Dreamcast and Saturn emulation on a CRT finally up to snuff :D

[dataDave]

The one box for everything is appealing for sure.

I'd pay two grand for a FPGA AIO that handles everything from a USB drive* and has RGB out.

*Actually, if I'm paying 2K I want to be able to neatly install a small HDD.

[Escape-To-88]

OK but is dramatic battle not in the Saturn version? I'm sure there's something missing from it.

Other way around, I think it's called Reverse Dramatic Battle (may have got that wrong) is an extra mode in the Saturn version.

[Brad]

I'd pay two grand for a FPGA AIO that handles everything from a USB drive* and has RGB out.

*Actually, if I'm paying 2K I want to be able to neatly install a small HDD.

What systems would it have to emulate?

[Escape-To-88]

Glad this is all working Paul but it all seems so arse about face lol. Persuade old games designed to run on consoles connected to CRTs to instead run on a pc designed to output to an LCD and then persuade that pc to output to a CRT

Are you using original controllers? I guess the modern Xbox and ps pads are so good that they're actually better in most cases?

Yup all original controllers, the advantage being with the new Retroarch build that you can set each system up as needed. With run ahead they actually have less latency than the original consoles. I've owned pretty much every main console ever released (as many of us have) and this is an excellent solution, as I no longer have the space or desire to have them all set up. It looks pretty much perfect with the added advantage of being to move the screen exactly to the pixel to get rid of the junk. I'm planning to make a video tomorrow, just hiding my Windows shell to boot straight into it. I'm always for original hardware, but it's just not feasible for me at the moment or dare I say it, now even preferred.

[Brad]

Would love a vid mate.

Run ahead?

[dataDave]

What systems would it have to emulate?

In order of importance:

CPS-II
NeoGeo
CPS-III
Saturn
PCE
MegaDrive
PSX
SFC

Controllers would be handled by modular USB connectors.

[gunrock]

[MENTION=9465]Brad[/MENTION]: I think it was covered on another thread but run ahead is where they run the emulation one or more a frames ahead of what is being displayed thus can serve up the next frame immediately after the user input has been read, thus reducing input lag. Its more complicated than that as the user input has the function of branching the next frame into a different gameplay output, thus a different rendered frame is required. There's a good article out there on it, probably. It's like all the time travel paradoxes you see in films but happening in your emulated Snes!

Slightly better explanation:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/04/better-than-reality-new-emulation-tech-lags-less-than-original-consoles/

[Brad]

Cheers [MENTION=278]gunrock[/MENTION] sounds like dark magic!

[Escape-To-88]

[MENTION=9465]Brad[/MENTION] et al.

Video is up - bit rambly! But covers most things. I also repeat 'Zero 3' about 1000 times :/ Turns out this runs everything from the NES to the Gamecube. Not bad for a £75.00 business PC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d_zPnNB_rc&feature=youtu.be

[wakka]

Wow. That works really well!

Good job on setting it all up. My only question is where does one find the time to play all the games?!

Really like how convenient the setup is though. Perfect for hanging with a mate playing different games.

[dvdx2]

[MENTION=9465]Brad[/MENTION] et al.

Video is up - bit rambly! But covers most things. I also repeat 'Zero 3' about 1000 times :/ Turns out this runs everything from the NES to the Gamecube. Not bad for a £75.00 business PC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d_z...ature=youtu.be

Great work, but I couldnt go back to the dc at 480i....

[Escape-To-88]

Great work, but I couldnt go back to the dc at 480i....

You can go much higher than the original machine. I was just showing original resolutions.

[Brad]

Cheers Paul, great video. Tempted to downsize myself after seeing that!

[Escape-To-88]

Cheers Paul, great video. Tempted to downsize myself after seeing that!

I'm probably going to knock up a slightly more powerful, smaller micro it's build over the summer too

[Brad]

I've got a lush streacom case (looks like a slimline hifi amp) that will house a micro ATX. Might use that. Looking at putting a Ryzen 5 in there. Need to check that the passive copper pipe cooling system will be sufficient though