Subcog.net has just uploaded PDF’s that allow Arcade1Up owners to add cheap “scanlines” to cabinets that don’t include the effect as an option, by printing them on transparency paper and placing them over the screen. Now, this obviously won’t replace something like the RT4K’s CRT mask emulation and they’ll probably need to be modified for every source resolution you scale, but in the context of Arcade1Up cabinets, these might be a fun and cheap “upgrade”. As a note, the creator concluded that the best/cheapest/easiest way for people to get these is to put the PDFs on a flash drive and take them to whatever local retail print shop is convenient (Staples, Kinko’s etc). More info below the link and you can check them out here:
Main Page: https://subcog.net/scanlines.php
I just want to reiterate that while I love this idea, you need to keep realistic expectations. If you’re printing these for use on an Arcade1Up cab with games similar to the ones already tested, then it’ll probably work fine. But I don’t think you’d be able to use these as “general scanlines” on a flat-panel unless you configured multiple to line up with the exact scaling of each source resolution you’re sending to your display; Basically, print them out and see if they line up with the image on-screen like the ones shown in the example. You’ll also need to make sure the vertical scaling is in an even integer of the source (like with digitally generated scanlines) and it’s possible if there’s a vertical mask you’ll need to adjust that as well.
Or maybe it’ll just work fine? Honestly, this is such a fun and cheap project that if you’re curious, just give it a try! Check out more examples in the video below:
