Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:16 am Post subject: Xport emulators video modes not pixel perfect
First of all, I admire the great work Xport has been doing over the years. His emulators are great. However, I do find one big issue with all of them, and that is to go with other emulators on Xbox as well.
The video modes the emulators use do not reflect the real resolution of the emulated systems, resulting in a blurry image of the game.
Obviously, this is a major downgrade to otherwise perfect product. I mean it is so serious to me that I even do not install any of them on my Xbox. To understand my opinion, you should see a reallife system on a TV and compare it to these emulators. It is like switching from brand new crisp sharp TV to a 20 years old one!
I compared Sega Mega Drive original console connected through RGB SCART with the NeoGenesis. Oh man, Xbox emulator has so BAD blurry image. And it is more apparent on older systems where the graphics tends to be more simple, so that you can clearly see the blurring on the pixels.
My guess is, that Xport is using some method of mapping the image onto a texture. Because, if you enter the calibration screen which is 640x480 in any case, you can actually MOVE the image as much as you like. I am not talking about resizing it but moving across the screen. If he used the real frame buffer of the Xbox, I mean, the real video mode, which is 640x480, you could not move the image so easily and resize it. So it must be the texture object. Even after applying hardware point filtering, the image is still too blurry since it is simply NOT a correct video mode. Also, ty to run a game and then jump back to one of his emulators menu. The menu itself is using a correct Xbox video display. You can crearly see a big jump in shrpness and pixel-perfectness of the menu image.
I think somebody should develop so called "proper video modes generator" similar to Powerstrip for Windows (see http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm). Obviously this is going to be quite an issue since for instance in USA you cannot use true RGB output and I am not sure if composite is able to do the custom resolutions, but I guess the TV encoders inside Xbox can do this. Well, at least Linux people were able to set their resolutions, even with some problems on 1.6. Remember that classic games were developed for CRT TVs ans thus we should be able to generate corresponding video modes even on Xbox. I mean If Sega Genesis is using 320x224, there must be a solution to generate such a mode on Xbox as well. At least doubling the image and using something like 640x448. Currently what Xport is doing is that he maps it onto a 640x480 texture and throws it into 640x480 Xbox game screen. The texture with the game image is already blurred and does not sit oin the real 640x480 Xbox screen as you can move the texture around that screen. I hope you get the point. I am sure it is possible to overcome this problem and put the game image right into the video mode output. It is possible on a PC, and Xbox is in fact a PC.
Again the picture of the Xbox emulators is a big issue downgrading the experience a lot and the proper video modes would turn them into real number one class.
Rebelcharm Moderator
Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 1373 Location: TX
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject:
That is why I just use the original system to play the original games. Much easier and less of a headache in the long run. I mean I can understand emulating a system that is hard to find anymore but emulating a game on your xbox that was originally playstation? After researching it thoroughly I came to the conclusion that you posted. Better to play the original game on the original console and save yourself the precious wasted time that we all have a short supply of in this life. _________________
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10520 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:
Just got to keep in mind the key word in this is "emulator".
dartht33bagger Moderator
Joined: Apr 17, 2007 Posts: 5408 Location: Oregon, USA
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:23 am Post subject:
I really don't mind emulators myself. I find that super mario 64 looks much clearer on an emulator than it does on the original N64, thats only me though. _________________
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10520 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:57 am Post subject:
On a pc emu it will be a better pic then a 64 but he is talking about the xbox and it just cant push the n64 games like a console that it was built for, like the n64.
The one true way to play an old game with a better pic and faster play is to wait for XBLM to make it.
Look at the youtube shots of Bionic Commando and 007.
Give them time, old games dont die thay just get rebuilt.
Rebelcharm Moderator
Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 1373 Location: TX
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject:
Yeah well why don't they rebuild x-com ufo defense!!!! _________________
wes213 Administrator
Joined: Feb 04, 2007 Posts: 10520 Location: Harrisonburg V.A.
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:
User demand bro, your a user so go demand it.
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