$100 How can I output RPI3B+ to show on two serperate monitors MAME / PunchOut!!

[mrclean]

Ultimately I'm looking to build a dedicated Dual Screen set up while using the RPI3B+ (Raspberry Pi 3b+ in conjunction with MAME .78 / Libretro / retroarch ). Is it capable / possible of outputting specifically for MAME .78 with the following listed games (i.e. Punchout!! Super Punchout!! Arm Wrestling, Nintendo Playchoice 10) what settings within MAME libretro / retroarch is needed & or is additonal hardware needed to achieve this ?! I'm looking to use HDMI out from the Pi to VGA in on the monitors. (Both of the monitors have VGA inputs) Do I need to change settings within MAME if so how, and or do I need to purchase any type of adapters / cables etc

Currently my games are playing fine on a dedicated single monitor albeit on a horizontally orientated monitor or a vertically oriented monitor. The games above would be for a dedicated Dual horizontal setup with just those types of games. The game outputs two different images to two different screens. As an example :



I have access to SSH / WinSCP to modify the config files etc. I'm pretty confident this is achievable but I can't seem to find answers on how to do so.

**I'm going to offer a $50.00 Now $100 PayPal Bounty if someone can get this going how I described, Once I get it going 100% I will send you the $50.00 NOW $100 PayPal Bounty. Ideally someone can post for everyone to share this info in the future as I'm sure I'm not the only one looking to do this. In theory I can physically send out my RasperryPI3b+ / micro SD Card / Power Adapter / along with the GPIO to VGA adapter. I won't send two Monitors because it's too heavy and too expensive to ship etc.** Ideally I wouldn't need to send out my stuff and someone can properly walk me through it. I will only be paying one person the $50 NOW $100 bounty.** No external links to other sites, all done via BYOAC. I've been a member of BYOAC for just about 13 Years now so I'm not sure if that's something I can do in years past that knoweldge was provided for free, but I just want this done figure i'd put out some incentive. If i can't post this mods let me know... just trying to help out someone who's helping me etc.

[ark_ader]

Its possible.  But with free PCs out there, why bother?  As I understand it, life is supposed to be made easy. 

[mrclean]

Its possible. 

I'm pretty confident it's been done before. I've been searching a while and can't figure it out. I was hoping someone had a solution or insight as to what settings / and or hardware was needed to achieve this. Again I'm using raspberry Pi3b+

In conjunction with MAME / Libretro 2003 / Retroarch. MAME Set .78.

Dual screen setup anyone help ?! 

[ark_ader]

Its possible. 

I'm pretty confident it's been done before. I've been searching a while and can't figure it out. I was hoping someone had a solution or insight as to what settings / and or hardware was needed to achieve this. Again I'm using raspberry Pi3b+

In conjunction with MAME / Libretro 2003 / Retroarch. MAME Set .78.

Dual screen setup anyone help ?! 

Well if you insist.  You can drive a usb monitor (should be fast enough) or buy gpio vga.  Retroarch will recognize the second display,  not sure about emulationstation.  Lots of info on it on reddit. Gpio vga is the cheapest route.

[nitrogen_widget]

I tried this last yr with attract mode looking to use a second monitor as a digital marquee.
the second display off the gertboard is framebuffer only.
no x console.
so I needed to use something that outputs directly to frambuffer.

I stopped there and didn't try using mame in that way so it may work.

[mrclean]

Well if you insist.  You can drive a usb monitor (should be fast enough) or buy gpio vga.  Retroarch will recognize the second display,  not sure about emulationstation.  Lots of info on it on reddit. Gpio vga is the cheapest route.

I'm using two of the same 19'' VGA input monitors. they are not USB monitors thus I'll need to use GPIO to VGA. So I've seen those adapters that you speak of which I had no idea you can output video via the GPIO pins sounds promising... And they are relatively inexpensive as you describe.

I found this one (is this the right item I need?!) :

However it comes down to telling MAME / RetroArch / Libretro 2003 (again using MAME .78) the Raspberry Pi3b+ software what I want to do. What .ini / config / setting do I need to tell the Raspberry Pi3b+ to say ;

-Display 1 is the main lower picture (Monitor #1) via HDMI out on the Pi to VGA adapter
-Display 2 is the upper picture (Monitor #2) via GPIO out to VGA

Getting that adapter is one thing as far as the hardware that's needed, can any one walk me through the software end of things ?

I stopped there and didn't try using mame in that way so it may work.

I know MAME is capable of outputting to two seperate monitors just not sure if anyone has done this via RaspberryPi3b+ in conjunction with the set up I have.

**I'm going to offer a $50.00 PayPal Bounty if someone can get this going how I described, Once I get it going 100% I will send you the 50.00 PayPal Bounty. Ideally someone can post for everyone to share this info in the future as I'm sure I'm not the only one looking to do this. In theory I can physically send out my RasperryPI3b+ / micro SD Card / Power Adapter / along with the GPIO to VGA adapter. I won't send two Monitors because it's too heavy and too expensive to ship etc.** Ideally I wouldn't need to send out my stuff and someone can properly walk me through it. I will only be paying one person the $50 bounty.** No external links to other sites, all done via BYOAC. I've been a member of BYOAC for just about 13 Years now so I'm not sure if that's something I can do in years past that knoweldge was provided for free, but I just want this done figure i'd put out some incentive. If i can't post this mods let me know... just trying to help out someone who's helping me etc.

[keilmillerjr]

Start with Gert VGA 666. Buy it from a distributor who prebuilds them. You can not use hdmi and rca at the same time, but I believe you could use one of the two with usb or gpio solutions. You will need to set up a second frame buffer in the firmware config. Not sure on the parameter to pass to mame. I have compiled current mame on raspbian lite with rPi 3b+. It’s slow. Compiled AdvanceMAME. It runs fine. It’s based on mame 0.106. Check if it has multi monitor support. If not, you need a pc.

[mrclean]

Start with Gert VGA 666. Buy it from a distributor who prebuilds them. You can not use hdmi and rca at the same time, but I believe you could use one of the two with usb or gpio solutions.

Yep this I was aware of, but thanks for posting / contributing to the thread.

You will need to set up a second frame buffer in the firmware config. Not sure on the parameter to pass to mame. I have compiled current mame on raspbian lite with rPi 3b+. It’s slow. Compiled AdvanceMAME. It runs fine. It’s based on mame 0.106. Check if it has multi monitor support. If not, you need a pc.

Again, I'm looking to do this with MAME set .78 Libretro 2003 / RetroArch. Is that possible ? IF that version does not support dual screens i'd be using .159 Libretro 2014. / RetroArch, Raspberry Pi3b+. I'm not intending on using a PC, it's RPi3B+ or bust.

Any one else familiar with setting up this way with ;
rpi3b+
MAME 2003/ .78 SET
Libretro
RetroArch
Two VGA monitors
PC-10 or PunchOut!! / Arm Wrestling / Super PunchOut!!

What do I need to modify for this to work using hdmi to vga in (obviously just need an adapter single monitor works fine as it should) and in conjunction use the GPIO pins to output to VGA to a secondary monitor. I have access to WinSCP / The MAME ini files which ones need to get changed, does the pi settings need to have a change or strictly MAME ?!

[ark_ader]

Use that $50 paypal and get a used PC off Newegg.  Or if you are not into that, you could get some tweezers and start pulling your hairs out of legs/ears/nose/whatever is painful to you as this is all you are going to get.  Don't get me wrong, the pi is great but what you are asking for is next to stupid.

Do us all a favor and get this.   

[mrclean]

Use that $50 paypal and get a used PC off Newegg.  Or if you are not into that, you could get some tweezers and start pulling your hairs out of legs/ears/nose/whatever is painful to you as this is all you are going to get.  Don't get me wrong, the pi is great but what you are asking for is next to stupid.

Do us all a favor and get this.   

I don't think what I'm asking is next to stupid. Regardless of your opinion I'm still looking for anyone  who can / know how to get this going as I had explained in a previous post. I don't want to use windows nor anything with a HDD. Appreciate an alternative but I'm certain this can be done with Rpi3b+. 

[JDFan]

Appreciate an alternative but I'm certain this can be done with Rpi3b+.

Think this article sums it up fairly well ( https://www.androidcentral.com/can-you-use-multiple-monitors-raspberry-pi-3-b )  :

Best answer: Yes you can use two displays with a Raspberry Pi, but you will need to buy some other components depending on how you want to use those displays. You'll need an adapter with a DisplayLink chip or a VGA666 Adapter to use it as a true secondary monitor. You should also know in advance: this isn't easy to set up.

And concludes with :

Not for the faint of heart

As you can tell, the Raspberry Pi wasn't really designed to be used with more than one display. Clever folks have found ways to make it happen, but they aren't ideal and may be more than you're willing to undertake.

A Raspberry Pi is a great little device for a lot of things — including a miniature desktop PC — but it lacks the power and ports to do everything. Sometimes, you just have to go bigger. Just make sure you know what you're doing first.

[ark_ader]

Appreciate an alternative but I'm certain this can be done with Rpi3b+.

Think this article sums it up fairly well ( https://www.androidcentral.com/can-you-use-multiple-monitors-raspberry-pi-3-b )  :

Best answer: Yes you can use two displays with a Raspberry Pi, but you will need to buy some other components depending on how you want to use those displays. You'll need an adapter with a DisplayLink chip or a VGA666 Adapter to use it as a true secondary monitor. You should also know in advance: this isn't easy to set up.

And concludes with :

Not for the faint of heart

As you can tell, the Raspberry Pi wasn't really designed to be used with more than one display. Clever folks have found ways to make it happen, but they aren't ideal and may be more than you're willing to undertake.

A Raspberry Pi is a great little device for a lot of things — including a miniature desktop PC — but it lacks the power and ports to do everything. Sometimes, you just have to go bigger. Just make sure you know what you're doing first.

Thanks for reiterating what I posted above.  We post on this board to guide others to personal discovery, lazy people are discouraged by this fact.  We are not here to be exploited.  I do not get out of bed for less than $250 and it is true fact that I do not need $250.

I also like a challenge, and at the same time do not like headaches.  I think it would be best if the OP tries out these two methods and a possible third method using splashtop.  Same as usb and might have lag.  Fourth method, slave via pizero.

OP: Now go research these topics and learn from the experience. 
Come back when you got it working and share your results.   

[ark_ader]

This should be a great start: http://matthewepler.github.io/2016/01/05/piwall.html

Actually I was thinking about the display interface for touch screens, but for pizero(w) $5 or $10 for wifi.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzugiINb3Zo&feature=youtu.be

[mrclean]

Upping the BOUNTY TO $100.

Single RPI3B+
Monitor 1 (VGA in) - HDMI out to VGA
Monitor 2 (VGA in) Adapter Gert 666 GPIO to VGA or USB to VGA
MAME .78 set (2003 Libretro RetroArch) or MAME .159 set (2014 Libretro / RetroArch)
Dual screen out for PunchOut!! / Arm Wrestling / PC-10 Dual Screen / Super PunchOut!!

Again to reiterate : What do I need to modify for this to work using hdmi to vga in (obviously just need an adapter single monitor works fine as it should) and in conjunction use the GPIO pins to output to VGA to a secondary monitor. I have access to WinSCP / The MAME ini files which ones need to get changed, does the pi settings need to have a change or strictly MAME ?!

What parameters settings do I need to change ?


BOUNTY IS GOING UP!
Anyone want to make $100.00 / Collect this Bounty to get this going as I described via PayPal, NO PC's, no HDD's must work with the above configuration, No external links! PayPal payment to one person who gets this going on my rpi3b+!

[barrymossel]

Pffff, I don't get why you are so stubborn, and why you even want to pay money for this. But ok, whatever. First try to get two monitors working on Raspbian. Apparently the driver is included nowadays. So you should get two monitors working through quite easily. Next step would be setting up MAME/RetroArch.

[keilmillerjr]

I already told you where to start. I don’t know why you continue to go on.

[mrclean]

I already told you where to start. I don’t know why you continue to go on.

Purchased a VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter and on it's way...

I can't test it yet again I'm using this on Rapsberry Pi 3b+, someone mentioned that the drivers are already present etc. Also to note I've seen this posted within the instructions which is confusing to me as to this, do I just cut and paste this into the config.txt file:

Technology Support:
Edit /boot/config.txt file with vim.tiny or other editor. and modify as following:
framebuffer_width=800
framebuffer_height=600
dpi_group=2
device_tree=bcm2710-rpi-3-b.dtb
dpi_mode=86
dtparam=i2c_arm=off
dtparam=spi=off
dtparam=uart0=off
dtparam=uart1=off
dtoverlay=pi3-disable-bt-overlay
dtoverlay=vga666
enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
force_pwm_open=0
dtparam=audio=on
start_x=1
gpu_mem=128
Note: Please disable the functions of all the GPIO Pins so that it can work properly, 800x600
resolution is highly recommended as higher resolution will slow down your Pi and cost more
RAM Is this just overriding the HDMI the way this is setup ? I want obviously both HDMI out to VGA and GPIO to VGA in order for it to display on both monitors

Next step would be setting up MAME/RetroArch.

What exactly do I need to modify no ones given me definitive instructions within this entire thread on how to do so. Also have not gotten a response to will this setup work in conjunction with MAME Libretro 2003 .78 or Do I need to use MAME .159 aka Libretro 2014 / RetroArch/ if so what needs to be changed within the parameters of the .ini / config files... yet still not one person posted that.

I simply need to know where the "file / config / ini" for MAME what version I need to use for it to work, what needs to be modified for this to work, I'm only using this for the Dual Screen Games and NO other games will be present on the machine. I have access to WinSCP / can connect and modify the .txt / .ini files via notepad++ overwifi / network. I can't modify anything IF i don't know exactly what I need to modify to get this working.

[ark_ader]

I already told you where to start. I don’t know why you continue to go on.

Purchased a VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter and on it's way...

I can't test it yet again I'm using this on Rapsberry Pi 3b+, someone mentioned that the drivers are already present etc. Also to note I've seen this posted within the instructions which is confusing to me as to this, do I just cut and paste this into the config.txt file:

Technology Support:
Edit /boot/config.txt file with vim.tiny or other editor. and modify as following:
framebuffer_width=800
framebuffer_height=600
dpi_group=2
device_tree=bcm2710-rpi-3-b.dtb
dpi_mode=86
dtparam=i2c_arm=off
dtparam=spi=off
dtparam=uart0=off
dtparam=uart1=off
dtoverlay=pi3-disable-bt-overlay
dtoverlay=vga666
enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
force_pwm_open=0
dtparam=audio=on
start_x=1
gpu_mem=128
Note: Please disable the functions of all the GPIO Pins so that it can work properly, 800x600
resolution is highly recommended as higher resolution will slow down your Pi and cost more
RAM Is this just overriding the HDMI the way this is setup ? I want obviously both HDMI out to VGA and GPIO to VGA in order for it to display on both monitors

Next step would be setting up MAME/RetroArch.

What exactly do I need to modify no ones given me definitive instructions within this entire thread on how to do so. Also have not gotten a response to will this setup work in conjunction with MAME Libretro 2003 .78 or Do I need to use MAME .159 aka Libretro 2014 / RetroArch/ if so what needs to be changed within the parameters of the .ini / config files... yet still not one person posted that.

I simply need to know where the "file / config / ini" for MAME what version I need to use for it to work, what needs to be modified for this to work, I'm only using this for the Dual Screen Games and NO other games will be present on the machine. I have access to WinSCP / can connect and modify the .txt / .ini files via notepad++ overwifi / network. I can't modify anything IF i don't know exactly what I need to modify to get this working.

As I understand it the GPIO-VGA maxes out at 800x600, which you would have to reduce the HDMI memory on the PI, but in reality you would want 320x240 resolution for the above punch out display.

Make sure you get a 5v 2.5a power supply.  Let us know how you get on.

[barrymossel]

Next step would be setting up MAME/RetroArch.

What exactly do I need to modify no ones given me definitive instructions within this entire thread on how to do so. Also have not gotten a response to will this setup work in conjunction with MAME Libretro 2003 .78 or Do I need to use MAME .159 aka Libretro 2014 / RetroArch/ if so what needs to be changed within the parameters of the .ini / config files... yet still not one person posted that.

I simply need to know where the "file / config / ini" for MAME what version I need to use for it to work, what needs to be modified for this to work, I'm only using this for the Dual Screen Games and NO other games will be present on the machine. I have access to WinSCP / can connect and modify the .txt / .ini files via notepad++ overwifi / network. I can't modify anything IF i don't know exactly what I need to modify to get this working.

Apparently no-one has done this on a Raspberry Pi, so no-one apparently has the definitive answer. If you really want this, you should try a little harder yourself I guess.

• Wait for your VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter to arrive.
• Try to get it to work without RetroPie.
• Google some more on how this dual screen works on Windows Mame and see if this works for Linux (RetroPie) as well. https://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/7958-running-mame-on-secondary-monitor/
• If that doesn't work: Checkout RetroArch settings, read up on their docs. Same for Mame.

[mrclean]

Wait for your VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter to arrive.

I'm still waiting patiently for it, although my tracking for it says "Flight landed in destination country". I figured I'd get a jump on what to do when it arrives.

I'm seriously shocked no ones used a single Raspberry Pi for MAME using dual screens ?! .... I find that hard to believe. 

Google some more on how this dual screen works on Windows Mame and see if this works for Linux (RetroPie) as well.

I did use google and still can't figure it out thus why I started a thread on BYOAC  directly within the Raspberry Pi sub forum for this very reason asking for help not LMGTFY. This link you provided (to which I've come across prior to posting this):
https://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/7958-running-mame-on-secondary-monitor/

It has a 2nd link within the thread which leads to a dead link. https://www.mamedev.org/source/docs/windows.txt.html

Within that thread on the GAMEEX Forum it talks about: # PER-WINDOW VIDEO OPTIONS Where can I find that using MAME .78 / Libretro 2003 / RetroArch !? Where is the MAME .INI or video options needed to change where in SSH can I find where that config file is. Also no ones answered can I even use what I'm looking to accomplish with MAME .78 Libretro 2003 / RetroArch or do I need to use MAME .159 Libretro 2014 / RetroArch.

Again I'm using a Raspberry Pi3b+
VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter (awaiting on hardware)
HDMI to VGA adapter (works perfectly on single monitor games)
Libretro 2003 / MAME Set .78
RetroArch

Also to note this is for a SINGLE LOAD / boot ROM (No menus / no front ends etc) . I.E:
Punch Out!!
Super Punch Out!!
PC-10
Arm Wrestling

*The single load is fine where that it will load to just one game / rom that I want it to with a proper psuedo shutdown etc. my entire focus is getting any of the above games to be properly split to their two respective 19'' monitors displaying different pictures as they were originally intended to do so. I'm sure other people will benefit or want to do exactly what I'm looking to accomplish. If someone wants to PM me the info no problem like I said I'm still placing the bounty on it. If someone wants to help and post it publicly great!

[keilmillerjr]

I do not use retropie, so I have no idea. I use a distro without a GUI and compiled myself. Use the find command in the terminal to find the file you are looking for. People have used dual screens on the pi. A two second search yielded that. I can’t give you an answer because I don’t have the product to test, so it’s pointless. Hold your britches and wait until you can trial and error your way through it when the gert vga666 arrives. This is a project. No one is going to do it for you.

[mrclean]

I do not use retropie, so I have no idea. I use a distro without a GUI and compiled myself. Use the find command in the terminal to find the file you are looking for. People have used dual screens on the pi. A two second search yielded that. I can’t give you an answer because I don’t have the product to test, so it’s pointless. Hold your britches and wait until you can trial and error your way through it when the gert vga666 arrives. This is a project. No one is going to do it for you.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT FILE I'M LOOKING FOR !! Although I'm pretty certain its a config file to which one and where it's located I have no idea. Again to reiterate I'm using a single MAME ROM / LOAD to JUST one rom, IT loads PERFECTLY on a single monitor. The purpose of this thread is to have it split to it's respective two monitors. I don't need to use any other stuff other than MAME just one single ROM etc / This is going inside a dedicated cabinet. It doesn't necessarily need to use retropi but as of now that's what I'm utilizing.


**I'm Still looking for help with someone whose successfully gotten this to work using the following parameters. I have YET to get confirmation if this can be used with this set up :MAME .78 OR do I need to use MAME 2014 / .159 SET ? / Libretro 2003 / RetroArch !? Where is the MAME .INI or video options needed to change where in SSH can I find where that config file is. Also no ones answered can I even use what I'm looking to accomplish with MAME .78 Libretro 2003 / RetroArch or do I need to use MAME .159 Libretro 2014 / RetroArch.

Again I'm using a Raspberry Pi3b+
VGA GERT666 GPIO to VGA adapter (awaiting on hardware)
HDMI to VGA adapter (works perfectly on single monitor games)
Libretro 2003 / MAME Set .78
RetroArch

Also to note this is for a SINGLE LOAD / boot ROM (No menus / no front ends etc) . I.E:
Punch Out!!
Super Punch Out!!
PC-10
Arm Wrestling

*The single load is fine where that it will load to just one game / rom that I want it to with a proper psuedo shutdown etc. my entire focus is getting any of the above games to be properly split to their two respective 19'' monitors displaying different pictures as they were originally intended to do so. I'm sure other people will benefit or want to do exactly what I'm looking to accomplish. If someone wants to PM me the info no problem like I said I'm still placing the bounty on it. If someone wants to help and post it publicly great!

[keilmillerjr]

You don’t know what file you are looking for? Do I have to quote you where you said what file you are looking for?

If your looking for single boot, I created a guide you can follow. It includes everything you should need except the second monitor. You will need to refer to the gert repo for setting that up, then do some research on mame commands for screen parameters.

If you need more help, you can always pm me a way for contact.

[mrclean]

You don’t know what file you are looking for? Do I have to quote you where you said what file you are looking for?

If your looking for single boot, I created a guide you can follow. It includes everything you should need except the second monitor.

Already stated above, I have a single boot running perfectly with virtually any game on a single monitor.

If you need more help, you can always pm me a way for contact.

PM sent... Yes I do need more help, ive tried various settings / options don't understand how to get this to work properly on two separate screens using the gert666 / MAME 2003 Libretro .78 MAME set / RetroArch / Rpi3b+.

Again just looking for a dual screen game to properly output to two separate monitors the way it was originally intended to do so while using hdmi to vga for one monitor (the main image bottom picture), and gert666 (gpio / vga out to vga in) on the second monitor. I know this is doable just don't know which config file / setting that needs to get changed.

[ark_ader]

You don’t know what file you are looking for? Do I have to quote you where you said what file you are looking for?

If your looking for single boot, I created a guide you can follow. It includes everything you should need except the second monitor.

Already stated above, I have a single boot running perfectly with virtually any game on a single monitor.

If you need more help, you can always pm me a way for contact.

PM sent... Yes I do need more help, ive tried various settings / options don't understand how to get this to work properly on two separate screens using the gert666 / MAME 2003 Libretro .78 MAME set / RetroArch / Rpi3b+.

Again just looking for a dual screen game to properly output to two separate monitors the way it was originally intended to do so while using hdmi to vga for one monitor (the main image bottom picture), and gert666 (gpio / vga out to vga in) on the second monitor. I know this is doable just don't know which config file / setting that needs to get changed.

Did that gpio vga adapter arrive from China yet?  Does it mess up the HDMI output when used at the same time?

Why don't you PM Haze and see if he can get it working for you.

[mrclean]

Why don't you PM Haze and see if he can get it working for you.

Yes I have 2x of them which arrived & still willing to send one out along with my pi / single load rom setup etc,
Sent a PM to David aka Haze, awaiting his response.

This was done 4 years ago, not sure if it was Raspberry Pi probably not, but gives me hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q96ynESmgjk

Interestingly enough I also came across this old thread on BYOAC about dual screen gert666 using raspberry
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141660.0.html

forum member stated "I did.

but as dual output.
I have a primary monitor on hdmi for gameplay and menu and on gert vga666 a secondary for output of dynamic marquee.

This is not by default supported by debian or mame4all-pi but I wrote a library that uses a liw level graphics api (dispmanx) that is capable to do graphics on gert vga while hdmi is still primary."

[keilmillerjr]

Kernel 4.0.8 and pi firmware support vga666 by july 13 2015. Be sure your running this. Never know when using other peoples images. Add firmware config and then use tvservice to test. Next step would be seeing if mame will do two frame buffers with gles? I’d use 0.106.