CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync 0.168 (NEW MAJ V1.8)

[Olivcade]

Download on GitHub:

https://github.com/HardCade/hardcade/releases


===========================================================================================
CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync 0.168 V1.8
================================================================================================

Development Version — December 2025
© 2025 Hardcade — Olivier Mileo

===========================================================================================
DESCRIPTION
===============================================================================================================

CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync is a specialized version of MAME 0.168 optimized for 2D arcade gaming on 15 kHz CRT monitors and modern LCD screens running WinXP-32 with an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card and crt_emu drivers or soft15khz.

This edition focuses on minimizing input lag, reducing file size, and improving video synchronization for an authentic arcade experience.

Two complementary CRT synchronization approaches are offered:

→ MANUAL MODE "Perceptual Sync": Precise adjustment of the Slider Refresh Rate to 4 decimal places (±0.0001 Hz) for total timing control. Ideal for purists who want to calibrate each game individually and achieve strictly authentic hardware timing with virtually invisible, fixed tearing.

→ AUTOMATIC MODE "Adaptive Sync" (currently being developed) : VSync DirectDraw Low-Level that automatically adapts to the actual refresh rate of your CRT (like Snes9x/RetroArch). Ultra-smooth scrolling guaranteed regardless of your model (58 Hz, 60 Hz, 61 Hz...), without any manual adjustments required. MAME adjusts its speed to perfectly match your screen.

Choose your approach: absolute manual control or effortless automatic smoothness.
Both methods eliminate screen tearing and guarantee an optimal CRT experience.

// PHILOSOPHY:

Why "CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync" when other emulators like GROOVYMAME already exist?

Whether you're emulating at 15kHz with new or older hardware, the synchronization between the emulation and the display
is never 100% perfect in practice. Even if the modelline is calculated to exactly match the original game's frame rate,

sometimes, even when adhering to the precise values ​​of the MAME video drivers, the timing interpreted by your hardware will be more or less
off from the timing it should actually adopt to be perfectly aligned with the game's timing.

There are always discrepancies (large or small) due to:

- Hardware tolerances (CRT monitor, graphics card)
- Inaccuracies in clocks and oscillators
- Rounding in calculations, operating system

These discrepancies are random depending on your hardware, even if you use THE perfect modelline that mathematically respects
the values ​​imposed by the MAME game system. Despite this, the synchronization drifts more or less over time,
creating that tearing line that "walks" slowly or quickly across the screen—it can take several minutes or even tens of
minutes to cross the entire screen. This is generally considered acceptable because:

The line moves so slowly that it's barely noticeable in-game.
It's infinitely better than classic tearing with multiple rapidly moving lines.
Adding V-sync eliminates it at the cost of one frame of input lag, but if our modelline is too far off
the perfect timing, we'll get choppy scrolling. Some users further refine their modellines or slightly adjust
the refresh rate to minimize this phenomenon, but micro-tearing often remains.

Perceptual Sync is the philosophy of a CRT display mode that prioritizes perceived visual stability

(zero mobile tearing, smooth scrolling) rather than the absolute accuracy of the theoretical refresh rate.

It's a CRT display doctrine based on human perception, not mathematical perfection.

Perceptual Sync prioritizes perceived smoothness and image stability on CRTs.

Slight variations in refresh rate (≤0.0001 to 0.5 Hz) are intentionally tolerated to eliminate mobile screen tearing.

🔴 What Perceptual Sync DOES NOT try to do

❌ Be mathematically exact
❌ Be “frame perfect”
❌ Imitate GroovyMAME
❌ Convince theoretical purists

👉 It stands by its choices.

In other words: “What the eye sees is more important than what the numbers say.”

// The fundamental principles:

- The refresh rate does NOT need to be exact if a variation of: ±0.0001 to 0.5 Hz (configurable) is tolerated

👉 Result: imperceptibly different refresh rate, stable image.

// Absolute priority on tearing stability:

- Tearing enabled or disabled with Vsync activated

But: fixed, stuck outside the visible area if possible, or always in the same place

👉 Static tearing is psychologically invisible.

/ // No chasing the “perfect modelline”:

- No dynamic calculations

- No mode creation

- No real-time adjustments

👉 Once the mode is chosen → and the refresh rate slider is fine-tuned, leave it alone!

// The player takes precedence over the timer:

- Emulation respects gameplay

- Not the atomic clock

- No perceptible drift in-game

========================================================================================
MAIN FEATURES
=================================================================================================

INPUT & LATENCE
────────────────

• Late Input Polling — Reduced input lag

• Unbuffered DirectInput — Direct polling of device state

• Removal of GPU frame queue (D3D9)

VIDEO & SYNCHRONIZATION
────────────────────────
• DirectDraw Low-Level VSync — Minimal latency on CRTs (Windows XP)

• D3D9 Real VSync — Eliminates screen tearing at no extra cost

• Disabling implicit frameskip — Smooth scrolling on CRTs

• Automatic rounding

• Rate Tick — Resolution Optimization


INTERFACE & CONFIGURATION
──────────────────────────

• Saved Screen Refresh Rate slider in CFG + precision to 4 decimal places instead of the default 3

• Optimized 2D ARCADE Build — Lightweight executable (no 3D games, mechanics, casino, mahjong, computer, consoles...)
No OpenGL, No BGFX, No Network support, No MIDI sound, No LUA (Script)

========================================================================================
DETAILED TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS
==================================================================================== =====

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
│ LATE INPUT POLLING
└────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────

THE DirectInput inputs are polled as late as possible in the frame,

just before video rendering. This avoids using inputs from the previous frame (N-1).

Modified file: src/osd/windows/video.cpp
Function: windows_osd_interface::update(bool skip_redraw)

┌────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────
│ DIRECTINPUT NO BUFFERED
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Buffer Disabled DirectInput events (DIPROP_BUFFERSIZE = 0).
Direct reading via GetDeviceState eliminates 1 to 3 ms of latency.

Modified file: src/osd/windows/input.cpp

┌───────────────────────── ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
│ DISABLING IMPLICIT FRAMESKIP (CRT)
└────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────

MAME Version 0.168 applies an internal frameskip even with `frameskip=0` when no video changes are detected. This behavior degrades CRT scrolling.

The implicit frameskip is disabled when `frameskip=0` is explicit.
Compatible with DDraw, Windows XP, and 15 kHz CRTs.

Modified file: src/emu/video.cpp

┌─────────────────────────────── ──────────────────────── ────────────────────────
│ DELETING THE GPU QUEUE FRAME (D3D9)
└────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────

Configuration D3D9:

• SwapEffect = D3DSWAPEFFECT_COPY

• BackBufferCount = 1

Result: -1 frame of actual display latency.

Modified file: src/osd/windows/ddrawd3d.cpp

┌──────────────────────── ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
│ SLIDER SCREEN REFRESH RATE – HIGH PRECISION & SAVE
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Save and Reload Automatic user frequency adjustment in

cfg/[game_name].cfg, with ultra-fine CRT refresh rate tuning down to 0.0001 Hz, display and saving to 4 decimal places.

Key Functions:

• Arrow keys only → ±1.0000 Hz

• SHIFT + arrow keys → ±0.1000 Hz

• ALT + arrow keys → ±0.0010 Hz

• SPACE + arrow keys → ±0.0001 Hz

• CTRL + arrow keys → ±1.0000 Hz (fast)

Added Functions:

• config_load_screen_refresh() — src/emu/video.cpp

• config_save_screen_refresh() — src/emu/video.cpp

Modified Functions:

• slider_refresh() — src/emu/ui/ui.cpp

• Base 10000 to Hz conversion for 4 decimal places
• Accurate rounding and saving of CFG to 4 decimal places

• Display FPS in 4 decimal places

• ui_menu_sliders::handle() — src/emu/ui/sliders.cpp

• Spacebar handling for ultra-fine increments

• slider_init() — src/emu/ui/ui.cpp

• Slider refresh increment changed to 1 (0.0001 Hz)

Affected files:

• src/emu/screen.cpp / screen.h

• src/emu/video.cpp

• src/emu/ui/ui.cpp

• src/emu/ui/sliders.cpp


┌────────────────────────── ───────────────────────── ──────────────────────────
│ D3D9 REAL VSYNC (NO (TEARING)
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Forces Hardware VSync Real D3D9 (PresentationInterval = D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_ONE)
Independent of classic MAME VSync. Eliminates screen tearing without CPU overhead.

INI option: crtvsync 0|1

0 — Original MAME behavior (default)

1 — Hardware D3D9 VSync enabled

Recommended use: 31kHz LCD or CRT monitors (adds ~1 frame of lag on CRTs)

Modified files:

• src/osd/windows/winmain.cpp

• src/osd/windows/video.h / video.cpp

• src/osd/windows/ddrawd3d.cpp

┌────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────
│ DIRECTDRAW LOW-LEVEL VSYNC (CRT) V3
└────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────
Low level DirectDraw VSync mode For 15 kHz CRT monitors under Windows XP.
Direct rendering in the primary surface synchronized to the Vertical Blank.

INI Option: ddraw_lowlevel_vsync 0|1

0 — Classic MAME behavior (default)

1 — Low-level DirectDraw VSync

⚠ Only active if waitvsync = 0

⚠ Automatically disabled if triple buffering is enabled

Functionality:

1. Waits for the VBL via WaitForVerticalBlank(DDWAITVB_BLOCKEND)

2. Direct lock of the primary surface

3. Scans primitives (blending/alpha detection)

4. Renders membuffer or direct as needed

5. Controlled copy of membuffer → primary surface

6. Unlocks and bypasses MAME blit

7. Completely disables MAME throttling (update_throttle bypass)

Automatic synchronization like Snes9x:

• MAME automatically adapts to the actual CRT refresh rate

• Works with ANY modeline (58 Hz, 60 Hz, 61 Hz...)

• The VBlank CRT dictates the timing → always smooth scrolling
• No need to manually adjust the refresh rate slider

• The emulation speed adjusts to match the screen refresh rate

Example:
Native CPS2 game: 59.637 Hz
Modeline CRT: 60.000 Hz

→ MAME runs at 60 Hz (100.6% speed) → perfectly smooth scrolling

Native CPS2 game: 59.637 Hz
Modeline CRT: 58.000 Hz

→ MAME runs at 58 Hz (97.3% speed) → perfectly smooth scrolling

Supported formats:

• 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit formats

• Full blending and alpha effects

• 32-bit RGB (0x00ff0000) 16-bit 565 (0xf800), 15-bit 555 (0x7c00)

• Handling of lost areas (Alt+Tab)

GPU Compatibility (Windows XP):

✓ Excellent: NVIDIA TNT/GeForce 2/3/4/FX, ATI Radeon 7000-9800,

Matrox G200/G400/G450/G550

~ Partial: Intel iGPU i815/i845/i865 (emulated VBL)

✗ Not tested: Vista+ / WDDM Drivers

Result:

• Latency reduced by approximately 1 frame

• Automatic perfect CRT synchronization (Snes9x/RetroArch type)

• Zero tearing, ultra-smooth scrolling regardless of the modeline

• No need to manually fine-tune each game

Modified Files:

• src/osd/modules/render/drawdd.cpp
• src/emu/video.cpp (update_throttle bypass)
• src/emu/emuopts.cpp / emuopts.h

┌────────────────── ──────────────────── ─────────────────── ────────────────────
│ OPTIMIZED 2D BUILD — CLEANING ARCADE.LST
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Light version Specialized for classic 2D arcade games on 15 kHz CRT monitors.

Systems removed:

✗ All 3D games (Model 2/3, Naomi, Taito Type X, etc.)

✗ Casino systems (slot machines, video poker)

✗ Mahjong games

✗ Non-arcade "machine" systems (computers, consoles)

✗ Mechanical game systems, etc.

Supported systems (2D only):

✓ Capcom CPS1/CPS2/CPS3

✓ Neo Geo MVS

✓ Konami (GX, Classic)

✓ Sega System 16/18/24

✓ Taito (F2, F3)

✓ Cave (CV1000, PGM)

✓ Irem M72/M92

✓ Toaplan, Psikyo, Data East

✓ Namco System 1/2

✓ 8-bit classics (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, etc.)

Result: Smaller executable, faster compilation, targeted 2D CRT list.

Modified file: src/mame/arcade.lst


┌──────────────────────────── ──────────────────────── ─────────────────────────
│ DISABLING UI LUA
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Lua's periodic call The `periodic_check` and `frame_hook` lines are now commented out to avoid any impact on performance or menus.


======================================================================================
COMPATIBILITY
=================================================================================================

OS: Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10
Renderers: DDraw (XP), D3D9, GDI

Monitors: 15 kHz CRT, 31 kHz LCD

=======================================================================================
CREDITS
============================================================================================================

Development: Olivier Mileo
Project: CRT-MAME ARCADE-2D 0.168 Edition
Base: MAME 0.168

© 2025 Hardcade — All rights reserved

=========================================================================================

Download on GitHub:

https://github.com/HardCade/hardcade/releases

[Olivcade]

Update version 1.3

README – CRT-MAME 0.168 V1.3

Binary files and source code available here on GitHub:

https://github.com/HardCade/hardcade/releases

Development Version – December 2025
© 2025 Hardcade – PlayRetro

===========================================================================================
PROJECT: CRT-MAME 0.168 Edition

CRT-MAME 0.168 is a specialized version of MAME 0.168 optimized for: 15 kHz CRT monitors (arcade, TV, PVM/BVM, Hantarex, Nanao, etc.) and LCD

monitors

Minimal input lag,

advanced and precise refresh rate control per game.

Objectives:

    - Achieve minimal input lag
    - Achieve increased display performance and superior behavior (compared to existing emulators) for 15 kHz CRTs.
    - Achieve ultra-smooth display and optimal performance on LCD screens.

===============================================
CURRENT MAIN FEATURES (subject to change)
==============================================


- Saving the Refresh Rate slider to CFG files

- Improved slider (precision, stability, rounding, defect handling)

- Added Windows input timestamp (anti-lag preparation)

- Added Late Input Polling (reduces input lag by a full frame)

- Added Direct3D optimization – "Direct Present Minimal" (reduces display lag)

- Added Adaptive HardSync (stabilizes frame timing and prevents stuttering, reduces overall latency)

More features and improvements are coming soon...

[abispac]

Wth, why 168 and not the latest version? and dont we have groovymame already?

[Olivcade]

I'm doing 15kHz emulation on older PCs running Windows XP. I don't want the latest versions, which are too demanding for my modest setup. I've already used GroovyMAME, but I don't always get the results I want. So I'm having fun tinkering with this version of MAME to see what I can do (it's a hobby I'm sharing). This version of MAME is perfect for older systems while emulating a large number of games. I only do 2D emulation of games from the 80s and 90s, so the latest versions of MAME aren't relevant for what I want to do.

[abispac]

cool i didnt knew xp and old hardware was still a thing, im 50 years old, and all this time ive been playing with mame and 15khz since the dos times, and i got to admit, better hardware with the latest apps are a nice thing to work with today. But every once in a while nostalgia can hit , for example some times i come across an og original xbox, and softmoding that thing will always brings some kind of joy in my life, so i get what you say. good luck with your project.

[Olivcade]

Yes, that's exactly it. I like using old equipment because you get better results! I love tinkering. I'm the same age as you, 50. I can't wait to share… After some testing, I removed some options. I kept the refresh rate saver slider, but I'm now adding a "Tear Offset (Top)" option to hide the tear line in the dead zone at the top of the screen, once the timing is perfect. I'll keep you posted soon..

[Olivcade]

Hello la TEAM,

I've released an update; many improvements have been made. All the details are available at the top in the readme file:

Download on GitHub:

https://github.com/HardCade/hardcade/releases


===========================================================================================
CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync 0.168 V1.8
================================================================================================

Development Version — December 2025
© 2025 Hardcade — Olivier Mileo

===========================================================================================
DESCRIPTION
===============================================================================================================

CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync is a specialized version of MAME 0.168 optimized for 2D arcade gaming on 15 kHz CRT monitors and modern LCD screens running WinXP-32 with an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card and crt_emu drivers or soft15khz.

This edition focuses on minimizing input lag, reducing file size, and improving video synchronization for an authentic arcade experience.

Two complementary CRT synchronization approaches are offered:

→ MANUAL MODE "Perceptual Sync": Precise adjustment of the Slider Refresh Rate to 4 decimal places (±0.0001 Hz) for total timing control. Ideal for purists who want to calibrate each game individually and achieve strictly authentic hardware timing with virtually invisible, fixed tearing.

→ AUTOMATIC MODE "Adaptive Sync" (currently being developed): VSync DirectDraw Low-Level that automatically adapts to the actual refresh rate of your CRT (like Snes9x/RetroArch). Ultra-smooth scrolling guaranteed regardless of your model (58 Hz, 60 Hz, 61 Hz...), without any manual adjustments required. MAME adjusts its speed to perfectly match your screen.

Choose your approach: absolute manual control or effortless automatic smoothness.
Both methods eliminate screen tearing and guarantee an optimal CRT experience.
// PHILOSOPHY:

Why "CRT-MAME-ARCADE-2D Perceptual Sync" when other emulators like GROOVYMAME already exist?

Whether you're emulating at 15kHz with new or older hardware, the synchronization between the emulation and the display
is never 100% perfect in practice. Even if the modelline is calculated to exactly match the original game's frame rate,

sometimes, even when adhering to the precise values ​​of the MAME video drivers, the timing interpreted by your hardware will be more or less
off from the timing it should actually adopt to be perfectly aligned with the game's timing.

There are always discrepancies (large or small) due to:

- Hardware tolerances (CRT monitor, graphics card)
- Inaccuracies in clocks and oscillators
- Rounding in calculations, operating system

These discrepancies are random depending on your hardware, even if you use THE perfect modelline that mathematically respects
the values ​​imposed by the MAME game system. Despite this, the synchronization drifts more or less over time,
creating that tearing line that "walks" slowly or quickly across the screen—it can take several minutes or even tens of
minutes to cross the entire screen. This is generally considered acceptable because:

The line moves so slowly that it's barely noticeable in-game.
It's infinitely better than classic tearing with multiple rapidly moving lines.
Adding V-sync eliminates it at the cost of one frame of input lag, but if our modelline is too far off
the perfect timing, we'll get choppy scrolling. Some users further refine their modellines or slightly adjust
the refresh rate to minimize this phenomenon, but micro-tearing often remains.

Perceptual Sync is the philosophy of a CRT display mode that prioritizes perceived visual stability

(zero mobile tearing, smooth scrolling) rather than the absolute accuracy of the theoretical refresh rate.

It's a CRT display doctrine based on human perception, not mathematical perfection.

Perceptual Sync prioritizes perceived smoothness and image stability on CRTs.

Slight variations in refresh rate (≤0.0001 to 0.5 Hz) are intentionally tolerated to eliminate mobile screen tearing.

🔴 What Perceptual Sync DOES NOT try to do

❌ Be mathematically exact
❌ Be “frame perfect”
❌ Imitate GroovyMAME
❌ Convince theoretical purists

👉 It stands by its choices.

In other words: “What the eye sees is more important than what the numbers say.”

// The fundamental principles:

- The refresh rate does NOT need to be exact if a variation of: ±0.0001 to 0.5 Hz (configurable) is tolerated

👉 Result: imperceptibly different refresh rate, stable image.

// Absolute priority on tearing stability:

- Tearing enabled or disabled with Vsync activated

But: fixed, stuck outside the visible area if possible, or always in the same place

👉 Static tearing is psychologically invisible.

/ // No chasing the “perfect modelline”:

- No dynamic calculations

- No mode creation

- No real-time adjustments

👉 Once the mode is chosen → and the refresh rate slider is fine-tuned, leave it alone!

// The player takes precedence over the timer:

- Emulation respects gameplay

- Not the atomic clock

- No perceptible drift in-game