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- RetroUSB AVS - Real Hardware HDMI NES Clone Console

R

Rich!

Member
New002 said:
I wanna say for this it was just cost prohibitive. Would have made each unit too expensive.
Click to expand...

Not just that, but scaling to 720p works better than 1080p, especially with scanlines....unless I'm mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong here)

There's a reason the framemeister is best at 720p as scanlines do not render properly in 1080p.
 
N

New002

Member
dose said:
Price is far far too high imo, for what it is. I'll pass thanks.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at all the comparable options and I'm not sure how you arrived at this conclusion. Unless you just mean that in general you don't put a lot of value on an HDMI NES. That I can understand. It's certainly not for everyone.
 
dcx4610

dcx4610

Member
For those asking why not 1080p, it's a scaling issue. The NES resolution is 256x240.

240 does not multiply into 1080. 240 does however multiply into 720. For proper/pure scaling, you need 720.

There would be no benefit to having 1080p and it would introduce problems.
 
R

Rich!

Member
dcx4610 said:
For those asking why not 1080p, it's a scaling issue. The NES resolution is 256x240.

240 does not multiply into 1080. 240 does however multiply into 720. For proper/pure scaling, you need 720.

There would be no benefit to having 1080p and it would introduce problems.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I assumed. Thanks for the info to back it up
 
K

KiraXD

Member
Sectorseven said:
Why no analog RGB in addition to HDMI? I mean, if you're already spending $200 on an NES, seems like a feature you'd want.
Click to expand...

yeah :(

I have a pretty awesome 27" CRT (with component in) ive been waiting to hook up some retro consoles to... This thing looked great... but without that analog im thinking ill have to keep looking for original consoles with RGB mods.
 
StereoVsn

StereoVsn

Member
I really hope that these guys do well enough that they consider SNES (or Genesis) version. Still going to buy NES Classic for presents but now considering this for myself. Don't have a lot of carts for NES though vs SNES/GBA/Genesis.
 
T

TSM

Member
Sectorseven said:
Why no analog RGB in addition to HDMI? I mean, if you're already spending $200 on an NES, seems like a feature you'd want.
Click to expand...

I'm not seeing the problem. This is a videophile console, and ideally you would stay digital and feed the HDMI signal into a high quality DAC which would output RGB to feed your CRT.
 
M

Mega

Banned
There are very few people who could take advantage of RGB with a compatible CRT, so the omission makes sense. And this console is aimed squarely at playing on HDTVs, always has been. Throwing in Component I would understand a little better. There are HDMI to Analog converters with very minimal lag out there for those of you who wanna use this with a CRT. I've done this with my N64 Ultra HDMI out of curiosity to see if it works.

16-bit FPGA emulation is not far along enough to be a good experience and would add significantly to the cost of this system.

dcx4610 said:
For those asking why not 1080p, it's a scaling issue. The NES resolution is 256x240.

240 does not multiply into 1080. 240 does however multiply into 720. For proper/pure scaling, you need 720.

There would be no benefit to having 1080p and it would introduce problems.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 1080p is a janky resolution for scaling old 240p games.

After a certain point, there's also no benefit to greaterresolutions for NES graphics. At 240p, modern TVs have trouble upscaling to HD with the results being ugly artifacts, blurry graphics and added lag from processing the low res signal. 720p on the other hand is something the average TV upscales very nicely to 1080p and 4K with minimal/no problems. Therefore HD+ res is just a big unnecessary increase in processing power and more expensive parts.

mr jones said:
I don't think this can be said enough.

It's amazing that this is still considered a niche market. Bruh. All of the folks who played this thing are in their 30s and 40s. They still play games. They have disposable income. And you'd be tapping into their childhood.

Can you imagine if Sega released another Sonic or Streets of Rage title on the Genesis? If Yacht Club released a spin off Shovel Knight game on the Super Nintendo? Capcom released a Mega Man game on the NES? People would lose their shit.

They're cartridge systems. They'll last longer than any Playstation or Xbox. Millions of folks have them. WHY aren't there more than 1 or 2 indie developers making games for them? Why isn't Nintendo and Sega capitalizing on upgraded hardware?

I just don't understand...
Click to expand...

Look at the some of the odd responses and questions in this thread, on a hardcore video game enthusiast website of all places. Gaffers who primarily read frontpage Gaming will not get why this exists, why it isn't 1080p, why it doesn't have SNES and Genesis support, etc. The YouTube/Instagram retro crowd would be absolutely baffled why this isn't $50 like a crappy Retron.

This thing is awesome but it has no market outside of the hardcore niche within the retro niche of the video game hobby. So forget mainstream audiences. Virtual console games on a modern Nintendo console or an official all-in-one solution like the NES Mini are really as deep as they would get invested.
 
B

Brandson

Member
How do you actually order/pre-order this thing? People say it's sold out, but where is that information even posted? There is also mention of a newsletter. Where is that exactly? The retrousb.com website doesn't have any of that information.
 
R

r3n4ud

Member
Brandson said:
How do you actually order/pre-order this thing? People say it's sold out, but where is that information even posted? There is also mention of a newsletter. Where is that exactly? The retrousb.com website doesn't have any of that information.
Click to expand...
Preorder isn't up yet.
 
E

Einhandr

Member
Brandson said:
How do you actually order/pre-order this thing? People say it's sold out, but where is that information even posted? There is also mention of a newsletter. Where is that exactly? The retrousb.com website doesn't have any of that information.
Click to expand...

I think they were referring to the Retrovision HD cables.

Preorders for the AVS haven't gone up yet.
 
D

DarkConfidant

Member
dcx4610 said:
For those asking why not 1080p, it's a scaling issue. The NES resolution is 256x240.

240 does not multiply into 1080. 240 does however multiply into 720. For proper/pure scaling, you need 720.

There would be no benefit to having 1080p and it would introduce problems.
Click to expand...

1080p? Screw that. I want 240p RGB output. :eek:
 
BobbyColtrane

BobbyColtrane

Member
How do you guys recommending cleaning my old carts in the meantime to ensure this thing stays in tip-top shape?

When I was a kid I used alcohol and a Q-Tip but I'm sure someone will tell me that is awful lol.
 
B

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
BobbyColtrane said:
How do you guys recommending cleaning my old carts in the meantime to ensure this thing stays in tip-top shape?

When I was a kid I used alcohol and a Q-Tip but I'm sure someone will tell me that is awful lol.
Click to expand...
No that's just fine.
 
P

Peltz

Member
Rich! said:
As stated three times now, no. This is entirely new custom made hardware.
Click to expand...
How is that possible? I'm not questioning it the legitimacy, I just don't understand how they are able to acquire the parts necessary to manufacture these consoles. Do they still make the processor in the NES for other electronics?

That's quite a feat either way. I'm really glad to see new NES hardware that doesn't rely on emulation (although I'm still respectfully passing on it).
 
C

Crazymoogle

Member
Peltz said:
How is that possible? I'm not questioning it the legitimacy, I just don't understand how they are able to acquire the parts necessary to manufacture these consoles. Do they still make the processor in the NES for other electronics?
Click to expand...

Some parts are still available, some parts are new but based on existing schematics, but the processor is an FPGA, meaning it can be programmed to behave like the NES 6502. The 6502 is incredibly simple compared to today's advanced microprocessors so a miracle isn't exactly needed to replicate it, and I'm guessing all of the patents have long expired.
 
StereoVsn

StereoVsn

Member
Crazymoogle said:
Yeah, don't have enough SQLs to pay for this right now. Looks exciting though, probably in for the second production run
Click to expand...
This is when you spin up another instance in AWS or Azure... Seriously, now days, there is no reason for these shenanigans with load for shopping carts.
 
Ceallach

Ceallach

Smells like fresh rosebuds
This is cool, but I just like playing on original hardware. I know this is way superior to my NES and Sharp Twin, but I just like them.
 
StAidan

StAidan

Member
Peltz said:
How is that possible? I'm not questioning it the legitimacy, I just don't understand how they are able to acquire the parts necessary to manufacture these consoles. Do they still make the processor in the NES for other electronics?

That's quite a feat either way. I'm really glad to see new NES hardware that doesn't rely on emulation (although I'm still respectfully passing on it).
Click to expand...

While the NES processor (called the 6502) is still manufactured and used today for many purposes, this particular product (the AVS) doesn't use it. It uses a piece of hardware called a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which is an integrated circuit that can be programmed through firmware to mimic something else.

That's why some folks are referring to the AVS as hardware-based emulation. To some extent that's true, but I think that characterization minimizes the unprecedented accuracy we can expect to see from it.
 
N

New002

Member
Ceallach said:
This is cool, but I just like playing on original hardware. I know this is way superior to my NES and Sharp Twin, but I just like them.
Click to expand...

I'll sit it on top of my toaster NES. Close enough for me :p

I struggled between purchasing this or purchasing a kit and having it installed for similar reasons. Decided to just go with the AVS.
 
I

inner-G

Banned
Those pics in the OP look way nicer standing still than in motion:

kPtpVVl.jpg
 
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