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

[Ummon]

Thanks for the heads up.

Sho.

I am having some issues on 1024x768.

When i install soft15khz and do all modes my 1024x768 is on screen vertical double the size as normal.
My monitor can handle this with no 15khz but with it installed it is stretched vertically???

What can i do to change this?

You need to do two things. Look back at the soft15 page and understand how the stock resolutions work, particularly with regard to 'VGA' resolutions. Two, read through the thread to find custom VGA resolutions.

[SailorSat]

please say you will look into it further.

Must be a weak day
Actually I just "cracked" the new nvidia-vista data format, however I need to rewrite some parts of the program for vista so stay tuned.
Also, Matrox on Windows98 should be possible soon (however I doubt anyone will use it).

*EDIT*
Nevermind, doesn't work yet

*EDIT2*

At least the ForceWare shows the timing details, however they still output in 31kHz

[bent98]

Thats great news Sailor. Heep trying.
What about ATI drivers in Vista 64?

[SailorSat]

Well actually I got a simple problem with ATI as I don't have any ATI Card that fits my Vista rig AND is supported by the Vista Catalyst

[bent98]

doh!

[Twin-X]

You need to do two things. Look back at the soft15 page and understand how the stock resolutions work, particularly with regard to 'VGA' resolutions. Two, read through the thread to find custom VGA resolutions.

Did that long time ago. Otherwise i would not asked the question in the first place if the awnser was there.

The line below from sailor says:

It does this by doing small changes to the windows registry to add typical arcade screen resolutions, as well as tweaking some existing ones, and locking out all others

Locking out others how do i get these back?

I know i can add something to custom text (not the 15khz or others as they default to 60Hz) but if i add my own mode line it is still Stretched.

Let me be more clear on what i mean by stretched.
With no 15khz tool my 1024x768 picture looks like this:

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Now with 15khz it looks like this and if i move my mouse up and down it will scroll along with me

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[SailorSat]

Locking out others how do i get these back?

Now with 15khz it looks like this and if i move my mouse up and down it will scroll along with me

ATI or NVidia?
Normaly I'd say just enter "Modeline '1024x768@60' 64.56 1024 1056 1296 1328 768 783 791 807 -hsync -vsync" in Custom31kHz.txt

Please note that this is a 48kHz Mode so be sure your monitor does support it.

[Twin-X]

Locking out others how do i get these back?

Now with 15khz it looks like this and if i move my mouse up and down it will scroll along with me

ATI or NVidia?
Normaly I'd say just enter "Modeline '1024x768@60' 64.56 1024 1056 1296 1328 768 783 791 807 -hsync -vsync" in Custom31kHz.txt

Please note that this is a 48kHz Mode so be sure your monitor does support it.

I have ati it is an x1950 pro (i really reccomend one). My monitor supports 15-50kHz
I will try this modeline tonight.
Thx p.s. donation made

Regards,
Jeffry

[SailorSat]

My monitor supports 15-50kHz

Wow! Nice one

Thx p.s. donation made

Thanks!

What about ATI drivers in Vista 64?

I just noticed, my Radeon 9600 actually IS supported

(Pile of VGA cards = HELL )

[northerngames]

You need to do two things. Look back at the soft15 page and understand how the stock resolutions work, particularly with regard to 'VGA' resolutions. Two, read through the thread to find custom VGA resolutions.

Did that long time ago. Otherwise i would not asked the question in the first place if the awnser was there.

The line below from sailor says:

It does this by doing small changes to the windows registry to add typical arcade screen resolutions, as well as tweaking some existing ones, and locking out all others

Locking out others how do i get these back?

I know i can add something to custom text (not the 15khz or others as they default to 60Hz) but if i add my own mode line it is still Stretched.

Let me be more clear on what i mean by stretched.
With no 15khz tool my 1024x768 picture looks like this:

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|_________________|

Now with 15khz it looks like this and if i move my mouse up and down it will scroll along with me

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are you running it at that res for a game or your desktop?

even with the arcadevga the 1024X768 must pan up/down on the desktop or windows and is stretched also.

I also run a X1950 pro but just wondering what your trying to do running 1024X768 in 15K mode is all.

[SailorSat]

He's not trying to use it in 15kHz.
He wants to output it as 48khz as it should be, as his monitor supports both.

[Twin-X]

He's not trying to use it in 15kHz.
He wants to output it as 48khz as it should be, as his monitor supports both.

exactly

[SailorSat]

Ok... Consider VISTA a No-Go for now.
The BIG drivers (Catalyst and ForceWare) seem to have the same problems, but I'll go into details later.
As for now, I don't see any workaround.
If anyone has a GOOD idea, then well, speak on



Facts:

- NVidia Vista support will be added in the next release. (31kHz and higher)
- ATI support actually works fine as it is for 31kHz and higher.
- Matrox will be looked into at a later point.



Problems:

1. They don't add the resolution as I want them to.
If I add "640x480i" as "640x480@60Hz", Windows will show up 60Hz (VGA default) and 30Hz Interlace (or 12Hz on NVidia for some unknown reason)
The first (60Hz) will output 60Hz Progressive (31kHz - VGA), the second (30Hz) will output 60Hz Interlaced (15kHz - CGA).
( There has to be said the same happens with the current PowerStrip which itself claims to have Vista 64 support, so I think its not a bug on my side )


2. All of them seem to drop "non-power of 8"-modes, as I can't add 321 pixel modes (or 641 ones).


3. For some reason, these 30Hz (and lower) modes don't show up in DirectX.
You can only select them via the Display Properties.
MAME and other emulators won't see them (and therefore won't use them), even if you force these resolutions.

[Ummon]

Twin-X, notice it says in the stock set 31khz modes are interlace. As well, very early on SS posted that XGA mode. So you missed both these.

[bent98]

I am wondering does Powerstrip work with Vista? Also did those AVGA vista drivers ever come out?

Trying to understand if this is a limitation or just need to find a solution for this.

[SailorSat]

Hm, afaik there are AVGA drivers for Vista 32bit.

As for Powerstrip, yeah it works, but has the same limitations.

[bent98]

I just want to clarify something. This limitation so far is for both Vista 32 and 64 or just 64 bit version.

[Martijn]

what would you choose SailorSat ?

i have 2 cards laying around

ati HD 2600 XT 512mb pcie passive
nvidia geforce 8600 Gt 512Mb pcie passive

will be using it through vga - > scart RGB kabel i made with your tutorial on a sony 25 inch trinitron flatscreen

[sham69]

Well yeah thats the whole point of Soft-15kHz
Install it, plug in your VGA-to-SCART (I really doubtfull on this one, as I don't believe there are any VGA-to-SCART cables in any shop, because most of them are SCART-to-VGA, which is a different pinout) into your VGA card, and the SCART plug into your TV.

Hi sailorsat,
I wnet home today and decided to try the vga to scart cable I have with soft 15khz.
I think I jumped into it without knowing what I was doing.
It shows up 2 graphics cards primary and secondary (even though I only have one)
Wasnt sure what I had to install 15khz, 25khz etc. so tried different ones and rebooted.
Don't know what I did on my last attempt but now my s-video connection won't work.
The screen is jumping all over the place, I can't see the pc screen now to uninstall, is there a shortcut key to get back to my original resolution?
Have you any tips to get the soft 15khz working with my Radeon 9250 pci card?
I was quite happy with my setup but the bluriness just got to me.
Thanks.
Sham

[SailorSat]

what would you choose SailorSat ?

The ATI one, as the GeForce-8 doesn't work too well.

It shows up 2 graphics cards primary and secondary (even though I only have one)

Thats because you have two "heads", meaning you can drive two monitors/tvs at the same time.

Wasnt sure what I had to install 15khz, 25khz etc. so tried different ones and rebooted.
Don't know what I did on my last attempt but now my s-video connection won't work.
The screen is jumping all over the place, I can't see the pc screen now to uninstall, is there a shortcut key to get back to my original resolution?
Have you any tips to get the soft 15khz working with my Radeon 9250 pci card?

First of all, at bootup (before the windows logo) hammer F8 and select "Start with VGA mode", then you can uninstall Soft-15kHz.

Then, install Soft-15kHz with the "15kHz" option and reboot.
After that, you won't see anything on your PC monitor so plug in the VGA->SCART cable.

That should be all.

[sham69]

sorry for all the questions, do I install on both card options or just primary?
On primary 800x600 is the lowest I can go but on the secondary I can choose 480x 600 (not sure exactly about this but something like that)
Thanks so much.

[SailorSat]

Only on primary, but you'll need to use quickres to select lower resolutions.

[sham69]

thanks I made a bit of a mess.

[sham69]

ok.
Did that and the screen is flashing black and white?
Reckon I have to go back to my s-video option.
Is there anywhere you can buy a proper vga to scart as I presume its the cable thats the problem.
Thanks.

[lettuce]

Can anyone tell me how to make 'double scan' versions of the 15khz resolutions??, so they work on a LCD display

[SailorSat]

Can anyone tell me how to make 'double scan' versions of the 15khz resolutions??, so they work on a LCD display

Where was I... Oh yes!

custom31khz.txt

Code: [Select]

modeline '240x240@58,795' 9,66 240 252 276 310 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '256x240@60,436' 10,6 256 272 296 336 240 244 247 261 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '256x256@59,496' 10,72 256 268 292 330 256 257 260 273 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '256x264@58,317' 10,7 256 268 292 330 264 265 268 278 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '288x240@59,885' 11,68 288 296 328 368 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '296x240@59,941' 11,9 296 304 336 376 240 243 246 264 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '304x240@59,305' 12,4 304 320 352 396 240 243 246 264 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '321x240@59,014' 12,9 321 336 368 414 240 242 245 264 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '320x256@59,917' 13,36 321 340 372 416 256 257 260 268 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '336x240@59,749' 13,66 336 352 384 433 240 243 246 264 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '352x256@59,697' 14,56 352 368 400 450 256 257 260 271 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '352x264@57,257' 14,7 352 365 405 452 264 265 268 284 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '352x288@51,116' 14,8 352 368 408 464 288 289 292 312 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '368x240@59,196' 14,94 368 384 424 478 240 243 246 264 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '384x288@51,219' 15,7 384 400 440 496 288 289 292 309 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '392x240@59,898' 16 392 408 448 504 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '400x256@52,419' 16,16 401 416 456 519 256 268 271 297 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '448x240@60,01' 18,32 448 464 512 576 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '512x240@59,973' 21,36 512 544 600 672 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '512x288@50,939' 21,36 512 544 600 672 288 289 292 312 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '632x264@56,751' 26 632 664 728 824 264 265 268 278 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '640x240@59,96' 26,44 640 672 736 832 240 243 246 265 -hsync -vsync doublescan
modeline '640x288@50,955' 26,2 640 672 736 832 288 289 292 309 -hsync -vsync doublescan
But I doubt your LCD will sync to all of them (at least not the 50hz ones)


*EDIT*
Oops... I didn't answer your question...
You double the pixelclock, and add a "doublescan" to the end of the line, that's all.

[SailorSat]

Is there anywhere you can buy a proper vga to scart as I presume its the cable thats the problem.

Phew...
Over here in Germany theres only one shop I know of that sells those cables.

( http://www.wolfsoft.de/shop/product_info.php/products_id/12836/%3Cbr%20/%3E )

Like I said, you won't find those cables premade anywhere. (The ones at wolfsoft are handmade too)
Maybe you find someone at your location who can solder you one.

[sham69]

Thanks Sailorsat,
I just spent 5 hours trying different things and it took me most of that time to get back to where I was.
Do you reckon that cable will work?
Has anyone tested on the radeon 9250.
Thanks again, I would have been lost tonight without you.

[sham69]

thanks for the link Sailorsat I am going to order that cable now.
Cheers.

[sham69]

Me again Sailorsat.
Got my sister to give me a hand ordering the cable (as she is fluent in German)
The site has no CC or paypal option for payment, just cash or cheque or something.
Do you know what the story is with this?
I really need this cable  as I can't find it anywhere.
Any ideas.
Thanks.

[Ummon]

Thanks Sailorsat,
I just spent 5 hours trying different things and it took me most of that time to get back to where I was.
Do you reckon that cable will work?
Has anyone tested on the radeon 9250.
Thanks again, I would have been lost tonight without you.

That's because you haven't spent what would amount to less time reading and understanding the information required to use these hardware and software properly. As for scart cables, if you're UK, you may be able to order one from Ultimarc, or perhaps from someone on the boards local/semi-local to you.

Can anyone tell me how to make 'double scan' versions of the 15khz resolutions??, so they work on a LCD display

Why bother?

[Twin-X]

Twin-X, notice it says in the stock set 31khz modes are interlace. As well, very early on SS posted that XGA mode. So you missed both these.

Well i do not need interlace and i do not need xga and yes i read it and i don't get it!!! ever tried to link a url and point out what you are trying to say?
I think you make it a sport over here to make people ashamed to ask questions. Consider that not everyone here is a techie or a native english!!!
However i think you are a nice person but you should try to set your "frustrion?" away and be more helpfull or silent.

The awnser from sailor was more satisfying then yours and it did the trick. This triggered me to donate $70. All it took was 1 line and the result was 2 happy people.

[sham69]

Thanks for the reply Ummon
 but my post was meant for Sailorsat?
I did spend loads of time reading forums and wiki's etc.
I am completely new to this and have done a lot in the last month and have learned a lot of new stuff but there is only so much you can take in in a month.
I bought a new graphics card, bought a scart to vga cable (which doesnt seem to be the one I need but how was I to know) and i did some research on soft 15khz.
If I had the right cable I wouldnt have needed the help.
I thanked Sailorsat for all the help and was never rude or intrusive.
I find it a bit strange that you find it necessary to reply to a post that was not meant for you and try to tell me that I havent spent time reading and researching?
You don't know what I have and have not done.
Thank you for the reply on purchasing the scart but there was no need for the attitude.
Sham.

[retrometro]

Thanks Sailorsat,
I just spent 5 hours trying different things and it took me most of that time to get back to where I was.
Do you reckon that cable will work?
Has anyone tested on the radeon 9250.
Thanks again, I would have been lost tonight without you.

That's because you haven't spent what would amount to less time reading and understanding the information required to use these hardware and software properly. As for scart cables, if you're UK, you may be able to order one from Ultimarc, or perhaps from someone on the boards local/semi-local to you.

Dude, why was that necessary?   something happened during your day at your work? 

[Ummon]

Often what one thinks they don't need, or need to know, is part of a rounding out of information that supports their efforts. In any case, I can't see after reading the wiki in its current state needing to ask or re-ask a lot of things I see asked around of late, so I re-suggest reading the wiki. I think it's a matter of people needing reassurance is all. That some perceive my suggestion in some personal manner would seem to underline this.

[MarcC]

I have read through all of this post and I decided just to ask, I apologise if this has been covered but alot of what was being said was kind of over my head as I am relativly new to this.

I will have a 8500GT on a TV with the VGA to SCART mod.

I have tried my best to research all of this but I find myself still confused.

Basically all these custom resolutions are throwing me off, I wanna set it up so that I get a picture on my TV and just play mame snes and megadrive roms.

Can this be done?

Does mame auto select the resolutions ?

Can I set windows to run at 640 x 480  through my TV and then just load up my ROM emulator and not worry about anything resolution related after that or is there more too it ?!

Also I see the 8 series Nvidia cards have a problem selecting lower resolutions, I have the option of a HD2400 ATI card would this be more suited?

Any advice is greatly appreciated as im struggling to grasp all this just now

[Twin-X]

Hello Marc,

The 8500 is not working with this software

You should have more luck on the 2400 if i recall. But the 8500 is definatly a show stopper.

[northerngames]

here's a link to a good ati comparison chart

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/131
 

[MarcC]

Thanks for the replys guys,

I have managed to get a hold of a 7300GS which is on the compatible list!

So ill be going for that, Now I just need to figure out how to get past the bios screen without blowing up my TV, hahah

Any ideas ?

[Twin-X]

Eh turn on the tv after your pc booted?