linux svgalib w/ 19" Vision Pro VGA monitor

[dagintm]

Anyone using a Vision Pro 19" VGA hybrid arcade monitor on linux?  I'm having issues setting up svgalib and was hoping someone maybe able to assit.  I can't seem to set my HorizSync and VertRefresh correctly.  It works but at a lower resolution than I would like.  I can't seem to get 640x480 or 800x600 resolution to work correctly.  I'm sure I'm doing something stupid in my libvga.config, but can't seem to figure out what it is.  If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

here is a link to the monitor and it's information.

http://www.happcontrols.com/monitors/491337vp.htm

libvga.config:

HorizSync 30 38
VertRefresh 50 160


thanks,
DaGintm

[AlanS17]

I know this is way off topic, but do you think you could take a close-up picture of the VGA plug? I received a Vision Pro monitor in the mail expecting a standard res monitor, but the one I got has a VGA-looking plug on it. I wanted to compare it with yours.

[desmatic]

Anyone using a Vision Pro 19" VGA hybrid arcade monitor on linux?  I'm having issues setting up svgalib and was hoping someone maybe able to assit.  I can't seem to set my HorizSync and VertRefresh correctly.  It works but at a lower resolution than I would like.  I can't seem to get 640x480 or 800x600 resolution to work correctly.  I'm sure I'm doing something stupid in my libvga.config, but can't seem to figure out what it is.  If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

here is a link to the monitor and it's information.

http://www.happcontrols.com/monitors/491337vp.htm

libvga.config:

HorizSync 30 38
VertRefresh 50 160


thanks,
DaGintm

You can try going a little bit over and a little bit under for your setup in the libvga.conf.  The advmame.rc config will override these settings anyways.  So try something like

HorizSync 29 39
VertRefresh 48 162

then configure your advmame.rc file as usual.  If the modes still don't work I would try a different version of advancemame or a different video card.  Maybe a different contrib patch or perhaps a kernel fb might work.  Usually when things aren't working like they're supposed to its the video card driver.  What video card are you using by the way?  Do you know if it works with AdvanceCD on a PC monitor?

[dagintm]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I was originally using my NForce2 onboard video card and on your suggestion I slapped in a GForce3 Ti 500 and svgalib started working at the correct resolutions.  I was able to obtain 800x600 and 640x480.

Now my issue is configuring advmenu.  I supplied my config information:

pclock = 5-150
hclock = 30-38
vclock = 50-160

by running advcfg and I continuilly get a blank screen.  I've tweaked some of these values, but am still unable to get picture after running advcfg.  Anyone have ideas?

Thanks,
DaGintm

[desmatic]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I was originally using my NForce2 onboard video card and on your suggestion I slapped in a GForce3 Ti 500 and svgalib started working at the correct resolutions.  I was able to obtain 800x600 and 640x480.

Now my issue is configuring advmenu.  I supplied my config information:

pclock = 5-150
hclock = 30-38
vclock = 50-160

by running advcfg and I continuilly get a blank screen.  I've tweaked some of these values, but am still unable to get picture after running advcfg.  Anyone have ideas?

Thanks,
DaGintm

Make sure after you run advcfg.exe that you copy those values from your advmame.rc file into your advmenu.rc file.  Also, you need to add a line stating what resolution to run at, for example

video_size 640

would give you a 640x480 resolution.  

Make sure the advancemame binaries are in your path.  They by default install to /usr/local/bin which is sometimes not in your PATH environment variable

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin

after you make these changes you want to execute the command

advmenu -default

[dagintm]

I can't seem to get advcfg to finish.  I get to the first 2 or so sets of options and when it goes to the part where it wants you to center the screen my monitor blanks.  I've tried manually adding the values to my advmame.rc/advmenu.rc, ran advmame -default/advmenu -default, attempt to run advmenu, and again my screen blanks.

settings in advmame.rc/advmenu.rc
device_video_pclock 5-150
device_video_hclock 30-38
device_video_vclock 50-160


any ideas?

[desmatic]

I can't seem to get advcfg to finish.  I get to the first 2 or so sets of options and when it goes to the part where it wants you to center the screen my monitor blanks.  I've tried manually adding the values to my advmame.rc/advmenu.rc, ran advmame -default/advmenu -default, attempt to run advmenu, and again my screen blanks.

settings in advmame.rc/advmenu.rc
device_video_pclock 5-150
device_video_hclock 30-38
device_video_vclock 50-160


any ideas?

Its most likely your video card / video card driver.  Try a different version of AdvanceMAME/svgalib/kernelfb or yet another card.  The hardest part about setting up advancemame is finding a card that's got good a driver written for it.  Top linux pics are

PNY Geforce 4 TI 4600
Visiontek or PNY Riva TNT2 (supports interlace modes)
Matrox G400 (supports interlace modes)

You can get a TNT2 card for less than the cost of shipping.

[currygoat11]

Why are you using advancemame?  Why not use xmame.svgalib?

My plan is to buy this exact same monitor (19" VGA/SVGA HAPP VISION PRO) and use linux and "xmame.svgalib". They're currently not in stock (should be 'soon')

My opinion is: if you're not shooting for those arcade horiz scan rates, you may want to try "xmame.svgalib"

comments?

[whammoed]

Why are you using advancemame?  Why not use xmame.svgalib?

My plan is to buy this exact same monitor (19" VGA/SVGA HAPP VISION PRO) and use linux and "xmame.svgalib". They're currently not in stock (should be 'soon')

My opinion is: if you're not shooting for those arcade horiz scan rates, you may want to try "xmame.svgalib"

comments?

with advancemame you have a lot more options for video no matter what kind of monitor you are using.  You are able to choose resolutions that allow you to avoid hardware stretching which can make the picture look not too fantastic.

[currygoat11]

Well I still recommend trying 'xmame.svgalib' - it works just fine for me. Honestly I had a lot of trouble with both advancemame and advancemenu through svgalib.. but that's just my experience.

[dagintm]

Success..  I popped in an ATI Rage 128 Pro and it works like a champ now.  Thank you all for the help.. Unfortunately I have another issue now.  

My cabinet is cocktail cab and I have no idea how to set vertical games to play vertically and horizontal games to play horizontally.  Also that monitor actually displays the wrong direction.. I know in advmame/advmenu I can get around this issue just wondering if anyone knows how to flip the entire os 180 degrees.  

Thanks again for all the help
DaGintm

[whammoed]

to rotate a game, in advmame.rc do something like:
pacman/display_ror yes
 
or

pacman/display_rol yes

whichever is right for you.

Be careful! monitors hold charges even after unplugged! having said that, to flip your screen permanently you will need to do a "yoke flip" which is simply changing the 4wire connector from the yoke to a different set of pins if they exist or cutting the connector in two, flip both sets around, and plug back in.  Do a search on it, you will most likely find some instructions...if not I will post a pic of what I am referring to tonight.

[dagintm]

do I have to do that for every vertical game I have.. seems like a lot of work.  But if that's the only way then I guess it will keep me busy.  If you could post a pic that would be great.  Thanks again for all the help

Thanks,
DaGintm

[whammoed]

no, if you want everything rotated, use:
display_ror yes

display_ror no is probably already there...just change it to yes

I will post a pic tonight when i get home.

[whammoed]

actually bob roberts has a better tutorial for it so check here:

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/yoke.html

[dagintm]

Thanks again to everyone for the assistence.  I haven't replied lately because all your help has finally gotten me playing games.  All progress on my cabinet has been halted to play games I've been itching to play since I started this project..  This hobby is fantastic..   Thanks again.