Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Software Support => GroovyMAME => Topic started by: adder on April 06, 2014, 10:13:04 am
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hi i finally decided yesterday to attempt to get setup with groovymame, as although i have used this forum for a while now, it was more for gathering info and learning about groovymame as i knew one day i would like to make the switch over
my setup is xp 64bit, crt_emudriver_9.3_1.2a_x64, ati radeon xpress 200, crt tv (capable of around 15600-16300, 50-63hz) and a vga->scart cable which i made
this setup was all ok when i was using my older previous setup of windows xp 32bit, regular ati drivers (with catalyst control center), powerstrip, and mameuifx because i could choose the 'composite sync' tickbox in catalyst control center which i needed to do in order for my vga->scart cable to work. i would also use +hsync +vsync in my modelines.. that shouldnt be a problem as i can do that with groovymame
but im having the problem of not knowing how to enable composite sync when the crt_emudriver_9.3_1.2a_x64 is installed. those drivers do not seem to come with catalyst control center, so i tried downloading a few versions of catalyst control center with the intent of just installing that without any drivers, but i cannot seem to find a way to install just the catalyst control center without it overwriting the crt_emudriver_9.3_1.2a_x64 (it wont let me untick 'install main driver' when you go through setup)
if enabling/disabling composite sync is just a setting in the windows registry somewhere, please could anyone tell me where that entry is found in the registry, or what it is called so i can try to search? i would have thought it probably is just a registry entry because when i enabled composite sync using my old setup, i only had to do it once, and then never have to keep catalyst control center running anymore
i did try installing ati try tools to enable composite sync that way, but i cant see the option present in any of the settings. i tried searching for an alternative to ati tray tools/catalyst control center but didnt find anything.
any ideas anyone? would appreciate any suggestions :)
EDIT: Calamity i notice in this thread here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,116014.msg1241199.html#msg1241199 you discuss winmodelines having the capability of enabling/disabling composite sync. cool, i will try that! it would be nice to not have to install catalyst control center as it means i also have to install net framework 2.0.. a pain in order to get access to one little option :hissy:
EDIT 2: it worked, you can just enable/disable composite sync using winmodelines, by launching winmodelines, look to where it says CSYNC, you will see a tickbox for VGA1 and VGA2.. tick the VGA1 tickbox, apply changes and reboot. so no need for catalyst control center.
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It's good to hear it worked. I've never tested c-sync myself, and I'm not sure if it will work with all cards.
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I tried to make a VGA to SCART cable that used composite in the past and failed. The picture would never sync properly.
Recently, I decided to try again so I could feed an RGBS signal directly into the chassis of a TV (see my blog post (http://scarthunter.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/RGBmodification.html) about RGB insertion) and not have to solder up a sync combiner circuit. After some futzing about, I got it working!
On a 21 inch Sanyo I picked up recently, I soldered the CSYNC output from my laptop directly to composite video input (after desoldering the RCA jack). Then, I inserted the RGB before the coupling capacitors that feed the Jungle IC on my TV chassis. Last step was to apply 1.5 volts to the RGBIN pin on the same IC and... BAM! Another $5 arcade monitor! Picture looks pretty sweet... :) This is quite a straightforward mod once you know how. The use of composite sync makes it even easier.
Anyway, back on track, as jadder stated, it can work if you follow the right steps:
1. Take the composite sync output from VGA pin 13 (H-Sync).
2. Enable composite sync using WinModelines.
3. Set the H and V sync values for each mode to positive (+) using Arcade_OSD.
What I want to know is how can generate modes with positive sync values rather than editing them all by hand in Arcade_OSD?
Is there a way? VMMaker doesn't support positive sync, right?
Seems that CSYNC is rarely used but it is a tidy way to avoid using a sync combiner circuit (if your video card supports this function). Might be something to try for those that struggle to get there VGA to SCART setup working.
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I tried to make a VGA to SCART cable that used composite in the past and failed. The picture would never sync properly.
Recently, I decided to try again so I could feed an RGBS signal directly into the chassis of a TV (see my blog post (http://scarthunter.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/RGBmodification.html) about RGB insertion) and not have to solder up a sync combiner circuit. After some futzing about, I got it working!
On a 21 inch Sanyo I picked up recently, I soldered the CSYNC output from my laptop directly to composite video input (after desoldering the RCA jack). Then, I inserted the RGB before the coupling capacitors that feed the Jungle IC on my TV chassis. Last step was to apply 1.5 volts to the RGBIN pin on the same IC and... BAM! Another $5 arcade monitor! Picture looks pretty sweet... :) This is quite a straightforward mod once you know how. The use of composite sync makes it even easier.
I just checked out your blog. That's pretty awesome.
Instead of the UMSA, could you use a J-PAC? Or is there additional circuitry in your solution that is beyond what a J-PAC provides?
Another arcade monitor option, though more expensive, would be to buy an arcade monitor chassis from 8 Liners and supply your own TV tube.
Some info in this thread... http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,5448.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,5448.0.html)
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Is there a way? VMMaker doesn't support positive sync, right?
Yes there's a way, though I never got any confirmation that it works (all my monitors accept both possitive and negative sync so I can't be sure that it's changing).
In vmmaker.ini, change:
monitor_specs0 15625-16200, 49.50-65.00, 2.000, 4.700, 8.000, 0.064, 0.160, 1.056, 0, 0, 288, 400
by
monitor_specs0 15625-16200, 49.50-65.00, 2.000, 4.700, 8.000, 0.064, 0.160, 1.056, 1, 1, 288, 400
Ignore the note in vmmaker.ini saying that polarities are not supported, it's false (sorry).