Just4fun: buggy boy setup

[gurbzs]

Hi,

Generating a triple screen setup here with groovymame.
Here in europe crt 's are easy to get.
Buggy boy on three 29" inch is the challenge here.
Let me know if you have this kind of setup.

For now I need an extra monitor, 2 down 1 to go.

Grtz,

Gurbz

[gurbzs]

Got my hands on two 28" crt monitors , I pick em up in two days.
A brand I don't know yet: Ibero-Shon from spain.

Does anybody know this manufacturer?
Can't find anything on the net.

Model:

Ibero-Shon Zend, model Z-MFJ28, series screen, produced dec. 1997.

Grtz,

Gurbz

[Calamity]

Hi gurbzs,

This is very cool indeed!

I'd say you're going stumble upon a problem when you try to attach your third screen. For doing this you need a video card that has 3 CRTCs (CRT controllers). Don't trust the number of outputs you see on the card. The actual number of independent heads is determined by the number of CRTCs in a video card. Most older Radeons have only 2 CRTCs, it's only starting from the Evergreen chips (HD 5xxx) that can have up to 6 CRTCs (http://www.botchco.com/agd5f/?p=50). Unfortunately we can't use Evergreen chips yet with GroovyMAME. However, if your motherboard has two PCIe slots, you can add a second video card to achieve the third output.

Notice that only the primary output will have v-sync turned on. This is by design, as GroovyMAME bases on v-sync for timing it wouldn't be possible to synchronize emulation with 3 CRTCs at once.

Regarding Ibero-Shon, even if I'm from Spain I had never heard from that manufacturer 

[gurbzs]

Thanx Calamity for the thinking ahead, before I get to these situations.
A while ago I bought two great Asus 4890 cards and a cheap q6600 system.
Sounds like I need another system with 2 pci-e slots, I needed a core I7 anyway.
Suggestions are welcome!

I attached a picture of the monitors

Grtz,

Gurbz

[gurbzs]

About adding another card: will an old ati radeon 7000 PCI (!) card work?

[Calamity]

About adding another card: will an old ati radeon 7000 PCI (!) card work?

I'm afraid it won't work, because that will require installing an older version of Catalyst (6.5) to deal with that card, and because you need the newer one for your HD 4890 (9.3) they will conflict, they can't coexist. An Nvidia PCI card might work however, provided you manage to use custom modes with it.

[gurbzs]

I also have an older system with a Ati 9250 win xp using the older drivers.
Maybe use that for testing?

[Calamity]

I also have an older system with a Ati 9250 win xp using the older drivers.
Maybe use that for testing?

With that one it should work. Just make sure your 9250 has 2 real analog outputs (the ones I have only have VGA and DVI-D, not DVI-I).

[gurbzs]

That would be this 256 mb version I have (picture)
This one doesn't work with linux but it does with xp.
Funny: I 'm visiting a town tomorrow to get the monitors, already spotted an pci 7000 there.

Is there a manufacturer I should stay away from?
I think sapphire isn't that compatible

[Calamity]

That's a DVI-I, you're lucky. That card should work with Linux too. As for problematic manufacturers, we've seen some cases but it was with later cards (4350s that weren't real 4350s). FYI there're 9250 PCI cards too.

[gurbzs]

So if I load a few cheap pci cards in the system I could have vsync on all screens?
I'm planning a groovy videowall (5) because the monitors I seek will be harder to get eventually.

[Calamity]

So if I load a few cheap pci cards in the system I could have vsync on all screens?

No, only on the primary one. It's not a matter of using independent cards. It be achieved by rewriting part of GroovyMAME but there hasn't been demand for such setup till now 

[gurbzs]

Hmm, I'm hitting a wall with the old system here: desktop won't expand to second screen.
Things I tried: reinstalling drivers, completely uninstalled them, arcade vga (radeon 7000) card, etc
Looks like a driver problem or xp gets somehow freaky.

I can see the second display but when I activate it doesn't expand (desktop setting)

somebody any clues ?!

[Calamity]

So how is your current setup? One Radeon 9250 AGP + one AVGA 7000 PCI? Is all hardware properly recognized?

[gurbzs]

This my old setup: xp32, changed the 9250 for another 9250 with dvi-i, no 7000 installed yet.
Under xp32 I can't get two monitors working on the ati 9250 vga/dvi or the ultimarc vga/vga.
All hardware is recognized, I see two screens in desktop properties but one is vague (screen 2) and stays that way
That's the first problem

On the other machine (4890) two monitors are easy, that's win7 64bit.
No problems there but I need another mobro there with 2xpci-e

So: I started with the xp32 agp/pci option

[gurbzs]

To be clear: I ordered a old pci 7000.
The ultimarc is AGP and used as spare or alternative

[Calamity]

It sounds like a display detection issue. Try this: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,116790.msg1237609.html#msg1237609

[gurbzs]

Thanx, that worked great!!
Allright: tomorrow I'm picking up unknown spanish monitors and perhaps a pci radeon 7000.

I 'll keep ya posted.

[gurbzs]

Plugged my ati 9250 in (removed AGP ultimarc dual vga radeon 7000 for being to slow) and graphics are e total mess. Xp is very slow, works only in safemode. This keeps repeating itself after installing or uninstaaling drivers.
I'll try a fresh xp install when I get back

[Calamity]

It could be the old driver from Ultimarc being taking over instead of the Emudriver (not sure though). If you are going to fresh install XP the problem might solve.

[gurbzs]

So... Conquered snowstorms in a 2x2 hour drive to get these monitors manufactured in Spain in 1997.
I don't think these are multisync like my NEC XM-2950 or Mitsubishi XC-2930C.

These monitors have 4 BNC's instead of 5.
Can I connect with a 5 BNC cable?
Does anybody know?

They do have scart input.
Pictures attached

[cools]

Expect they're the same as my old PVM, use a BNC t piece to combine H and V sync

[gurbzs]

Thanx Cools,

Something like this (netherlands)?

http://www.allekabels.nl/bnc-kabel/76/883/bnc-splitter.html?gclid=COzEpYCa58ICFTHMtAod6UcAaQ

[gurbzs]

Ah, no splitter but a combining t piece.
Found a webpage about the monitors:

http://www.europro.com.ar/Productos/vmonitores/vidwall.pdf

[gurbzs]

Which is a follow up model from 1999

[PL1]

Thanx Cools,

Something like this (netherlands)?

http://www.allekabels.nl/bnc-kabel/76/883/bnc-splitter.html?gclid=COzEpYCa58ICFTHMtAod6UcAaQ

Looks like a good choice.   


Scott

[gurbzs]

Uh, on the web a I see BNC T piece splitters and adapters.
Or are both compatible?

I connected the h and v sync from the 5 bnc cable but that didn't work suprisingly  😄

[PL1]

Uh, on the web a I see BNC T piece splitters and adapters.
Or are both compatible?

I connected the h and v sync from the 5 bnc cable but that didn't work suprisingly  😄

The "Y" you linked to and the "T" splitters should be electrically the same.

As long as it has the right number of Male/Female connectors and you can physically connect your cables and the monitor to it, you should be good.

I forgot to mention one other thing -- match the impedance of the adapter to the cables.

Many of the video BNC cables out there are made from RG-59 coax which has a 75 Ohm impedance like the adapter you linked above. (it's not marked as such, but everything else in that section is 75 Ohm)

There are some RG-58 coax cables and adapters that have a 50 Ohm impedance commonly used for test equipment like signal generators and oscilloscopes.

Mis-matched 50/75 Ohm impedance will usually cause signal attenuation of about 2-3 dB. (3 dB = half the signal)


Scott

[gurbzs]

Thanx for the input Scott.

So everything should be 75ohm?

About splitting and combining signals.
When I read 'splitter' I think that the signal will be split where H/V has to be combined in one BNC.
(5 BNC to 4 BNC with T-piece). that maybe my lack of understanding.
I am not a electronic genius so I'm gonna order a bunch of BNC T-Pieces (not expensive) and try them out.

I'll let you kniw the results

[PL1]

So everything should be 75ohm?

That is the standard impedance for video cables and the switch positions on this panel of your monitor all appear to agree.   

About splitting and combining signals.
When I read 'splitter' I think that the signal will be split where H/V has to be combined in one BNC.
(5 BNC to 4 BNC with T-piece).

As long as the three center pins are all connected, and they should be on these simple T's or Y's, you can use it as a splitter or a combiner.

In on one connector and out on the other two = splitter.

In on two connectors and out on the other one = combiner.


Scott

[gurbzs]

Ok, the xp32/radeon9250 system is up and running again and I wait voor a pci radeon 7000 and some bnc t-pieces to arrive.
When configuring three monitors, knowing that two are multisync and have remote controls to adjust the screen: the other monitor(s) don't have that screen adjustment possibility or multisync.

The plan for now is: run vmmaker at preset pal, ntsc or generic arcade setting.
Seems like I have to adjust the system to the 'lowest bid' - monitor.

Is that correct?

[Calamity]

Seems like I have to adjust the system to the 'lowest bid' - monitor.

Yes, bear in mind that you can only use an instance of the same modeline per mode at once, so all three monitors will be running with the same modeline. I'd leave the VMMaker settings as "CUSTOM" just like it is by default when you download it. Then use GroovyMAME to apply the actual settings, and "generic_15" would be better than PAL or NTSC which are too limited.

[gurbzs]

Hmm, first try out with a RGBHV cable and the 4 BNC monitor.
Connected the BNC T- piece with H/V and the RGB connectors.
Rolling colors as a result, not quite right.

The left BNC (picture) takes also composite video alone.
Sounds familiar to anyone?

[gurbzs]

Wait! Works!

I took the wrong approach, used my xbox1 vga breakout box as a reference

[gurbzs]

Testing, testing!!!!

[Calamity]

That looks good, I'm eager to see if it can actually handle three screens fine.

[gurbzs]

Eager and curious, yes, yes!
Today or tomorrow a ati radeon7000 will arrive but with little luck I'm able to pick up a radeon 9000 PCI today.
Xmas holiday days well spend

[gurbzs]

Allright, you're gonna like the results.
It is possible, all generated vmmaker resolutions available on 3 screens.
The system is slow - speedtips are welcome!!

System
This is a compaq evo w6000, 2 gb rdram
Ultimarc AGP 7000 radeon double vga
Pci radeon 7000

Installation of the cards and drivers took patience.
I'm glad I ordered 2 pci 7000's. One was crap (sapphire), the other one worked but not with the ati AGP 9250 vga/dvi.

Here are some pics, I 'll line the monitors up, have to make room for THAT!

[gurbzs]

Checked the specs of my w6000, turns out it's from the stoneage
Xeon prestonia 2x2.4ghz
Seems I need a system upgrade, buggy boy at 60% speed is not good enough

Options:

Go cheap:Is it reasonable to expect an AGP/PCI /xp32 system to do the trick?
Go pci-express; i then need a desktop for my 2 ati 4890 cards

Any recommendations?

[Calamity]

Hi gurbzs, that looks good!

May you check how fast can it run if -syncrefresh & -waitvsync are disabled? For this test you need to force those disabled from command line, not mame.ini.

[gurbzs]

buggy1.txt commandline -syncrefresh - waitvsync
buggy2.txt without above

[Paradroid]

This all looks really fun... I'm enjoying the show so far!

[gurbzs]

Loading up at youtube, here some pics

[Calamity]

Both CPU and GPUs could be the culprit here for the slow speed. They're rather old. Another possible approach would be to use your newer system with the HD 4890 and plug an Nvidia PCI card (whatever non-ATI) to provide the third output.

[gurbzs]

Youtube

[gurbzs]

I thought about using another PCI express card (9250 - x600), PCI radeon 7000!and using XP on the newer system.
I alway like small adjustment and working with what's available.

You mentioned the Nvidia option before, is there a thread about this subject?
Lots of cards here, I think even a trident blade from the advanced mame days

[gurbzs]

Happy newyear everbody!

[gurbzs]

And installed XP on the newer system. I could throw away my official and original xp disc, blue screens of death.
Tinyxp did the job but: it had to be burned on decent media on a slow speed.
Next time I use a USB stick.

Glitches: when installing crt_emudriver 6.5 the screen went mush after restarting.
No panic: turned off computer, booted in safe mode, restarted, all ok after that.

Now wait for a compatible ati card: I ordered a ati x600 pro pci-e.
Pci radeon 7000 already installed. I'm curious about the performance between the older en newer system.

[gurbzs]

new log attached, newer system on two screens, ati pci 7000
The wait is for another pci-e, compatible with drivers and system

[Calamity]

That's good, your log shows nearly 100% speed (99 point something) which is what you get in a normal situation... do you see any speed fluctuation or is it solid? Being the 7000 probably the oldest card you can get to work with CRT Emudriver it seems the speed issues where mostly due to the older cpu. Is tearing too obvious on the secondary screens?

[gurbzs]

Fluctuations are minimal, 2 partial updates.
Sorry: what means tearing, how can I spot it?

[Calamity]

Fluctuations are minimal, 2 partial updates.
Sorry: what means tearing, how can I spot it?

Partial updates are normal behaviour, not fluctuations.
Tearing is when you see an horizontal line dividing the screen up and down so part of the previous frame is shown in the lower part of the screen creating a nasty effect. It happens when vsync is turned off. Once you learn to spot it it becomes impossible to ignore, changing your life to some extent.

[gurbzs]

Absolutely no tearing here

Screen adjustment: 2 identical monitors have no adjustment control.
There's a bit of overscan.
I attached 2 pics: can I raise the dotclock this high?
any tips?

[Calamity]

No problem with the dotclock. Just increase H front porch & H back porch more or less equally and you'll get the width inside the screen. To port your geometry adjustments back to GroovyMAME you need to create a custom crt_range.

[gurbzs]

Wow!

Now use these values in vmmaker.ini? Custom specs line?

[Calamity]

Wow!

Now use these values in vmmaker.ini? Custom specs line?

No, leave VMMaker alone. Those values go into mame.ini. I see you're using 'monitor generic_15'. Change it by 'monitor custom'. Then change 'crt_range auto' by:

crt_range0    15625.00-15750.00,49.50-65.00,2.000,4.700,8.000,0.064,0.192,1.024,0,0,192,288,448,576

Then change the remarked values by your custom ones from Arcade OSD.

[gurbzs]

Awesome!

[gurbzs]

Adding a different pci-e to the system, a x600.
It works with xp, but when adding the old pci radeon 7000 again, windows freezes.

Things that occur:

Bios sends video to radeon 7000 when starting, tried different settings;
System boots fine in xp safemode but freezes in normal mode

Any thoughts/ideas?

This worked with AGP/PCI in older system, maybe the speed differences between pci-e and old pci bustypes are to high?

System: xp32, mobo fg965m, q6600, slots: 1 pci-x16, 1 pci-e x1. 2 pci.
Graphic cards: ati x600 256mb pci-e x16, radeon 7000 pci

[Calamity]

I'd say it is a problem with the driver, not being able to handle both asics at once. The 7000 and the X600 are probably just too different hardware I guess. But this is just a thought.

I'd say the best way to get this working without changing to a dual pci-e slot motherboard is to play with two AGP/PCI 9250 if you have an AGP based motherboard or two PCI 9250s. Not sure if you already tried this.

I also mentioned the Nvidia card possibility, you could use a PCI-e Nvidia card combined with a PCI ATI card, or vice versa. The idea here is to use a card from a different brand whose drivers won't conflict. Of course you'd always use the ATI card as the primary target for GroovyMAME to enable custom video.

[gurbzs]

Doing a fresh xp install now, only pci-e inserted. Former install had 7000 plugged in.
Not giving up yet but I'm afraid it wont work.
I think I have a bunch old of PCI Nvidia cards, what do you recommend?
Is there a thread about this?

(Still focusing on this newer system)

Do ati pci-e x1 cards exist and will that di the trick
I have a x1 slot left

[Calamity]

I think I have a bunch old of PCI Nvidia cards, what do you recommend?
Is there a thread about this?

There's no other thread about this: this is the thread

So what I'd do is to use the x600 as your primary card with two outputs, then put the newest PCI Nvidia card that you have in the PCI slot, for the third output.

I don't think there are PCI-e x1 cards but I may be wrong.

[gurbzs]

Alright, lets take a look at my treasures,  blast from the past.
My options are less then I thought: 2 nvidia agp, 1 ati agp, 3 old pci's

Pics

[gurbzs]

Old system: I could use an ati 3450 agp and a 7000? Wrong combination I think.
Do you see a favourable nvidia, you probably look for soft15khz compability with a bit more gpu horsepower then the agp 9250 thats's now in the systen, this in combination with the 7000 pci

Newer system

I now have a X600 in there, I tried the pci cards just posted but the system won't even start
So another pci nvidia should be ordered?!
Hmm: I think an ati PCI- x1 maybe or another system.

I like an experiment but the stuff also has to work.(4 monitors look at me with eyebrows raised  )

The agp/pci combination from ati was great but a bit old.
Let's seek the same formula on a newer level?

[gurbzs]

The 4 monitors...

[Calamity]

The agp/pci combination from ati was great but a bit old.

As I mentioned in my first post, your best chance is to use a dual slot motherboard.

Otherwise you're forced to use PCI for one of the cards and PCI-e/AGP for the other, that either are highly compatible to the extent to use the same driver (which is unlikely unless they have the same chip) or totally different brands but still have some way to achieve custom video.

I suggested the 9250 because I don't know of newer Ati cards that were sold in both AGP and PCI versions. Yes, the Nvidia card was suggested for use with Soft-15kHz, which maybe is unlikely for such an old card that's PCI based. There are more equations than variables here I'm afraid.

As for the gpu horsepower, that's something mostly irrelevant when it comes to MAME.

[gurbzs]

Thanx for the replies, the pc-part of this project is just too old.
Got to buy me some decent hardware

[gurbzs]

A few simple questions when working with multiple screens:

- I think it is possible to adust CRT range for each screen, I think I saw a thread somewhere here but can't it find yet. Something like crtrange0 - values- screen0 /./display1. Is that correct?
- Is it possible to select the groovymame UI for screen 1 for example? By default it now appears on screen0
(Gamelist)

[lettuce]

This is just great!!

If the sysyem will be used just for this 3 screen crazy setup then you don't need to look at an i7 Intel CPU you'll just be wasting your money as I believe (someone correct me here) Mame still only supports dual core CPUs so anything over an i3 CPU would be a waste. So my suggestion would be to get he fastest clock speed i3 chip you can or  if you want get an i5 for future proofing but I'm not even sure support for more than a dual core proccesor is even on MAME's road map?. But an i7 chip is certainly a waste of money for this type of setup.

Regarding the monitors we have 2 places over here in the UK that have supply of brand new 29" multi sync and also SVGA monitors but they are stupidly priced  . But seems you've done well sourcing some video wall monitors

[gurbzs]

Effective screen is mostly 27", the monitors are 29".
This project is not that special, I 've seen handy guys building cabinets on these forums or code crackers reducing latency and stuff...
Hats off to them!

Thanx for the input of the pc hardware part.
Another system isn't that expensive but my car broke down after the monitor pickup.
Can't blame the trusty volvo after 550.000 km.

As for a system; I've seen systems with q9200's and ati crossfire (2x 4850's) setups for less then €300,-

That should do the trick.

Any answers to my questions regarding crt ranges for multiple screens and how to adress them in mame.ini

[Calamity]

- I think it is possible to adust CRT range for each screen, I think I saw a thread somewhere here but can't it find yet. Something like crtrange0 - values- screen0 /./display1. Is that correct?

No, this is not possible because due to Switchres design it is only meant for one screen, always the number 0. However you could play with the system to achieve what you want. So even if Switchres only handles one modeline at a time, you can store in the system a precalculated modeline for your other screen with its own settings, and map the other screen to this modeline. The condition here is that the resolution label is a different one, so they don't overlap. E.g. if GroovyMAME is picking 320x240@60 for screen 0 you could precalculate a modeline of 320x242@60 or 320x240@59 (notice the refresh value here is just a label and it can store whatever refresh that you want under that label). Then you can use Arcade OSD to adjust the borders/refresh for that modeline, and use e.g. -resolution1 320x242@60 to properly map it to the screen. Also bear in mind that when using a dual head card both outputs will share the same modeline *if* they're using the same resolution, so it'd make sense to hook your two equal monitors this way and the one that's different to its own video card, but this is not extrictly necessary.

- Is it possible to select the groovymame UI for screen 1 for example? By default it now appears on screen0
(Gamelist)

I'd say it's not possible, not sure however.

[gurbzs]

A grid. I calibrated, when testing vertical games, the monitor on top. This one has no hardware screen adjustment. the grid displayed on bottom monitor looks more symmetrical, the horizontal lines at the top monitor are kind of distorted. Can I adjust this with arcadeosd?

[Calamity]

A grid. I calibrated, when testing vertical games, the monitor on top. This one has no hardware screen adjustment. the grid displayed on bottom monitor looks more symmetrical, the horizontal lines at the top monitor are kind of distorted. Can I adjust this with arcadeosd?

Arcade OSD can't help in that situation. It's a typical geometry issue, but one I wouldn't care too much about.

[gurbzs]

Picking this thing up where it was left, got another system (core2duo E6600, asrock mobo) with enough PCI-E options.
Keep ya posted

[gurbzs]

Winxp home installed, 2 x600's, core2duo e6600. The crtemu driver installs nicely 4 monitor screens/outputs. After installation no extra modes or resolution icon in the taskbar. Am I forgetting something? I could use ultimarc's ati driver uninstaller.

[gurbzs]

Fixed it with 6.5 drivers

[gurbzs]

That was wishfull thinking: heavy XP crashes after installing 6.5 drivers on dual X600's. Machine hangs between windows boot screen and starting desktop. Any tips?

[Calamity]

What's the problem with the Cat 9.3 based Emudriver?

[gurbzs]

After a xp home edition install from scratch (original CD>SP2>SP3) they install x600 series first and secondary displays x2 (2 cards) but after restart the screen does not blink as announced, in fact: I think that part of the installation doesn't even show. The part were instructions are given to restart the computer and the screen flashes or blinks. After that I see no 15khz modes and no resolutionswitch icon (galaga)

After that installed this morning 6.5, that looked good 15khz modes and galaga icon) but now the system only boots in safe mode. Uninstalled everything, installed again, and now it's the same problem as with 9.3 drivers.

I made a acronis copy of the clean xp install, trying now xp64.
Any ideas?

[Calamity]

Do you mean there were no 15 kHz modes available from Arcade OSD list after restart?

The galaga icon is a leftover of the time were this thing was a mere replacement of the AVGA (9250) drivers. It's only in the 32 bit version of the 6.5 drivers and I should probably have removed it.

[gurbzs]

Correct. I checked the 15khz modes in display properties adapter, above 640x480 a few appear. I have to check because 3 monitors accept max 640x480 interlaced.
I'll restore the acronis xp32 backup and try 9.3 drivers again for details

[Calamity]

Make sure you check Arcade OSD for display modes rather than display properties advanced.

[gurbzs]

Thanks Calamity! All 4 monitors working, arcadeosd shows the 15khz modes.
Didn't use 9.3 till now.

[gurbzs]

Yes. This system does the trick, 100% speed.
Not calibrated the monitors yet, this is a first check.

[Calamity]

Well that looks pretty good!! It's a pitty you run out of table space 

[gurbzs]

Well, it became an arcade wall instead of arcade machine...
And I didn't even use 37" screens...
People start laughing when they see it.
What's wrong with this world? 

[gurbzs]

Small sample on youtube.

[Paradroid]

What's wrong with this world? 

I know, right?! People used to laugh when they came to my house and saw 25+ TVs in the lounge room too. Good thing about my new place is that there is a huge space under the house. Don't tell my fiancée TVs are growing like mushrooms down there...

Your three screen setup is stupidly cool! When I get the chance, I want to do the same thing... but with 14 inch CRTs to keep things vaguely under control.

Nice work and thanks for sharing!

[gurbzs]

Thx Paradroid. We're on the same page I think.

If people just could look beyond certain borders.
For instance: my energy supplier went on a permanent vacation after learning that a groovymame dude with A LOT of glorious CRT monitors became his customer.
How about injecting local economy with this nice and quiet hobby....
Is this becoming off-topic??!

Thx again everybody who helped, I'm very pleased with the results!
Groovymame rocks!

[gurbzs]

Oh, one more thing: does anybody have experience/advice on controller input with these type of racing games?? Which kind of PC steering wheel will do the job?

[gurbzs]

The triple screen setup works great.
That brings me to controls.

I picked up a few older ms sidewinder force feedback wheels to get started.
After reading and tweaking a 360 degrees spinner controller seems more adequate.
Games like buggy boy and poleposition use a 360 degrees wheel.

After more google I stumbled on paddles, spinners and negcon.
I even found a steering wheel on the internet with negcon mode.

I have a few questions:

- which is the best option for 360 degrees steering like buggy boy or pole position?
- does anybody use the negcon option?

Thanx

[gurbzs]

To answer my own question:

best results, untill now, is with my trusty old trackball. Getting highscores with that.
The spinner with a attached wheel becomes a possibility now I got hold of an old hotrod joystick.
I could place a spinner with a tiny footprint as replacement for a button or drill a new space in the hotrod.

Tips and more experience on this? Please post.

[Dr.Venom]

Small sample on youtube.

Wow, really cool setup you've got there, makes me wanna play buggy boy immediately

[Paradroid]

Wow, really cool setup you've got there, makes me wanna play buggy boy immediately

100% agreed! I used to play the C64 version of Buggy Boy all the time. I've never played the arcade version but I'm sure it's superior in all ways.

I have two identical little 14" Thomson TVs with RGB via SCART. When a third one turns up, I'm gonna follow in your footsteps gurbzs!

[gurbzs]

Buggy boy was such a thrilling experience in 1986, I remember the island beach, the sun, europe's final countdown... We had C64 then and the arcade was way out of our league.
Great memories really come back with this game.

Recently I thought about downsizing this setup, even bought a few old commodore 1084s monitors, but not ready for that.

Anybody a tip on spinners/360 degrees wheels?
Trackball works great but ain't the same

[gurbzs]

Extra glorious groovymame footage

[Dr.Venom]

Hi gurbzs,

Thanks for posting this, it is really great to watch. Awesome showcase for groovymame!

I noticed that the sound effects play a noticable amount later than the on-screen action, which suggests you're using the default gm setup?

If that's the case, you might want to invest some time into getting GMASIO running on your setup, this is capable of getting the audio latency much closer to real hardware. (Thanks to intealls' great work on this.)

It will add a lot to getting an even more authentic experience, which I think you must be after

See here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=142143.0

Extra glorious groovymame footage

[gurbzs]

Thanx Dr Venom, I 'll give the GMAsio a whirl. Funny: I remember using Asio4all years ago when experimenting with music sequencers. I'm using a mac for that now. I have a spare old echo gina 20-bit card with asio/WDM drivers.

Is that also a option?

[Dr.Venom]

If you have the time it's best to try out all the options you have.

The experiences up until now have shown that some cards may perform better than others. It's also dependant on your total setup, so it's hard to say up front what will work best for your case.

[gurbzs]

Controller update: I am getting decent performance out of any wheel now, it's a matter of adjusting the settings.
The old ultra racer pc version mini wheel is ideal for couch playing. Pole position and buggy boy work great, arkanoid is the trickiest of them. Finding the right controller is a fun part after the screen issues.