Looking for Beta testers 1.62g (Finished)

[drventure]

Glad you're back loadman!

But I've got a nasty one for you. The videos have been working great up till this weekend.

I got the latest JRiver MediaCenter (version 13), and after I installed it, the videos play in mala, but I only get the sound, there's just a black box where the actual video should be.

I'm fairly certain Media Center has jacked up a codec that mala requires, but I'm not sure how to go about figuring out what to reinstall.

I checked the debug log, and as far as I can tell, mala THINKS it's playing the video. There's a line about finding the AVI file and then a line about playing it, but there's no errors at all.

There may not be anything mala can or should do about this. I just wanted to let you know it's something I'm seeing.

[drventure]

Ok, good news about the codec stuff.

I decided to try and view one the Mala videos in "something else", I tried both Media Center and Windows Media Player and got the same results (audio but no video).

Did some googling and found a great page that lists all the various FOURCC codes for codecs.
http://www.fourcc.org/fcccodec.htm

From that, I found a little app you run against a specific AVI to determine what codec it uses called GSPOT

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/v26x/index.htm

Running that against the AVI in question yielded the XVID codec.

From the table at FOURCC, I went to the xvid codec page.

http://www.xvidmovies.com/codec/

Downloaded and installed. Presto! Videos in mala again!

[system01]

Got a crash for ya.

In the 'Sound' tab, uncheck 'Enable Audio" and hit OK back to the FE.
RMB -> Options, go back and check 'Enable Audio'.
When you hit OK to get back to the FE, about 500 exception-error boxes come up.

A log-full of these:

Code: [Select]

2009/06/04  09:20:31.31   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.32   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.34   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.35   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.39   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.42   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.43   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.46   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.50   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
2009/06/04  09:20:31.53   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation
Followed by this at the bottom:

Code: [Select]

2009/06/04  09:20:33.57   Error: Object Class: TPopupList, Object Function: LoadLEDConfig, Exception Class: EAccessViolation, Exception Message: Access violation at address 00000002. Read of address 00000002
2009/06/04  09:20:33.70   Error: Object Class: TTimer, Object Function: AppDeactivate, Exception Class: EInvalidPointer, Exception Message: Invalid pointer operation

I have all the delays off, 'Use layout sound' and 'Use layout BGM' checked, and no sounds (empty boxes) inside MaLa config.  I'm trying to get layout sounds to work, which is how I got here.  This happens consistently, and I'm using 162f.

If it makes any difference, in the layout I'm using WAVs (PCM) for the movements and a 220kbps MP3 for the BGM.  I haven't got them to work yet.

[dungbeetle46]

This is a bug already known by Loadman, I mentioned it to him on page 1 of this thread so dont change your layouts to try fix, its in Mala code where the problem lies
cheers

[Kayden]

Heya Load,

I've been playing around more with the background music skipping.  It only seems to happen in Mala paying the music over the network.  If I copy the music locally, it plays fine in Mala, but I can play it over my wireless just fine in Media Player.  My wireless is N spec at 250mbps.  I have gigabit ethernet, but I can't test it with my cab.

Additionally, is it possible to configure the hotkeys under other emulators to accept joystick input?  I'd like to use button 15 on my stick to close FCEUX because it doesn't seem to have that feature built in like Mame, nestopia or ZSNES.

[drventure]

One minor note about the Beta build

Did you notice that it puts an icon in the system tray (looks like it has something to do with the video encoder you're using now.) See screenshot

You might consider turning that off, or having an option to turn it on. Seems a little odd to show it.

But, like I said, it's a pretty minor thing.

[Kayden]

FFDShow handles the codecs for video and audio.  It should only appear if your GUI has music or videos in it.  I think you can stop it from displaying, but you don't want to stop it from running.

[loadman]

Additionally, is it possible to configure the hotkeys under other emulators to accept joystick input?  I'd like to use button 15 on my stick to close FCEUX because it doesn't seem to have that feature built in like Mame, nestopia or ZSNES.

Not easily

[dungbeetle46]

Not sure if this a bug or something in my setup so if others could try, it would be appreciated.

I built a cab for a buddy of mine and the first night he rings me and says mame works fine but none of the other emus work
ie:
N64
Pinball
Sega
etc
I knew they were working when he picked it up so was scratching the head a bit, so I went round to take a look
The problem was that when in mame he pressed 2 to open menu and in game list he set browse to <yes>, well it seems when it is set to browse, none of the other emus work, set browse back to <no> and everything works again.
Wierd

[Lave Laar]

If you're using pngimage to display the PNG-files and still have problems with these files there is a known bug in the 1.564 version.

I am using that but the links just tell me that it is no longer avaliable for download? Also I was half asleep and made quick attempt to flick the and from my monitor (your avitar)     

From the first link:

basically, the line

ImageData := pRGBQuad(@ImageSource[i2 * 3])^

needs to be replaced with

pRGBTriple(@ImageData)^ := pRGBTriple(@ImageSource[i2 * 3])^

The ant can be annoying as hell, I know. Saw it on another forum and tried to flick it off my screen as well   

[slik50]

Loadman,  would it be possible to add a feature in 1.6 that when you add audio files to be played during your scrolling of games they change each time you go back and forth from games to user interface?  The shuffle feature shuffles if your on the user interface for extended periods of time. 

Thanks!  Love your work thus far and can't wait to check out 1.6 when its ready. 

Justin

[loadman]

Loadman,  would it be possible to add a feature in 1.6 that when you add audio files to be played during your scrolling of games they change each time you go back and forth from games to user interface?  The shuffle feature shuffles if your on the user interface for extended periods of time. 

Thanks!  Love your work thus far and can't wait to check out 1.6 when its ready. 

Justin

Sorry I have not been working on MaLa for some time (thanks to the real world)

I have not even fired up my Mame cab for 6 months  :-(

I don't quite understand what you are asking

Can you please explain in more detail

[curtis-r]

Welcome back.

Any thoughts to why during screensaver mode, after each video/snap is played, it leaves screensaver mode and returns to the menu.  Then after the preset time, it re-enters screensaver?  In other words, it doesn't just keep displaying screensavers like it's supposed to.

[loadman]

  dunno. I have not seen that

[JustMichael]

How can we try the beta?

[mr_doles]

How can we try the beta?

Middle of page 4 on this thread.

[JustMichael]

How can we try the beta?

Middle of page 4 on this thread.

Sorry I didn't read the whole thread.  I only read the first page where he said to PM him to get the download link from that I thought it was a private beta.

[loadman]

Yes .. here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90230.msg964524#msg964524

[slik50]

Loadman: Sorry I have not been working on MaLa for some time (thanks to the real world)

I have not even fired up my Mame cab for 6 months  :-(

I don't quite understand what you are asking

Can you please explain in more detail

======================================

Feature I was curious about:  When adding music into MaLa it plays while searching or scolling through your gaming menu's.  When you select a game the specific song stops and the game starts.  Now, when I want to go back to my MaLa gaming menu to select another game the options avl are: continue song from where it left off, and to start song from beginning each time.  Would it be possible to add another selection to start new track each time I go back to the gaming menu in MaLa?  hopefully that helps! Or would it be possible to link to iTunes playlists?   I now have 2 MAME cab's in my house...my roomie put 1 together now too.  lol..

[loadman]

Oh yeah

That sounds like a good idea.

Remind me after the next minor release (that fixes most video issues)

I have a list of sound related things to work on

[slik50]

Sounds good.  Whats your target looking like for that video fix release?

[drventure]

About that video....

I've been playing around with a few things and I noticed that the Windows Media Player control "appears" to play Mala vids just fine. Is there something I'm missing (or maybe it plays them fine BECAUSE the Mala video player components are installed?).

[Ummon]

Feature I was curious about:  When adding music into MaLa it plays while searching or scolling through your gaming menu's.  When you select a game the specific song stops and the game starts.  Now, when I want to go back to my MaLa gaming menu to select another game the options avl are: continue song from where it left off, and to start song from beginning each time.  Would it be possible to add another selection to start new track each time I go back to the gaming menu in MaLa?

Man, and people call me a picky mo fo. Welcome to the club.

[loadman]

About that video....

I've been playing around with a few things and I noticed that the Windows Media Player control "appears" to play Mala vids just fine. Is there something I'm missing (or maybe it plays them fine BECAUSE the Mala video player components are installed?).

The Video Engine in MaLa 1.05 or less is pretty crappy. Media could play videos that MaLa could not

The video Engine in BETA => 1.62 should play all the videos ok

[drventure]

I'd been meaning to write back on this.

I've found that using WMP to play vids results in "most" of the vids playing, but I've found some that,even though they're AVI files and mala 1.6 can play them, WMP can't.

Since if you have mala 1.6, the machine will have those new vid drivers, I'm going to see if I can piggy back on the video library you're now using.

[Sprawler]

I'm getting an error when i try to run the beta. Procedure Entry Point_Except_Handler4_common could not be located in dynamic link library MSVCRT.DLL
I have tried many fixes I found through google but none have worked. I'm running Windows XP Sp3. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[loadman]

I'm getting an error when i try to run the beta. Procedure Entry Point_Except_Handler4_common could not be located in dynamic link library MSVCRT.DLL
I have tried many fixes I found through google but none have worked. I'm running Windows XP Sp3. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

You are using the right verion of bass.dll (that comes with 1.5) right?

[81ramirez]

Hi, I'm trying to download Mala. I started with the beta, but the files from 1.05 are needed. Is there any mirror? 'Cause it's about a month and I'm still receiving the same message... 
Tank's anyway....

[loadman]

 I just downloaded it

I just re-uploaded , re-zipped it and tested the download again anyway

Try that

[Sprawler]

Yeah, I was using mala 1.5 for a while and extracted the 1.62g exe to the install directory and recieved the error.
Thought it might have been a conflict with my setting or something I extract the base 1.5 files to a seperate directory
and then extracted the 1.62g exe to that directory and got the same error.

[81ramirez]

Sorry loadman, my bad.... I have my antivirus(nod32) set to automatically deny the download of infected files.....
I'm happy to see that MalaKeyhook.dll is only needed for win98/me... Now I'll try your App.
Tank you very much.
 

[loadman]

Sorry loadman, my bad.... I have my antivirus(nod32) set to automatically deny the download of infected files.....
I'm happy to see that MalaKeyhook.dll is only needed for win98/me... Now I'll try your App.
Tank you very much.
 

:-)

cool,   No dll's will be required for the next version  (eh bass.dll).  I am working on that

[pubjoe]

Hi loadman.  I only just noticed this thread.  It's very cool that your active here, taking feedback and giving help etc.

Sod hyperactivespin, mala is pure class.  

I have two questions:

First, would it be possible to expand the filter a bit?  Maybe have an option to "Exclude games who's description contains "******" (mature for example). Or perhaps allow more than four filters in a filter set.  The up to date catver.ini is just so specific, with so many subcatagories, that 4 filters isn't enough to include/exclude all of one catagory.  At the moment I use a renaming tool and then refresh list, as a work around, but this is pretty messy.

Second.  Minor nitpick this.  You know the arc/curve option for the gamelist.  Is it possible to add more curve/arc options?  Or be able to apply rotation AND the curve?  I am making a (bastardized retrogui) layout below, and I'd like to be able to curve the gamelist around the shape of the machine, but I can't with the current options.  (I did say this was a minor nitpick!)

[drventure]

though I do wish the Layout editor was a bit more "polished"

Code: [Select]

(oops) sorry edited the rest of your post in error, feel free to edit it back (sorry -loadman)  'You said something to the effect that you should not slam HyperSpin as it is a good but not
 just to everyone's taste as it is a bit 'in your face'

[pubjoe]

Yeah, sorry I don't really mean to slate it.  There's no denying hyperspin's an impressive acheivement, just not my cuppa tea.  Mala's my personal preference.

[loadman]

though I do wish the Layout editor was a bit more "polished"

Let me know if you are interested on helping on improving it

First, would it be possible to expand the filter a bit?  Maybe have an option to "Exclude games who's description contains "******" (mature for example). Or perhaps allow more than four filters in a filter set.  The up to date catver.ini is just so specific, with so many subcatagories, that 4 filters isn't enough to include/exclude all of one catagory.  At the moment I use a renaming tool and then refresh list, as a work around, but this is pretty messy.

1) Have you tried : http://www.waste.org/~winkles/ROMLister/

2) No time soon

[drventure]

Let me know if you are interested on helping on improving it

Yeah, i'm actually working a lot of what would be necessary into the plugin I'm putting together.

One question, I just haven't gotten this far yet, Can Mala be made to switch layouts while it's open, or do you have to completely close Mala and reopen it to have a new layout get loaded?

[loadman]

One question, I just haven't gotten this far yet, Can Mala be made to switch layouts while it's open, or do you have to completely close Mala and reopen it to have a new layout get loaded?

Of course it can      

MaLa can switch layouts on changes to Emulator and GameList.

Have a look at the Options-gui-layout tab, there are two checkboxes for autolayout switching options.

[drventure]

Very cool. Honestly, I hadn't gone looking yet. What I've got in mind is a layout editor plugin, so I wouldn't so much be switching layouts as refreshing the loaded layout. Good to know that's there though.

Thanks!

[pubjoe]

1) Have you tried : http://www.waste.org/~winkles/ROMLister/

No, but I will.  Looks to be just what I wanted to create a mala list.  Thanks.

Thanks for the reply.