CRT emudriver with 31khz set-up issue

[gozaimas]

I'm building a second GroovyMAME + Attract Mode + CRT Emudriver set-up for a new cab I bought, a New Net City that has a lovely tri-sync screen.

I have everything up and working well as per Calamity's guide, but when I install the tri-sync drivers (i.e. rather than the standard 15khz setting), while GroovyMame works exactly as it should, and games look good etc, the PC desktop/ menu screens become totally squashed and unreadable.

Is there any way to fix this, as it currently makes running the set-up at 31khz unworkable?

[buttersoft]

Squashed in what way?

[gozaimas]

As in, it looks like the desktop is set to an incorrect resolution -- text, images and windows in Windows 7 appear squished together (and the screen is doubled) so it's completely unreadable. Attract Mode, meanwhile, displays perfectly when it's launched, as does GroovyMame. I'd live with it were it not for the fact that I need to tweak my set up from time to time.

[buttersoft]

As in, it looks like the desktop is set to an incorrect resolution -- text, images and windows in Windows 7 appear squished together (and the screen is doubled) so it's completely unreadable. Attract Mode, meanwhile, displays perfectly when it's launched, as does GroovyMame. I'd live with it were it not for the fact that I need to tweak my set up from time to time.

The screen is doubled as in two narrow, almost identical images side-by-side, yes? Are you using a J-pac? What happens in each case when you go into ArcadeOSD and pick 240p, 480i, 384p, and 480p, assuming those resolutions are actually there?

[Calamity]

First find out what resolution your desktop is set to, and simply change it to one that shows properly. If the desktop insists on switching to the wrong one, tell us.

[gozaimas]

Sorry to come back with this one, but I can't solve the issue.

 Once the tri-sync super.ini resolutions were re-installed, I went into resolutions and worked my way through all available options. None worked, including the standard 640x480. When I got back to dual sync, I change the desktop resolution to 640x480 and it all works fine. I can't work out where I'm going wrong at all.

I'm running the latest version of GroovyMame on Windows 7. It's running through a J-Pac, which runs through a Jammafier into my JVS cabinet. The monitor is the king of CRTs, a Toshiba PF D29C051.

I've attached a picture of how the desktop looked at 640x480 resolution with tri-sync set-up.

[Calamity]

Have you tried setting the desktop resolution using Arcade OSD? Also, are you using EDID emulation?

[gozaimas]

Yeah, tried setting the desktop resolution via Arcade OSD (went through all available options) and none appeared correctly (see images below).

Not using EDID as my Graphics card is a Radeon 4350 (I'm using the Minikab 3). Should I try that?

[cools]

Post all the ini files from CRT Emudriver, something's wrong somewhere.

[Calamity]

Don't expect super resolutions to look fine on the desktop. Windows can't handle non-square pixels. Try 640x480@60 instead. Make sure it's the 60 Hz one, not 75 Hz or any odd refresh.

[buttersoft]

And no, you don't enable EDID emulation for any card before the Radeon HD 5000 series, the option should not be available.

[Zebidee]

It's running through a J-Pac, which runs through a Jammafier into my JVS cabinet.

That is possibly the coolest term I've ever heard of for a JAMMA harness.

Have you tried moving the jumpers on the JPAC? It will have jumpers for telling it what to pass through ie: 15/25/31khz mode signals.

[gozaimas]

Sorry, yes -- it's still borked at 640x480 (see attachment). I've also attached my log here.

I'll take a look at the jumpers on the J-pac now.

Thanks so much for the help everyone. I super appreciate it.

[gozaimas]

re: the jumpers -- this is how they're currently arranged. Should I tweak anything here? (please excuse my ignorance)

[cools]

Yeah, they're wrong for 31kHz, you're telling the JPAC to divide the signal. Remove the one from 15K

If you wish to see a stable VGA picture during boot, set for "split screen mode". install a jumper on both the 15 Khz and 31 Khz positions.
In this mode when the PC is booted, a visible double picture should be displayed. When the VGA frequency drops to 15 Khz the picture will return to normal. This mode is for 15 Khz monitors only. The picture may not be stable all the way from initial power-on.

[gozaimas]

Ah, understood. And that will still allow me to run games at 15k as well? Or does that require a different config of jumpers? Will try now!

[gozaimas]

That did it! Thanks so much, Cools. Very grateful for your help.

[Zebidee]

JPAC jumper positions info is here:
https://www.ultimarc.com/jpac2.html

To configure the monitor interface, install one jumper on the pair of pins indicating the frequency your monitor is specified to operate at. Most older arcade monitors operate at 15 Khz.

Alternatively, if a 15Khz monitor is being used, install jumpers on both the 15 and 31Khz positions (default setting). This enables a stable picture to be displayed during boot.

If all jumpers are removed, the J-PAC will pass through composite sync. This mode is used with our console adaptors.