Software Support > GroovyMAME

Clone output / two screens at once?

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Paradroid:
During my upcoming holidays I need to cull the majority of the SCART TVs that I've collected over the past 6 months and get my collection down to 2 or 3 choice specimens. Right now, I have 14 televisions in the house. :o While she's supportive of my hobby, I can tell my girlfriend isn't gonna put up with the mess for much longer. :)

For interests sake, I'll really like to compare some of the TVs side-by-side by running MAME on both screens simultaneously. I'm wondering if someone can tell me if this is possible or not using GroovyMAME and the CRT_Emu drivers. I'm happy to chase up an extra or different video cards if I need to (really, some of these old ATI cards are so cheap that I don't understand why everyone who's into emulation isn't running one).

Any advice would be most appreciated! :)

Calamity:
I'm highly interested in seeing if you can get the clone mode working. Your experiment might help me testing this.

Check this thread first:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116531.0

I used to recommended against the clone mode because in my experience it made vsync not possible for the secondary monitor, as this mode somewhat links both devices in a lowest common denominator way or something, but this was true when using a LCD as the first monitor.

However, I've no experience trying the same thing with two equal CRT devices attached.

Let me know if you have problems getting video on the secondary device.

Paradroid:

--- Quote from: Calamity on December 19, 2011, 04:52:49 pm ---However, I've no experience trying the same thing with two equal CRT devices attached.
--- End quote ---

Cool. I'd interpret your post as a "might work, not 100% sure" and give it a go over the Summer holidays (which are imminent).

In particular, I'll like to compare my 2 Loewe CT1170s before I sell off one of them. I also scored promising Blaupunkts this week: an IS 70-33 VT and an IS 70-33 VTN. The only difference seems to be that the VTN has an extra SCART port. Really cool looking units and they definitely display the problem games (R-Type, Mortal Kombat, et al) with all lines intact. Haven't had time to inspect fully as I only got hold of them in the last 48 hours. So, as you might imagine, I'm keen to do a shootout and only keep the winning units.

I'll keep you posted. :)

apfelanni:
i would advise against cheap y cable solutions . they are dampening the signal , no matter if its scart 15 k or vga input via sub d . u d better set up a second sytem , switch manually with a 1:1 wired scart switcher or buy a professional device , like they used in tv shops to multidisplay a video signal . maybe u ll find some cheap china stuff with sub d inputs on ebay . i think i saw something like an active splitter with 1>2 15 pin sub d and build in signal booster for build into a computer slot some time ago. there are also several external devices on the market. google vga splitter and check ebay .

http://www.lindy.de/s-vga-splitter-intern-2-port/32407.html
http://www.lindy.de/vga-splitter-pro-2-port/32571.html
http://www.ebay.de/itm/220827168696?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

dunno how they handle the mamescart thing.

for clean scart signal switching i d recommend something like this ( or a cheap oldstyle fully wired manual sub d switch )  :
http://www.amazon.de/Hama-00042957-Scart-Switchbox-4-1/dp/B00006JAT6

Paradroid:
Comprehensive advice as always, apfelanni. Thanks! :)

You've given me plenty of options to consider there. I was hoping to get dual displays going using an ATI card with dual VGA outputs. The X300 I have only has VGA and S-Video so I can't use that. I'll need to buy another card but I'm considering building a new, smaller, dedicated MAME computer and using a low profile card to I'm a little undecided at the moment. I'm going to try the dual output route first and then I'll investigate the other options you provided if it doesn't work.

Thanks again!

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