CRTEmuDriver for Windows 7 test results

[retrorepair]

Here's a question, how do you get Elsemi's model 2 emu to run in a decent res? If I try 2560x480 (like groovymame runs 24khz stuff in low res) the image is great but the text is all bunched up.

I imagine this is an issue with the emulator (c'mon mamedev) but maybe there's a work around?

[retrorepair]

I might add, the usual m2emu problem of the audio/video skipping rears it's ugly head once again with vsync enabled.

For the record, the setup I had trouble with earlier on a MS9 does not occur on my B&O MX7000 TV. Setup goes exactly as it should have.

AndyPC btw has the same cabinet and PC I did (the exact one, he bought it from me).

[Andypc]

I posted this in another thread, but forgot to put it here. Setting Groovymame to run as administrator solved my issue and the games are all starting at the right resolution I also sorted the shift problem with the J-pac it was the coin switch stuck on which was the only thing I hadn't checked  Mega Happy. I can now play some games. Thanks for all your help.

p.s. Now trying to get Groovymame running right in my other cab with an ArcadeVGA.

[Andypc]

A couple of questions. When playing Type-X games like SFIVAE with the Type-X Loader is there anyway to force v-sync in the driver? Also Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back display a blank screen even though you can hear the game running?

[premuto]

work the new crtemudirver for w7 in more models of ati cards, for example hd5450?

[cyb]

Is there a version of catalyst control center that can be used with the crt w7 beta drivers?

[Calamity]

work the new crtemudirver for w7 in more models of ati cards, for example hd5450?

No.

[Calamity]

Is there a version of catalyst control center that can be used with the crt w7 beta drivers?

Here is the original package I used to build the CRT Emudriver for Windows 7 "reloaded" version: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=374236

If you find a way to install the CCC alone, then you'll have it. Maybe install the whole package then force the installation of CRT Emudriver over it might work.

Any reason you want CCC?

[cyb]

I wanted to output composite sync on the vga cable and as far as I was aware CCC had an option to do so.

[Paradroid]

Pretty sure that WinModelines can be used to set composite sync without having to install CCC.

Please post a thread reporting your results with composite sync... I tried building a VGA to SCART cable with composite sync but could never get it to work.

[cyb]

thanks for the tip! gave it a try but it didn't work.

[8BitMonk]

I've begun the switch from an AVGA to Groovymame + CRTEmuDriver + Radeon HD + Windows 7 with mostly good results so far.

Here's my setup: AMD Phenom II Black 3.2 / Radeon HD 4870 1GB / Win 7 pro x64 / Betson Imperial 27” Trisync

* Everything is set to run as ADMIN

Changes to VMMaker.ini defaults

• Changed mame paths to where I extracted Groovymame
• ListFromXML = 0
• MonitorType = d9800 (closest to my monitor)
• ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1
• ModeTableMethod_XML = 1
• AnyCatalyst = 1

Changes to Groovymame mame.ini defaults

• monitor d9800 (later changed to arcade_15_25_31)
• cleanstretch 2
• frame_delay 1
• resolution 2560x0
• skip_gameinfo 1
• disable_nagscreen_patch 0
• disable_loading_patch 1 (on 0 my joysticks did not work)
• cheat 1

Changes to ReslList.txt

• super resolutions added
• 800x600 @ 60.000000 desktop added
• should nes, master system, turbo grafx entries be removed?

Installing the CRTEmuDriver beta went fine though I did notice a ‘Device Updated’ and a ‘Not needed’ indication (screenshot below) not sure if that’s normal.



After installing the driver I made my VMMaker.ini edits (above) and ran VMMaker which seemed to go fine except that it only created 57 mode lines (screenshot below) and I thought it would be 120 for my card.



After the Driver and VMMaker install I restarted and hooked up to my arcade monitor. I got the out of sync flash from my OSD (as delusional29 was) prior to the windows login screen (later I tried running bcdedit /set bootux basic from an elevated cmd prompt but no luck getting rid of it).The resolution was initially funky but I was able to set the desktop to 800x600 using ArcadeOSD and it sticks.   

Game Testing
I’ve initially tried just a handful of games, robotron, 1943, pacman, ms pacman and street fighter II. At first a couple of the games were distorted or extended off the screen. I discovered this was from the monitor d9800 setting in the mame.ini. Confusing since it’s what I used in the VMMaker setup, is supposed to be the closest preset to my monitor and what delusional29 was using with the same monitor. Anyway, changing to the standard trisync preset arcade_15_25_31 fixed the issue and all of the games then looked and played great. Showing game info in mame it seems to be picking the super resolutions for all of them. I also tested running Mortal Kombat Komplete, Injustice, SFIV and Geometry Wars out of Steam and they all look and play great at high quality settings.

Custom Preset
Since I had issues with the d9800 setting I’d like to create a custom preset for the Betson. Can anyone coach me on how to do this. I have a link to the manual with the needed info:
44-4070-VR Manual.pdf. Calamity discussed creating it in this thread but I couldn’t infer enough from it to do it myself.

Feedback?
So does all of this seem normal? This is my first foray into Groovymame and CRTEmu world so any feedback is appreciated. It appears to be running as it should but I have zero reference and little experience so far. My main concerns/questions are:

• There were fewer modelines created by VMMaker than I anticipated (57 vs. 120). Is this normal and maybe because I’m using the super resolutions and dynamic tables?
• I used the d9800 monitor preset for VMMaker and it ended up not working as the monitor setting in my mame.ini. Seems odd
• The sync error from my OSD on boot up is a little concerning since some of the commentary in this thread has said it’s no problem and some that it could damage your monitor.
• When I set disable_loading_patch 1 my joysticks (U360’s) didn’t work.
• Should I remove the listings for nes, master system, turbo grafx etc. that existed in the ReslList.txt file before I added the super resolutions and 800x600 line?
• Not really sure how to test for accuracy within games other than playing them or bringing up the info screen in mame.

Thanks!

[cools]

If you're using resolution wildcard 2560x0 then you should only have the "super" resolutions and your desktop resolution in the Resllist.txt file. Remove all the other entries as they are pointless.

I *think* you also need ModeTableMethod_Custom = 0 rather than 1, but I'm not 100% certain on this one.

The D9800 preset is definitely wrong for your monitor. Personally I'd stick with the arcade_15_25_31 and port the values from that preset to what VMMaker requires, and use it in both places.

The reason you only get 57 is because you're using ListFromXML = 0 - it'll only make modelines for whatever is in Resllist.txt (which is fine because you're using super resolutions - you only need a very limited number of modelines).

[8BitMonk]

Thanks for the help cools. 

I *think* you also need ModeTableMethod_Custom = 0 rather than 1, but I'm not 100% certain on this one.

I think I read to set them both to 1 when using super resolutions by Calamity in another thread.

The D9800 preset is definitely wrong for your monitor. Personally I'd stick with the arcade_15_25_31 and port the values from that preset to what VMMaker requires, and use it in both places.

That's what I thought. Creating my own preset would probably be even better. Doesn't seem like it'd be terribly difficult with a little coaching since I have all of the numbers from the service manual.

Can I re-run VMMaker any time I make .ini changes? I originally ran it right after the driver update so I wasn't sure if they had to be done in unison.

[cools]

Yes, you can re-run it at any time. You need to reboot for the last run to take effect every time.

If you've got all the standard numbers for the monitor in the manual, it'd be good to use those Quite the luxury.

[8BitMonk]

Yeah it WOULD be a luxury if I knew exactly how to match them up.  Most of the values seem to be on pages 7-8 but there isn't a direct 1-1 comparison for all. It also doesn't break them out by 15/25/31 like the arcade_15_25_31 preset does.

44-4070-VR Manual.pdf.

[Calamity]

Hi 8BitMonk,

I'm fairly impressed about how quick you got this working by yourself, congratulations.

It's normal that the driver only installs one of it's .inf files, the other two are for other chipsets.

Keeping the default resolutions in ReslList.txt is good in case you're going to use other emulators apart from MAME, otherwise it's ok to remove them. Keeping them in XP made sure you got a resolution list longer than 17 modes, which was necessary in XP but it's no longer in W7.

The issue regarding the disable_loading_patch 1 and the U360’s is really odd and anyway should affect all builds using MKChamp's patch, so maybe do a search to see if someone else is experiencing it.

The best way to see the difference with your previous setup is testing games that run at refresh rates different than 60 Hz, then check they're running at 100% speed and that the scrolls are smooth. Typical games to test, Irem games (rtype, loht, dbreed), bublbobl, snowbros, etc. Be careful with vertical games however. Some that are 256 or more lines tall like 1942 won't run at 100% unless you rotate your monitor. This is normal and due to CRT limitations.

[Sledge]

Some that are 256 or more lines tall like 1942 won't run at 100% unless you rotate your monitor. This is normal and due to CRT limitations.

Oh for crying out loud Calamity... you're making it difficult for me to resist getting a second cabinet !!!

[8BitMonk]

Thanks for the feedback Calamity. It was fairly easy to setup after scrounging the forums and various sites a bit.

I've quickly become a convert from my AVGA setup after seeing the results first hand. There is definitely a noticeable difference, thank you for all of your hard work! 

The testing method you mention is basically how I've been doing it. I'll be reporting my results with my specific monitor in this thread.

[Paradroid]

I've quickly become a convert from my AVGA setup after seeing the results first hand.

Worth the extra effort, hey?

Welcome to the Smooth Scrolling Club.

[8BitMonk]

I have indeed seen the light. All hail GroovyMAME!! 

[Lenin Stimpy]

Hi all,

Is the driver on page one of this thread the most recent release?

Thanks

[cools]

Just facepalmed - thought I'd try giving super resolutions a go and forgot the 100k pixel clock bug still exists 

[yatzr]

I successfully set this up on one computer several weeks ago, and now I'm trying to set it up on another, but I'm running into an issue...I'm sure it's user error.  I'm using a standard 15khz arcade monitor.  I used the reslist.txt from the first page of the thread and followed the installation instructions.  All of my resolutions are showing up in arcadeOSD and I can switch to any of them just fine.  The problem, however, is that whenever I run a game in groovymame, it says it can't find a video mode that meets your specs.  I output a log with "mame romname -v > romname.txt", and in that log it looks like it found all my resolutions, but after each one it says "- locked".  I've been running everything as administrator, so I'm just really confused now.

I've tried going through the whole process a couple times now.  I'll keep trying though...it feels like I'm probably just messing up one small thing during the process.

edit: I just noticed that whenever I run vmmaker, it always says "No compatible video driver found" and disables the registry update.  I've tried reinstalling the driver and setting the full path in vmmaker.ini.  I'm guessing this has something to do with my problem though?

[cools]

Anycatalyst = 1

[yatzr]

Anycatalyst = 1

I got it working with this, but now I have another question.  I ended up reformatting this new machine and started over from scratch, but included anycatalyst=1 this time.  Groovymame is working perfect and the games are looking great.  However, in arcadeOSD, the available resolutions are just the ones listed in reslist.txt (e.g. 2560xXXX).  Is that expected?  On the previous machine, (and this machine before I reformatted), arcadeOSD would list all of the typical 15khz resolutions (e.g. 320x240).  I'm wondering if I messed up on the previous machine and just got lucky that groovymame was working.  I apologize if that's already been discussed, I didn't see it mentioned.

[yatzr]

I ran into another interesting problem.  My monitor is rotated vertical, so I set the switchres orientation option to "vertical" in mame.ini.  However, when I do this, the mame in-game menu is missing all of its text.  I see the blue dialog and the yellow highlight for the currently selected row, but I see no text in any of the rows.  I can still select options and it'll go into the next menu, but again I see no text.  If I change the orientation back to "horizontal", then the in-game menu works fine.  This only seems to be happening when I use the super resolutions and vertical orientation.  I spent about an hour searching around online for this, but came up with nothing, so thought I'd ask here.  I did try changing the uifont in mame.ini, but that didn't help either.  Any ideas?

[cools]

The ingame menu when rotated is a known GM bug, nothing to do with Win 7

[wp34]

I'm having some issues getting this working in Windows 7.  It has been a while since I set GroovyMame up on my XP rig so it is very possible I'm missing something.

Here is what I have -
D9800 Monitor
4550 HD video card
groovyume64_0153.015a (linked in this thread)
CRT Emudriver 13.1-1.2b W7 x64 - BETA (reloaded) (linked in this thread)
"Super Resulution" settings described here - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138903.msg1440362.html#msg1440362

I was able to install the driver but when I go into OSD I'm not seeing any of the same resolutions I see on my XP setup.  Nothing below 640x480 shows.  "Driver is not compatible" shows under "Attach OSD to current monitor"

When I run VMmaker (ListFromXML=0,  MonitorType="D9800", AnyCatalyst=1) I get "No compatible video driver found (registry update disabled). 

When I run GroovyMame (as Admin) I get a ton of errors including "SwitchRes: Failed opening system\controllerset001\services\VGAsave\Device0 registry entry" and "-resolution value not available: 2560x0"

Hopefully I missed a step.  I've been extremely happy with GroovyMame on XP but would like to upgrade my PC to Windows 7 if at all possible.

[wp34]

Ignore my questions.  My video card died and I decided to go back to Windows XP for now.

[lolomc2]

Just a post to say thank you for this driver Calamity.

It did not worked the way I did the first time (fresh W7 ultimate ed installation + full update, then I tried the way you describe...)

So, I destroyed the partition and did again a fresh install of W7. Installed VNC. Then I made the first set of windows update. But this time I took care about uncheking ATI driver selected by Windows update and remove the update from the list.
I did not understand how but jsut after reboot, I had the image on my monitor (Sony 32'' CRT 16/9). I changed the resolution to 640x480 with VNC and then full update except hidden ATI update.

Everything work just fine. I'll finally have the occasion to waste a lot of time on dolphin + MKGP2 + G25 

[Calamity]

Just a quick note to say that a new package for Windows 7 (http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=65) is available. This one fixes the problem that required "AnyCatalyst" to be used. Apart from that, the binary files are still the same, so if you have an already working system there's no real need to update.

It's important however that you get the latest versions of VMMaker & Arcade OSD (1.4) because these do contain fixed specific for Windows 7, as well as proper support for "super" resolutions.

[8BitMonk]

Great news! Does the update fix the issues below?

• Vmmaker bug, when the pixelclock is over 100 they get filtered out
• When there are two possible resolutions to choose from and both require fractional scaling and also both allow for perfect vertical refresh then the determining factor is the highest resolution

[cools]

1 is fixed, I'm using super exclusively on my win 7 cab now and its ace. 2 is Groovy dependent and that's not been updated yet.

[8BitMonk]

Excellent, that should help me get rid of some of the ini files.

[8BitMonk]

Unfortunately the update didn't help me. Still need all of my 200+ ini files to correct the issue with groovymame using the highest resolution as the determining factor. At least the super resolutions are there now though!

Also noticed that following the instructions at the top of the ResList.txt file for setting up the VMMaker.ini file didn't seem to work. Ie. in order to get the resolutions had to turn on anycatalyst, generate the XML files and set ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1

[cools]

You definitely want mode table method custom to be 0, and list from XML 0 as well. Otherwise vmm will drop frequencies

[Calamity]

Also noticed that following the instructions at the top of the ResList.txt file for setting up the VMMaker.ini file didn't seem to work. Ie. in order to get the resolutions had to turn on anycatalyst, generate the XML files and set ModeTableMethod_Custom = 1

If you're still using the previous driver, then AnyCatalyst will still be required. But the rest of instructions should work just fine without listing from xml, tested here.

[8BitMonk]

Ok I'll rerun it again with those settings, after it didn't work I just matched what I had used before. Why do you use 0 for the table method when the notes in the ini say that 0 is intended to be used with custom ini files? I didn't notice it drop any resolutions, it created 120.

[cools]

Disable listfromxml, you don't want it if you're using super resolutions.