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[IrishNinja]

You really really really need a new GPU.

yeah? crap. ok, any recommendations under $100, then? how far off am i from running this smooth-like?

His CPU isn't going to be much help either unless its heavily overclocked.

fair enough. what would you overclock it to? last i checked on speedfan, the temp is pretty cool, i think it can take it.

 

[poppabk]

You really really really need a new GPU.

His CPU isn't going to be much help either unless its heavily overclocked.

So is the emulator GPU or CPU constrained, is there a GPU or CPU above which you won't see any improvement? Is raw clockspeed the most important factor when it comes to cpu, or is architecture important? I have a desktop with an E6800 which is overclocked to 3.2Ghz and a laptop with a P7450 at 2.13Ghz. The P7450 is the better processor in general but is that true for dolphin?

 

[IceMarker]

GPU = Better Graphics

CPU = Speed

 

[yanhero]

So is the emulator GPU or CPU constrained, is there a GPU or CPU above which you won't see any improvement? Is raw clockspeed the most important factor when it comes to cpu, or is architecture important? I have a desktop with an E6800 which is overclocked to 3.2Ghz and a laptop with a P7450 at 2.13Ghz. The P7450 is the better processor in general but is that true for dolphin?

Its really just CPU constrained practically. The 8800 is probably all you need. CPU architecture and clock speed are both important. I think you need something around 4ghz to run maybe 70% of the games at their normal speed.

 

[HoTHiTTeR]

Is there a newer x64 build than the one from 2 weeks ago?

 

[IrishNinja]

Its really just CPU constrained practically. The 8800 is probably all you need. CPU architecture and clock speed are both important. I think you need something around 4ghz to run maybe 70% of the games at their normal speed.

ah, this clears it up for me a bit - yeah, overclocking and a newer graphics card alone wont do it. ah well, maybe next big upgrade then, ill have to make do with 480p a bit longer then. thanks though.

 

[drizzle]

Is there a newer x64 build than the one from 2 weeks ago?

http://cid-ec92aae47a89073b.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Emulation/Dolphin usually has the newest builds.

4302 is currently available, and that's the newest on Google Code.


I just posted this message on this other thread about Skies of Arcadia, but i guess it would be nice to post it here for those who didn't see. It showcases more of the "Widescreen Hack" in dolphin:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=17663688&postcount=71

Would you mind elaborating on this widescreen hack? I love the game and would be willing to give it another go in widescreen.

There isn't much to elaborate.

It widens the field of view and the amount of information on screen. Only 2D elements (HUD, menus, text) get stretched, because there's no real way to not stretch those. 3D elements stay in perfect ratio.

However, you must remember that these added areas to the left and right were never meant to be seen, so there could be some geometry popping and texture loading in these areas (as, since they're not visible in the original game, programmers can clean them to save resources).

In these pics, you can see that the aspect ratio is correct, but there's more image information on each side:

You can see more of her ship in this example (not exactly the same frame, but the actual scene doesn't change that much. Every other screenshot is the same screen tho):


You can see the rest of the ship's bridge, to the left and right:


Extra cannons on the background, you can also see more of the soldier's bodies


You can see the rest of the ships in the background:


Again, more on the surrounding areas and background (the green "thing" on the left of the image, which you can see MUCH MORE in the widescreen version, is actually Ayla's weapon).


Emulation is not quite there yet, tho. Sound is all weird (missing samples, music loops, only plays on one channel), and sometimes there's a graphical glitch here and there (red shadows, mostly in this begging area). Overall speed is also not quite playable (aka, it's too slow on my overclocked qx6700 running at 3.2ghz and 8800gtx).

It's getting better with every SVN release tho, so here's hoping.


PS.: I used la.gg because they create automatic thumbnails. So, advanced sorry for when these pictures disappear in the coming months, I guess?

 

[Nemo]

I tried SoA myself some time ago, definitely not playable yet.

I decided to give up on the emu for the next year or so. Keeping up with all the update and the slow progress was killing me. Really hope we get some amazing playable progress with the games soon enough.

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

Wow, those widescreen images look nice. There's a Dreamcast emulator that does a widescreen hack like that, but it doesn't stretch 2D stuff. So basically if it's a 2D scene and it has to draw outside of the screen, it's just garbage data. Really makes menus and stuff look awful, and doesn't work terribly well with some 3D games. Example, hot off nullDC:

 

[autobzooty]

I like to check back on Dolphin now and again to see where it's at...

Is Wind Waker playable yet? Or are these screens just for eye candy but the game can't run? My PC is pretty good, so I'm hoping that soon compatibility will be strong enough for me to play through this game in HD.

Also, does the emulator support reading from a CD/DVD drive, or would I have to get an ISO of the game in order to play it?

 

[Borman]

Wind Waker has been 'playable' for a while, not counting sound which just started working semi-recently

 

[zbarron]

http://cid-ec92aae47a89073b.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Emulation/Dolphin usually has the newest builds.

4302 is currently available, and that's the newest on Google Code.


I just posted this message on this other thread about Skies of Arcadia, but i guess it would be nice to post it here for those who didn't see. It showcases more of the "Widescreen Hack" in dolphin:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=17663688&postcount=71


There isn't much to elaborate.

It widens the field of view and the amount of information on screen. Only 2D elements (HUD, menus, text) get stretched, because there's no real way to not stretch those. 3D elements stay in perfect ratio.

However, you must remember that these added areas to the left and right were never meant to be seen, so there could be some geometry popping and texture loading in these areas (as, since they're not visible in the original game, programmers can clean them to save resources).

In these pics, you can see that the aspect ratio is correct, but there's more image information on each side:

You can see more of her ship in this example (not exactly the same frame, but the actual scene doesn't change that much. Every other screenshot is the same screen tho):


You can see the rest of the ship's bridge, to the left and right:


Extra cannons on the background, you can also see more of the soldier's bodies


You can see the rest of the ships in the background:


Again, more on the surrounding areas and background (the green "thing" on the left of the image, which you can see MUCH MORE in the widescreen version, is actually Ayla's weapon).


Emulation is not quite there yet, tho. Sound is all weird (missing samples, music loops, only plays on one channel), and sometimes there's a graphical glitch here and there (red shadows, mostly in this begging area). Overall speed is also not quite playable (aka, it's too slow on my overclocked qx6700 running at 3.2ghz and 8800gtx).

It's getting better with every SVN release tho, so here's hoping.


PS.: I used la.gg because they create automatic thumbnails. So, advanced sorry for when these pictures disappear in the coming months, I guess?

No, I get that but is there an option in the Dolphin menu to enable widescreen or is it built into the game? Also you mean the GC one and not the DC one right?

 

[autobzooty]

Wind Waker has been 'playable' for a while, not counting sound which just started working semi-recently

Wow, really?! So it plays perfectly? Sound and all?! :O

OMG

 

[drizzle]

Wow, those widescreen images look nice. There's a Dreamcast emulator that does a widescreen hack like that, but it doesn't stretch 2D stuff. So basically if it's a 2D scene and it has to draw outside of the screen, it's just garbage data. Really makes menus and stuff look awful, and doesn't work terribly well with some 3D games.

The NullDC hack is almost perfect then. IT doesn't stretch the 2d (keeping it where it should be) and renders the rest of the screen with 3D. If only they would "fix" the 2d warping that happens on the extended area, it would literally be the best. They should just do that in Dolphin. :lol

I love 3D emulators that does that (provide widescreen on games that don't really have support for it).

Here's hoping.

Also, does the emulator support reading from a CD/DVD drive, or would I have to get an ISO of the game in order to play it?

Only a very specific model of LG drive can read Wii/Gamecube games. You need to dump a image to your hd.

No, I get that but is there an option in the Dolphin menu to enable widescreen or is it built into the game? Also you mean the GC one and not the DC one right?

Yes, i was specifically talking the GameCube version (but, as Sega1991 said, NullDC also does it). It's an option on the emulator (literally called "Widescreen Hack"). Skies of Arcadia does not support Widescreen natively (in any system).

 

[BlazeHedgehog]

The NullDC hack is almost perfect then. IT doesn't stretch the 2d (keeping it where it should be) and renders the rest of the screen with 3D. If only they would "fix" the 2d warping that happens on the extended area, it would literally be the best. They should just do that in Dolphin. :lol

I love 3D emulators that does that (provide widescreen on games that don't really have support for it).

Here's hoping.

See, NullDC's widescreen hack is okay, but I almost think I'd prefer it if it stretched 2D stuff. It might make HUDs and stuff look a little gross but I'd take that over having the edges of the screen basically being ignored.

 

[drizzle]

See, NullDC's widescreen hack is okay, but I almost think I'd prefer it if it stretched 2D stuff. It might make HUDs and stuff look a little gross but I'd take that over having the edges of the screen basically being ignored.

I've watched that Sonic Adventure 2 video till the end and I see what you mean: When the screen goes white, only the 4:3 area goes white.

Yeah, that's kinda bad. 2D stuff texture replacement (made with the fact that they will be stretched to 16:9 in mind) is the only way to go, i guess.

 

[x3sphere]

Wow, really?! So it plays perfectly? Sound and all?! :O

OMG

Provided you have a fast enough CPU, yes I had to OC my i7 920 to 3GHz to completely eliminate any frame dips.

 

[SOLDIER]

I keep having issues with sound. The game runs on a stable framerate, but the sound is choppy and is missing many effects (as in, it sounds like half the music is playing while the other half is muted). How can I fix this?

 

[Azure Dream]

Yeah, that's kinda bad. 2D stuff texture replacement (made with the fact that they will be stretched to 16:9 in mind) is the only way to go, i guess.

There might be a compromise of sorts. Some HDTVs have a stretch mode, that instead of stretching the whole picture, it only increasingly stretches the edges. So the very left and right sides of HUDs would fatten out a little horizontally the closer they are to the edge, but most of the middle of the screen would stay unaffected. It's preferable to just a flat stretch, it almost reminds me of the more curved movie theater screens.

Something like that might be a good compromise, provided the HUD elements aren't right up against the very edges of the screen.

 

[Kuran]

Why can't I make this work with a Xbox pad in Wii games that have classic controller support? It works fine for gamecube games.

I want to try it out but my Wiimote won't sync with my Macbook Pro.

 

[I should be doing hw]

I seriously need to get a new laptop/computer now.

 

[MNC]

I seriously need to get a new laptop/computer now.

I should be doing hw
Junior Member

 

[mclaren777]

I couldn't find a better place to ask this question, so I'm sorry for being a little off-topic.

Gametrailers.com sometimes has game reviews for the Wii in 720p and I'm curious how they do it. The footage doesn't seem to be upscaled from SD but I can't think of another option apart from having a special version of the Wii or a program like this.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

So does anybody know how GT does it?

 

[I should be doing hw]

I should be doing hw
Junior Member

I actually should be, I have exams next month.

 

[Templar Wizard]

I have been playing Metroid Prime with 3D Vision and its off the hook.
When its 100%, its going to be one of the best 3d experiences on pc, Batman:AA aside.

 

[cuyahoga]

I have been playing Metroid Prime with 3D Vision and its off the hook.
When its 100%, its going to be one of the best 3d experiences on pc, Batman:AA aside.

I'm interested in how the 3D looks, could you possibly take a screen?

 

[IMACOMPUTA]

I would like to thank this thread for allowing me to re-experience Wind Waker...
My god, the game is beautiful in 1080p widescreen...

It looks and runs beautifully on my PC.

i5 750 oc'd to 3.6ghz
4gb ram
ati 1900xt 512
^ thought that might hold me back, but no, it works amazingly.
THANK YOU!!

(brainstorms to figure out what other games would be amazing on the Dolphin emu)

 

[WesFX]

Are all those Killer7 shots about two pages back just broken image symbols for anyone else?

Also, I repeat my request for a few more P.N.03 shots.

 

[Kenka]

There is something I just don't get at all. I managed to get WW run at 15 FPS on average at a 1600 x 1200 resolution but can't increase the performance if I lower the resolution. Why so ? :'(

 

[Vorador]

There is something I just don't get at all. I managed to get WW run at 15 FPS on average at a 1600 x 1200 resolution but can't increase the performance if I lower the resolution. Why so ? :'(

Because the game is constricted by your CPU rather than GPU methinks.

 

[VideoMan]

I have been playing Metroid Prime with 3D Vision and its off the hook.
When its 100%, its going to be one of the best 3d experiences on pc, Batman:AA aside.

I've tried it also and I agree. One of the most impressive looking games I've seen in 3D.

I took some screenshots in red/blue anaglyph mode if anyone has a pair of glasses and wants to see.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32634936@N05/sets/72157622201239681/

Best way to view them is in the slideshow.

 

[Kenka]

Because the game is constricted by your CPU rather than GPU methinks.

It is an interesting remark. I've always thought that lowering the resolution would spare the CPU job, relatively to the 50% won by going 1024 x 768 instead of 1600 x 1200.

Too bad

 

[imthemaid]

Because the emulation isn't quite there yet. What these pictures don't show is that many of these games can't be played at a good framerate even with a really powerful computer. And because of emulation issues and glitches, some games can't even be played at all.

I doubt that the emulation will ever be quite there unless Nintendo does it internally. The SNES was never emulated properly until VC. The NES hasn't even been emulated accurately outside of the VC. PC emulators are screenshot and video capture toys. Some of you seem strangely willing to overlook things like sound infidelity, input lag, and all manner of glitches--graphical or otherwise--considering how discriminating your tastes appear to be.

 

[FoxSpirit]

I doubt that the emulation will ever be quite there unless Nintendo does it internally. The SNES was never emulated properly until VC. The NES hasn't even been emulated accurately outside of the VC. PC emulators are screenshot and video capture toys. Some of you seem strangely willing to overlook things like sound infidelity, input lag, and all manner of glitches--graphical or otherwise--considering how discriminating your tastes appear to be.

Given the fact that many games run near flawless, given the occasional odd graphics glitch, I find this to be pretty bold.

 

[plagiarize]

Are all those Killer7 shots about two pages back just broken image symbols for anyone else?

Also, I repeat my request for a few more P.N.03 shots.

vulomedia is down at the mo. that's where i hosted those pictures. hopefully they'll be back soon. you can watch the youtube video still though.

 

[Durante]

I doubt that the emulation will ever be quite there unless Nintendo does it internally. The SNES was never emulated properly until VC. The NES hasn't even been emulated accurately outside of the VC.

What the hell? Both SNES and NES have been 99.9% emulated on PC for years. With additional features like netplay even.
(And Dolphin is getting better every day, and already runs some games flawlessly including sound)

PC emulators are screenshot and video capture toys.

Right, that's why I played all of Mana Khemia 2 in PCSX2 instead of my PS2, and why I replayed almost the whole game of Kororinpa on Dolphin (with vastly improved visuals).

 

[imthemaid]

Given the fact that many games run near flawless, given the occasional odd graphics glitch, I find this to be pretty bold.

I'd like to be eventually proven wrong. GC/Wii on a laptop would be very cool.

 

[imthemaid]

What the hell? Both SNES and NES have been 99.9% emulated on PC for years. With additional features like netplay even.
(And Dolphin is getting better every day, and already runs some games flawlessly including sound)

Right, that's why I played all of Mana Khemia 2 in PCSX2 instead of my PS2, and why I replayed almost the whole game of Kororinpa on Dolphin (with vastly improved visuals).

Yes, that probably is why you played them on emulators.

 

[Durante]

Yes, that probably is why you played them on emulators.

What's your point?

 

[imthemaid]

What's your point?

My point is that if you think that SNES and NES emulation on PC is nearly flawless, then I could see how your poor judgement could extend to other decisions.

 

[zweifuss]

I doubt that the emulation will ever be quite there unless Nintendo does it internally. The SNES was never emulated properly until VC. The NES hasn't even been emulated accurately outside of the VC. PC emulators are screenshot and video capture toys. Some of you seem strangely willing to overlook things like sound infidelity, input lag, and all manner of glitches--graphical or otherwise--considering how discriminating your tastes appear to be.

Actually have you tried BSNES? It's pretty much 100% accurate, if you have a good PC. Especially noticeable is the sound emulation, which is spot on.

 

[imthemaid]

Actually have you tried BSNES? It's pretty much 100% accurate, if you have a good PC. Especially noticeable is the sound emulation, which is spot on.

I've heard really good things about bsnes. I've been meaning to try it out. Does it run well on a high-end laptop?

 

[Josh7289]

I doubt that the emulation will ever be quite there unless Nintendo does it internally. The SNES was never emulated properly until VC. The NES hasn't even been emulated accurately outside of the VC. PC emulators are screenshot and video capture toys. Some of you seem strangely willing to overlook things like sound infidelity, input lag, and all manner of glitches--graphical or otherwise--considering how discriminating your tastes appear to be.

VC emulation is not at all accurate from what I've heard.

The most accurate NES and Super NES emulators are Nestopia and bsnes, respectively.

 

[imthemaid]

VC emulation is not at all accurate from what I've heard.

The most accurate NES and Super NES emulators are Nestopia and bsnes, respectively.

I haven't tried bsnes yet, so I guess we're both jumping to conclusions.

 

[Durante]

My point is that if you think that SNES and NES emulation on PC is nearly flawless, then I could see how your poor judgement could extend to other decisions.

Please provide details where the more accurate SNES and NES emulators differ from the original systems (particularly where they do so to a larger extent than VC) before you try to assess my judgement. Thanks.

(Also, try running Kororinpa on Dolphin and tell me any aspect in which it is inferior to playing on the Wii -- otherwise I don't see how it is poor judgement to play it on PC)

 

[brain_stew]

There's no way in hell the VC is the hallmark of emulation. Its good and better than any other commercial emulation solutions, sure, but its still not a patch on what the homebrew community can offer up.

The blurriness of t SNES video output and the "not quite perfect" Genesis sound are two obvious areas where it falls well behind what the PC community has to offer for instance and lets not even get started on the incredible lack of options and configuration on offer.

As far as HLE emulation of 3D systems go, um yeah, Nintendo's N64 emulation is hardly a hallmark of excellence either, though admittedly the progress with N64 emulation in recent years has been very disappointing.

 

[imthemaid]

Please provide details where the more accurate SNES and NES emulators differ from the original systems (particularly where they do so to a larger extent than VC) before you try to assess my judgement. Thanks.

The audio's prone to clipping in both zsnes and snes9x, and is generally inaccurate; both produce blurry visuals, and struggle with tearing and input lag; and the lag becomes even worse when the tearing is minimized with vysnc or buffering.

 

[Major Williams]

sort of reminds me of the fact that the Nintendo Wii could make so much more of a killing if it had the fitness angle AND the HD gaming angle...

 

[imthemaid]

There's no way in hell the VC is the hallmark of emulation. Its good and better than any other commercial emulation solutions, sure, but its still not a patch on what the homebrew community can offer up.

The blurriness of t SNES video output and the "not quite perfect" Genesis sound are two obvious areas where it falls well behind what the PC community has to offer for instance and lets not even get started on the incredible lack of options and configuration on offer.

As far as HLE emulation of 3D systems go, um yeah, Nintendo's N64 emulation is hardly a hallmark of excellence either, though admittedly the progress with N64 emulation in recent years has been very disappointing.

SNES emulation on VC is as visually crisp as the real hardware, while zsnes and snes9x are both a blurry mess. What kind of TV do you use for your classic gaming?

 

[brain_stew]

SNES emulation on VC is as crisp as the real hardware, while zsnes and snes9x are both a blurry mess. What kind of TV do you use for your classic gaming?

I'm not judging this off my own output as the VC is terrible for flat panel gaming, but from the evidence I've seen posted. There is blurring going on in the SNES emulator, though the Genesis output is indeed pixel perfect.