Homebrew New VBA GX fork (2.3.0)

[ShadowOne333]

The source is on his GitHub.

Thanks for providing the link.
To ANY ADMIN OR MOD:
Could you please add that link to the OP for better reference?
It will be lost between the pages eventually..

 

[Silentsurvivor]

Any chance to finally see that 240p (double-strike) support for GBA games happening? It'd be a dream: only emulator that does it is wiimednafen and it's too slow to be usable in most games. FCEUGX and SNES9XGX all got that option but VBAGX was left in the dust...

SGB enhanced games on this, running in 240p would be the next best thing to a real SGB!

 

[nakata6790]

Isn't double strike already implemented (2x and unfiltered)?
Also WiiMednafen remains best for a couple of GBA games like Motoracer, V Rally 3 and Duke 3D compared to RA and VBA GX. It has a slight edge on these few games.

 

[nakata6790]

DP

 

[Silentsurvivor]

Isn't double strike already implemented (2x and unfiltered)?
Also WiiMednafen remains best for a couple of GBA games like Motoracer, V Rally 3 and Duke 3D compared to RA and VBA GX. It has a slight edge on these few games.

No no, that's something else. Double-strike would mean rendering 1x video resolution (240x160) inside a 240p video frame. You'd get a much sharper image and scanlines on CRT TVs like that. That's what WiiMednafen does, and that's basically what FCEUGX and SNES9XGX do in Original video mode (although not framed since those consoles are 240p capable), so I suppose it wouldn't be that hard to port the feature over.

Of course I know the wii is still pumping 720x240 and there's the active area and all that but you get the idea, it works great in other emulators.

 

[Hielkenator]

Any chance to finally see that 240p (double-strike) support for GBA games happening? It'd be a dream: only emulator that does it is wiimednafen and it's too slow to be usable in most games. FCEUGX and SNES9XGX all got that option but VBAGX was left in the dust...

SGB enhanced games on this, running in 240p would be the next best thing to a real SGB!

FIY Retroarch Wii can do native 240p resolution, aka "double strike".
But you will only beneifit from this is you use a proper CRT monitor with RGB scart.

 

[Silentsurvivor]

FIY Retroarch Wii can do native 240p resolution, aka "double strike".
But you will only beneifit from this is you use a proper CRT monitor with RGB scart.

It can't do it properly with GBA or GBC games. None of the resolutions scale properly, as they're more 240p-console friendly, so the games look stretched/distorted instead of "window boxed" as they should, like Wiimednafen does. Custom Viewports only work on 480i so you can't center the image either.

Also any CRT will benefit from this, even when using composite. It's also does wonders for 240p scalers like the XRGB Mini on HD LCD tvs.

I was just throwing it out there since nobody mentioned it - it's already implemented in SNES9XGX and FCEUGX, and since the codebase is about the same, it shouldn't be hard to implement...

 

[MintyDragon]

I would like to see a port of VBA link enter this

 

[Hielkenator]

It can't do it properly with GBA or GBC games. None of the resolutions scale properly, as they're more 240p-console friendly, so the games look stretched/distorted instead of "window boxed" as they should, like Wiimednafen does. Custom Viewports only work on 480i so you can't center the image either.

Also any CRT will benefit from this, even when using composite. It's also does wonders for 240p scalers like the XRGB Mini on HD LCD tvs.

I was just throwing it out there since nobody mentioned it - it's already implemented in SNES9XGX and FCEUGX, and since the codebase is about the same, it shouldn't be hard to implement...

What version of RA are you using?
As for the RGB cables vs Composite: There's a HUGE difference.
Composite will NOT give you PROPER scanlines no matter what.


Composite:

RGB:

 

[Jayro]

The 2.3.1 update feels like the GBC/SGB part is about on par with GameYob by Drenn.

 

[Silentsurvivor]

What version of RA are you using?

I'm using 1.0.0.2

As for the RGB cables vs Composite: There's a HUGE difference.
Composite will NOT give you PROPER scanlines no matter what.

Well I mostly said even with composite, proper 240p is a huge step-up. They do give you proper scanlines, it also depends on your TV though. On my 21'' TV they look great actually. Generally the larger your tube is, the worse composite gets

ANYWAY: Are those pictures yours? Could you please tell me what you did to get it to look like that? I tried every resolution possible and never got it right. All the 224/240p resolutions stretched the image instead of centering it, giving me distortions. I imagined it was something to do with Integer Scaling but it's always set to On so I don't know

 

[Hielkenator]

I'm using 1.0.0.2


Well I mostly said even with composite, proper 240p is a huge step-up. They do give you proper scanlines, it also depends on your TV though. On my 21'' TV they look great actually. Generally the larger your tube is, the worse composite gets

ANYWAY: Are those pictures yours? Could you please tell me what you did to get it to look like that? I tried every resolution possible and never got it right. All the 224/240p resolutions stretched the image instead of centering it, giving me distortions. I imagined it was something to do with Integer Scaling but it's always set to On so I don't know

CRT monitor rgb capable,
Wii rgb scart cable.
Any emulator set to double strike, original or 640 x 224.
Set ratio to 4:3
Set your tv to output 4:3

OR when using RA:
For instance Snesgx-next:
Use resolution 640 x 448
Set ratio to 4:3
Set your tv to output 4:3
Scanline overlay 90 %, scale 1.07.

There a thread on th libretro forum containing alis with the best setting for every core.
Evern better: get a SLG HD

 

[Silentsurvivor]

CRT monitor rgb capable,
Wii rgb scart cable.
Any emulator set to double strike, original or 640 x 224 (...)

Well that doesn't really help GBA. I know how to setup all consoles and what resolutions they should use. This doesn't make GBA games look nowhere near as good as they do on Wiimednafen, in proper double-strike...

Double-strike modes on RetroArch make GBA games distorted since they stretch the image, as Integer Scaling does NOT work on anything but 480i. The only way to correct this inproper scaling a bit, and seems to be what you're probably doing, is using Bilinear filtering instead of Point filtering, which makes everything look blurrier. And even so, it still won't be a proper 1:1 size image.

 

[awefour44]

Any chance to finally see that 240p (double-strike) support for GBA games happening? It'd be a dream: only emulator that does it is wiimednafen and it's too slow to be usable in most games. FCEUGX and SNES9XGX all got that option but VBAGX was left in the dust...

SGB enhanced games on this, running in 240p would be the next best thing to a real SGB!

I second this! I agree 240p would be an amazing addition to VBAGX. Just recently picked up off of craigslist a new-in-box 20-inch Sony WEGA CRT (manufactured March 2006 according to the back label). Had been sitting unused in the guy's storage for over 8 years.

Kinda wish there was a way to play the N64 VC titles in their original 240p as well. The resulting flicker (e.g. in text, HUD elements and menus) in my opinion is not worth the higher rendering resolution.

 

[naxil]

Is possible launch gamecube dol in 240p with sdgecko on wii. Swiss-gc can do this. But i think is possible setup ress on wii homebrew with 1line of code

 

[TheBroCode]

Anyone have trouble with F-Zero GP Legend? It plays fine for me until about halfway through a race and then it will suddenly get jerky and the map starts flashing.

 

[Hielkenator]

Well that doesn't really help GBA. I know how to setup all consoles and what resolutions they should use. This doesn't make GBA games look nowhere near as good as they do on Wiimednafen, in proper double-strike...

Double-strike mo.des on RetroArch make GBA games distorted since they stretch the image, as Integer Scaling does NOT work on anything but 480i. The only way to correct this inproper scaling a bit, and seems to be what you're probably doing, is using Bilinear filtering instead of Point filtering, which makes everything look blurrier. And even so, it still won't be a proper 1:1 size image.

Okay, here are the exact settings for Retroarch VBA GX Next 1:1 Image since you cannot work it out yourself.

Basicly you have 2 options depending if your flatscreen support the resolutions or if you want to a crt monitor.
Difference is that on a flatscreen you can manipulate the ratio that a REAL GBA carries more easily.
AS you might know, crt work differently and will auto focus their electron beam depending on what signal is fed into them.

These are my settings and they work for me. I am using a Samsung LCD TV.
These settings are for Wii only NOT vWii, since Wii U handles video differently.
The Wii is connected via official Nintendo component cables.
Important: The Wii video is set up in standard Ratio 4:3, My TV is Also setup to 4:3 video. 16:9 DOES NOT WORK FOR THIS METHOD.

Here is Settings option 1: Without Scanline Overlay.( scanlines not possible )

VBA Next Videosettings:
Resolution: 512 x192 P
The presented image will be centered in you screen with the correct ratio.
Add Bil.filter if you want to.


Here is Settings option 1: With Scanline Overlay wich is my preferred setting.
VBA Next Videosettings:
Resolution: 384 x480 P or 640 x 480 p
Integer scale : ON
Aspect Ratio : 3:2 ( 1:1 PAR )
The presented image will be centered in you screen with the correct ratio.
Add Bil.filter if you want to. I have filter set to ON.

Overlay settings:
Opacity : 0.75
Scale : 1.13

Perfect for me, no pixel crawling.

Before Commenting, please read this. http://www.libretro.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1585

 

[Hielkenator]

I second this! I agree 240p would be an amazing addition to VBAGX. Just recently picked up off of craigslist a new-in-box 20-inch Sony WEGA CRT (manufactured March 2006 according to the back label). Had been sitting unused in the guy's storage for over 8 years.

Kinda wish there was a way to play the N64 VC titles in their original 240p as well. The resulting flicker (e.g. in text, HUD elements and menus) in my opinion is not worth the higher rendering resolution.

240P is only needed if you connect your console to a crt monitor.
This way you will get proper scanlines, yet the ratio is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY off.
Remeber CRT tech is very different to lcd, plasma.
In other words ratio cannot be changed without the help of an internal or external scaler.

Generally an arcade monitor does not have scaling options and will present video "as is".
It'just the way the technology works.

 

[SuperrSonic]

240P is only needed if you connect your console to a crt monitor.
This way you will get proper scanlines, yet the ratio is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY off.
Remember CRT tech is very different to lcd, plasma.

Well, 240p works great on my LCD EDTV with component cables. No scanlines but the image is clear, progressive and looks (to me) better than 480p. Biggest issue for me is not every title works in 480p, so I stick with 480i and the shift to 240p is a lot nicer then when 480p shifts to 240p. Another up is bilinear filtering is less aggressive, useful for games that change res, since the blurryness might be more tolerable.

Don't know what you mean by the ratio being off.

 

[Hielkenator]

Well, 240p works great on my LCD EDTV with component cables. No scanlines but the image is clear, progressive and looks (to me) better than 480p. Biggest issue for me is not every title works in 480p, so I stick with 480i and the shift to 240p is a lot nicer then when 480p shifts to 240p. Another up is bilinear filtering is less aggressive, useful for games that change res, since the blurryness might be more tolerable.

Don't know what you mean by the ratio being off.

It depend what your manitor does with the input signal.

Anyway,the previous posted settings I did were wrong.Sorry.
I was reverting from notes I made a while back.

Here are the right settings for the people interested:
This will give you the correct ratio for GBA games on RA.
Meaning square pixels with or without proper scanlines via the the included scanline overlay.
Games look absolutely MINT.
Note that the Retroarch Gui is garbled. This is normal and will be fixed in the next release of RA ( around the corner! )

Video settings:
Make sure your Wii is setup for 4:3, very important.
Also make sure your TV is in 16:9 mode. ( this will correct 6% ) resulting in square pixels.

Resolution = 640 x 480P ( DO NOT CHANGE )

Custom ratio/ viewport = 79,88 (position of the viewport, almost if not Centered in screen, fiffle with it but make sure the resolution stay the same.) 480 X 320 ( MUST have these values in order to get the perpect picture )

Scanline options:
Opacity = 0.70 ( standard or press + button to reset. )
Scale = 1.50 ( perfectly aligned scanlines. )

If entered correctly , you will have a boxed, centered screen. Pixel perfect.
Should you wonder why the box is'nt bigger, it cannot be done without sacrificing square pixels.

FYI this is excactly how the official Nintendo gamecube GBA Emulator is presented, Minus the Borders. Borders are black in Ra, but basicly it is the same.

HUUIIRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!