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Author Topic: Best option for emulation on TV?  (Read 5999 times)

dubsmachine (OP)

  • Posts: 208
Best option for emulation on TV?
« on: December 07, 2016, 06:37:58 pm »
Hi all,

Wondering the best option to run emulation on a HD TV.
I want something powerful enough to run Dreamcast / PS2 / Gamecube.

I saw a new device on Indiegogo call Retro Sigma but they dropped Dreamcast support.
Looking for small device and not have whole pc dedicated to it.

I tried my Amazon Fire TV but it wasn't really working well.
Can Raspberry's do the job? Any decent mini PC / Android boxes?

gameblabla

  • Posts: 1445
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2016, 09:22:24 pm »
Without a doubt, the SHIELD TV.
It's the most powerful ARM device on the market and it will run everything you throw at it.
From fullspeed Sega Saturn emulation in FullHD, to Dolphin emulation (the only ARM device to run Dolphin well),
this thing is a beast.
The only downside is that it costs 199$ but if money is not an issue, get it.

The Raspberry Pi 3 isn't very powerful in comparison and it is currently not able to run Dolphin
due to the 32-bits design in the GPU so the OS remains 32-bits, even though it's a 64-bits CPU.
(This will soon be figured out in upstream tho, i hope)
It should be able on the hand to run PPSSPP, Reicast and uoYabause at native resolution with little issues tho,
if you are really careful.

The only PS2 emulator for ARM devices, Play!, does not run very well even on the SHIELD.
If you really want PS2 emulation, you might consider building your own ITX x86 box.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2016, 09:25:49 pm by gameblabla »

SONY

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  • Posts: 1633
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2016, 01:28:04 am »
Is PS3 good?
Nintendo Switch w/ipega PG-9083

SONY PS3 Super Slim
SONY PS4 Slim
SONY PS4 Pro

ALLDOCUBE Mix Plus w/ ipega PG-9023

Apple iPad pro 2019 w/Gamevice (pending)

gameblabla

  • Posts: 1445
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2016, 01:59:50 am »
Is PS3 good?
The PS3 first needs to be hacked, which is not straightforward.
Then there's the lack of emulators like Reicast or Dolphin, as they don't have a PowerPC jit.
He's better off with a SHIELD TV in this case.

You do get in this case PS2 emulation, which is nice i guess.

dubsmachine (OP)

  • Posts: 208
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2016, 07:47:32 am »
The Shield is out for a while right?
 Any news if they will make a new version, I read about the new chipset they are making but no news on what they will put it in.

The current version could work if it's as good as you advise, I'll do some more research on this device.
I love my GPD XD and Win but would prefer to use the tv while at home just for comfort sake.

SONY

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  • Posts: 1633
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2016, 01:22:56 pm »
@dubsmachine

No more Shield tablets and consoles...nVIDIA are concentrating on keeping Nintendo happy with their Nintendo Switch :)
Nintendo Switch w/ipega PG-9083

SONY PS3 Super Slim
SONY PS4 Slim
SONY PS4 Pro

ALLDOCUBE Mix Plus w/ ipega PG-9023

Apple iPad pro 2019 w/Gamevice (pending)

dubsmachine (OP)

  • Posts: 208
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2016, 01:47:14 pm »
Yeah I know they are involved with that, didn't realise it meant the end for their own line too.
Shield TV is looking out of stock most places so maybe running down stock.

gameblabla

  • Posts: 1445
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2016, 07:59:45 pm »
Yeah I know they are involved with that, didn't realise it meant the end for their own line too.
Shield TV is looking out of stock most places so maybe running down stock.
Well, Nvidia quietly cancelled their next android tablet in August.
http://www.gsmarena.com/nvidia_cancels_the_nvidia_shield_tablet_sequel-blog-19923.php

I don't know if they plan on releasing a successor to the SHIELD TV...
but it looks like the next device using a Tegra SoC isn't coming from Nvidia.

I doubt you will find the Shield TV in retail shop, i would suggest you buy it online.
Sadly, as you've noticed, it gets sold really fast....
Here's a refurbished one :
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Streaming-Player-Android-Refurbished/dp/B01MG3S6G2/
« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 08:09:43 pm by gameblabla »

gameblabla

  • Posts: 1445
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2017, 05:23:39 pm »
I just got myself a Raspberry Pi 3 and i'm a bit disappointed by its lack of power,
especially with VC4.
In single-thread, it's not much more powerful than a GCW0 and in GPU performance,
it struggles to run Quake 2.

Definitively do not buy a Raspberry Pi 3 for 128-bits consoles.

Nvidia has relaunched the shield TV but like the rumors predicted, they have not upgraded the specs.
Probably not to make Nintendo angry but with its GPU clocked at 1Ghz, it's still more powerful than the Switch stuck at 720 Mhz.
(LOL)
You should be able to find it again now

dubsmachine (OP)

  • Posts: 208
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2017, 06:06:13 pm »
I just got a 2017 Shield TV today, in progress on setting up and copying roms and emu's.
I'll update once I've tested it but prob be a couple of days.

gameblabla

  • Posts: 1445
Re: Best option for emulation on TV?
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2017, 08:08:41 am »
I just got a 2017 Shield TV today, in progress on setting up and copying roms and emu's.
I'll update once I've tested it but prob be a couple of days.
Hey @dubsmachine, were you able to set it up ?
How great is it ? I'm curious because i don't have one.