MaLa and Powerstrip (trial version)

[TOK]

I have MaLa in my Startup folder, and I'm trying to use Powerstrip to eliminate overscan on my TV using the component input.

The issue is that the trail version of Powerstrip doesn't let you shut off the "tool tips" option (shows a little hint on start up).
I boot into MaLa and as soon as the Powerstrip tool tip shows up, it causes MaLa to hang. I can CTRL-ALT-DEL out of it, but I was wondering if there is an easy way around it.

I realize this isn't totally a MaLa issue. I'd just get the registered version of Powerstrip, but I'm not completely sure I'm happy with the results. I can get the desktop looking OK, but games are still shifted to the left and partially offscreen.
Any hints on a workaround for this would be appreciated!

[Silver]

I realize this isn't totally a MaLa issue. I'd just get the registered version of Powerstrip, but I'm not completely sure I'm happy with the results. I can get the desktop looking OK, but games are still shifted to the left and partially offscreen.
Any hints on a workaround for this would be appreciated!

No idea about a workaround for the shareware startup hints, but for games being shifted to the left:

this is because you have adjusted your desktop resolution in powerstrip to look good. When mame is running a game, it is selected a different resolution to use (depending on the game).  You need to either:

1) Force mame to use your desktop resolution so it uses a resolution you have adjusted (probably a wise idea for component on a TV as it will only support a couple of resolutions

2) Adjust all the resolutions you use with mame to look good on your tv.

[TOK]

Silver, thanks for the reply. Unfortuantely, I didn't even get to the point in Powerstrip where it affected MAME. Running in component mode, both the top and bottom of the Windows desktop were off the screen. Selecting a resolution of 640x400 eliminated that, but still didn't affect the display in MAME. I guess the suggestion you made about forcing MAME to use my desktop resolution is the best option.

Since I've always used computer monitors before, this is a bit new to me.

[TOK]

OK, I've been doing a little reading. Since I know my video card will do 640x400 via Powerstrip, I'm wondering if using the MAME -resolution toggle may let me keep MaLa in my startup file and skip using Powerstrip altogether.

For component input on a TV with MAME, it seems that 640x432 is the magic resolution to eliminate overscan and fill the screen. It sounds right because when I was using 640x400, I had a decent amount of space left at the monitor top and bottom.

Tomorrow I'll try adding the -resolution 640x432 toggle to the MAME command line in MaLa.

I'm tired now, and in no condition to mess around with things should it not go well! 

[Silver]

In theory that will work, but it depends if the 640x432 resolution is available to windows. It is not a standard resolution so probably not.

So

1) When using component out from a Radeon (are you using a dongle?) I think the drivers make HDTV resolutions available as most TV's only support an few exact frequencies. So you could use this resolution (presumably very close to 640x432) - not sure as I don't have component out.

2) Radeons support custom resolutions created in powerstrip. This means you should be able to create the 640x432 resolution tweaked as you want it in powerstrip, which will add it to the available resolutions on that PC. This will then be available even when powerstrip is NOT running, so you can use it with mame. This sounds like the best solution for you.

[fatfingers]

are you using a dongle?

 

[TOK]

are you using a dongle?

 

Hey, something about my dongle is funny to you?   

Yes, I'm using the switchable DVI to component adapter at 480i setting.

[TOK]

Success! I just tried it and the oddball resolution works. Example: mame dkong -resolution 640x432
The image is the right height and width without using Powerstrip. Not sure if this will work with all video cards.

Edit to add that this also works in MaLa no problem... Manually entered the resolution of 640x432 in MaLa's custom resolution box, restarted and its perfect!
Thanks Silver for getting me on the right track, and as for fatfingers, kiss my dongle! 

[fatfingers]

Thanks Silver for getting me on the right track, and as for fatfingers, kiss my dongle!