Mala Video Preview in GUI - Mala Start Option

[slsimon]

Anyone use the short video previews located at the following site with Mala?  I have files converted to AVI from MOV and they do not start before Mala enter's the layout.  Currently looking through the mala.ini file for references.  Thanks,

http://www.cinemarcade.com/arcade84.html

[shock_]

If they're in avi containers that's a start but make sure they're encoded with xVid.  Right-click the file, properties, summary tab should tell you what video compression is used.

Also - there's a bug in MaLa it seems that prevents full-screen video playing at all, if mouse control is enabled. More details in this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=71928

Try disabling mouse in MaLa / Options / Controllers and see if that helps.

[slsimon]

Thanks shock_ for the update.  I will try out your settings tonight when I get home.  After the posting last night, I decided to try out the screensaver within Mala as well pointing to Circo's previews.  The screensaver acts as though it's going to start (flash of a black background) and then immediately exits stright into the mala layout.  Is there a bug with the mala screensaver as well?  I am wondering if the mouse settings are possibly effecting the screensaver preview as well.  Thanks,

[shock_]

Yep, see the thread I linked

[slsimon]

Just read through the link provided...  Wow, many people are having the same issues.  From what I have obtained from the reading.  Looks as though the enable mouse (spinner, trackball, mouse) option is Mala is the fault here.  So, looks like I have a couple of decisions to make. 

Do I really need a screensaver?  Absolutely not, but would be really nice to have.....
Do I really need the spinner, trackball working in Mala?  Of course I do!!  So hopefully swindus has a fix for this in his later releases. 

Shock, I have your version 5 layout that I am working on modifying.  I have added other emulators to the layout.  Please see attached PNG file. 

With this layout, am I correct to assume that I will be configuring the emulators via the other emulators tab in Mala and not within the mala tree setup? 

Where do I configure the controller setup in mala as far as (left/right) movement for changing emulators and up/down to change game list selection? 

Another and last question for this thread, lets say that I want to group my mala/mame game list selection to specific game lists such as fighter, shooter, driving, etc...  under the mame game list.  Where would I need to set this up at?  After that is configured, isn't there a tag in mala that will allow you to jump to each gamelist selection such as joystick down and button 1 on player 1 or something like that. 

Thanks for any info...

[slsimon]

Disabling the enable mouse option located under the controller - mouse settings allowed both intro previews and screensavers to work.  Now, just have to figure out how to remove those unwanted mature AVI's from the random screensaver previews.  Another thread started per that request.  Thanks,

[loadman]

Disabling the enable mouse option located under the controller - mouse settings allowed both intro previews and screensavers to work. 

   Hopefully the Bug will be squashed soon   :-)

[shock_]

Disabling the enable mouse option located under the controller - mouse settings allowed both intro previews and screensavers to work. 

   Hopefully the Bug will be squashed soon   :-)

It was a good find, even if I do say so myself 

Do I really need a screensaver?  Absolutely not, but would be really nice to have.....
Do I really need the spinner, trackball working in Mala?  Of course I do!!  So hopefully swindus has a fix for this in his later releases. 

If you're just using pics and not video screensavers, try turning off MaLa's own screensaver and just use the default WinXP "My Pictures Slideshow" screensaver over the top.  The result is exactly the same, and then you can leave trackball / spinner navigation switched on. Assuming no intro video requirement of course.  I haven't googled for a similar video slideshow screensaver but I'm sure there must be a brazillion out there.

Shock, I have your version 5 layout that I am working on modifying. 

Such good taste    Email sent to respond to your questions here, to avoid polluting this fine thread!

[slsimon]

Errrr... Maybe I spoke to soon.  Looks like the emumovies are actually running fine in mala screensaver with enable mouse unchecked (disabled), but when I press the ESC key to attempt to jump  back to mala layout (game list) and exit screensaver mode, mala stops responding and I am locked on the last game preview.  The only way to exit is the dredded ctrl-alt-delete (end task - mala.exe). 

Always something to troubleshoot...  I can't complain to much, I am learning the in's and out's of mala.  The more that I understand about the emulator, the more that I think the guy that developed this really knows his stuff.  The author is Stefan Windus, am I correct?  He's good...  Gotta give it to him... 

Thanks for any feedback....

[loadman]

Errrr... Maybe I spoke to soon.  Looks like the emumovies are actually running fine in mala screensaver with enable mouse unchecked (disabled), but when I press the ESC key to attempt to jump  back to mala layout (game list) and exit screensaver mode, mala stops responding and I am locked on the last game preview. 

Yes, The next layer of the Onion has already been reported HERE.  Looks like it only effects some video types

[retrometro]

Always something to troubleshoot...  I can't complain to much, I am learning the in's and out's of mala.  The more that I understand about the emulator, the more that I think the guy that developed this really knows his stuff.  The author is Stefan Windus, am I correct?  He's good...  Gotta give it to him... 

I'm sure he wouldn't mind a small paypal thank you.  I'm waiting for another major update for another donation.  if it weren't for his work, i'm sure we'd all be using cryptic mamewah or the force-to-pay maximus.