Horizontal Hold using Arcade Monitor

[RogerWabbit]

Im running Win98SE mameWah, ArcadeVGA card, Arcade monitor.

When certain games are selected from Mamewah, the screen scrolls and I have to adjust the Horizontal hold.  This doesn't happen for all games but is a pain as I have to continuously go to the back of my Arcade cabinet and adjust the horizontal hold on the monitor.

Is there any way of setting the Horizontal hold for each game.  I have run the ArcadeVGARes which has created .ini files for each game.  Can I edit this file and add a Horizontal hold parameter?

[Minwah]

It is usually the V Hold which needs adjustment (am I right in saying that the vertical refresh changes for different resolutions, but the horizontal refresh stays at ~15kHz?).

Anyway, there is no parameter that can alters this (except always use a resolution which doesn't cause the problem).

In theory there should be a 'sweet spot' on your monitors hold pot.  Make sure you tweak it VERY slightly each time, and try to get it to work OK for all resolutions.  If your monitor is old then the chances are the pot needs a clean - you need some electrical cleaning stuff to do this...

[RogerWabbit]

Thanks for the reply MinWah, Im not sure about the vertical refresh or the horizontal staying at 15kHz.

I just read a previous post which mentions that 640x288 is not a very MAME friendly resolution. (this is what i am running) it goes on to say 'work with the magic 240 line vertical.. it's the most arcade friendly'

Is this the case.

Tonight I will try and be more gentle with my monitor hold pot and try and find a 'sweet spot'. usually I twist the heck out of it until it stops scrolling.  I will also test the 240 line theory.

[Minwah]

Well yes for a horizontal monitor I suppose it's best to avoid 288 lines if possible...but in theory you *should* be able to get it working OK anyway.

FWIW I have all resolutions working fine on my new Hantarex arcade monitor, but had a LOT of trouble with the sweet spot on an old Amstrad monitor I tried.  That said, I also don't use 288 line modes any more as a rule...

[JoeB]

WOW!

That's the first time someone has quoted me..

There are 2 great resolution to play MAME on a real monitor and ArcadeVGA card along with MAMEWAH.

- 640x480
- 368x240

The first allows you to see more details and stuff on the screen, but the screen won't look that good because it will be interlaced.

The second one will show less detail but will be crystal clear like any game since it will not be interlaced.

So run windows @ 640x480, MAMEWAH @ 368x240.  Any vertical games and all midway games (mortal kombat, NBA JAM, etc) run at 640x480 with H/W stretching on.  They'll flicker, but at least all the details would be there.  Otherwise, you'll be missing a lot of lines from the top & bottom! (if your screen doesn't roll back on you!)

[Minwah]

WOW!

That's the first time someone has quoted me..

There are 2 great resolution to play MAME on a real monitor and ArcadeVGA card along with MAMEWAH.

- 640x480
- 368x240

The first allows you to see more details and stuff on the screen, but the screen won't look that good because it will be interlaced.

The second one will show less detail but will be crystal clear like any game since it will not be interlaced.

So run windows @ 640x480, MAMEWAH @ 368x240.  Any vertical games and all midway games (mortal kombat, NBA JAM, etc) run at 640x480 with H/W stretching on.  They'll flicker, but at least all the details would be there.  Otherwise, you'll be missing a lot of lines from the top & bottom! (if your screen doesn't roll back on you!)

What he said but...

You can use 401x256 for Midway games.  JoeB: I'm guessing you don't use that because you want 60Hz?