CyberLab Death To Pixels Shader Preset Packs

[Cyber]

Here’s an example of my setup when it comes to scaling and latency. I intend to publish these so that users can have as great of an experience as I do.

If not using VRR then Set Automatic Frame Delay to On.

PSA for 1440p Users:

From the user pagge from Discord:

I think I got it to a comfortable place? This screenshot isn’t really doing it justice because the color is actually somewhat dependent on the BFI and screenshotting doesn’t preserve that darkening. miniLED 4K HDR Game BFI SNES 3D Comb Filter CyberTron Epic starter preset, I have it set at display resolution 1080p, 600TVL, peak at 1250, paper at 800, RGB subpixel, with 180hz BFI 1 frame of insertion. It’s enough that there’s visible improvements to motion clarity but the colors still feel good

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/662208336984277012/1426559604485128293/20251011_091755.jpg?ex=68ec5369&is=68eb01e9&hm=36c3f2d86320db9bcb73a7cbcb48729a5e4a688538c25bd2fd0a577957e97cc6&

AOC Q27G40XMN, HDR calibrated to 1250 nits, HDR game mode with local dimming on strong. Frankly the most flexible display I’ve used, and getting a gorgeous crt image with decent motion handling has been my last grail.

To be honest I don’t actually know the sub pixel layout. I thought VA was RGB and I just set to that.

I’m very unfamiliar with using shader packs properly and in general find retroarch daunting to work with, but the quality of your work here is obvious. Well done on these!

[Cyber]

If you’re using my Sony Megatron presets and you want more “bleed”, you can lower the NTSC Resolution Scaling, NTSC Chroma Scaling / Bleeding (2-phase), NTSC Chroma Scaling / Bleeding (3-Phase) and / or NTSC Sharpness (Negative: Adaptive) Shader Parameters.

[Nesguy]

IMO we shouldn’t set Peak or Paper White Luminance higher than the max nits of the display in order to avoid all clipping (maintain saturation) and maintain contrast ratio. Contrast should usually be at 5.00 or within a couple notches. In my recent tests I didn’t find much benefit in going higher- just ruined the black level further.

Raising max luminance or paper luminance too high is a lot like adjusting the bright boosts in the shader too high, in my experience. There are tricks you can do with the scanlines/mask to maintain shade separation in clipped colors, but it’s not as good as just actually maintaining distinct color and brightness values for those shades.

I’ve only been testing things on an HDR1000 display, maybe more tricks are needed for other tiers of HDR.

The settings in your screenshots match my setup exactly, except I only use integer scaling on the Y axis so games can be arbitrary stretched horizontally to get to a 4:3 ratio.

[Cyber]

@Nesguy

IMO we shouldn’t set Peak or Paper White Luminance higher than the max nits of the display in order to avoid all clipping (maintain saturation) and maintain contrast ratio. Contrast should usually be at 5.00 or within a couple notches. In my recent tests I didn’t find much benefit in going higher- just ruined the black level further.

Of course, this is why my previous OLED designed HDR presets had a peak brightness of 630 nits, which matches the RTINGS Real Scene brightness performance of about 634-637 nits.

You can’t get the display to go any higher than it can deliver.

If you were on the Discord, you’ll see that just recently, I had this same conversation with an LG C4 owner who greatly overestimated his TV’s abilities, arbitrarily calibrating it to 1,000 nits when according to RTINGS it could barely do 900 nits on a 2% or 10% Window before dropping off very precipitously to less than 500 nits at any higher window size.

[PU786]

If RetroArch is using HDR10 PQ, and not HLG, shouldn’t Paper White always be set to 200 nits regardless of your panels peak nits? (203 nits to be precise, not sure if you can edit that in the settings file.)

[Cyber]

That’s not how it works. We’re not really trying to calibrate to any standards here. We’re just piggy-backing on HDR in order to unlock the most brightness out of our HDR displays in order to compensate for the brightness loss caused by trying to draw an image on the screen using an extremely high percentage of dark coloured and black subpixels, which make up the Mask, Phosphors and Scanlines.

The peak we enter determines the absolute maximum of the highlights we can display, while the paper white determines the overall brightness of the screen.

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Hi!

I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me.

I have 2 simples doubts about the installation of the four miniLED and NX preset packs.

1. It says on the post: “After downloading, copy the “crt-guest-advanced-2024-02-29-release1” folder into the “…\Retroarch\shaders_slang” folder”. But the correct is copy the CONTENT of the “crt-guest-advanced-2024…” folder to the \Retroarch\shaders_slang\crt\ folder and overwrite the existing files, right?

2. The same goes for the “hdr_crt-sony-megatron-5.7_CBL_mod” folder. What I have to do? Move the content of the folder to the \Retroarch\shaders_slang\hdr\ folder and overwrite the files?

Thanks a lot!

[Cyber]

@DiegoBRRSPF

I have 2 simples doubts about the installation of the four miniLED and NX preset packs.

1. It says on the post: “After downloading, copy the “crt-guest-advanced-2024-02-29-release1” folder into the “…\Retroarch\shaders_slang” folder”. But the correct is copy the CONTENT of the “crt-guest-advanced-2024…” folder to the \Retroarch\shaders_slang\crt\ folder and overwrite the existing files, right?
2. The same goes for the “hdr_crt-sony-megatron-5.7_CBL_mod” folder. What I have to do? Move the content of the folder to the \Retroarch\shaders_slang\hdr\ folder and overwrite the files?

There is no error in the installation instructions for any of the preset packs listed here.

You seem to be overthinking while you just need to follow the few simple steps.

From my W420M preset pack onward, the crt-guest-advanced-2024-02-29-release1 is included so you don’t really need to fetch it and install it in the correct folder.

So, download zip file containing preset pack. Open or extract it.

You’ll see a Shaders Folder in the zip file. Copy that into your RetroArch Installation folder (It may not necessarily be named RetroArch.)

Installation:

To install these presets copy the “Shaders” folder into the “…\RetroArch” folder.

[Cyber]

Another good example of Composite Video on a CRT.

https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/s/GFMZT41NTF

https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/s/W43Tn9Xdxg

[Cyber]

CyberLab CRT-Consumer-1W-NTSC-XL Genesis Composite RC3.slangp

#reference "shaders_slang/crt/crt-consumer-1w-ntsc-XL.slangp"
N_SYSTEM = "1.000000"
COMB = "0.900000"
u_gamma = "0.950000"
Luma_bw = "2.400000"
Chroma_bw = "2.149999"
U_RADIUS = "8.000000"
c_gain = "2.150000"
u_sharp = "0.490000"
u_warp = "0.000000"
u_scan = "0.300000"
u_mask = "0.450000"
u_wid = "3.000000"
u_deconv = "0.100000"

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Thank you for your response. The point was that I saw the Retro Crisis video and things got confused. But it’s all clear now, thanks a lot.

By the way, a last question: I really like the 4K optimized “CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Smooth__ADV” and “CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Sharp__ADV” presets for DOS and Windows 95/98 games. But when I use them in a game with a “higher” resolution like 1024x768 (instead of 640x480, for instance) the window became very small, I understand because the shader adapts with the resolution. But if I use the “pure” Mega Bezel MBZ__0__SMOOTH-ADV preset, for instance, this doesn’t happen - the screen remains full no matter the resolution.

Is there a way to keep the window full with the Cyberlab presets?

Thanks a lot!

[Cyber]

@DiegoBRRSPF

But when I use them in a game with a “higher” resolution like 1024x768 (instead of 640x480, for instance) the window became very small, I understand because the shader adapts with the resolution. But if I use the “pure” Mega Bezel MBZ__0__SMOOTH-ADV preset, for instance, this doesn’t happen - the screen remains full no matter the resolution.

Is there a way to keep the window full with the Cyberlab presets?

Hmmm…this might be due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of my presets use Integer Scale mode. You can probably adjust the size of the screen by adjusting the Integer Scale Offset. Or just change Integer Scale Mode to Non-Integer Scale mode.

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Hi @Cyber!

As a matter of fact I’m already using Integer Scale OFF, as making it ON only makes the things even smaller (BTW, I believe Mega Bezel install instructions includes making the Integer Scale OFF)

Here is my “default” settings:

Now some screenshots to help (Windows 98 installation on Dosbox-pure Core with a 1024x768 resolution on Windows desktop):

"Pure" Meg Bezel presets with Integer Scale OFF

“MBZ__0__SMOOTH-ADV” preset with 640x480 in-game resolution - Integer Scale OFF

“MBZ__0__SMOOTH-ADV” preset with 1024x768 in-game resolution - Integer Scale OFF

Please notice that only the game window has changed - naturally, the lower resolution makes the game “less zoomed”.

Now the CyberLab presets with Integer Scale OFF:

“CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Smooth__ADV” preset with 640x480 in-game resolution - Integer Scale OFF

“CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Smooth__ADV” preset with 1024x768 in-game resolution - Integer Scale OFF

And the CyberLab presets with Integer Scale ON:

“CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Smooth__ADV” preset with 640x480 in-game resolution - Integer Scale ON

“CyberLab__Computer-Monitor-Smooth__ADV” preset with1024x768 in-game resolution - Integer Scale ON

Please notice that, for instance, the smooth preset with Integer Scale ON (on both in-game resolutions) not only turn out the smallest window, but the background doesn’t even fill the entire screen (I’m using a 4K OLED TV).

Any ideas?

Thanks a lot!

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Hi @Cyber!

Sorry, when you said “Integer Scale Offset” or “Integer Scale Mode” you were refering to the settings below, right?

If I change the Integer Scale Mode to OFF, it works as I wanted to:

On the other hand, if I change the “Integer Scale Offset” from 0 to 1 (for instance), the screen change like this (the screen goes beyond the limit):

And by the way, If I change the Base Integer …% from 89 to some other value, nothing happens UNTIL it does (I believe from around 105) - when the screen appears exactly like the image above.

[Cyber]

@Cyber

Hmmm…this might be due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of my presets use Integer Scale mode. You can probably adjust the size of the screen by adjusting the Integer Scale Offset. Or just change Integer Scale Mode to Non-Integer Scale mode.

Non of these settings I’m referring to are in the Settings–»Video–»Scaling Menu. They are all Shader Parameters.

Quick Menu–»Shaders–»Shader Parameters

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Hi @Cyber!

Please, a word of advice. I want to play only with the TV border, not the entire external bezel.

To do so, I just changed Settings > Video > Scalling > Aspect Ratio from “Full” to “Core provided”. In doing so, I got this:

After that, I just changed the “BACKGROUND LAYER” > “Opacity” from 100.00 to 0.00.

And the result is what I wanted:

BUT, maybe there’s a catch - as I changed the aspect ratio (Mega Bezel recommends the “Full” option), is there any undesired effects on the game itself (the main window I mean) in doing that (not only for this core, any other core)? Or the “Full” option is really just to show the Bezel?

Thanks in advance!

[Cyber]

@DiegoBRRSPF

is there any undesired effects on the game itself (the main window I mean) in doing that (not only for this core, any other core)? Or the “Full” option is really just to show the Bezel?

Mega Bezel uses its own Scaling parameters for various functions so Aspect Ratio needs to be set to Full in the Settings–»Video–»Scaling Menu in order to bypass the Aspect Ratio settings there.

You don’t need to interfere with the Scaling settings to turn off or alter the visibility of the Background Graphic.

All layers can be adjusted by using the controls in their sections.

I suggest you familiarize yourself with the Mega Bezel readme.

@HyperspaceMadness

RETROARCH SETUP

• Do all of the following before loading content
  • Set the Video Driver
    • Set video driver to Vulkan or GLCore if Vulkan is not available
    • It will run in GLCore but seems faster in Vulkan
    • D3D IS NOT RECOMMENDED . If it loads in D3D it has a VERY slow load time
    • Restart Retroarch after changing the video driver
• Video Scaling
  • Open the Settings Menu and Set:
    • User Interface / Show Advanced Settings to ON
    • Video /

@HyperspaceMadness

LOADING AND SAVING PRESETS

• Load a preset in the shaders menu.
  • The Mega Bezel shader presets are found in: Retroarch/shaders/shaders_slang/bezel/Mega_Bezel/Presets
• IMPORTANT!! When saving a preset make sure you have the Simple Presets feature set to ON
  • This will save a preset with a reference to the preset you loaded plus whatever parameter changes you made
  • This keeps your presets loading properly when the shader updates in the future

@HyperspaceMadness

EDITING PRESETS

• You can then open this Simple Preset file and add other parameter adjustments or set textures as you see fit. E.G. add the following lines to change the background image:
  • BackgroundImage = "MyImage.jpg"
• Or change the path indicated on the #reference line to point at a different base preset

@HyperspaceMadness

For details see the README here https://github.com/HyperspaceMadness/Mega_Bezel

[DiegoBRRSPF]

Hi @Cyber!

Thanks, you’re always helpful.

I apologize, but I forgot another important detail about why I find it interesting to leave the Aspect Ratio setting as “Core provided”. Although I primarily use the CyberLab presets, I have a few others installed, and all of them require to have the Aspect Ratio as “Core provided” (if it’s on “Full”, naturally, the image streches over the screen using those shaders).

Therefore, it would be beneficial for me to leave the Aspect Ratio as “Core provided” so I don’t have to change this setting depending on the shader being used.

That’s why I tried setting the aspect ratio to “Core provided” and tweaking the remaining border settings until it looked the way I wanted.

As it has to be “Full” on the Cyberlab shaders, any ideas on how to reconcile the use of both shaders?

[Cyber]

@DiegoBRRSPF

Cyberlab shaders

There are no CyberLab Shaders, only Presets (Settings) for shaders made by other people.

You do realize that you are asking primarily about Mega Bezel Reflection Shader functionality but this is not the Mega Bezel Reflection Shader thread.

I hardly use Mega Bezel Reflection Shader anymore so for me to answer many of your questions, I actually have to go looking in the places you should be looking and asking.

In my case, if I have to switch Scaling settings to use a border shader, I just go to the menu and make the change. My default settings are based on what I primarily use.

[Cyber]

https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/s/6HRXfMQPZG