Looking for Beta testers 1.62g (Finished)

[loadman]

A small release:

Includes:

MaLa.. Added remote MaLa Messages ability to switch to various orientations
Applied new Icon to the MaLa suite
Added Definable images option of EMU's (other than mame) FINALLY!
Added Extra logging (in verbose mode) to show event info passed to the plugins
BugFix. Fixed orientation that was incorrectly reported for non mame. EMU's
BugFix. Only one press of start button now required after rotate
Added hotkeys to switch to various orientations
BugFix. MaLa now re-enables mouse (if required) after resuming from standby
BugFix. Stop mala crash if gamelist empty and MaLa Hardware leds were enabled
 JukeBox Disabled 'brackets removed on the fly' in Jukebox mode
JukeBox. Fixed bug where songs that were read only were getting shown twice in the list
Logging - Now can be set at Normal or Verbose Levels
Jukebox. Better labelling on config window to make operation more intuitive.
Config defaults changed to something I feel is a better starting point ;-)
Dreamcast (Nulldc) preset added
MaLa: When mame.exe is specified in options the user is asked if they wish to create a new mame.xml even if one exists.
Some collection options now shown in display box when refreshing game list for Mame.
Bugfix. Stopped mala crashing with delayed layout items if game lists are empty (in some circumstances including rom directory change).
Bugfix. LED Hardware override files also are used when game is launched
Bugfix. Stopped delayed layout video playing in background behind a running game in some scenarios. This did sometimes result in performance and Windows focus issues.
Bugfix. Stopped delayed layout video playing when options window opened.
Bugfix. Fixed incorrect cocktail command line mapping allocations on 90deg and 270deg
Bugfix. Fixed flash of default text before Layout loads (in some cases).
Bugfix. Background music will not start until Startup Video is finished.
Bugfix. Switching to and from Jukebox from any list now works correctly.
Config. Added more verbose descriptions and logging for custom Layout options, and Other EMU MaLaHook loading.
Bugfix. Fixed bug switching between custom game list with custom layout. Elements switching is now synchronized.
the right mouse click. About Screen added

Enjoy..  

[bsweet0us]

Downloaded, extracted, overwrote existing files, launched, nothing.

Here's the error log....what happened?

2009/03/08  11:02:15.07   Info: Starting MaLa 1.6.0.14
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: LoggingLevel =  1
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: Check plugin directory: E:\Emulators\Mala\plugins
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: Collecting event plugins (*.mplugin) in E:\Emulators\Mala\plugins\
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: Found event plugin UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: Event plugin UltraStikMapPlugin.mplugin loaded
2009/03/08  11:02:15.09   Info: Function: PluginName found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Function: PluginCopyright found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaGameSelected found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaEmulatorSelected not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaListSelected not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaOrientationSwitch not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaScreensaverStart not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaScreensaverSwitch not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaScreensaverStop not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaAttractModeStart not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaAttractModeStop not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaGameStart found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaGameQuit found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaStart found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaQuit found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaTreeUp not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: MaLaTreeDown not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.10   Info: Event Function: PluginConfigure not found
2009/03/08  11:02:15.12   Info: Check backup directory: E:\Emulators\Mala\backups
2009/03/08  11:02:15.12   Info: Check to see if hook dll is required
2009/03/08  11:02:15.12   Info: Win98/ME Hook dll not loaded because OS is: WinXP
2009/03/08  11:02:15.21   Info: Loading config params from ini file
2009/03/08  11:02:15.29   Info: Setting params from ini file
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Info: Creating and loading mame cl conditions: E:\Emulators\Mala\mame.clc
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Info: Creating and loading mame info pages: E:\Emulators\Mala\mame.mli
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Info: Creating and loading other emu info pages: E:\Emulators\Mala\otheremu.mli
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Info: Creating and loading filter sets: E:\Emulators\Mala\mala.mlf
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Info: Creating and loading non mame emulators: E:\Emulators\Mala\mala.mle
2009/03/08  11:02:15.31   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadEmulatorList, Exception Class: EFOpenError, Exception Message: Cannot open file E:\Emulators\Mala\mala.mle
2009/03/08  11:02:15.37   Info: Joystick 1 recalibrated
2009/03/08  11:02:17.01   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:02:17.01   Info: Show Main Form
2009/03/08  11:02:17.20   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: DisplayVideo, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 005E17D8 in module 'mala.exe'. Read of address 000000A0
2009/03/08  11:03:15.59   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:03:15.59   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed
2009/03/08  11:03:18.40   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:03:18.40   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed
2009/03/08  11:03:21.00   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:03:21.01   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed

[toadstoolprince]

i think there is some confusion over version numbers.. 1.0.6 or 1.6?

also could you please please please add auto scrolling/key repeat so i can just push up on my arcade stick and i can scroll through the list without having to repeatedly push up to go to the next one.

[slapaham]

Did the 'loss of focus' problem ever get solved?

Great work by the way! Having used several frontends I now swear by Mala!

Oh, and totally agree with the scrolling comment - that would make it so much easier to use - it is so laborious looking through 5000+ games the way it is.

[TheShanMan]

Guys, I can just hold my joystick up or down to keep my list scrolling. Not sure why you haven't been able to. Works with my analog and digital joysticks.

Loadman, I had to revert back to 1.05 because the video feature seems to be screwy in this version. As I scroll through my game list I frequently get hangs (not crashes) right when a video is supposed to start playing.

Also, I don't know if this is relevant or not, but an interesting thing with my Super Mario Bros video. I've posted before about how Circo's AVI SQ video has audio/video synchronization problems (mostly directed to Circo, not you), and it causes mala to hang. So normally I just delete this video but I tried again today in case Circo had a fixed version (answer turns out to be no), and 1.06 does something quite different with the bad video than 1.05 does. It shows it zoomed in! So I can only see part of the screen. And then when I move to the game above or below it, that video is zoomed out! So there's a bunch of black space surrounding the video. Then when I change the selection again the videos show correctly. Again, don't know if this helps you at all. Maybe it relates to the hanging problem I mentioned above? Or maybe it is meaningless simply because it's a bad AVI. But I thought I'd mention it just in case.

[loadman]

Downloaded, extracted, overwrote existing files, launched, nothing.
Here's the error log....what happened?
2009/03/08  11:03:15.59   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed
2009/03/08  11:03:18.40   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:03:18.40   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed
2009/03/08  11:03:21.00   Info: Showing taskbar
2009/03/08  11:03:21.01   Info: Screensaver: ScreenSaver Form Destroyed

Looks like a video issue in MaLa 1.6 . As I see you use a startup video. 

Oh, and totally agree with the scrolling comment - that would make it so much easier to use - it is so laborious looking through 5000+ games the way it is.

The scrolling can be fixed by using the correct i-pac chip. Have a search

FYI This release is 1.6

OK.

Bugger Bugger Bugger Video problems again   

THis is what I get for not releasing a Beta Version 

Anyway my best guess is the problem is I am using the latest version of video lab.

I will try reverting and see if that fixes it..  Sorry Guys!

[TheShanMan]

Look forward to the reverted version. Why is it called 1.6 in places, and 1.06 in others (web site for one)? Same seems to be true for 1.5 vs. 1.05.

[dungbeetle46]

Downloaded, extracted, overwrote existing files, launched, nothing.

same here, had to revert back to 1.05
tried it by extracting to complete different folder and it launched fine and created some more files in that folder but required setting up everything again.
then tried copying all files from new folder to old mala folder and it launched but still no old files, needed to set it all up again, so reverted back to 1.05 and now I have to set everything up again.
thank god for backups

[csa3d]

Also, not to rain on the parade, but the rotating monitor plugin still does not work with the latest changes for other emulators.  Even though it's said that the other emulators now report the correct orientation, it appears that no event trigger is kicked in when selecting a game from an emulator which requires 0 degrees rotation when coming from a 90 degree rotation from a Mame list.

Though, the select game with single click is definately working.  I also found that I couldn't just overwrite my directory, and had to recreate all my settings from scratch.  I'm 50/50 on reverting at this time.

btw - very excited about this update, even with the bugs in it!  Thanks so much for putting in the hard work to make these happen Loadman!

-csa

[loadman]

Look forward to the reverted version. Why is it called 1.6 in places, and 1.06 in others (web site for one)? Same seems to be true for 1.5 vs. 1.05.

It should be 1.6!   I will look at that   

Also, not to rain on the parade, but the rotating monitor plugin still does not work with the latest changes for other emulators.  Even though it's said that the other emulators now report the correct orientation, it appears that no event trigger is kicked in when selecting a game from an emulator which requires 0 degrees rotation when coming from a 90 degree rotation from a Mame list.

What does the log say it's doing (in verbose mode). I added a log to mark when it was sending an orientation change to the plugins. I tested this and seems to be reporting correctly to the log.

Though, the select game with single click is definately working.  I also found that I couldn't just overwrite my directory, and had to recreate all my settings from scratch.  I'm 50/50 on reverting at this time.

I don't understand?  The only thing you need to is was swap the mala.exe in your current setup? You can change the name of mala.exe to mala105.exe if you want to try both

same here, had to revert back to 1.05

I assume you use a video on startup?  Hence it failed from the beginning?

[dungbeetle46]

no not using a video, it says something about cant load emulator list because it was created in a previous version
hers a log
2009/03/09  18:50:31.59   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadEmulatorList, Exception Class: EFOpenError, Exception Message: Cannot open file C:\mame\MaLa\mala.mle
2009/03/09  18:50:33.70   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: DisplayVideo, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 005E17D8 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 000000A0

[dungbeetle46]

worked it out, I copied too much to directory the first time, should have just copied mala.exe

[loadman]

no not using a video, it says something about cant load emulator list because it was created in a previous version
hers a log
2009/03/09  18:50:31.59   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadEmulatorList, Exception Class: EFOpenError, Exception Message: Cannot open file C:\mame\MaLa\mala.mle
2009/03/09  18:50:33.70   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: DisplayVideo, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 005E17D8 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 000000A0

Yes that is supposed to happen.      Did you read the full message. ?  It needs to upgrade your emulators file. I had to do this to add the definable images on other emu's  I will change the message so this is more clear. Thanks for reporting 

worked it out, I copied too much to directory the first time, should have just copied mala.exe

I should have added better instructions 

[loadman]

OK Guys,

I have taken 1.6 away from the download page

Looks like the lastest version of the video driver made it worse so I will have to revert. I have already begun work on it. Hopefully it won't take too long

[TheShanMan]

Well think of it this way, loadman. Probably everyone who downloaded are people who would have downloaded it as a beta anyway. And I'm sure you've learned your lesson about video engine changes requiring LOTS of testing before releasing!

So anyway, don't feel bad loadman. Just keep up the good work and we all look forward to the update whenever it's ready. We appreciate your effort!

[fatfingers]

Ahhh....software....don't you love it....

[lcddream]

The scrolling can be fixed by using the correct i-pac chip. Have a search

Scrolling works for player 1 but not player 2. I need a new IPAC to get player 2 scrolling working? It worked in mamewah...

[loadman]

The scrolling can be fixed by using the correct i-pac chip. Have a search

Scrolling works for player 1 but not player 2. I need a new IPAC to get player 2 scrolling working? It worked in mamewah...

New IPAC chip not a whole new IPAC.  Hope to develop a way to do this within mala eventually

[loadman]

If you wish to beta test 1.62betaA then PM me for the download link

Only download if you have time to test and report please 

[dungbeetle46]

been testing the new beta and only bug I have come across so far is if I enable audio everything is fine but if I start mala and then disable audio it gives the mala has encountered a problem and shuts down. Not a major problem if I restart with audio disabled its fine, its only after disabling and pressing OK to close options.

this is from the log when it shuts down
2009/03/11  23:56:22.82   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: SaveTrackingInformation, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 00403D58 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 646F6F5F

[csa3d]

So I looked at it tonight, and I am still having issues with automated monitor rotation when selecting "other emulators".  Here's how I reproduce it:

Go into a Mame list and choose a vertical game (ie: frogger).
The monitor auto rotates using mrotate plugin from DaOldMan.
Exit the vertical game, and the Mala list changes to match the vertical orientation of the screen (fantastic so far)
With the screen vertical, switch over to NES or Atari or something not having vertical screenage, noting that you are currently IN vertical mode and that in my particular setup, I had to check the box which flips the screen orientation so the vertical list wouldn't be upside down.
Now that you are in the NES list, choose any game and launch it.
Note that the screen does not rotate.

Mrotate only seems to deal with 0 and 90, so I'm not sure who's at fault here.  What info do you need to help track down the culprit?

-csa

[wooowman93]

2009/03/15  11:12:19.79   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: DisplayMarquee, Exception Class: EListError, Exception Message: List index out of bounds (0)
2009/03/15  22:48:13.82   Error: Object Class: TPopupList, Object Function: CollectGamelistFiles, Exception Class: EListError, Exception Message: List index out of bounds (0)
2009/03/16  14:05:33.73   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadPicture, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 004BBBDC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 022B0000
2009/03/16  14:05:33.81   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadPicture, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 004BBBDC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 022B0000
2009/03/16  14:40:20.32   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadPicture, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 004BBBDC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01790000
2009/03/16  14:40:20.39   Error: Object Class: TfrmMain, Object Function: LoadPicture, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 004BBBDC in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 01790000

[slapaham]

Not sure if this has already been posted but when I updated my MAME version and therefore my romlist... when it tried to replace the existing roms with the new ones, it kept crashing - doesn't do this in the old version...

[TheShanMan]

Where is our fearless leader? He hasn't been visiting often at all lately. Hopefully he's furiously creating a super-stable 1.6 release (for the record, I tested, it crashed on startup - unlike the first 1.6 release, and I PM'ed him the results). I'm hoping for a new version to try out for the weekend!

[dungbeetle46]

Not sure if this has already been posted but when I updated my MAME version and therefore my romlist... when it tried to replace the existing roms with the new ones, it kept crashing - doesn't do this in the old version...

same here
had to update gamelist with old version then change over to 1.62

[loadman]

been testing the new beta and only bug I have come across so far is if I enable audio everything is fine but if I start mala and then disable audio it gives the mala has encountered a problem and shuts down. Not a major problem if I restart with audio disabled its fine, its only after disabling and pressing OK to close options.

this is from the log when it shuts down
2009/03/11  23:56:22.82   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: SaveTrackingInformation, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 00403D58 in module 'MaLa.exe'. Read of address 646F6F5F

Thanks

That was a know issue 

Any video problems?

[loadman]

Where is our fearless leader? He hasn't been visiting often at all lately. Hopefully he's furiously creating a super-stable 1.6 release (for the record, I tested, it crashed on startup - unlike the first 1.6 release, and I PM'ed him the results). I'm hoping for a new version to try out for the weekend!

Sorry Frikken work again 

Anyway ......MaLa
I am getting the sh*ts with it all (video mainly) and so am considering bitting the bullet and scrapping working on 1.6 and start work on 2.0 with new video and audio engines using a newer ide

I have been testing TVideoGrabber today.  It seems to play all the problem videos (including the 3 ninja kickback one), rotate and even allow graphics partially over the top.

[Later] I am still liking this, but it aint cheap [/Later]

If you want to test it with your video download the demo standalone video player at:

http://www.datastead.com/vidgrab/maindemo.zip

I would be interested in feedback

[TheShanMan]

Sorry to hear about the problems! I'd almost say go for it on the 2.0 decision, except right now my spinner/trackball panel is almost unusable due to how "use mouse" gets turned off on standby. It would be a bummer if I had to wait a long time for that to be fixed.

I'd be open to suggestions of possible workarounds. I've already tried setting mala's ini file to be read only (to at least keep it from turning the option off there), but mala DOES NOT like that at all. I just hate having to break out the keyboard or mouse whenever I want to play a spinner/trackball game.

I'll try to do a little testing with the video player soon. Sounds promising though!

[loadman]

Sorry to hear about the problems! I'd almost say go for it on the 2.0 decision, except right now my spinner/trackball panel is almost unusable due to how "use mouse" gets turned off on standby. It would be a bummer if I had to wait a long time for that to be fixed.

Well, I made a work around/ fix for that in 1.6 (mouse is re-enabled after coming out of standby). But 1.6 introduced video problems it seems that I can't easily reverse.

The irony is part of 1.6 project was adding the mala code into perforce version control software.

 What I might try and do is possibly add the new video engine to 1.6 then work on 2.0, but only if I don't get charged twice for the  TVideoGrabber software. I need the Delphi5 version (for mala 1.6) and Delphi 2007 version (for mala 2.0). USD  $695 aint cheap, but I could use the engine in many other projects. Let me know what you think. It seems to do everything

[TheShanMan]

Does this mean you don't really have the 1.5 code then (i.e. no version control until now)? I'd be perfectly satisfied with a 1.51. But hey, if it's going to be a lot more hassle and/or money to do a 1.6 and you would otherwise decide against a 1.6, I'll live despite the "use mouse" bug.

[loadman]

Does this mean you don't really have the 1.5 code then (i.e. no version control until now)? I'd be perfectly satisfied with a 1.51. But hey, if it's going to be a lot more hassle and/or money to do a 1.6 and you would otherwise decide against a 1.6, I'll live despite the "use mouse" bug.

It's weird.

I have the 1.5 code but MaLa behaves differently due to it' current dependence on the current video player components. This you install this separately. A version or minor change to it's config effects a lot of things in mala. I guess I can't expect too much form a free component

I am looking like I will at least make a beta with a new video engine at this point.

Hang in there, I think the worst is behind us 

[loadman]

Mrotate only seems to deal with 0 and 90, so I'm not sure who's at fault here.  What info do you need to help track down the culprit?
-csa

Can you try 1.62 and tell me what the logs say when you rotate the screen? Do they match reality?

[loadman]

Beta Testers Wanted.

I have made a quick and dirty test video player using a different video engine.

The idea is make sure it works before I part with more $$$$$ and replace the existing video engine

Can you all please help by testing this for me.

run your videos you have have issues playing through this player please and post results...

http://www.malafe.net/files/download/VideoTest2.zip

NOTE: If you change settings you need to reload video for it to come into effect. I could have fixed this but I ran out of time.

Thanks   

[TheShanMan]

So far I've tried it with the bad "sq" super mario bros video (audio/video sync problems), and at least it doesn't lock up like happens with MaLa. Maybe a good sign?

I don't know how tough it is in delphi to add support for dropping files from explorer to open them, but I would definitely be more prone to test a large number of videos if I could do that, since it would greatly simplify the process.

[zophar707]

tried to run 1.62 and get this error

2009/03/26  19:46:51.78   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: Ctrl1Down, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 005F3600 in module 'MaLa162ba.exe'. Read of address 000000A0

[loadman]

I don't know how tough it is in delphi to add support for dropping files from explorer to open them, but I would definitely be more prone to test a large number of videos if I could do that, since it would greatly simplify the process.

Easy

Done 

Please advise 

http://www.malafe.net/files/download/VideoTest2.zip

[arzoo]

Hey loadman - any chance you'll be able to add support for animated gifs to the background images? We were talking about this some time ago and I recall you had a working solution.

On a side note - I've been watching that FE poll with MaLa and Hyperspin duking it out for the top spot. It's amazing how quickly HS gained in popularity. Still, for those who want to customize/personalize the look of their FE, MaLa is the #1 choice!

[TheShanMan]

Yeah, they have been neck and neck for a long time, with MaLa always edging out HS, but finally HS passed up MaLa.

loadman, I hope to do some more video testing this weekend. I appreciate you adding drag and drop to the test app!

[loadman]

Hey loadman - any chance you'll be able to add support for animated gifs to the background images? We were talking about this some time ago and I recall you had a working solution.

On a side note - I've been watching that FE poll with MaLa and Hyperspin duking it out for the top spot. It's amazing how quickly HS gained in popularity. Still, for those who want to customize/personalize the look of their FE, MaLa is the #1 choice!

HI,

Yep I have not forgotten.   

The stability of MaLa became the priority.

With Animated gifs, I only have a solution when rotated at 0 deg at this point. Is that OK?

The current mala code flips the pics (on the fly) when you flip orientation. Not sure how you would handle a muti framed animated gif?  Any Ideas?

[TheShanMan]

I just went through 111 games from my game list, dragging them in one at a time and watching on average for about 3-4 seconds. The player handled them all great. The one "problem" video is Super Mario Bros, which has audio/video sync issues. That video causes mala to lock up if you try to switch off of the game later on in the video, but no problem for this test player!

So it's not a lot of data to go on, but from my experience the new player seems to be more robust than the old one.