RetroN5: Hands on first look

[Satoshi_Matrix]

NES.emu is the best NES emulator for Ouya. You shouldn't have any issues with it running any game that's part of goodNES.

As of the current version, there is controller lag if you use the stock Ouya controller with it. It's not the Ouya's fault - its a failing of the emulator. I have emailed the author and he assures me that this will be fixed in the next revision. For now though, you can use pretty much ANY other controller and it should function correctly.

[Natty Bumppo]

The retron5 is intriguing for my particular situation.

I am a pretty old geezer and didn't grow up with computers - while I can navigate the basics around a computer and am pretty well versed in excel (I can make nifty hex grid maps in excel if that is of any value) I wouldn't have the foggiest about how to deal with roms and emulators if you put a light gun to my head. I am content to surf the net on my chromebook - while it is limited in what it can do in lieu of a laptop it seems to work eminently well in surfing the net - better than my previous (and now deceased) laptop in some ways.

So I much prefer to play my games on the original format (more or less - I have no problem playing translated or homebrew games on repro cartridges - as long as someone else makes them!).

If this indeed does save a game for the duration that you are playing it, that would be great - as others have mentioned it would save me from the tedious (not to mention expensive if you have a large number of carts - which I do) task of replacing batteries.

If I were to get one it would (for now) replace my snes/super 8 converter. While the super 8 functions it has a couple of liabilities - you almost need a crowbar to get the games out and the connections are wonky on it - wiggle it and you often lose the signal. then you get to wiggle it until you get it to work again. Even more aggravating than getting that GD blacksmith in Shining Force II to give you a decent weapon. Space is at a premium since I like to keep all of my systems hooked up and ready to go. The back of my audio receiver looks like the kraken from Clash of the Titans has escaped again.

It terms of a CRT that is my preferred method of viewing - not only for games but for my laserdisc and dvd collections (I have several thousand of each of those) and I am not ready to go through the hassles of figuring out how to get them to play on the newer tvs. Space is not a big problem since my center is set up in one of the basement rooms and a flat screen of some sort just would not make that much of difference. I currently have a 32" (I had a 36" Mitsubishi at one time until it died) unit and that works very well for the size of the room.

It the retron5 turns out not to have composite outputs it would likely not be a deal breaker for me since you can (I believe) get converters to accomplish that pretty easily/cheaply. And if ever I do switch to a newer tv I would be all set for it in terms of this unit.


This of course assumes that thing is relatively well made and that it does what it seems that it will be able to do. If so I will likely be getting one.

(And it is probably too early to know this - but is the beastie going to play the bs games - I have a copy of Super Famicom Wars and a couple of other BS games on the original carts. )

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hyperkin has confirmed it will be HDMI only. You will not be able to use it on a CRT. As for Broadcast Satelleview and Nintendo Power Data Carts, it's not yet known if the rom dumping method will work for those since they had their own internal menus. In all honesty I wouldn't expect Hyperkin to even know the existence of such things, let alone set anything up specifically to support them.

[Natty Bumppo]

I'm assuming I could still piggyback something like this behind it though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YCfHZF77EA

(Yeah, I know is seems kinda silly to in essence have it converted and then unconverted - but as Buckaroo Bonzai would say, "No matter where you go there you are.")

The cheaper ones of these aren't powered - I imagine the powered might provide a slightly better signal.

The bs carts aren't a deal breaker - just curious.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm sure that would create some kind of result, but overscan and non native 4:3 resolutions will be problematic. It's likely that the RetorN5 won't display correctly at all on a 4:3 CRT.

[Leo_A]

Hyperkin has confirmed it will be HDMI only. You will not be able to use it on a CRT.

There are HD CRT's with HDMI. I heavily considered buying a large Sony Trinitron that was so equipped until I started taking measurements of my car and house the day I was going to buy it and realized it was much too large. I switched course instead to a smaller SD Trinitron that was 26" or so.

So while what you say is correct for greater than 95% of the time without the use of an external downscaler, it technically isn't correct.

[BricatSegaFan]

There are HD CRT's with HDMI. I heavily considered buying a large Sony Trinitron that was so equipped until I started taking measurements of my car and house the day I was going to buy it and realized it was much too large. I switched course instead to a smaller SD Trinitron that was 26" or so.

So while what you say is correct for greater than 95% of the time without the use of an external downscaler, it technically isn't correct.

Yup. My main Sony CRT is HDMI compatible. Behold!

[Tanooki]

I don't currently have any game on my tablet that has a true save file as i haven't bothered finishing a course in F-Zero (too damn hard to drive on a tablet or mini keyboard, and i think it's the emulator as the keyboard acts dumb as much as the screen) nor have I tried out a RPG either.

If I can get the time (wife laid up from surgery today this morning) to mess with SMRPG or something just to save as soon as possible I could try and send that to see if it takes.

I still am curious about the whining about the Ouya controller lag. It's a concern as the creators have said they fixed in their 1.5 model of the original system with the new controller and more capacity which makes me think the original just plain sucks.


...speaking of controllers aside from hauling my one PS3 controller around, is there a cheap solid alternative bluetooth controller a tablet can pick up that's small and portable, oh and cheaper than a $50 PS3 pad?

[treismac]

Yup. My main Sony CRT is HDMI compatible. Behold!

Bricat, what Sony TV is that and:

1) How's the input lag and

2) Do light guns work on it? [can they work on any HDTV, even if they are CRTs?]

[BricatSegaFan]

Bricat, what Sony TV is that and:

1) How's the input lag and

2) Do light guns work on it? [can they work on any HDTV, even if they are CRTs?]

Well to answer the input lag, there seems to be zero. Everything seems super snappy and retro consoles look outstanding. Modern consoles look sharp but because of it's 4x3 size widescreen will be cutoff a bit.

Here is a pic of the model and everything

For the lightguns I honestly have not tried. Give me like 30 min and I'll update. I actually am in the process of setting up my spare sms to it.

Update: no light gun support

[Satoshi_Matrix]

There are HD CRT's with HDMI. So while what you say is correct for greater than 95% of the time without the use of an external downscaler, it technically isn't correct.

Ah you're right, I was generalizing. HDMI compliant CRTs are incredibly rare, as they were made only in the short window between ~2003-2007. I see CRTs for sale in local ads and people just giving them away in many cases, but I have never once personally seen a CRT that has HDMi. I'd love to own one and then essentially get rid of all the CRTs I have that only do up to 480i.

I still am curious about the whining about the Ouya controller lag. It's a concern as the creators have said they fixed in their 1.5 model of the original system with the new controller and more capacity which makes me think the original just plain sucks.

You keep bringing this up, but let me again assure you - controller lag is NOT a problem with the Ouya. While yes, certain Ouya games and emulators have lag with the controller, it is those games and emulators that are the problem, not the Ouya itself. Menu navigation and most games are completely lag free using the stock Ouya controller.

By and large most games and apps on Ouya are as responsive with the Ouya pad as the Xbox 360 or PS3 are with their controllers. And if you're THAT concerned, plug in any USB controller you want and play the emulators and many Ouya games that way. Controller lag isn't something to be concerned about, especially if you plan on playing emulators with another controller like a USB Super Nintendo pad or something. The Ouya controller is only needed for system menu navigation.

I
...speaking of controllers aside from hauling my one PS3 controller around, is there a cheap solid alternative bluetooth controller a tablet can pick up that's small and portable, oh and cheaper than a $50 PS3 pad?

In my experience cheap bluetooth controllers do not equal solid or quality bluetooth controllers. If you want a cheap controller, go with something that's USB. If you want a wireless controller, you're best off with that $50 PS3 controller you spoke of. Or just buy one used?

[BricatSegaFan]

Ah you're right, I was generalizing. HDMI compliant CRTs are incredibly rare, as they were made only in the short window between ~2003-2007. I see CRTs for sale in local ads and people just giving them away in many cases, but I have never once personally seen a CRT that has HDMi. I'd love to own one and then essentially get rid of all the CRTs I have that only do up to 480i.

I wouldn't be so hasty to do so. While my HD Sony CRT is great I'd have to say my retro consoles look the best on my 27" Toshiba SD CRT. Not sure of the model because it was never printed on mine but here is a pic

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Right now, I own seven CRTs. One of them is indeed a 32" Sony Trinitron, but its from from 2004 and does not have HDMI.

I want to replace it most of all with a Trinitron that does have HDMI.

[BricatSegaFan]

Right now, I own seven CRTs. One of them is indeed a 32" Sony Trinitron, but its from from 2004 and does not have HDMI.

I want to replace it most of all with a Trinitron that does have HDMI.

I ended up getting mine from good ol craigslist for free! I just had to nearly kill myself and friend just moving it

[RP2A03]

Right now, I own seven CRTs. One of them is indeed a 32" Sony Trinitron, but its from from 2004 and does not have HDMI.

I want to replace it most of all with a Trinitron that does have HDMI.

Keep and eye out for either an XBR960 or an XS955, both of which have the super fine pitch tube. I just got 30 inch XS955 from Goodwill and squeezed it into the the back seat of my Pontiac. Now all I have to do is figure out how to squeeze that 150 pound beast out of my car.

[BricatSegaFan]

Keep and eye out for either an XBR960 or an XS955, both of which have the super fine pitch tube. I just got 30 inch XS955 from Goodwill and squeezed it into the the back seat of my Pontiac. Now all I have to do is figure out how to squeeze that 150 pound beast out of my car.

Lol that's why I ended up gettin a Toyota Tacoma

[treismac]

Well to answer the input lag, there seems to be zero. Everything seems super snappy and retro consoles look outstanding. Modern consoles look sharp but because of it's 4x3 size widescreen will be cutoff a bit.

For the lightguns I honestly have not tried. Give me like 30 min and I'll update. I actually am in the process of setting up my spare sms to it.

Update: no light gun support

Thanks for the reply, Bricat. Too bad about the lack of light gun support. I can live without light gun games, but it a slightly sadder world.

I'd love to snag one free off of Craigslist, too. Suppose I better start keeping an eye open until I strike gold.

[BricatSegaFan]

Thanks for the reply, Bricat. Too bad about the lack of light gun support. I can live without light gun games, but it a slightly sadder world.

I'd love to snag one free off of Craigslist, too. Suppose I better start keeping an eye open until I strike gold.

Yea just be prepared to break your back lol.

[Cryog]

Retron 5 Extended Footage

[treismac]

Retron 5 Extended Footage

^ @7:06

Hyperkin is trying to get savestates for games to go on the RetroN5? What the hell? Why is this feature an afterthought? Hyperkin doesn't need to reinvent the wheel here; simply bringing over features that emulators have had for years seems like a no-brainer. Perhaps the rep is clueless, as the "Save State" option seemed to be on the ui screen.