Duimon - HSM Mega Bezel Graphics and Presets - Feedback and Updates

[Vriom]

Yeah, you have to pick your consistencies. If you want every preset in your collection to have the same base interface, you have to ignore the native resolution of the source consoles. If you decide to respect the native resolution above all else and stick to integer scaling, your preset interfaces will fluctuate. If you want your presets to have the same curvature and and image quality and be predictable to the user, you’ll have to ignore the evolution of screens from the 1970s and into the 21st century.

And as long as you stick to your chosen principles, you’re not wrong. But you’re also never right. Just the nature of the beast.

[Duimon]

@SiriusVI

I can’t imagine playing retro games without them anymore.

Thank you for the kind words. It has been the ultimate pleasure serving this community.

From a real-world perspective, even the LCD, but especially the CRT systems… actually suffer from Integer scale. Retroarch uses the pixel ratio for CRT systems and in the real world it was stretched to fit the TV or monitor.

Just because some system used an oddball aspect ratio, the resulting image was not cropped in any way. Even early PC monitors didn’t crop the screen (Because the OS wasn’t able to control the output, or draw to the entire limits of the screen.)

From a shader perspective (Micro), a lot of issues can be solved using integer scale, so I am glad the option is there, but from a realism point of view (Macro) I think it defeats the purpose.

[SiriusVI]

I prefer the stretched image, too, because that’s how it was in the real world and how I remember the games looking. Maybe I don’t understand correctly, but stretchig / not stretching the horizontal aspect is different from integer scaling, right?

I mean, I can choose to enable integer scaling in retroarch and still choose different aspect ratios that will stretch the screen.

For CRT shaders, it’s enough to have integer scaling on the y-axis, so the scanlines align correctly. Stretching the image along the x-axis has no negative effects to my knowledge.

For LCD shaders, I do think, it’s necessary to have integer scaling enabled, because if not, there are these weird colorization issues and it’s very distracting.

For PC-systems like DOS, I don’t actually know. I think they look infinitely better with your shaders, but I had discussions on Discord about this, and there are DOS-purists out there who won’t have any of that. They argue that the pixels get distorted with shaders like that. But I don’t know, man, I have eyes and DOS-games on a modern TV screen look rough without shaders.

[Banish3d]

It’s just my two cents but Duimon / Mega Bezel / CRT Guest did a amazing job at reproducing real CRT, i don’t need to play on a real one anymore.

For some weird aspect ratio (like PC-88/PC-98 or some Arcade game), i just tweak some settings with either core option or shader parameters, i always find a solution and i got at least 36 systems pretty accurately done (console/computer/handheld).

I learn a lot about technical aspect on each system i got because of that, it really helped.

Interlaced and Double Scan (for 480p DOS game) is the most tricky for me because there is currently a bug in Megabezel and you need to fiddle some value to make it work (you need to change res sampling multiplier to 101 and interlaced mode to 5), it’s fine for 480i/480p all alone but it’s not perfect on game with switch resolution (240p/480i in a lot of PS1/Saturn game) because scanline cannot be perfectly aligned for 240p content.

I mean it will never be the same as a real CRT, but it’s perfect for me because i can combine RGB color output and Composite effect (NTSC preset) for good pixel blending, dithering and mesh transparency + some artifact for 8/16 bits consoles/computer on the same shader.

I hope this project still continue in the future, thanks Duimon and everyone else on this big project.

[jferdz]

Hi @Duimon , I’m looking for a way to change the default bezel included in your preset pack. I’d like to know which file to modify and which line to change so that the current bezel points to the HSM Mega Bezel stock bezel, while still using the Duimon Mega Bezel shader settings.

I want to achieve this for handheld consoles (GB/GBC/GBA/DS/3DS); here are the presets I’m currently using:

Gameboy-[STD]-[LCD-GRID]

GBC-[STD]-[LCD-GRID]

GBA-[STD]-[LCD-GRID]

NDS_Hybrid-[STD]-[Guest]

3DS-[STD]-[Guest]

Here is a Photoshop-edited image showing a visual representation of what I’m looking for (it’s not exact, but it’s an approximation).

[Cyber]

@jferdz

I’m looking for a way to change the default bezel included in your preset pack. I’d like to know which file to modify and which line to change so that the current bezel points to the HSM Mega Bezel stock bezel, while still using the Duimon Mega Bezel shader settings.

As I said before, Duimon - HSM Mega Bezel Graphics without the background Graphics and CyberLab Mega Bezel Death To Pixels without the CRT screen effects, is just Mega Bezel.

Mega Bezel Reflection Shader! - Feedback and Updates

[Mega_Bezel_Logo] Mega Bezel CRT Simulator This thread is about the Mega Bezel Reflection Shader for Retroarch! Here you can tell me what’s working for you and what could be better. If you are wondering “What is this thing?” here’s a nice little overview up sharing our ideas around the Mega Bezel project and some of its features: RetroArch – Introducing the Mega Bezel Reflection Shader – Libretro This shader package is meant for you to experiment with and make your own creations if you like.…

It’s already included in RetroArch just read the first post and the readme.md.

If you read those resources, you’d know exactly what to do. Or at least would be asking a different question if you did and still didn’t understand.

[jferdz]

Hi @Cyber , thanks for the reply. I understand your suggestion to read the readme file, but since I’m noticing a recurring pattern, I want to clarify my stance: the documentation for HSM Mega Bezel and its derivative projects is remarkably extensive—to the point where it can overwhelm a casual, non-technical user. While I’ve read parts of the “readme.md” and CyberLab’s post, I haven’t finished reading everything for two reasons. First, as I mentioned, the documentation is dense and lengthy, and I didn’t find what I was looking for there—which is why I came here to ask after reading the essentials. Second, I’m not looking to become an expert on HSM Mega Bezel or earn a “mastery” that requires hours of reading and research; I end up jumping between readme files, posts, and Git repositories without getting anywhere. This is just my personal perspective, of course; other users might have better luck navigating the readme.md and the initial post (though it’s still not entirely clear exactly which source you’re pointing me to—I assume you mean the specific readme.md for CyberLab’s and the specific post where I downloaded it). I believe my question could be answered with direct instructions right here, rather than just being pointed to sources that leave me wandering through walls of text and hours of research. I’m really hoping for a straightforward guide rather than just a reference to a source; from my point of view, what I’m asking for is something that could be answered with a clear explanation and guidance within this very thread.

I wanted to focus on handhelds this time because Duimon has settings I’m interested in keeping. I’m not entirely sure, but judging by the screenshots I uploaded (specifically for DS/3DS), it looks like there’s more going on than just the stock HSM Mega Bezel setup, so your recommendation to simply use the “Base” version wouldn’t achieve the result I’m looking for. I apologize if I’ve been a nuisance regarding this topic; I was simply hoping for direct answers here rather than an invitation to do a more complex research. I have great appreciation for the work the community has accomplished with shaders and presets—especially iconic projects like those by @HyperspaceMadness , @Duimon , and you @Cyber . I don’t mean to bother any further with this; perhaps the whole custom shader and preset scene just isn’t for me. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Cyber]

@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

@jferdz

I’m not entirely sure, but judging by the screenshots I uploaded (specifically for DS/3DS), it looks like there’s more going on than just the stock HSM Mega Bezel setup, so your recommendation to simply use the “Base” version wouldn’t achieve the result I’m looking for.

Why even doubt me when you clearly seem to be confused by the documentation? I don’t think I gave you any wrong information based on my experience with both Mega Bezel and Duimon’s presets. Mega Bezel is the engine behind Duimon’s presets and he has admitted to leaving things mostly stock, apart from the background graphics, lighting, placement and those elements. What you’re seeing in those photoshop edited images is the work of both the DS Core’s output settings, which cater for different dual screen output configurations as well as the default Mega Bezel behaviour of drawing a procedurally generated reflective bezel around said game content viewports. More than one screen is in fact officially supported by Mega Bezel. The carbon fiber background which is in your edited photo, is Mega Bezel’s stock, default background.

Mega Bezel and it’s presets are already on your system since Duimon’s backgrounds require it to work and it is installed automatically once you update your slang shaders using the online updater.

How hard is it to just load a Mega Bezel Preset and see what happens for yourself?

[madspace]

The duimon shaders have been working great, but what do I do for Retroarch cores that don’t have built-in composite shaders? Usually I append a composite shader over a blargg shader to achieve both effects, but it doesn’t seem to work here since MegaBezel completely overwrites the shaders under it. Saturn, Super Gameboy, N64, etc were designed with composite output in mind so it would be nice if the duimon presets supported that look.

[Banish3d]

@madspace

The duimon shaders have been working great, but what do I do for Retroarch cores that don’t have built-in composite shaders? Usually I append a composite shader over a blargg shader to achieve both effects, but it doesn’t seem to work here since MegaBezel completely overwrites the shaders under it. Saturn, Super Gameboy, N64, etc were designed with composite output in mind so it would be nice if the duimon presets supported that look.

It does support composite preset, but you’ll have to enable it manually.

To achieve that, you have to go in your shaders folder : Duimon-Mega-Bezel-main\Presets\Advanced then choose your Console after that, choose your shader and then with notepad open it.

When your in it, at lines #reference “…/…/…/zzz_global_params/Base_Shader/ADV_Bezel.slangp” add // before it to disable it.

Then at line //#reference “…/…/…/zzz_global_params/Local_Shader/ADV_06.slangp” remove // to enable this line.

After that, to add composite effect change ADV_06 to ADV_09, after saving it, you will have more options to tweak in Parameters shader on Retroarch.

[madspace]

I use the lite shaders, so it amounted to switching the local shader from 01 to 02. But it worked, thanks! However there’s noticeably more lag on Saturn and N64 with the NTSC settings on.

[Duimon]

Thanks for chiming in.

I have comments in the preset that explain this, but few users read the actual preset.

There are also post about this, but they are years ago.

It’s nice that we have this platform so experienced users can provide help.

[Duimon]

There is no very easy way to get this done, but my preset settings are grouped in to scaling parameters etc. if you cut and paste the correct group into a saved Mega Bezel preset it should be relatively easy.

Alternatively, you could make a copy of my preset and comment out the lines that have to do with graphics and bezel parameters.

It occurs to me that you might get exactly what you want by loading the correct Mega Bezel preset and tweaking the parameters, HSM has provided presets for specific systems, like the 3DS, which work out of the gate.

[Banish3d]

Thats normal to getting more lag, shaders with NTSC preset demands more resources, combined with N64 or Saturn, or even more demanding console like PS2 or Gamecube, it can be pretty intensive.

[madspace]

I’ve been trying out the duimon koko-aio presets for the newer consoles since they’re less resource intensive. But unlike MegaBezel there’s no option to change the crt mask and the default one isn’t as good, and I’ve seen other koko-aio presets with different masks like monitor-bloom-bezel. Could the duimon ones be changed to have a trinitron-like crt mask?

[Banish3d]

@madspace

I’ve been trying out the duimon koko-aio presets for the newer consoles since they’re less resource intensive. But unlike MegaBezel there’s no option to change the crt mask and the default one isn’t as good, and I’ve seen other koko-aio presets with different masks like monitor-bloom-bezel. Could the duimon ones be changed to have a trinitron-like crt mask?

You can check out Death to Pixels shader from Cyber, there is a Megabezel compatible one : CyberLab Death To Pixels Shader Preset Packs

You can even combined it with Duimon, just have to redirect your Death to Pixel Shader in your Duimon Shader, in this line : #reference “…/…/…/zzz_global_params/Base_Shader/ADV_Bezel.slangp” (disabled the other one like i said in my previous post).

[madspace]

I found the crt mask settings for koko-aio. 08 looks good. The integer scaling seems to work differently from MegaBezel but the emulators are running a lot more smoothly now!

[madspace]

Are the MegaBezel presets compatible with any subframe BFI or is it only koko-aio?

[Duimon]

It is not built-in and you can’t add it via normal methods. We’ll have to hope HSM decides to update the Mega Bezel at some point.

RL takes precedence over our hobbies sometimes, even those we are extremely passionate about.

[madspace]

Yeah I figured koko-aio is a lot easier to work with for BFI. Thanks!