3DS Capture Device [First post updated with new forum link]

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-01 08:18:51 am

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>>Greenalink
Do you have any source?
I thought DS games can be played without holding buttons.

Sir VG

2011-03-01 08:27:45 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote from YamiHoshi.nl:

>>Greenalink
Do you have any source?
I thought DS games can be played without holding buttons.

They can. The thing is though that the 3DS normally changes the screen size to fit the screens on the 3DS by stretching (the DSi XL does this too). What he's talking is about prevent this unnecessary stretching.

Greenalink

2011-03-01 10:08:35 am

DS Dictator

Quote:

Do you have any source?

Go to 2:37 of the video.

UchihaSasuke

2011-03-01 01:44:56 pm

Stand: Devil's Call in your Heart

is there an option in the system menu to make the games play at certain ratios by default?

holding those buttons everytime you boot up a DS game on 3DS would get annoying fast.

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-02 03:12:42 am

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Forget about what I said about the 3DS being expensive, I ordered a Japanese 3DS now.
My pre-ordered European 3DS is coming as well.

Greenalink

2011-03-02 11:56:42 am

DS Dictator

Iwata's GDC conference has confirmed that:

Sega Game Gear games will be downloadable on the 3DS.
*Sigh* Sonic Triple Trouble is the only notable GG game I can think of that should have been on the Wii VC.

A new service called 3D Classics will introduce select classic video games that will be remastered in 3D.
Oh yeah it's also fully confirmed that the eShop, DSiware and Internet Browser are available starting the end of May.

Sir VG

2011-03-04 08:03:55 am

Fucking Weeaboo

One thing I've also been trying to do with this is to do a controller add-on, so that you can have better control of the system, or if nothing else, you can use this to play the game w/o having to worry about shaking the system if you have to use a camera pointed at it.

I posted some time back the controller pinouts for a lite (confirmed) and my suspected pinouts for a phat. I also happen to have controller pinouts for a Wii Classic Controller. I also managed to get ahold of a Classic Controller Pro and opened it up today. While there's some differences in the two controllers, most of the pinouts between the two appear to be the same, outside of the following: L/ZL, R/ZR, and possibly Right (though I suspect that the diagram I have is wrong).

First pic is the standard Classic Controller with pinouts marked (I do suspect that Right is wrong on here, because on the pro the circuit goes up, not down). Second is my pic of the CC Pro's front, third is the CC Pro's back. I apologize for the poor quality of my pics, it was hard to get a good shot. The pinouts for L/R have moved up top along where ZL/ZR were on the standard CC. I'm not sure exactly which pin is the one skipped out of the 3 pin sets. I also don't see a good ground point on the CC pro, like the one marked in the standard CC.

I'm figuring the easiest way to wire out without using the GBA pin slot (like the "wire a NES controller to the DS" blog) would be to use a USB wire, keep the female A end (cut of the male A end), and solder the wires onto the board and drill a small hole for the wire to come out of. Wire the classic controller to a male A usb cable and then you can connect and easily remove the controller if you don't need it. There's plenty of space to be able to do it, it's just a matter of having good soldering skills.

One thing I've also been trying to do with this is to do a controller add-on, so that you can have better control of the system, or if nothing else, you can use this to play the game w/o having to worry about shaking the system if you have to use a camera pointed at it.

I posted some time back the controller pinouts for a lite (confirmed) and my suspected pinouts for a phat.  I also happen to have controller pinouts for a Wii Classic Controller.  I also managed to get ahold of a Classic Controller Pro and opened it up today.  While there's some differences in the two controllers, most of the pinouts between the two appear to be the same, outside of the following: L/ZL, R/ZR, and possibly Right (though I suspect that the diagram I have is wrong).

First pic is the standard Classic Controller with pinouts marked (I do suspect that Right is wrong on here, because on the pro the circuit goes up, not down).  Second is my pic of the CC Pro's front, third is the CC Pro's back.  I apologize for the poor quality of my pics, it was hard to get a good shot.  The pinouts for L/R have moved up top along where ZL/ZR were on the standard CC.  I'm not sure exactly which pin is the one skipped out of the 3 pin sets.  I also don't see a good ground point on the CC pro, like the one marked in the standard CC.

I'm figuring the easiest way to wire out without using the GBA pin slot (like the "wire a NES controller to the DS" blog) would be to use a USB wire, keep the female A end (cut of the male A end), and solder the wires onto the board and drill a small hole for the wire to come out of.  Wire the classic controller to a male A usb cable and then you can connect and easily remove the controller if you don't need it.  There's plenty of space to be able to do it, it's just a matter of having good soldering skills.

Attachments:

classic controller pinout.jpg

IMG_0412.JPG

IMG_0413.JPG

Greenalink

2011-03-17 06:43:55 pm

DS Dictator

Nothing too special but seems like someone called "DSReView2" has got inspired with the Jumbotron DS and made their own WIP capture device called "ReView" part of a senior design project.

Quote:

For our senior design project, my team and I are working on a video output system for the Nintendo DS. We named this device the DS "ReView" and this video is a recording of our first working prototype. We're using a Nexys2 FPGA development board from Digilent Inc. to do most of the processing. The internal RGB lines feeding the DS's screens were tapped and are the video source in this project. Our goal is to add two additional functions to the Nintendo DS. First, is to enable the DS to be played on a larger, external display. The second, as demonstrated in this video, is to allow gameplay to be recorded and distributed over the internet.

A few things (technical notes) to mention:
1.) There is only one screen displaying at a time. During this recording, I was flipping a slide-switch on the board to switch between the screens at certain points. Once we figure out how to use the external RAM on the board effectively, we will add both screens simultaneously along with different placements of the screens. We also plan to add a resizing option if time permits.
2.) The color resolution has been greatly decreased from the 18-bits (within the DS) down to 8-bits (aka 256 colors). This was done for memory issues and because the VGA output on the development board only had an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter. You can easily notice the effects of this from the "contouring" in certain areas and most noticeably, during any type of fading in & fading out.
3.) There are obvious vertical synchronization problems. Again, once we have more RAM to work with, this should be taken care of.
4.) The video from the FPGA board is fed through an analog RGB to YPbPr colorspace conversion circuit I built for the Sega Genesis, 3 years ago. This circuit allows us to run the resultant 480p YPbPr signal into a KWorld PE-360A capture card. It's not the best card and it has its problems, but $30 is definitely worth it for being able to capture 480p YPbPr.
5.) During the fight with the Final Guard, I'm used to them dying from one hit with the whip after using "1000 Blades". When that didn't happen, I flinched and tugged a little bit on the wires coming out of the DS. That's probably why the video glitches at that spot. Also, the video was getting too long so I stopped trying to fight Dracula at the end. I probably still would've died anyway.
5.) This project was inspired by Neal Tew's "Jumbotron DS", so special thanks to him.

Our desired feature set includes:
1.) 16-bit color
2.) Both screens simultaneously with various mappings
3.) Optional resize/upscale switch
3.) 640x480x60Hz VGA, 480i/p YPbPr, 480p HDMI
4.) Directly powered from the DS with minimal battery drain

Nothing too special but seems like someone called "DSReView2" has got inspired with the Jumbotron DS and made their own WIP capture device called "ReView" part of a senior design project.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-xypwN-TYw[/url]

[quote][hidden]For our senior design project, my team and I are working on a video output system for the Nintendo DS. We named this device the DS "ReView" and this video is a recording of our first working prototype. We're using a Nexys2 FPGA development board from Digilent Inc. to do most of the processing. The internal RGB lines feeding the DS's screens were tapped and are the video source in this project. Our goal is to add two additional functions to the Nintendo DS. First, is to enable the DS to be played on a larger, external display. The second, as demonstrated in this video, is to allow gameplay to be recorded and distributed over the internet.

A few things (technical notes) to mention:
1.) There is only one screen displaying at a time. During this recording, I was flipping a slide-switch on the board to switch between the screens at certain points. Once we figure out how to use the external RAM on the board effectively, we will add both screens simultaneously along with different placements of the screens. We also plan to add a resizing option if time permits.
2.) The color resolution has been greatly decreased from the 18-bits (within the DS) down to 8-bits (aka 256 colors). This was done for memory issues and because the VGA output on the development board only had an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter. You can easily notice the effects of this from the "contouring" in certain areas and most noticeably, during any type of fading in & fading out.
3.) There are obvious vertical synchronization problems. Again, once we have more RAM to work with, this should be taken care of.
4.) The video from the FPGA board is fed through an analog RGB to YPbPr colorspace conversion circuit I built for the Sega Genesis, 3 years ago. This circuit allows us to run the resultant 480p YPbPr signal into a KWorld PE-360A capture card. It's not the best card and it has its problems, but $30 is definitely worth it for being able to capture 480p YPbPr.
5.) During the fight with the Final Guard, I'm used to them dying from one hit with the whip after using "1000 Blades". When that didn't happen, I flinched and tugged a little bit on the wires coming out of the DS. That's probably why the video glitches at that spot. Also, the video was getting too long so I stopped trying to fight Dracula at the end. I probably still would've died anyway.
5.) This project was inspired by Neal Tew's "Jumbotron DS", so special thanks to him.

Our desired feature set includes:
1.) 16-bit color
2.) Both screens simultaneously with various mappings
3.) Optional resize/upscale switch
3.) 640x480x60Hz VGA, 480i/p YPbPr, 480p HDMI
4.) Directly powered from the DS with minimal battery drain[/hidden][/quote]

Sir VG

2011-03-17 10:28:31 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Awesome! Another possible method to the pile. Wish there was a little more info on it, like the board used and such, but it does seem to work pretty well, even given the limitations.

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-18 05:21:49 am

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To be honest, I'm not really impressed.
If you note at 0:09, you'll see that the bar at the top is gray, which is the only thing, as far as I know, that is not configurable on an Emulator.
At 0:21 (when the Konami logo appears), there are a lot of graphical issues.
Also, if it really captures the video, how did the sound record so well?
I mean, I also have to use a Line-In cable while recording, otherwise, sound will not record.

I can't really say anything about the gameplay, as I never played this game.
It would be a good proof to show at least local multiplayer, or the WiFi Settings.

Not saying that it's fake, but I still need to see more of it, before I can say it's either real, or not.

Sir VG

2011-03-18 07:36:08 am

Fucking Weeaboo

I do feel it's real, as it does go though the DS menu and all that. I've yet to see that on any emulator.

The graphical issues I think is based upon the color limitations. Sound I'm sure it mixed in with a line-out cable later, which isn't hard as long as it's in sync.

While there's still issues with it, for being a senior design project, it's a good start.

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-18 01:34:06 pm

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>>Sir VG
On YouTube, I'm told that DeSMuME can boot to the DS Menu, while I didn't knew that (never used that Emulator, though).
To give you my own example:

- Blue bar at the top, instead of grey.
- No game cart inserted.
- Shows Download Play from Nintendo Channel.

Those 3 facts are impossible to do on Emulators, but they are possible on a real DS.
Also, here's one more:

- Infrared is impossible on both Emulators and Flash Cards, but it's possible on a real DS.

I'm pretty noticing these things, since CloneCharizardX's video, mentioned in this thread before, showing off an Emulator footage.

Greenalink

2011-03-19 02:08:48 pm

DS Dictator

Chuggaconroy has subscribed to DsReview2.... something fishy is going on. It's pretty rare for a popular Youtuber to subscribe to a channel that has 1 video. You know what I mean right?

Has any 'very popular' youtubers subscribed to Buoysel or UltimatePisman?

Ste

Edit history:

Ste: 2011-03-19 04:40:54 pm

2011-03-19 03:59:36 pm

I'm the person that posted the DS "ReView" video. Our school splits the senior design class into two semesters, the planning semester and the development semester. However, this project has actually been in planning for almost 2 years, as I have based my whole curriculum (during that time) on learning enough to complete it. People here at SDA are the biggest target audience for this device. The word "speedrunner" is mentioned a few times in our report for the planning semester portion of the class. Actually, one of the motivations is from a post on this very forum. I'm not surprised that some people are skeptical since the same thing happened with another project I worked on. The last post on this thread is the motivation I'm talking about:
http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/nesgenesissnes_component_video_out.html

Anyway, right now we're working on writing a memory controller to utilize the external RAM on the development board. This will allow both screens with full color resolution to be displayed/recorded. Once that's done, another video will be posted (I'm thinking Contra 4). Hopefully I figure out what's causing the ghosting. I have a hunch it's just the cheap capture card we're using. Looks fine on the TV and monitor.

I'm the person that posted the DS "ReView" video.  Our school splits the senior design class into two semesters, the planning semester and the development semester.  However, this project has actually been in planning for almost 2 years, as I have based my whole curriculum (during that time) on learning enough to complete it.  People here at SDA are the biggest target audience for this device.  The word "speedrunner" is mentioned a few times in our report for the planning semester portion of the class.  Actually, one of the motivations is from a post on this very forum.  I'm not surprised that some people are skeptical since the same thing happened with another project I worked on.  The last post on this thread is the motivation I'm talking about:
http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/nesgenesissnes_component_video_out.html

Anyway, right now we're working on writing a memory controller to utilize the external RAM on the development board.  This will allow both screens with full color resolution to be displayed/recorded.  Once that's done, another video will be posted (I'm thinking Contra 4).  Hopefully I figure out what's causing the ghosting.  I have a hunch it's just the cheap capture card we're using.  Looks fine on the TV and monitor.

Sir VG

2011-03-19 04:00:06 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

http://tinycartridge.com/post/262597308/developers-taking-their-game-up-and-down-the

Apparently an image of the IS-TWL-DEBUGGER (aka the DSi version of the IS-NITRO-CAPTURE).

WANT.

iMothermario

Edit history:

iMothermario: 2011-03-19 10:16:27 pm

2011-03-19 10:06:48 pm

Hello, I'm iMothermario, just joined, anyway I just wanted to inform that chuggaaconroy was talking about creating a capture device for the Nintendo DS so that he could record a Let's Play of Okamiden, which is most likely why he subscribed to DsReview2.

And I was wondering, can you buy the IS-TWL-DEBUGGER used anywhere?

Sir VG

2011-03-19 10:44:11 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Unless you have really awesome special connections...no. I've seen a random Nitro Capture show up, but it's been a couple of years. So don't hold your breath.

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-20 12:43:02 am

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>>Greenalink
Out of 427 Subscribers, the only very popular YouTubers that subscribed me are dudaw12, NintenDaan, ShadowOfMyles, and mkdasher, but none of them did for YH-NITRO-CAPTURE.

>>Ste
If you're here, could you eventually clear up my points?

>>Sir VG
Shouldn't be very hard.
1. Create an interesting site (or newspaper, magazine, TV programme, etc.), which has to get many people.
2. Build up many page views and visitors.
3. Sign up as a Nintendo Press (I know the URL's for both Europe and America).
4. Get invited for press events (this will happen by default if you're on the press mailings).
5. Try to contact a Nintendo Staff during the event.

I didn't get further than step 4, because I only had 1 invite so far, but every car was destroyed, so I couldn't get there.

>>Greenalink
Out of 427 Subscribers, the only very popular YouTubers that subscribed me are dudaw12, NintenDaan, ShadowOfMyles, and mkdasher, but none of them did for YH-NITRO-CAPTURE.

>>Ste
If you're here, could you eventually clear up [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/ds_capture_devices._a_youtuber_posted_videos_that_used_a_capture_device_86.html]my[/url] [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/ds_capture_devices._a_youtuber_posted_videos_that_used_a_capture_device_88.html]points[/url]?

>>Sir VG
Shouldn't be very hard.
1. Create an interesting site (or newspaper, magazine, TV programme, etc.), which has to get many people.
2. Build up many page views and visitors.
3. Sign up as a Nintendo Press (I know the URL's for both Europe and America).
4. Get invited for press events (this will happen by default if you're on the press mailings).
5. Try to contact a Nintendo Staff during the event.

I didn't get further than step 4, because I only had 1 invite so far, but every car was destroyed, so I couldn't get there.

Sir VG

2011-03-20 01:04:11 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Or try getting a license agreement with the company directly? http://www.intsys.co.jp/tools/index.html

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-20 01:13:09 am

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>>Sir VG
The difference is, you need to be a developer for this, and you need to pay for it.
A Press uses such things on a borrowed basis, that means the big media has a contract to borrow it for free, for a limited amount of time.
You need to return it, as soon as another media needs it.

The link you gave, is for Japanese developers only.
For American and European:
http://www.warioworld.com

For American press:
http://press.nintendo.com

For European press:
http://www.nintendo-europe-media.com (warning: corrupt email address and registration form, contact a PR of your country instead).

Ste

2011-03-20 01:37:37 am

Quote from YamiHoshi.nl:

>>Ste
If you're here, could you eventually clear up my points?

Not sure what really needs to be cleared up. Most of everything is pretty much explained in the video description, but I'll try again. Is the gray bar you're talking about the one with the name, date, battery meter, etc.? If yes, then I remember selecting that color when I put the DS battery back in after disassembling it and ran through the initial setup. The graphical issues are due to the heavy reduction in color resolution (from 18-bits to 8-bits). It's especially noticeable in fade in/out scenes since now there are only 8 transitions of intensity instead of 64 (when using the full color resolution). Also during the Konami logo (and several other spots) there are vertical synchronization issues (looks like a line floating upward) because the frames are not double-buffered yet. Did you read the description, or did I just make it too confusing? Sorry about that.

I didn't explain how I got the sound in the description, but I just assumed people would know I ran it from the headphone jack on the front of the DS and into my capture card. I wanted to run it into my Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS because it has a very good ADC (analog to digital converter), but the capture card's recording software only records audio through the card's ADC. I also tried furiously to use VirtualDub for capturing, but it just wouldn't take and I had to use the in-house software.

I should mention that this was done on the Original DS model and not the DS Lite.

[quote="YamiHoshi.nl"]
>>Ste
If you're here, could you eventually clear up [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/ds_capture_devices._a_youtuber_posted_videos_that_used_a_capture_device_86.html]my[/url] [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/ds_capture_devices._a_youtuber_posted_videos_that_used_a_capture_device_88.html]points[/url]?[/quote]
Not sure what really needs to be cleared up.  Most of everything is pretty much explained in the video description, but I'll try again.  Is the gray bar you're talking about the one with the name, date, battery meter, etc.?  If yes, then I remember selecting that color when I put the DS battery back in after disassembling it and ran through the initial setup.  The graphical issues are due to the heavy reduction in color resolution (from 18-bits to 8-bits).  It's especially noticeable in fade in/out scenes since now there are only 8 transitions of intensity instead of 64 (when using the full color resolution).  Also during the Konami logo (and several other spots) there are vertical synchronization issues (looks like a line floating upward) because the frames are not double-buffered yet.  Did you read the description, or did I just make it too confusing?  Sorry about that.

I didn't explain how I got the sound in the description, but I just assumed people would know I ran it from the headphone jack on the front of the DS and into my capture card.  I wanted to run it into my Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS because it has a very good ADC (analog to digital converter), but the capture card's recording software only records audio through the card's ADC.  I also tried furiously to use VirtualDub for capturing, but it just wouldn't take and I had to use the in-house software.

I should mention that this was done on the Original DS model and not the DS Lite.

YamiHoshi.nl

2011-03-20 01:50:39 am

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>>Ste
Thanks for explaining, it cleared up some points.
I tried to read the description, but it's extremely long, and English is not my native language.
I have a Capture Device too, which I call "YH-NITRO-CAPTURE", and it's originally build by the Jumbotron guy, but I brought it from a popular German Pokémon site, which brought it from the Jumbotron guy.
Being able to hook it up on a PC, using a USB cable gives me great quality, but being able to display it on TV screens, to show off on school events for example, is a nice idea as well.

Greenalink

2011-03-20 08:58:23 am

DS Dictator

Quote:

I just wanted to inform that chuggaaconroy was talking about creating a capture device for the Nintendo DS so that he could record a Let's Play of Okamiden, which is most likely why he subscribed to DsReview2.

Ah that makes sense, I'm not into LPs myself but it's good that Chugga (and the viewers watching) is giving the Okami franchise a bit more attention after getting underrated sales on the PS2 version.

I only saw the IS-TWL-DEBUGGER / IS-TWL-CAPTURE units at a Nintendo event late 2009 where players managed to try out New Super Mario Bros Wii weeks before the release. There was Mario Kart DS played on DSi systems with monitor screens displayed on the 'kiosk like' stands. Not the giant LCD TVs they used for Pokémon VGC tourneys.

YamiHoshi.nl

Edit history:

YamiHoshi.nl: 2011-03-31 03:59:00 am

2011-03-31 03:58:41 am

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Finally, the Jumbotron Guy replied:

Code:

I've taken a good look at the 3DS.  Unfortunately, it's not possible to use the same FPGA board used by the DS capture device ... 
the screens are too different.  I'm working on something new for the 3DS, but it will be a while before it's finished.

I suppose that there has to be some more wait.

gia

2011-03-31 05:02:23 pm

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Quote from Ste:

...

Cool to be inspiration lol. You are against the clock here to get a good grade, so I'm not trying to change your current plans. Still, if you notice what I wanted/still want is perfect 1:1 recording, not lossy recording (which is much better than nothing so keep on). I am a good programmer but totally suck at EE, are you great at it? would it be possible to have your device connect to the computer through USB 3 if you had a programmer to assist you with the logic and the program to record? That's assuming you aren't great at programming yourself.