The next version of Convert-It video converter features upscaling provided by waifu2x. It requires a good NVidia GPU..
Waifu2x is a powerful image upscaler for Anime and cartoon based images. What people do not realize is this upscaler also works incredibly well for retro video game graphics.
I've started a project to upscale the standard MAME video distribution. The results are impressive. When complete these will be freely available. I chose to convert them to 800x600 and 600x800 for vertical. This allows for further good upscaling from video players and allows for a faster convert, and also keeps the flavor of the original games.
As always, an EmuMovies subscription is highly recommended but I have created some system platform videos based on the standard MAME Multimedia and this release can download them automatically.
The videos were created with a custom .net app I wrote along with FFMpeg and waifu2x for upscaling.
Hardware:
Intel NUC 8 series, I3, Short
16GB DDR4 SODIMM
Sabrent Rocket Q - 2TB - M2 NVME
Official Microsoft XBOX One controller x 2
15 Foot Micro USB cable x 2
Video processing effects are performed on your GPU and can apply scanlines and video preview and video theme upscaling (look great at 4k). They are enabled under display settings and for advanced users the HLSL .fx files are located in the media folder.
A higher end video card is recommended for the video upscaling to avoid potential slowdown.
New look for GameEx Arcade Edition. When a video theme is not available but you have other artwork a dynamic video theme will be rendered. This works well for systems that have no video themes and also works well for systems that do not have a full collection of video themes with seamless cross fade between the two.
Video recording of your games has been a feature in GameEx for some time. This release makes that feature more accesible with a specific dekstop utility in the start menu program group.
New setting to check for existence of files in map files. Note: This is on by default so you may have to adjest this setting if updating some conigurations.
Gamelauncher mode in GameEx Arcade Edition now has two modes same as regular GameEx, normal and MAME categories.
Please take a moment to think about online activity if your stuck at home. Watch your younger children as usual whilst they seem quiet and occupied. Watch out for an increase in scams and other activity whilst criminals and other undesirables are also loosing income and targets. Watch your own addictions too. If in doubt and you see this post feel free to run it by me. Be safe.
15th February 2020 - Instant Sheller Version 1.10 Includes an implementation of HackBGRT to change the boot logo on Windows 10 UEFI installs (requires secure boot to be disabled). Improved dialog boxes to restart system. Brand new feature to allow command arguments to be set on a shelled application and the ability to undo and reboot on windows startup by tapping the U key. Fixes app locking up on applying and undoing settings.
Just wanted to point out that this is a powerful addition. It can allow control of GameEx and PinballX in lots of ways. It does not require additional hardware. As well as Google assistant, it should work well with many cloud services including Cortana, and Alexa. For common uses use an account at https://ifttt.com.
