Thanks.
The idea is to build a VB mini console based on Raspberry Pi if people are interested. Think my programmer but running Retropie with 3D and VB controller.
For 3D anaglyph, I’m experimenting with the different color options to see which is best. The 3D effect can be quite good. I’ve tried the normal red/cyan and I have green/magenta on the way.
Side-by-side stereo for 3DTVs is even better 3D with shutter glasses. This requires a shader running which looks good so far. It does require the shader to be tweaked per game. I found out that there is a shader distributed with Retropie for this, but an earlier one has user adjustable settings that can be set that will work better for tweaking per game. I’m tweaking the default shader for what I think is best. I’ve done a lot of shader work for HMDs in the past. Once settings are tweaked then a preset config file is made for each game for the best settings to load at bootup.
Mini carts with NFC tags inside that auto launch the VB games is another feature. This auto launch will be particularly important for the side-by-side 3D on 3DTVs. For the SBS mode the regular Retropie menus are not in SBS but the VB output is. So this can be confusing or difficult when moving in and out of the VB emulator versus the regular Retropie menus. The NFC carts can direct launch into the games which operates more like a console and helps with the 3D aspect. For 3D anaglyph, you can still see the regular Retropie menus so its less of a problem. This NFC launching is an idea taken from the NES mini project that did the same.
Then VB controller input via my adapter or even an adapter built into the console. With the adapter built into the console the cables for the VB controller will be short. With the adapter external then a USB cable can be used to extend as long as needed. Still debating the better approach. The integrated adapter is cleaner but with a short cable problem. I’d really like to not have to build extension cables. I’ll be updating my design VB controller USB adapter to not need donor parts if it moves forward on this project.
For the VB mini case the LCD on the back will display the current running game title. I’m open to other suggestions if people think there is better info to display on the LCD.
Wondering what people think about this and if there is more interest now that I’ve shown 3D works? I’m not 100% sure I’m going to do it yet but I’ve obviously started testing and it looks like it can all work. The entire thing would be built from new parts and using no donor parts.
What do people think?
And now on my 3DTV with shutter glasses. Works great. You really need to know what you’re doing in the shader otherwise everything breaks.
Mario Tennis looks crazy good. I can sit on my couch or walk right up to the TV and peer inside. There’s also this cool illusion of perspective shifting when I walk around the room that makes it look like its following me.
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And this looks amazing in red blue 3D. Not only was it 3D on the monitor but I could see it in 3D on my phone when I was taking the picture. 🙂
I do see some games where the stereo separation is too large and hard to fuse. All of that could be tweaked using a shader. Worst case it may be a custom shader per game. Or maybe just a shader that allows the separation to be adjusted. I’ll think more about it.
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My first attempt at SBS shows it can all work. Don’t get too stuck on the image size. That’s all adjustable.
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OK, here’s the one I built with a more regular case. Quite nice. Easier to build and cheaper.
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It was a busy weekend.
