On DOSBox games, (or ScummVM games, for that matter) we have the advantage of using pixel-scaling algorithms to improve the graphics (eg. hq3x, or Super2xSAI to name a couple of my preferred algorithms)

I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to use one of these algorithms in a windows game? I can imagine a loader app that would capture screen output from another program, scale, and then output to the screen, but do not know if such a thing exists or is really feasible.

Really, would just love to play Baldur's Gate or Plancescape with Super2xSAI, but to my knowledge that isn't possible if it isn't a dos program.

I take it you want to run the games in your native monitor resolution but keep the size and scale the originals had rather than use the widescreen mods, is that right?

Stuff like Baldurs Gate uses direct x so hypothetically you might be able to write something that uses direct x transforms to accomplish much the same goal but I've never encountered one.

I remember Windows XP included some software for people with impaired vision... one of them was a sort of magnifying glass that enlarged whatever area you selected with the mouse. So a program that does what you want MAY exist; or at least, it's possible to create. :)

Now as for using those icky scaling algorithms on old games... why? :p

Because, LCD monitors can do a terrible job of scaling small images to native resolutions.
My monitor, for example, tends to generate a blurry mess from a low-res input image. If I scale it up with something like S2xSAI, I get clean, sharp lines, much like a CRT monitor would generate.
In fact, there is a CRT emulation scaler in DOSBox, but I think you would need a ridiculously high resolution to get that algorithm to look good. At least on my screen, pixels are too large for this scaler to look good (59.9 DPI)

Shame they don't make good CRTs anymore. What I wouldn't give for a brand new Sony Trinitron. SIGH.

Good god, man! Nostalgia! The Sony Trinitrons were THE bitch to have back in the day.

I prefer to have a program that scales the output (by two, three, or whatever is needed) and adds black borders around the screen. I've always, ALWAYS hated 2xSai and its ilk. They're HIDEOUS.

Maybe we need a GOH.com (Good Old Hardware)? That way, we can feel nostalgic about our GOGs on our GOH. :D

As for scaling algorithms, Foxhack, each to their own. I find the results very pleasing in some games, and less-so in others. Depends on the style of the source sprites I guess. Don't know for a particular game until I try.

S2xSaI gives me results I like about half the time, hq?x looks better in some (some old genesis games look horrible with S2xSaI in my opinion, but good in hq.
Other games look best with "nearest neighbor", which simply scales up the image and preserves blockiness. Normal Sai (non-super) tends to give an out-of-focus appearance to most graphics, which I don't like, but could look good if I ever find a game that was meant to look like watercolors, I guess.

First started playing with scaling algorithms in Exult (Ultima 7 engine re-implimentation to make the game playable on modern computers.) and really liked the results with that game. Wish they had the Ultima games on GoG. Had to buy the boxed-set (Ultima 1-7) to get a modern non-pirate copy. Yay ebay.