R-Type unplayable with Switch Res

[iguanastorm7]

When I load R Type it loads in a much lower res however Switch Res Cranks the res way up and it's too high for my 15khz arcade monitor.  How do I adjust Switch Res for 240p?

[iguanastorm7]

It shows 384x256  and converts to  768x512i.

[Calamity]

Unplayable? Really?

R-type is not 240p to begin with. You probably don't have a valid 256 lines mode for Switchres to pick, so it picks 768x512i which is probably the best mode in that situation since it allows integer scaling.

Use VMMaker to install a proper mode table, e.g. for super resolutions.

[iguanastorm7]

I opened VMAKER, clicked generate modes, install modes, 15 modelines generated, I clicked install modes and they installed successfully.  Rytype still defaults to 512i...  Under settings and user modes tab, I brosed and selected user modes super file...  Now I'm getting 2560 x 256p...  Still unplayable. 

[buttersoft]

Next step will be to post a log, pls. Instructions are in Calamity's signature. (FYI you can't use a shortcut with added parameters, you have to launch GM from commandline to create a log)

[iguanastorm7]

I attached the log.  Thank you both for the help!

[cools]

Have you adjusted your monitors vertical size for 256 line games?

[buttersoft]

SwitchRes: [rtype] (1) horizontal (384x256@55.017605)->(1234x256@55.017605)
   rng(0): 1234 x 256_55.017605p 15.625000 [integ] scale(3, 1, 1) diff(6.65, 0.00, 0.0000) ratio(3.214, 1.000)
SwitchRes: Modeline "1234x256_58 15.625000KHz 55.017605Hz" 25.000000 1234 1280 1400 1600 256 261 264 284   -hsync -vsync

That's from the log, so switchres is picking 1234x256 according to that.

What cools said - have you adjusted physical size of the image? A 256-line game will normally display a little off the edges, and sadly if you want to use both 240p and 256p games you have to set the monitor's vertical size as a compromise. There's no good way to do it in software, sadly.

[iguanastorm7]

I've adjusted the monitor.  R-Type looks like a 31khz signal is being ran.  The picture flows downward like a never ending waterfall.  R-Type is the only game that does this so far.  Cps1, cps2, and neo geo all work great. 

[buttersoft]

Ahh, you mean the screen is rolling vertically? That's probably a v-hold issue. Does this monitor have a V-hold adjustment? There should be a position that works for both 240p and 246p there.

[iguanastorm7]

It was the V Hold!  Thanks once again!

How do I fix what resolution is picked?  Obviously 1234x256 isn't an arcade resolution... 

[Zebidee]

1234x256 is a "super resolution". Groovymame auto-stretches the width to suit. This does not cause any image distortion, and will be as close as possible to the game's original resolution and vertical refresh rate.

[Recapnation]

Which guide are you using, may I ask? You pick a particular resolution by having a corresponding video mode installed and then telling Groovy MAME vía machinename.ini. You'll indeed get shimmering by running a side scrolling game of 384 px wide like R-Type at a horizontal res. of 1234 px. If you're using a super wide resolution (for geometry reasons), install a mode which allows integer scaling (such as 1536) -- only then you'll be free of image distortion. But keep in mind that the point of super-resolutions is to have one only mode for as many games as possible, so check the resolution of the other games you're interested in.

[iguanastorm7]

http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=301

I used this guide. 

[cools]

Fractional horizontal scaling (with filtering) works well so long as theres a reasonably high width to work with, though the higher the better. Heresy, I know. Something like R Type might even have smoother scrolling...

[Recapnation]

Everything you said is true, especially this part:

Heresy

I'd also add for those still new to GM that the usage of super wide resolutions always comes with a performance penalty (and the wider, the worse it gets).



Iguanastorm, I meant which guide are you using for configuring GM, not for installing CRT Emudriver and Tools, but anyway, you didn't follow that to the letter otherwise you wouldn't have a 1234 x 256 mode installed. Check what's listed in user_modes - super.ini (or whichever file you chose in the installation process) and make your changes according to the games you'll be emulating if you're after accuracy.

[iguanastorm7]

Is it safe to run Narc which uses medium res on my 15khz monitor?  It loads at 1234x544i.  I'd like to note I'm using a Jpac...

[buttersoft]

544i at what refresh?

576@50i is only 15.625Khz = PAL.

(visible vertical lines + blanking) x refresh rate = horizontal scan rate

[Zebidee]

I'd also add for those still new to GM that the usage of super wide resolutions always comes with a performance penalty (and the wider, the worse it gets).

Very good to know!

Iguanastorm, I meant which guide are you using for configuring GM, not for installing CRT Emudriver and Tools, but anyway, you didn't follow that to the letter otherwise you wouldn't have a 1234 x 256 mode installed.

1234 width seems like the typical XP magic resolutions... I didn't notice that as being unusual before because I'm still using XP primarily on my older machines.

[Calamity]

  but anyway, you didn't follow that to the letter otherwise you wouldn't have a 1234 x 256 mode installed.

True. OP must have selected "mode table method: magic" in the user modes tab. That one should be left as "dynamic" instead. "Magic" resolutions were meant for Windows XP exclusively.

[iguanastorm7]

  but anyway, you didn't follow that to the letter otherwise you wouldn't have a 1234 x 256 mode installed.

Under Dynamic mode Punch Out loads up way too large.  Only half of the screen shows.  The only mode Punch Out works is Magic.  However under Magic mode other games load up in 480i and other crazy interlaced resolutions.  Is it possible to manually pick resolutions for certain games?  All other games run progressive and much clearer resolutios under Dynamic mode. 


True. OP must have selected "mode table method: magic" in the user modes tab. That one should be left as "dynamic" instead. "Magic" resolutions were meant for Windows XP exclusively.

[Zebidee]

Your quote formatting makes your question hard to identify. Try preview before posting?

If you follow Calamity's guides and have your monitor presets right, Groovymame should pick the best available resolution & refresh rate everytime. "Magic" modes are for XP only.

You shouldn't have to, but you can specify resolution (and everything else) for specific games by creating a [romname].ini and putting it in the INI folder. Start by opening a new text file in Notepad and save it with appropriate name. This will override mame.ini settings and force Groovymame to use your selection. Syntax example is "resolution 448x240@60", substitute appropriate values.

[iguanastorm7]

Ok thank you!  Now all of my vertical shoot em ups look blurry.  Tried adjusting the focus on the monitor and that didn't help.  For example ESPRade boots at 2560x512i.  All my shooters use interlaced modes and they all look blurry.  Do you suggest a certain resolution for vertical games?

[Zebidee]

Ok thank you!  Now all of my vertical shoot em ups look blurry.  Tried adjusting the focus on the monitor and that didn't help.  For example ESPRade boots at 2560x512i.  All my shooters use interlaced modes and they all look blurry.  Do you suggest a certain resolution for vertical games?

Unfortunately that is normal, and the best Groovymame can do while your CRT is in horizontal orientation. The limitation is in your TV - 15khz CRTs can do maximum ~240 lines at 60hz, ~288p at 50hz. You can get more vertical lines by rotating the monitor, which is why they did it originally for those games! If you don't rotate your CRT likewise, you'll be stuck with using interlaced modes for vertical games.

Wonder if you can get 2560x576i? PAL TVs should be capable of 768x576i, or 576 vertical lines (that's 288x2, refer above). That may give you more lines and a better aspect ratio for some games, but does tend to look like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for Windows desktop or anything else with lots of horizontal lines (too much interlacing at ~50hz makes the edges shimmer and eyes water!).