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

[Antropus]

SailorSat, any news about the windows7 situation?
Is there anyone using it successfully with the final version of win7?

Thanks,
-Kris

[kronic24601]

SailorSat, any news about the windows7 situation?
Is there anyone using it successfully with the final version of win7?

Thanks,
-Kris

This is also something I would also like to know. I have Windows 7 64 Bit, and there is a XP compatibility mode ... I'm not sure if that would be usefull though in this application.

[SailorSat]

Sorry for the time being

Currently I'm a little frustrated about reallife stuff =)
Lookin for a new job and desperately searching for some stuff I did showing what I can... And MAME hacks and that stuff sure doesn't help.

Ever tried to "show" someone how soft15khz works without a 15khz capable display? ^^

Geez...
As for Windows7; the compatiblity mode won't help.
For some reason I think the last time I tried it only worked with NVidia cards as the ATI cards won't show up any lowres modes for some unknown reason.
However I can't look into it at the moment.

[Antropus]

Sorry to hear about that. Best of luck finding a great new job!

Cheers,
-Kris

edit: oooops... I didn't know ;-)

[Ummon]

Sorry to hear about that man.

Edited for accuracy.

[FrizzleFried]

Does soft 15khz support multiple monitor setups?

[SailorSat]

Basicaly it does.
It DOES support INDEPENTEND settings if you have multiple graphic cards.
As for single card solutions... well... currently all settings are applied to "all heads" of a graphic card.

If you want to drive two arcade screens with one or two cards, it works fine.
If you want to drive one arcade and one vga screen, you will need to use two cards.

[FrizzleFried]

Basicaly it does.
It DOES support INDEPENTEND settings if you have multiple graphic cards.
As for single card solutions... well... currently all settings are applied to "all heads" of a graphic card.

If you want to drive two arcade screens with one or two cards, it works fine.
If you want to drive one arcade and one vga screen, you will need to use two cards.

Kick ass!  I've picked up a Punch Out cab that has been JAMMAtized.   I am debating whether to restore to Punch Out or to make it a dedicated Multi Punch Out MAME cab.   I think Punch Out,  Super Punch Out,  and Arm Wrestling as well as PC-10 stuff would be pretty cool to have running in this cab.

Since I have to use a JPAC,  I guess I'd use the JPAC for the arcade controls and the lower monitor,  then just run a break out cable to the 2nd monitor from the 2nd header...right?

[SailorSat]

Nice one
That should work fine

Had a pair of Racing-Cabs wired to one PC for OutRunners Dual-Action

[Ummon]

Soft15 has for a long time apparently registered both heads, though. I was under the impression they were independently configurable - but then, why would it matter, if you can set independent resolutions via your drivers?

[claypool]

Just started testing this program and have run into problems already

I install the nvidia drivers for my 6800 GS then use the tool quickres to select 640 x 480, then I install soft15khz and reboot

it works fine on my arcade monitor I can see windows after a reboot then when I uninstall the soft15khz and reboot it gets locked in 15khz mode

why does it do this shouldnt it reset to normal when I uninstall?

I have a monitor switch so i can easily change between PC monitor and arcade monitor.

thanks

[tisurame]

I'm using a Geforce 9400gt (with the latest drivers) and 640x480 interlaced at 15khz is not working. Is this a know problem?

[speedklz]

Well I run into sompthing odd the other night.. I had a problem with some registry corruption on a machine I was cab testing well when It would boot it was showing the boot screen in split mode and the windows startup screen also, but after fixing the registry it went back to the way it always is , that you cant read anything till windows load the soft15k stuff... Is this weird or what?  It almost looked like when it devides the 30khz into the 15khz on jpac.

[Haggar]

I have an Ati x800xl with catalyst 6.5 and all works very well.
I'm using an old Ati mach64 PCI to avoid bios and windows loading 31KHz images.

The problem is that this card (Ati mach64) makes winxp stanby not working (driver issue I think).

I can buy a used (but more recent) Radeon 9250 PCI.

My questions are:

1 - Will 9250 make standby working?
2 - Will 9250 automatically take catalyst 6.5 drivers (already installed for the x800xl)?
3 - Using the same drivers, have I to reinstall soft15KHz?

[SailorSat]

1 - don't know ^^
2 - should work fine
3 - you should not have to, if you don't reinstall the catalyst driver.

[Haggar]

9250 PCI installed.
I had to reinstall catalyst and 15KHz modelines.

All works fine now, BTW if I disable the 9250 from device manager, the stanby/hibernation doesn't work.

[Bobulus]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I searched and didn't find anything...

I've seen lots of posts about using soft15khz with SCART and component to get an arcade-quality picture on a television. Well...what about a television equipped with a VGA port?

I bought (via the buy/sell forum) a 26" tv equipped with a scancardII upgrade card which lets you hook in a vga cable from the computer directly. According to the manual, the supported modes include

320x200 31.5kHz-H 70Hz-V
320x400 31.5kHz-H 70Hz-V
640x480 31.5kHz-H 60Hz-V
640x480 37.8kHz-H 72Hz-V
640x480   35kHz-H 60Hz-V
...among others. Nothing below 31.5kHz, though.

"Scancard II requires seperate sync signals"

I've got it working now with a 800x600 display, and it looks pretty good, but I'd like to push it a bit farther, if I can.

So I've got two questions:
1) It appears that this tv/monitor does not natively support 15kHz, but I would assume since it's a tv, it can do anything a normal tv can, so...what the heck would happen if I output 15khz to it? Nothing? Short out the tv?
2) Assuming I can't get 15kHz working, do you think it would still be worth it to install soft15kHz for the 320x200 support? Seems like what I've read here is that leaving the game unscaled before transmission to the tv makes for a better game picture.

[Brenry]

Hi SailorSat.  you helped me get started on my arcade project last spring and I am back at it again.  There's just too many pages in this thread to read all thats happened.  I've run across the post about Nvidia's drivers allowing custom 15khz resolutions which I found helpful.  And I still see it saying the GeForce 9800 GTX+ probably needs a dongle. I don't know if a J-Pac counts as a dongle, but I am able to connect my 9800 > J-Pac > WG 7000 with no issues to sync at 15khz resolutions.

I checked your site and still couldn't find a faq file.  Is there a link somewhere for more resolutions to try for the custom config file?  I'm guessing the one on Andy's site probably ?  I still need to tweak my resolutions for vertical mode games.  Directdraw makes them gorgeous I just get top of the screen and bottom cutoff (no scores

[SailorSat]

...among others. Nothing below 31.5kHz, though.

"Scancard II requires seperate sync signals"

I've got it working now with a 800x600 display, and it looks pretty good, but I'd like to push it a bit farther, if I can.

So I've got two questions:
1) It appears that this tv/monitor does not natively support 15kHz, but I would assume since it's a tv, it can do anything a normal tv can, so...what the heck would happen if I output 15khz to it? Nothing? Short out the tv?
2) Assuming I can't get 15kHz working, do you think it would still be worth it to install soft15kHz for the 320x200 support? Seems like what I've read here is that leaving the game unscaled before transmission to the tv makes for a better game picture.

Basically if the TV doesn't support 15kHz you won't blow anything. Most certainly you'd either get a "blue" screen (meaning no signal) or you would see "garbage" that can't be synched.

As for S15K. Well you could add all low resolutions with "120Hz" (real lowres, double refresh rate) or "doublescanned" (fake lowres, all lines doubled).

I don't know if a J-Pac counts as a dongle, but I am able to connect my 9800 > J-Pac > WG 7000 with no issues to sync at 15khz resolutions.

I checked your site and still couldn't find a faq file.  Is there a link somewhere for more resolutions to try for the custom config file?  I'm guessing the one on Andy's site probably ?  I still need to tweak my resolutions for vertical mode games.  Directdraw makes them gorgeous I just get top of the screen and bottom cutoff (no scores

The J-PAC does NOT count as a dongle. You can tell if you need one by looking at the available resolutions.
If you can use resolutions below 640x480 you don't need one.

As for the "vertical on horizontal" issue... I don't have any custom modelines prepared for that case.

[chairhome]

Problem: I was using soft 15khz fine and didn't have any problems, but my brother was browsing some video files on the computer that its attached to, the video he was watching froze and the program had to force close, and now the screen won't stop rolling.  I'm guessing its an issue with the refresh rate, but how do I kick it back into soft 15khz mode?  Do I just run it again and "install" again in safe mode?  Thanks.

EDIT: NEVER MIND.
I think quickres got shut off.  I re-used quickres and it works now.  Thanks!

[pubjoe]

Hi sailorsat.

This might be a stupid question, but I've been wondering:

Is there any way to force a 640x480 image to output at a (scaled) 15khz progressive mode using software.

For example, could alternate lines be displayed only, giving a 640x240 image?

...It's just that I hate interlacing on my arcade monitor.

--------

[edit]I think I've sorted the below issue by adding a custom modeline from the big list sailorsat posted a few pages back:

modeline "640x480@30" 13,482 640 688 760 856 480 496 517 525 -hsync -vsync interlace


While I say that I don't like interlacing, I should probably mention that 640x480 interlaced looks especially bad on my monitor (nanao MS9).  I noticed this recently when I tried different resolutions for my frontend.  720x480 looks MUCH more stable in comparison.

eg: 640x480 mode:


compared to 720x480 mode:


The difference is greater when your actually looking at the screen due to the flickering/shaking.  Any idea why there is such a big difference?

I have installed the default "15khz" modelines and also 9 low res (progressive only) custom modelines.  I have an ati radeon 4850.

[glocknyne]

Hey guys! I am having problems with my setup. I have an Atomiswave SD candy cabinet with the stock tri-sync monitor. When I install Soft-15khz (just the 15khz), 15khz games looks fine (a little bit overscanning). When I install 24khz, the results were pretty similar with the 15khz games (didn't try 24khz games). When I install 31khz, the games look fine (Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2, & Street Fighter IV) BUT when I try to play 15khz, it'll overscan a LOT. Any way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

[LS1]

Hi,

I'm having some issues with soft-15, it works, but I can't get any XXXx256, or XXXx264 modes to work.  I'm running a geforce 2 ultra, under win2000, with a hantarex MTC9000, and a j-pac.
I also ran avres.

My issue is mame selects those (x256, and x264) resolutions that don't work for all the games that ran 288x224, ie. pacman, galaga, etc.

I've modified the mame ini's to run those games at 352x288, but I get stuttering, I think because they are running at 50hz, instead of 60hz where they ran originally.

any ideas?

Thanks

[Haggar]

Hi,
Anyone using "Hantarex Polo Star 28" - 15/25/31KHz" analogue tri sync monitor?

Is the switching between 15 and 31KHz modelines good?

Is it possible to set well centered and stretched modelines for 15 and 31KHz, or have I to regulate pots every time it switches from 15 to 31KHz and viceversa?

[glocknyne]

Hey guys! I am having problems with my setup. I have an Atomiswave SD candy cabinet with the stock tri-sync monitor. When I install Soft-15khz (just the 15khz), 15khz games looks fine (a little bit overscanning). When I install 24khz, the results were pretty similar with the 15khz games (didn't try 24khz games). When I install 31khz, the games look fine (Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2, & Street Fighter IV) BUT when I try to play 15khz, it'll overscan a LOT. Any way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

Bump.

[pubjoe]

Hey guys! I am having problems with my setup. I have an Atomiswave SD candy cabinet with the stock tri-sync monitor. When I install Soft-15khz (just the 15khz), 15khz games looks fine (a little bit overscanning). When I install 24khz, the results were pretty similar with the 15khz games (didn't try 24khz games). When I install 31khz, the games look fine (Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2, & Street Fighter IV) BUT when I try to play 15khz, it'll overscan a LOT. Any way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

Bump.

Just a guess.  Your not running out of available modelines are you?  What graphics card are you using?

Also, are you using the vga input from the moniter chassis?  If so, you might get a better 15khz result using the jamma harness.

[edit]Nevermind, you have the wei-ya chassis yeah?  If so, it should handle everything through vga.

[glocknyne]

Thanks for the reply btw.

I am using an ATI HD4650. I am not sure what chassis it is, I just know it's the stock one.

I am also using the VGA from the Chassis. I have a J-Pac but the monitor doesn't show any picture after the boot screen no matter what resolutions I have on.

[pubjoe]

That's strange.

Can you test if jamma pcbs (non vga) work okay?

[Haggar]

Hey guys! I am having problems with my setup. I have an Atomiswave SD candy cabinet with the stock tri-sync monitor. When I install Soft-15khz (just the 15khz), 15khz games looks fine (a little bit overscanning). When I install 24khz, the results were pretty similar with the 15khz games (didn't try 24khz games). When I install 31khz, the games look fine (Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2, & Street Fighter IV) BUT when I try to play 15khz, it'll overscan a LOT. Any way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

Bump.

Which monitor are you using? Is it an analogue or digital tri sync?

Maybe you can answer to this:

Hi,
Anyone using "Hantarex Polo Star 28" - 15/25/31KHz" analogue tri sync monitor?

Is the switching between 15 and 31KHz modelines good?

Is it possible to set well centered and stretched modelines for 15 and 31KHz, or have I to regulate pots every time it switches from 15 to 31KHz and viceversa?

Have you tried to make custom modelines (like larger 31KHz modelines to get right 15KHz image when you switch back)?

[glocknyne]

Hey guys! I am having problems with my setup. I have an Atomiswave SD candy cabinet with the stock tri-sync monitor. When I install Soft-15khz (just the 15khz), 15khz games looks fine (a little bit overscanning). When I install 24khz, the results were pretty similar with the 15khz games (didn't try 24khz games). When I install 31khz, the games look fine (Marvel vs Capcom 2, Capcom vs SNK 2, & Street Fighter IV) BUT when I try to play 15khz, it'll overscan a LOT. Any way to fix this? Thanks in advance.

Bump.

Which monitor are you using? Is it an analogue or digital tri sync?

Maybe you can answer to this:

Hi,
Anyone using "Hantarex Polo Star 28" - 15/25/31KHz" analogue tri sync monitor?

Is the switching between 15 and 31KHz modelines good?

Is it possible to set well centered and stretched modelines for 15 and 31KHz, or have I to regulate pots every time it switches from 15 to 31KHz and viceversa?

Have you tried to make custom modelines (like larger 31KHz modelines to get right 15KHz image when you switch back)?

Thanks for the reply. I don't know the difference between an analog monitor or digital monitor. Sorry, I'm still a noob to this.

New Update: Well I turned on the computer today and it seems to switch resolution fine without massive overscan when switching to 15khz games (still a little overscan on the top and bottom but not a big deal). The only problem is that I always have to mess with the monitor settings (horizontal stretch) going from 31khz to 15khz vice versa.

Is there a way I can change resolution without having the need to mess with the monitor knob things every time I play a different game?

[Haggar]

Is there a way I can change resolution without having the need to mess with the monitor knob things every time I play a different game?

Yes. You can change modelines stretching (only horizontal - vertical requires vertical frequency changes) and centering (it's some "manual work"). But you have to understand how to modify that modelines. I've used "WinModelines" tool to do that. It has a quick guide that tech you how to obtain that.

Can you please tell me what's you monitor model? (hantarex polo star, wells garnder, etc..)

Thanks

PS: The difference between analog and digital monitors, is the possibility to save resolutions stretching and positions (and maybe other things that I don't know).

[pubjoe]

the monitor knob things

It's analogue.

and if it's stock it'll almost definitely be a wei-ya chassis (probably a M3129).  With either a samsung or lg tube.

You can have a look at the back for identification.

P.S; Nice cab the AWSD.  I almost got one, but I ended up getting an Egret2 instead.

Yes. You can change modelines stretching (only horizontal - vertical requires vertical frequency changes) and centering (it's some "manual work"). But you have to understand how to modify that modelines. I've used "WinModelines" tool to do that. It has a quick guide that tech you how to obtain that.

Hey nice, didn't realise you could do that.

[glocknyne]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses.  I will try some things this week and let you guys know what happen.

Thanks again.

[secret80sman]

SailorSat,
Any update on whether you were able to get things working with Win 7 again?

Many thanx!

[SailorSat]

Well my Radeon HD 4350/4550 work fine with Catalyst 9.12 on Seven 64bit.
However my GeForce 7600GT doesn't anymore, seems like nvidia changed the registry format again

*EDIT*
Guess I'll try several older versions and add a "warning" to the next build...

[androtaz08]

Hi
I have a nvidia 7800 gts that I am replacing an arcade vga with. I installed and followed the directions and everything worked great. I played some mame games for a while and turned off my machine. The next day I turn it on and I get two screens on 640 by 480. what have I done? worked one night not the next.
help

[secret80sman]

Well my Radeon HD 4350/4550 work fine with Catalyst 9.12 on Seven 64bit.
However my GeForce 7600GT doesn't anymore, seems like nvidia changed the registry format again

*EDIT*
Guess I'll try several older versions and add a "warning" to the next build...

Bought the XFX HD 4350 and I could not get the new resolutions to show up. I used XP mode and they showed up but when I click on them I get a black screen. I think I remember reading that you said that XP mode does not work with Soft15khz. Any suggestions on what to do?

[androtaz08]

Hi
I have a nvidia 7800 gts that I am replacing an arcade vga with. I installed and followed the directions and everything worked great. I played some mame games for a while and turned off my machine. The next day I turn it on and I get two screens on 640 by 480. what have I done? worked one night not the next.
help

Anyone?

[SailorSat]

Do other resolution still work?

[androtaz08]

yes a few lower ones. but if I reinstall everything and start from scratch it works but as son as i restart two screens. if i power on with the lcd attached then switch once windows loads it works. using the latest drivers and its a 7600 gs actually 256mb