Soft-15KHz - slim new tool for 15KHz on normal vga cards

[Epyx]

Awesome, thanks Sailorsat. Good to know there are still some options that can do both (3d and 15khz).

[mopnkezza]

Ok recompiled mame with the cabmame diff and the screen corruption is gone. The only thing is there is alot of overscan in most games but the adjustments need to be made though a service menu with the remote which I can't get into because the blue button on the universal remote I'm using dosne't work.

Can overscan be adjusted with custom modelines?
Also, can the 'advanced timings' function in the nvidia control panel be used to add custom timings without affecting soft15Khz or should it be done with custom15k.txt ?

[SailorSat]

You can't adjust the overscan modeline wise without corrupting the timings.

[Brenry]

Is there another site that has a faq on how to tweak this?  I just skimmed 40 some pages and all I see is people bragging about their video card.  Only two references to the custom15 and usermode.txt file is what I am interested in.  The ones mentioned are for multisync monitors.

What do I need to do?  Last year when I ran a arcadevga on my cabinet i had no issues running 800x600 or below resses.  I dont like that card because it's a hassle and underpowered.  Trying to get my nvidia 9800 gtx to work on a connected to a j-pac and WG 7000, and I see mention of a dongle but do I really need that?  I can get signal from lower resolutions, just not all in sync.  If I leave mame in ddraw so it can pick its own resses, it will often shrink the image (what bitmap scaling should I be using?), zigzag images, or a black screen.

Currently if I do 320x240 or 640x240 it displays fine... and garbage up to 720x480 which will display split sreen.  Do I have to create a usermode.txt file or am I supposed to buy a dongle.  Also I saw mention of people using powerstrip to tweak.  Is that in a faq somewhere?  I'm not ready to put this computer in my cab yet as it's my only one, but I figure the pstrip is what my problem is now ?

thanks

[SailorSat]

Well...
Most likely you can't sync the lower resolutions, because they don't get output in 15kHz.
PowerStrip will not work with lower resolutions because the window is too big.

I haven't tried a 9800 yet but most likely you need the dongle.

What OS are you running?

[Brenry]

64bit win7. using soft15hkz opens up all the resolutions and displays them all on my crt and lcd, thats why I was asking about the usermode txt file as there is no help file on how to map resolutions and stuff.

on my jpac I have it as default on 15 and 31 jumper.  should i remove the 31 ?

[SailorSat]

You don't need to map anything.
Consider Windows Seven support as experimental.

If you can see an image on normal VGA CRTs and LCDs then you card outputs 31kHz which your Arcade screen cannot display correctly.

[Brenry]

Eventually I know I need to replace this monitor anyway as it has some discoloration and degaus problems I can't get rid of.  These multi sync monitors people use, does that display the bios and on screens fine?  The way I understand it is with the wg 9200 or the ones with the vga connector, soft15khz just unlocks the lower resolutions for older games?  If that's the case why do some people use avga cards with multisync monitors?

I tried your mamecab too and that was awesome, it removed alot of crummy artifacts like from killer instinct words.  I see alot of people praise the audio hack.  Is my system too slow?  It's dual core clocked at 3ghz but i'm used to using 64 bit mame builds which people rate as 25% higher performance on mame so that may be the prob since this is a 32 bit app

[krick]

on my jpac I have it as default on 15 and 31 jumper.  should i remove the 31 ?

Does your monitor actually support 31KHz?

[candycabguy]

Trying to select a compatible card for my machine, the motherboard of which does NOT like PCI-E 2.0, can only get stable performance from a 1.0 card.

SO with that in mind, what are the criteria for cards that will require a dongle to be compatible w/soft 15.

This machine, a P4 3.2Ghz, 4 G RAM, Wind XP 32, will solely be used as a MAME machine.

What card should i go with?  Have my eye on a GeForce 7200 series, will it work w/o a dongle? 

Thanks in advance!

Lee

[krick]

Trying to select a compatible card for my machine, the motherboard of which does NOT like PCI-E 2.0, can only get stable performance from a 1.0 card.

This machine, a P4 3.2Ghz, 4 G RAM, Wind XP 32, will solely be used as a MAME machine.

The P4 architecture is pretty bad.  Personally, I'd pick up a cheap mobo/cpu/memory combo as the basis of a new MAME machine.  This will give you much more flexibility with your video card choices as well.

Even though the motherboard below has VERY limited overclocking abilities, I was able to easily overclock it to 3.5GHz using the stock cooler and only a few changes to the BIOS settings.  The biggest problem is the limited memory ratio settings, so you have to buy faster memory and run on the lowest ratio for good overclocking results.  Not bad for $180...

$55 - ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131288

$64 - Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

$60 - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

[barryabrams]

How do I get Soft 15khz working with an Intel GMA 945?

I have the default drivers. Do I need to install something else first? I can open Soft 15khz, and I have the option between two cards. It's a laptop, so I'm guessing one is the laptop screen, and the other is the video out. I can click on the install buttons for 15khz, 24khz, & 31khz and it appears that they get installed, but I don't know what to do next. In display preferences, nothing has changed.

Can someone walk me through setting this program up?

[SailorSat]

First, Intel drivers are limited to 5 custom modes.
Second, the default GMA drivers suck

Most likely it won't work with lowres modes.

[barryabrams]

First, Intel drivers are limited to 5 custom modes.
Second, the default GMA drivers suck

Most likely it won't work with lowres modes.

Ok. Is there anything I can do? Can I replace the drivers with something else? I only need it to be 336 x 240 or 512 x 288 (I have a medium resolution monitor that can go down to standard). I don't need to switch resolutions.

I mean, maybe I don't understand how Soft 15khz works. After I install it, what do i do? Do I go to display preferences or is there another place?

[SailorSat]

You need to use QuickRes to select resolutions below 800x600.
You could try the IEGD driver, however this is a pretty advanced topic.

[barryabrams]

Alright. I'll try using quickres.

I tried using IEGD, but couldn't figure out how to generate the correct driver. I ended up locking myself out of windows and had to do a fresh install. Not fun. Are there any tutorials for using IEGD, or is there any way someone could make a driver for me?

[barryabrams]

Nope. Quickres doesn't work. I can see that more resolutions get added to the list in quickres, but they're all for the primary screen - not the external one I'm trying to use.

Its looking more and more like I'll just need to pony up and buy a new computer with an ArcadeVGA. It doesn't seem like that has too many issues.

[SailorSat]

A standalone computer should be the better choice.
Soft-15kHz simply doesn't work good with Intel GMA.

[Ummon]

A standalone computer should be the better choice.
Soft-15kHz simply doesn't work good with Intel GMA.

Rather, as you first mentioned, the reverse. I got gobbledy-gook when I tried it.

[Sky Zero]

Been at this for a couple of days and I could use some help. I have a stock Super Neo Candy Cab 29" that I've been running with Puzzle Fighter for a few years. Now I'm trying to use it with a PC I had laying around. Got a J-Pac and running with an Nvidia 7950GT card with the 190.62 drivers. Any idea what resolution I should be using for this cab?

I've installed Soft-15khz and Quickres. Tried settings all the way down to 640x480@60, with the J-Pac set to default 15khz with jumpers on 15 and 31. I get the split-screen action on boot-up but as soon as the Windows XP loading screen comes up it goes screwy and the LED on the sync-ok goes out. I can go lower using quickres but my computer monitor won't display at a lower res so I'm not sure if it'll keep the setting when I reboot.

Tried googling the info but haven't been able to find an answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Did some testing and it seems I can go up to 720x480@60, does this sound right for this cab or should I be able to go higher? Windows shakes a tiny bit but Street Fighter IV looks fine when running the benchmark.

[SailorSat]

What operation system?

Most likely you have a too new driver installed. Try a older one.

[Sky Zero]

My OS is XP SP3. I'll try out an older driver when I get a chance. Thanks for the tip!

Any thoughts as to how high I should be able to go on this cab? All I can find are refresh rates for it being 15/24 when I try to look up any specs on it.

[Ummon]

Any thoughts as to how high I should be able to go on this cab? All I can find are refresh rates for it being 15/24 when I try to look up any specs on it.

You need to read the monitor wiki - cos those are not refresh but scan rates - then you'll know what your monitor can do.

[Sky Zero]

Thanks for the tip! Downgraded to an earlier driver and it works solid now with 720x480@60. Before with the newer driver, after restarting it wouldn't work till I switched the resolution back and forth with quickres.

[tisurame]

First, Intel drivers are limited to 5 custom modes.
Second, the default GMA drivers suck

Most likely it won't work with lowres modes.

Do you have any idea of how this could be tested, just to make sure?

I know it's limited to 5 custom modes, but if I want to include only 3 custom modes  (256x240, 321x240, 640x240 / 15khz), how this could be done? What configuration need to be added inside usermode.txt ?

Thanks.

[SailorSat]

I know it's limited to 5 custom modes, but if I want to include only 3 custom modes  (256x240, 321x240, 640x240 / 15khz), how this could be done? What configuration need to be added inside usermode.txt ?

Code: [Select]

modeline '256x240' 5.3 256 272 296 336 240 244 247 261 -hsync -vsync
modeline '320x240' 6.45 320 336 368 414 240 242 245 264 -hsync -vsync
modeline '321x240' 6.45 321 336 368 414 240 242 245 264 -hsync -vsync
modeline '640x240' 13.22 640 672 736 832 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync
we should try 320x240 and 321x240 at the same time.
If 320x240 works, simply drop 321x240, if now dropt drop the other one

[gatordad]

Salior I read thru all of the pages here, have you seen any custom modelines for a nvidia 6800 like which to remove and which to add. I ran a few games and had resolution issues with wrap and fuzzy text, some looked fantastic but I had enough games running with visual issues that I temp uninstalled soft 15.
I also need to add 600 by 800 for all of my computer games. I have a WG d9800 digital tri sync.
I am good at following instructions but they need to be in english
Thanks for any help
GD

[SailorSat]

Any examples?

800x600 is a standard resolution and should be available by default.
As for your TriSync. Just install 15+25+31khz and you should be fine.

[gatordad]

Any examples?

800x600 is a standard resolution and should be available by default.
As for your TriSync. Just install 15+25+31khz and you should be fine.

I will follow up later this evening when I am in front of the cab to give accurate info,
Thanks
GD

[gatordad]

OK here are the resolutions that have issues
304x224
256x224
320x240
320x224
400x254
200x200

Some resolutions look like there is image wrap around at the top of the screen, I don't know what the correct term is is it overscan?
also
When soft 15 is installed and I switch my desktop res to 600x800 it does not look right, It is compressed horizontially, what up with that.
any help is apprieciated

[Ummon]

OK here are the resolutions that have issues
304x224
256x224
320x240
320x224
400x254
200x200

Some resolutions look like there is image wrap around at the top of the screen, I don't know what the correct term is is it overscan?
also
When soft 15 is installed and I switch my desktop res to 600x800 it does not look right, It is compressed horizontially, what up with that.
any help is apprieciated

Did you not notice you said '600x800', and that SS said '800x600'?

You're running your monitor in horizontal orientation, right?

Also, the stock set mirrors the AVGA, and Andy explains on his site why 256x224, or any x224 line, isn't used.

[Haggar]

Currently should be the ATI Radeon HD 4890 (or whatever is the top model in the HD 4000 series)

But currently I don't think anyone has tested such a monster

Maybe I can test it, but can I get also lower resolutions to work? Which driver version is best to use?

[SailorSat]

Maybe I can test it, but can I get also lower resolutions to work? Which driver version is best to use?

You should be able get lower resolutions.
As for the driver. I've used various 9.x catalysts without problems.

OK here are the resolutions that have issues
304x224
256x224
320x240
320x224
400x254
200x200

Some resolutions look like there is image wrap around at the top of the screen, I don't know what the correct term is is it overscan?
also
When soft 15 is installed and I switch my desktop res to 600x800 it does not look right, It is compressed horizontially, what up with that.
any help is apprieciated

Have you tried the monitor controls to fix those issues?

[gatordad]

I must be doing something wrong here

Let's start from the beginning
I selected 15 hit install than 25 install than 31 install
changed my destop res to 640 x480 restarted
I turned off use additional artwork
I turned on switch res

anything else?

[Ummon]

SS, it seems you may've missed this in another thread. Response?

What AdvanceMAME does is either enlarging the "sync pulse" or reducing the total visible lines per frame (262) by increasing the vertical refresh (60Hz).

If I would add a 224 line mode to my VGA card, it would be exactly the same modeline, except the "active" lines would be reduced from 240 to 224 (-16) and the front and back porch would be increased by 8 lines each.

You don't have to increase the vertical refresh rate to reduce the total number of lines - by adjusting the pixel clock, you can bring the refresh rate back to 60Hz (or whatever you wish) and still have less total lines (and the vertical front and back porch don't have to pad the total number of lines to 262). If you do this, the visible lines take up more height on the display - which is how I made my 320x224x59.185606Hz modeline.

I doubt that an arcade CGA monitor would be able to sync to such a modeline, but it works well on a multisync monitor.

Steve

[SailorSat]

Looks like I did, however I won't comment that

[gatordad]

I must be doing something wrong here

Let's start from the beginning
I selected 15 hit install than 25 install than 31 install
changed my destop res to 640 x480 restarted
I turned off use additional artwork
I turned on switch res

anything else?

This thread is killer to read it's just too long

ok I read a bunch more

I also have now turned on Direct Draw
Turned off Video Stretch

Question
is the resolution generator tool avres from ultimarc site a necessary step to run, before using soft 15

[gatordad]

I take it no answer means
read more.... I said it before?

[SailorSat]

It is NOT needed "per default.
But some Games change resolution on the fly, like pretty much every PSX based one.

PSX default would be 640x480, so most likely MAME will use that resolution and you'll get black borders ingame.

That problem doesn't happen if you use CabMAME or you use the said tool.

[gatordad]

It is NOT needed "per default.
But some Games change resolution on the fly, like pretty much every PSX based one.

PSX default would be 640x480, so most likely MAME will use that resolution and you'll get black borders ingame.

That problem doesn't happen if you use CabMAME or you use the said tool.

Thanks much
I will report soon after I try some of these things out



When did you start cabmame builds?
I did not see an archive with older builds
Currently I have rom set for 114