Tearing issues (vsync vs pal vs ntsc)

[RVZ]

I'm using a Geforce 6600LE on a CRT tv via a svideo cable.  I've had issues with tearing since building my cab.  Turning on vsync fixes this, but then the sound stutters for some games.  A good example is Wonderboy.  I've since tried various settings and even tried cabmame, but could never fix it. 

This weekend I decided to install Windows 7 64bit instead of XP 32bit I've been using so far.  I installed Windows on a new drive, then the Nvidia Drivers, then HyperSpin and Mame64. 

Tested Wonderboy = tearing. 
Enabled vsync = tearing gone and sound perfect.   

I did have one other problem, a white line at the top of the screen, which I didn't have on XP.  So I started checking settings.  Problem turned out to be a PAL/NTSC issue.  If it's on NTSC, I don't have a problem with tearing.  If it's on PAL, I get tearing again, or sound stuttering with vsync on. 

I also noticed that on Windows 7, with NTSC the refreshrate is 29 and PAL is 30, while on XP both shows 60?  Any idea why? 

I've sinced put the XP drive back.  If I change to NTSC, I get the white line at the top of the screen as well, but it's not there with PAL.

So... only way I don't have the white line, is if I stay on XP on PAL.  But then I have tearing (or sound issues with vsync).  Is it maybe the refresh rate causing it?  Can it be changed somewhere, since I can't change it in the Nvidia Control Centre or in Windows?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

You may be able to adjust the overscan on the card in the nvidia control panel to bump that line just off the edge of the screen.

[RVZ]

You may be able to adjust the overscan on the card in the nvidia control panel to bump that line just off the edge of the screen.

I saw the option in the nvidia control panel to move or resize the screen.  That would actually be a perfect solution, but it doesn't do anything.  I can click on the arrow button to move the screen upwards, but nothing happens.  The same with the resizing as well, it doesn't do anything.  Any other apps that can do this?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Any other apps are just going to access the same API for enacting those changes that the nvidia control panel is. Strange that they aren't working.

There are plenty of older generation cards with svideo out that you might be able to find very cheap or free. Maybe see if you can round up another card? It might be worth trying an ATI card so you're using different drivers as well.

[RVZ]

It might be worth trying an ATI card so you're using different drivers as well.

Bought an old ATI card, will install tonight and see if it makes a difference. 

Thanks

[RVZ]

Ok, so I installed an ATI X1300 card last night and installed the latest ATI drivers - white line at the top again.    Checked settings, was on NTSC, so I changed to PAL, white line gone. 

Tried Wonderboy = tearing.
Enabled vsync = no tearing, horrible sound stuttering back. 

I was using Mame 0.39 before, so I decided to upgrade to 0.41, but still the same issues.  What else can I try?  I see there's quite a few people on this forum (and other forums) complaining about the tearing / vsync / sound issue, but nowhere can I find a solution.  Do the rest of you just accept that there's some games you can't play properly? 

I scanned through the "state of mame" thread, but don't really want to get involved there.  But I really don't get it, a couple of years ago we never had this issue with previous mame builds, why now?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Sound stuttering can be improved/fixed with 'cabmame' derived builds. Is there a reason you are using such an older version of mame?

Go check out the build of mame that bitbytebit is working on:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/groovyarcade/files/Mame_Windows_Builds/

There is an option you can set in the mame.ini for this build that improves sound under vsync scenarios called soundsync

[jtslade]

I have similar problems with tearing as well.

Are you using a Multi-System TV that does both PAL and NTSC?

When I use PAL via Svideo on my hitachi multi-TV it looks so much better than on NTSC modes. But when running a game in less than 60hz I think you always get tearing as MAME tries to update it to match. The Nvidia drivers may be sending a 50hz signal no matter what.

Maybe trying Omega Drivers to force 60hz..

I wish I could find the answer, as scrolling games (i.e. TMNT) tears very badly.

I have tried CabMAME and it works but I have to force VSync(All) on my ATI card via the task-bar icon. But the sound is way out of wack.

From a prior post:
"I have not been able to get frame tearing to stop but my setup is a dual format pal & NTSC tv using svideo Since pal-b is it's best looking format I run that. I was able to Get it to stop by using triple buffeting in NTSC but the video quality was awful so I decided that the frame tearing is what I have to put up with for now."

[jtslade]

http://hackaday.com/2010/05/27/adding-scart-to-a-cheap-crt-television/


maybe?