Mame display area the same regardless of resolution?

[51mmz0rz]

I've been looking at some vertical games recently, I have a PC attached to a 25" TV via S-video at the moment (for testing).  When I play 1942 for example (with a listed resolution of 224x256) it occupies the same amount of screen space as Aero Fighters (listed resolution of 224x320).  This doesn't seem to change, no matter the (vertical) game.

So is MAME stretching or cropping the screen?  How can I play these games at their original aspect ratios?  Is this even preferred?

[VanillaGorilla]

http://mameworld.info/easyemu/mameguidenew/mameguide-options.html

http://mameworld.info/easyemu/mameguidenew/mameguide-inifiles.html

Read all of this, then come back and decide which questions to ask.

[51mmz0rz]

If the per window video options are all set to "auto" (default), why does MAME not use the correct aspect ratio (based on the listed resolution)?  What setting might control this?

[Malenko]

you wont get arcade resolutions running MAME on a TV with Svideo. You'll need an arcade monitor and either a software solution like soft15 or a hardware solution like ArcadeVGA

[51mmz0rz]

Thanks, I understand the resolution won't change, but shouldn't MAME scale the image appropriately?  Games of different aspect ratios shouldn't have identical playing field sizes I assume. 

[Malenko]

are you enforcing the aspect ratio in your config? ( -ka in command line, theres a check box under the video tab for it)

if there are black bars on the side the ratio is being enforced. Its mostly the monitor 4:3 ratio (or 3:4 for vertical) thats being enforced. What happens when you rotate the output?

[51mmz0rz]

It looks like "Screen -> View -> Pixel Aspect" is what I need.  Seems to do the trick after a few tests, but may not be suitable for all games (Frogger seems to have a crazy aspect ratio for example).  I will eventually be running this on an LCD, not an arcade monitor.

Now, is this preferred for authenticity?  I am actually unclear on how the original games work.  If the original title was using a (4:3) monitor (which I assume most were?) did it have black bars if it wasn't running at 4:3 resolution, or did it stretch to fit the screen anyway?

[scofthe7seas]

Are you using directdraw, or direct3d? How about Hwstretching?
Also, what resolution is your monitor running at natively? Does it have a stretch to screen, or a 1:1 pixel mode?

[VanillaGorilla]

Pixel aspect is usually the nicest option, in most cases, on a modern display. Some games can look squished because the ppi is denser than an older crt display. I just adjust those that I think look wonky by choosing an alternate aspect, or use the slider controls to adjust the image size manually, mame saves your changes from the video menu. In the end, you are the only person you have to please, just do what you think looks best.

Are you using direct3d with scanlines overlay (ScanRez2 is the best overlay in my opinion) ? its quite authentic looking...

[scofthe7seas]

Are you using direct3d with scanlines overlay (ScanRez2 is the best overlay in my opinion) ? its quite authentic looking...

I've tried that on mine, and at a res of 1920x1200 it absolutely destroys performance, plus the lines look super thin/sharp. I've thought about creating a new graphic with a higher res so it doesn't have to redraw the graphic nearly as many times, but haven't gotten around to it. Honestly, I couldn't say exactly what authentic arcade monitors should look like because I'm too young, and my memory of it has no account for any scanlines present in modern/semi modern games. (been going since maybe 86?)

[VanillaGorilla]

I run 1920x1200 with triple-buffering on, overlays, and bezels/backdrops. 100% frame rate on everything thats realistically playable on mame today. You're graphics card must be made of popsicle sticks and tin foil. Or you're .ini smells ass-like.

Or both.

[scofthe7seas]

I'll give you the graphics card one, (at the time, at least, I now have a decent one in there for pinball purposes) but I'm displaying in ddraw because I don't like the hwstretching. I'm positive you are not doing this. My ini smells fine. A refreshing bubble gum scent. Also, like I said, the scanlines are super super sharp. I don't think they are supposed to look like that.

[VanillaGorilla]

Yeah, if you wanna really screw with MAME, turn on ddraw WITH overlays. Talk about SLOW MOTION.

Check out the ScanRez2 overlay, its quite nice...