GroovyMAME/GroovyUME 0.149 SwitchRes v0.014b

[Dr.Venom]

Agh, that's too bad  .

I guess this will be a case for Calamity then.. Hopefully he can find some time to update the code.

[Calamity]

-"And he did give them CRT bloom, and it scorched their eyes so; and they wept
   openly, for there was nothing left to see with" [MooglyGuy]
  * Enabled vector bloom and associated .ini controls
  * Added raster bloom and associated .ini controls, each bloom "level" is the
    linear weight of successively half-sized render targets
  * Removed D3D8 mode
  * Mass renaming in D3D renderer to use namespaces, initial planning step to
    HAL-based renderer implementation on Windows (i.e., GL on Windows)
  * Converted d3d_info, d3d_poly_info, and d3d_texture_info into classes
  * Added batching of vectors for possible speed increase
  * Minor cleanup of shader state setting

I believe we are in the middle of a major change in the Windows osd layer. It will probably lead to better code design on that side, which is good. If we're able to adapt to the new environment, we'll survive. The patch will require changes for each coming "u" release, quite probably. It will be easier if we try to keep in sync with each "u" release for now, rather than waiting for the next major version.

I'm afraid, however, that the DirectDraw interface could be lost in the way, just like D3D8, which has been dropped. I just wish that the DirectDraw interface is kept as a legacy option at least.

[Dr.Venom]

Good to know that there are also general benefits expected. Given these upcoming major changes I wholeheartedly agree that the best strategy is to keep up with the "u" releases, not letting it grow "too big to update", given real life obligations as well. The last thing we want is this project ending in limbo... I guess as such this might have higher priority than the planned improvements for GM/Emudriver?

I second the wish that DDraw is kept as a legacy option as well.

[Dr.Venom]

"Slightly" off-topic, but I hope you don't mind. If and when you find time for the code update, I think I got the perfect background music for it

Chiptune compilation: 1000 subscribers (part 1 of 3): 
Chiptune compilation: 1000 subscribers (part 2 of 3):
Chiptune compilation: 1000 subscribers (part 3 of 3):

12 hours of background chiptunes compilation, enough to keep your sanity through coding sessions. I suggest you start part II, its wicked

Enjoy!!

[Calamity]

Ok, it turned out it wasn't that hard to update the patch finally, I have a working build here. I still need to test it and I'd like to add some fixes, it will be released as 014b within this week. Still none of the new "big" features I'm working on in a parallel experimental patch 015.

[Dr.Venom]

That's great news, looking forward to the update!

[Ansa89]

Ok, it turned out it wasn't that hard to update the patch finally, I have a working build here. I still need to test it and I'd like to add some fixes, it will be released as 014b within this week. Still none of the new "big" features I'm working on in a parallel experimental patch 015.

Very happy to read this.

[lettuce]

Will the update be based of0 .148u5 Calamity?, apparently they have added vector based HLSL settings in the newest release. Finally Tempest may look authentic

[Calamity]

Hi lettuce,

I've a beta GroovyMAME v0.148u5 running here, if it passes the "quality test" it'll be available for this weekend.

[lettuce]

What do i need to change in the mame.ini file to tell mame to run in 1280x720 instead om my windows resolutions?

[Calamity]

What do i need to change in the mame.ini file to tell mame to run in 1280x720 instead om my windows resolutions?

resolution 1280x720@60
lock_system_modes 0
monitor vesa_768

.... provided you have that resolution available in your system.

[Calamity]

GroovyMAME/UME 0.148u5 014b is ready:

https://code.google.com/p/groovyarcade/downloads/list

This is the first version with native Windows 7 support. This doesn't mean that you can simply start using GroovyMAME in Windows 7 right now. The dynamic modelines feature is not supported by the currently available Catalyst drivers. The good news are a specific version of CRT Emudriver for Windows 7 is going to be released soon, with full support for dynamic modelines. Adapting GroovyMAME for Windows 7 has been an obstacle race, but we're glad to announce that most of  the difficulties have been solved at this point. In my opinion, Windows XP will be still the preferable option, but at least we will have a choice. Thanks to Dr.Venom for his support and tests on porting GroovyMAME to Windows 7.

[lettuce]

Thanks Calamity

[lettuce]

Ok, i have created a new mame folder and created a fresh ini file, and only copied over my HLSL settings to the new ini file, with HLSL enabled i get the nag screens on loading a game but after than i get nothing but a black screen. If i disable HLSL within the ini file then the game loads fine. Any ideas what can be the cause of this?

[Paradroid]

This is the first version with native Windows 7 support.

Awesome! Well done and congratulations! I recently got around to building a dedicated Win XP x64 system for GroovyUME (it's performing REALLY well!) but I appreciate that having a Windows 7 option is a great step for the project!

Thanks again for this amazing work! It doesn't go unnoticed...

[lettuce]

Indeed it doesnt 

I think there might be a bug with using windows 7 and HLSL setting Calamity. I have created a fresh ini file and the only setting i have altered are, 'lcd', 51-61, and enabled HLSL. I have changed nothing else. When i load GM i get all the nag screens but after that just a black screen but i can hear the game running. I have attached a log file.

EDIT: I thought it might have been my compiled version so i tried just your 0148u5 pre complied version, and that doesn't appear to load at all, and gives me....

Unable to complie shader (unspecified reason)
Unable to initialise Direct3D
 (THEN A BUNCH OF NUMBERS)
Unable to complete window creation

[Calamity]

Thanks guys,

Lettuce, the problem is you need to add the updated 148u5  hlsl folder, which is not available in the MAME site. Download the binaries from Haze's site: http://mamedev.emulab.it/haze/

Then grab the hlsl folder and it will fix the problem.

[lettuce]

Ah cool thanks. Can you also use the HLSL folder from the MAMEUI download?

[lettuce]

Have noticed the aspect ratio seems to be off, if using mess and nes roms, its not quiet widescreen but its not far off, but defo not 4:3. I have tried enabling keepaspect but doesnt seem to help, if im using MAME the aspect appears to be correct and im using the same settings in both ini files

[machyavel]

Thanks a lot for your hard work!

[EvilDindon]

Yeah thanks a lot for this amazing stuff calamity !

I just build a small conf this week end with a AMD sempron, 2gb ram and a Ati HD4350.

Your emu drivers works like a charm, and all the modelines were created easily with VMMAKER.

I also installed for the first time groovymame32 148u5.

For some reason, I can't get my fav' games ssf2 and ssf2t to run (CPS2) ; it says roms are missing (I got a full .148 mame romset)

Is it a problem with groovy, or maybe the roms has been changed between .148 and .148u5 ?

Cheers,

[yakk11]

Yeah thanks a lot for this amazing stuff calamity !

I just build a small conf this week end with a AMD sempron, 2gb ram and a Ati HD4350.

Your emu drivers works like a charm, and all the modelines were created easily with VMMAKER.

I also installed for the first time groovymame32 148u5.

For some reason, I can't get my fav' games ssf2 and ssf2t to run (CPS2) ; it says roms are missing (I got a full .148 mame romset)

Is it a problem with groovy, or maybe the roms has been changed between .148 and .148u5 ?

Cheers,

I am having the same problems with groovymame.  I have ran romcenter and see that all roms are present.  Everything else seems to run ok (Neo Geo, System 11, etc). 

Thanks for the update!

jason

[Calamity]

Make sure you get the qsound.zip rom for games like ssf2, etc. This is a new one required since v0.148u5 to emulate Qsound.

[EvilDindon]

Ok !
Thanks, I was sure it was something like a bios rom or something else missing !

Cheers

[Mahrio]

Thanks Calamity for your amazing work. 
I did a shift-delete on my old Mame folder since i discovered GroovyMAME.

Looking forward for the updated Windows 7 drivers.
Anyway this is by far the best MAME "flavor" that i used.

[NightSprinter]

Testing this on Windows 7 X64 with PowerStrip, a GeForce 9800GTX+, and a Dell ST2010 LCD monitor.  Seems to have issues that lead to a divide-by-zero error of some sort.  Somewhat tempted to think it's due to using the shareware version of PowerStrip.  I'll just include a log for reference.

[NightSprinter]

Hmm, wondering if I did something wrong in patching everything from vanilla 0.148 sources.  I went from that, patched with the diffs from u1-u5, hiscore patch, and the groovymame patch (or did I get the last two reversed by mistake?).  Everything seemed to compile fine until it gave me an "invalid syntax" error for line 73 of mcs96make.py.  Have there been other issues?

[epicfatigue]

Hey All Nub question here,

I am updating my Groovy as i have not done it for ages.


And i am just checking that i have this right.

#1 Download Mame Enviroment
#2 Download Mame source
#3 Download Mame Diff's

Apply Mame Diff;s
Apply hi_148u5.txt (how do i do this same as the diffs???)
Apply Groovy Diff

Compile Mame
Copy Groovy Mame EXE over the top of Mame exe or am i good to go because i complied it as a package???


thanks all is there a tut i can look up?

[krick]

Apply hi_148u5.txt (how do i do this same as the diffs???)
Apply Groovy Diff

Compile Mame
Copy Groovy Mame EXE over the top of Mame exe or am i good to go because i complied it as a package???

You do the hi score patch the same way as the others...

patch -p0 -E <0148u1.diff
patch -p0 -E <0148u2.diff
patch -p0 -E <0148u3.diff
patch -p0 -E <0148u4.diff
patch -p0 -E <0148u5.diff
patch -p0 -E <hi_148u5.txt
patch -p0 -E <0148u5_groovymame_014b.diff

Once you compile the GroovyMAME exe, you just use it in place of your normal MAME exe.

[epicfatigue]

Hey Thanks for the quick reply i did alot of reading and found it thanks for the heads up,

You also may want to mention the Hiscores dat file etc (thats assuming i did it correctly) first time compling my own mame awesome work guys going to test it out when i get home!

[Monkee]

Stupid questions:

Is Groovymame going to be nice on a videoprojector or a plasma screen? Or does it will suffer from the same problems you get on a LCD?

Does the CRT_EmuDriver will make my windows work on 15Khz all the time after booting ? Because I want to use the computer as a HTPC too and on my CRT too so I guess I need this frequence all the time.

Thanks 

[mamenewb100]

Stupid questions:

Is Groovymame going to be nice on a videoprojector or a plasma screen? Or does it will suffer from the same problems you get on a LCD?

Does the CRT_EmuDriver will make my windows work on 15Khz all the time after booting ? Because I want to use the computer as a HTPC too and on my CRT too so I guess I need this frequence all the time.

Thanks 

Most Plasma, LCDs and newer projectors are 31 Khz and will not run 15Khz. Unless you have an arcade LCD, they make ones made for 15K signal.

Projectors also have a fixed resolution. So if it's a new HD one, you will have to scale the image or use HLSL fake scanlines to look like the original games. Unless you have a really old projector that has 320x240 resolution, you could get a pretty authentic picture. You would also be limited to a fairly dark room to get a decent picture. Plasmas have fixed resolutions just like LCDs. However they look better than LCDs because they have much better black levels. Groovymame isn't of much use unless you have an arcade monitor or CRT. But if you do have something capable of 15Khz, you should boot 15Khz all the time AFTER booting. Win 7 uses a strange frequency before windows boots that is not 15K for a few seconds, then all should be fine. XP does not have this issue.

[Silverwind]

In my dedicated MAME cabinet I am using a betson imperial 27" and a radeon 4890.  I am looking for the best graphics quality out of the multi-frequency arcade monitor.

Am I better of:
1) using the groovy mame liveCD
2) using windows 7 and groovymame

Also is there any front end built into groovymame and/or can I install one after the fact?

[Calamity]

Does the CRT_EmuDriver will make my windows work on 15Khz all the time after booting ? Because I want to use the computer as a HTPC too and on my CRT too so I guess I need this frequence all the time.

CRT_Emudriver installs several (many) 15 kHz resolutions, but it doesn't lock the native high resolutions available in the driver. So it's a matter of what resolution you pick for the desktop, that the output will be 15 kHz, o 31, 48 or whatever kHz.

[Calamity]

In my dedicated MAME cabinet I am using a betson imperial 27" and a radeon 4890.  I am looking for the best graphics quality out of the multi-frequency arcade monitor.

Am I better of:
1) using the groovy mame liveCD
2) using windows 7 and groovymame

Also is there any front end built into groovymame and/or can I install one after the fact?

1) Is possibly the best
2) Is NOT a possibility yet (it will be soon)

However you're missing option 3) for some reason:

3) using Windows XP x64/x86 and GroovyMAME

This is posible right now and offers the very same graphics quality than Linux.

You'll probably want to install a separate front-end to lauch GM from (it does contain the basic MAME's internal menu).

[Silverwind]

In my dedicated MAME cabinet I am using a betson imperial 27" and a radeon 4890.  I am looking for the best graphics quality out of the multi-frequency arcade monitor.

Am I better of:
1) using the groovy mame liveCD
2) using windows 7 and groovymame

Also is there any front end built into groovymame and/or can I install one after the fact?

1) Is possibly the best
2) Is NOT a possibility yet (it will be soon)

However you're missing option 3) for some reason:

3) using Windows XP x64/x86 and GroovyMAME

This is posible right now and offers the very same graphics quality than Linux.

You'll probably want to install a separate front-end to lauch GM from (it does contain the basic MAME's internal menu).

Thank you for the information.  I can use XP x64, for some reason I did not think about it.

In this thread here, there is a lot of work done to get the betson imperial monitor working with groovymame. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117489.0.html
Are all of these settings built into groovymame now?  I did not see this monitor listed in the separate thread about monitors.

[Ansa89]

Patch updated for MAME 0.149.
Please test it before upload on the official site.

[Monkee]

If I use both a old CRT and a new videoprojector for groovymame, does CRT_emudriver will do the job by itself or do I have to set something up?

And concerning GroovyArcade, do you plan to release it without the live cd, I mean will I be able to install it on (Xbmc)Ubuntu one day ?

Thanks

[Calamity]

In this thread here, there is a lot of work done to get the betson imperial monitor working with groovymame. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117489.0.html
Are all of these settings built into groovymame now?  I did not see this monitor listed in the separate thread about monitors.

Hi Silverwind,

Yes, that Betson monitor was terribly hard to figure out, let's say it's quite special. It's not added into GM yet. Those presets are in the old format, now GM uses a slightly different format so they will need to be updated. In case you want to volunteer for helping figuring out updated presets post in that thread and we'll resume the job.

[Calamity]

If I use both a old CRT and a new videoprojector for groovymame, does CRT_emudriver will do the job by itself or do I have to set something up?

CRT Emudriver is "passive", it just enables some video modes to your specs. You have to care about setting the right resolution to the right output, depending on the device you plan to attach.

And concerning GroovyArcade, do you plan to release it without the live cd, I mean will I be able to install it on (Xbmc)Ubuntu one day ?

Mmmm, GroovyArcade and the live cd are much the same thing, it's a full operating system. You can't simply install it on Ubuntu. You'd need to patch some kernel elements and roll your own modified Ubuntu clone of GroovyArcade, if that's what you mean.