this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2023
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I have a few consoles setup on my desk and I think it would be neat to be able forgo switching inputs on my monitor.

It could be useful for setting up a picture-in-picture system and using the inputs in EmuVR to play non-Retroarch consoles like my Xbox 360 and original Xbox.

Is this feasible? I would be fine playing at lower resolutions. I have attempted it with a cheap Ali Express HDMI to USB device but the latency threw a wrench into that idea. I am wondering if a more capable capture device could be the answer.

Also would my graphics card play a big factor? I have 1070ti so I feel like it should be fine.

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[–] doczombie 29 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If all you're looking to do is nicer input switching, a KVM switch would be a better solve.

Capture cards would be more useful if you wanted to record the gaming sessions. AFAIK they will always introduce latency as they are usually designed for a situation where that is fine.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What I am more so after is combining inputs rather than switching them.

EmuVR for example lets you add custom video files to the CRTs in your virtual bedroom and I think with some effort it would be possible to use the feed from a capture card in it. I would essentially be using the consoles' controller and playing on real hardware but in a virtual world.

It would also be nice to be able to simply add some kind of picture-in-picture mode to my monitor so I can watch Seinfeld in the corner of the screen while I play Elden Ring. So I would be fine with a device specifically for that purpose instead of a software solution.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

High end capture cards might be able to get a low res stream with minimal delay, but you will still notice the delay. Let alone the software side

And at that price? You are better off buying a tv that supports picture in picture. Or a tablet

[–] doczombie 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah.. tend to agree - it's doable but OP would be reaching for some fairly hectic gear to solve a pretty small problem. Consumer monitors with PIP definitely exist and would be cheaper.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Consumer monitors with PIP definitely exist and would be cheaper.

They seem pretty hard to come by from what I've seen during sporadic searching

[–] doczombie 1 points 1 year ago

Not really.. just a slightly higher end of gear, most of dells professional series will do it from memory, the gigabyte on my desk does it.

[–] PeachMan 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I don't think any of those solutions are dealing with video outputs though. They seem to be mostly talking about pop out windows,

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DN62GW Here's an HDMI switch with PIP. Zero clue how good of an experience that would be, but that sort of thing exists.

[–] TechAdmin 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have never seen a capture device with USB interface have any kind of usable latency, you'll want one with PCI Express interface.

Elgato makes a capture card with PCI Express interface, I had a friend who used one to play all of his consoles on big virtual screen in VR. I tried out Mario Kart 8 for the Switch and it played great.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Really? No major hiccups?

Someone else suggested the same thing and it sounds like it might be what I am looking for. I was only using my USB device because it's what I had on-hand. A PCI-E device would be fine

[–] TechAdmin 1 points 1 year ago

Yep, I only played through couple races & was a few beers in, it felt acceptable for me at the time. Not sure how it would be with the latest gen Elgato cards & they are pricey so best to buy from store with a good return policy.

[–] ook_the_librarian 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I have a pci-e capture for composite. I do notice an input delay. I didn't really try to get a bleeding-edge configuration setup. Just wanted to mention that it might not be as simple as it sounds.

Have you seen the RetroTink project? I have no first-hand experience, but I've heard good things. Not sure if it fits your use-case. It's used to convert composite video to hdmi with minimal latency. You'd still have to switch monitor inputs, though.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I hate to be the negative person, but I think you would be adding so much complications that it would necessarily cause delay at the very least. I'd be fascinated to see if you could prove me wrong, though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

No worries. I was wondering if anyone else has done it already so I wouldn't need to do some potentially expensive experimenting. I feel like I've seen devices specifically for splitting and sharing inputs somewhere before.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It’s not cheap but I did this just fine with the Elgato 4K

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The latency isn't too bad? At $200 that doesn't seem too bad compared to some alternatives I've seen suggested

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I used the PCIE card. The latency is imperceptible. It’s meant to be in between your GPU and monitor for streaming from a second PC.

[–] linearchaos 1 points 1 year ago

Yep, that's what we use at work.

[–] Num10ck 3 points 1 year ago

search for a video mixer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I feel like it’d have to be pretty expensive and you may as well just… buy a 2nd monitor?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

If a DeckLink or an Aja card doesn't cut it, nothing will.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How does that help him play his 360 without swapping inputs around?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Sorry thought he wanted to play emulators from his 1070 rig.