Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: kamshaft on February 17, 2015, 06:04:57 pm

Title: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: kamshaft on February 17, 2015, 06:04:57 pm
I have a MAME machine (i7 K875 @ 2.9 Ghz) and a 25" Zenith TV for MAME and Daphne.

My question is...
Is there an easier way to output to s-video from a high end video card?

Currently I'm using a Geforce 6200 with S-Video out..... and the performance sucks. BAD!

I ordered this thing.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/371215111986 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/371215111986)
In hopes to make things easier, and hopefully get high performance video and still output to S-video.

Ideas?
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: adder on February 17, 2015, 06:13:26 pm
can you be more specific when you say 'the performance sucks bad'

eg. do you mean you dont like the picture quality, or there is some video stuttering or lag, or some other issues?
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: kamshaft on February 17, 2015, 07:09:40 pm
can you be more specific when you say 'the performance sucks bad'

eg. do you mean you dont like the picture quality, or there is some video stuttering or lag, or some other issues?

Stuttering on certain applications, like Visual Pinball.  Just need more horsepower.
I don't want to steer off topic.  Just need to output to S-Video, that's it.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: adder on February 17, 2015, 07:22:10 pm
ok what i imagine is happening with your svideo is, it is only allowing you to output the video from the pc into your tv at 640x480 interlaced, at 60hz only. this is the problem with 'svideo out' on a pc gfx card, and why most people avoid it.
the video converter card you ordered from ebay will just do the same thing (i believe), it will just let you send 640x480 interlaced at 60hz to your tv (and possibly add some lag between your pc and tv, as well as some occasional stutter - depending on if it is a high quality device, or some unbranded cheap item).
anyway, if you want to stick with svideo (not recommended by most), then i would advise for mame that you run either mameuifx, or groovymame, instead of the regular mame release. these versions of mame when set up correctly will allow you to force every game you play in mame to be played at 60hz in 640x480 interlace, while remaining smooth and without sound hiccups. they do this by allowing any game you load in mame which does not run at 60hz by default, to be either sped up or slowed down so that it becomes 60hz.
sorry if this isnt the advice you were hoping for.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: kamshaft on February 17, 2015, 08:01:38 pm
You're getting too technical.  ;)  I do do appreciate the effort.

The S-Video is outputting 1024 x 768, it's the GPU just doesn't handle the heavier stuff like Ultra Street Fighter 4.
Mame runs fine.  Just certain games that require more power are not cutting the mustard.

I'm hoping this is all I need... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815548-REG/TV_One_ZDS2046_DVI_to_DIN_S_Video_Adapter_ZDS2046.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815548-REG/TV_One_ZDS2046_DVI_to_DIN_S_Video_Adapter_ZDS2046.html)


Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: DeLuSioNal29 on February 19, 2015, 09:11:13 am
Just putting it out there...  How does everything run with a standard VGA monitor only connected?  If it's the same then it's not the video causing the choppiness, it's the computer hardware that's not beefy enough.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: lilshawn on February 20, 2015, 02:59:12 pm
sad to say, but ... a geforce 6200 is rather janky by todays standards. also judged by the fact the 6200 is an AGP card, your processor is going to be janky as well.

if you are having stuttering problems, your hardware is the issue. not your video interface.

it takes quite a bit of horsepower to play games at 100% and, with the system you have set up, at best looking at throwing another gerbil on the wheel. you are going to need some new hardware.

p4's and athlons and ddr ram don't cut it anymore. there is just not enough data movement. this is what's causing the stuttering.

getting a better computer doesn't have to cost 1000 bucks either, i just bought a bunch of government surplus computers for 20 bucks each. Dell optiplex 745's with core2 duos at 1.8ghz that FAR outperform my crappy work computer that is a p4 @ 3.3ghz even though the clock speed is slower.

these core 2 duos would likely run mame games just fine even using the onboard video. even better using even a low end PCI-e card.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: kamshaft on February 23, 2015, 04:16:25 pm
Just putting it out there...  How does everything run with a standard VGA monitor only connected?  If it's the same then it's not the video causing the choppiness, it's the computer hardware that's not beefy enough.

The same.  It's the video. I know it is.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: nitrogen_widget on February 23, 2015, 04:33:51 pm
You're getting too technical.  ;)  I do do appreciate the effort.

The S-Video is outputting 1024 x 768, it's the GPU just doesn't handle the heavier stuff like Ultra Street Fighter 4.
Mame runs fine.  Just certain games that require more power are not cutting the mustard.

I'm hoping this is all I need... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815548-REG/TV_One_ZDS2046_DVI_to_DIN_S_Video_Adapter_ZDS2046.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815548-REG/TV_One_ZDS2046_DVI_to_DIN_S_Video_Adapter_ZDS2046.html)

The S-video is outputting a 1024 x 768 desktop scaled down to 640x480.
You cannot get any higher resolution over s-video.
The hardware of the TV just doesn't support it.
You should set your desktop to 640x480 & any games to 640x480 to eliminate scaling & get the best picture.

Your best bet is to get a VGA to Svideo convertor box off ebay or amazon for $15.
Then you can use any video card you want.
Title: Re: Outputting S-Video from a high end video card?
Post by: 05SRT4 on February 23, 2015, 10:05:13 pm
Hey kamshaft, let me know how the Whatever to S/video adapter works out for you. I am kind of in the same boat as you using an older card for the s video. The TV I have also has Comp connections and AV but either seems to work well. I never saw that Adapter you posted.