handheld for emulation alright, not messed about too much with the shaders yet still just figuring out what works and what doesn't - Playstation emulation is still a work in progress though, even with the workarounds I'm not really happy with it.

An Arcbrowser type of frontend would be a brilliant addition in time too, as good as retroarch is, the UI is a bit meh for jut picking up a game and playing.

o1s1n · 16-10-2018 9:50am

Is it particularly difficult to get homebrew running on a Switch? Amazed to see software of that quality running on it already.

The Last Bandit · 16-10-2018 10:06am

o1s1n wrote: »

Is it particularly difficult to get homebrew running on a Switch? Amazed to see software of that quality running on it already.

Nope, super simple - even has its own app store to download from. Now, its rather easy to get your console banned so if online play is a must from you then extra care must be taken - or buy another console.

I've complete disconnected my console from my Nintendo account so if its get banned no big deal, I'll can always get another and relink to my account if needed.

General Emulation Discussion

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