Log in
React Conferences
React Summit 2023React Summit 2023
Talk Videos
EN

Video: Tuning Retro Video Archives for Display on the Modern Web using WebGL in React

Travis McGeehan
Travis McGeehan
GFS
Rate this content
Bookmark
Slides
Read FAQ and transcription
Video Summary and Transcription
The talk dives into the challenges of preserving retro gaming footage for modern displays, focusing on issues like chroma subsampling and stretched aspect ratios. It highlights the importance of using the Area scaling algorithm to maintain the sharpness of pixel art, avoiding the blurring effects of bilinear interpolation. TaskBot plays a crucial role in translating tool-assisted speedruns for retro consoles, acting as a player piano to replicate these runs on original hardware. The discussion also covers the use of WebGL in React to create custom video players that bypass the limitations of standard HTML5 elements, allowing for precise scaling and CRT simulation. RGBScaler.com is showcased as a platform that employs advanced scaling techniques and supports AV1 and H.265 codecs to enhance retro footage while reducing bandwidth. The talk emphasizes the use of WebGL shaders for simulating CRT effects, preserving the visual integrity of retro games on modern devices.

This talk has been presented at React Summit 2023, check out the latest edition of this React Conference.

Available in Español: Ajustando los Archivos de Video Retro para Mostrar en la Web Moderna utilizando WebGL en React

FAQ

TaskBot functions like a player piano for retro game consoles, executing pre-programmed speedruns on systems like the NES, SNES, and N64. The TaskBot team translates tool-assisted speedruns into sequences of inputs that are then played back on the original consoles, replicating these runs with precision.

The main challenges include chroma subsampling which reduces color data, handling small resolutions and non-square pixels of old games on modern displays, the use of lossy compression in web videos, and preserving the intentional visual effects of CRT displays in digital formats.

The Area scaling algorithm is used to upscale pixel art footage accurately. It helps preserve the sharp transitions between different colors typical in retro games, avoiding the blurring that occurs with bilinear interpolation, thus maintaining the visual integrity of the original game art.

RGBScaler.com uses advanced scaling algorithms and techniques to preserve and enhance low-resolution retro gaming footage. It allows users to experience games with visual fidelity close to the original by simulating CRT effects and using precise scaling methods like the Area algorithm.

RGBScaler.com supports AV1 and H.265 codecs. AV1 is used for its support for 444 color and lossless footage, ideal for archival purposes, while H.265 (or HEVC) is supported mainly for its efficiency and compatibility with iOS devices.

WebGL is used on RGBScaler.com to bypass the limitations of HTML5 video elements, which often use bilinear scaling. WebGL allows for the implementation of more sophisticated scaling algorithms like Area, which are better suited for the unique demands of pixel art and retro game footage.

Video transcription and chapters available for users with access.
Available in other languages: