New Resolution Tool + More...

[Minwah]

A small couple of hours update to this prog ended up being pretty much a complete re-write:

M.A.M.E. Resolution Tool v2.0 (18/02/05)

Changes:

Removed 'ArcadeVGA' from the title of the program to avoid discouraging non-AVGA users from using it!,
MAME's orientation info now used (rather than just assuming if x>y then game is horizontal),
Improved resolution selection, particularly for games with different orientation to screen,
Settings window improved so actual ini-style editing can be done,
Added feature to allow refresh rate matching as well as resolution,
Test function improved so that exact config is used (WYSIWYG),
Added automatic reading of existing ini files,
Added ability to only generate ini files for romsets you have available (zipped roms, single rom folder only),
Added ability to only generate ini files for parent romsets,
Added ability to only generate ini files for romsets which don't already have an existing ini file,
Made numerous small changes,
Cleaned up and improved code technically throughout.


For people who don't really need this app. it has a feature which may be a nice side effect.  You can edit existing ini files, make any changes you like, and save the ini's once again.  You can apply settings to all games, all games with the same (native) video mode, all games with the same orientation or one game at a time.  Also, you can create ini's for parents only, available games only, games without an existing ini etc....maybe some use to somebody, I don't know 

Please email me any bug reports, although I can't guarantee to fix them for a few months...see here for why:

http://mamewah.mameworld.net/news.htm

 

[dabone]

Just used this tonight.

One small problem I found is that the match resolution within 8 pixels is checked by default, after I just loaded up the 9200 res file and told it to generate the lot of them, I had a bunch of ini files with only half a res.. (i.e. 240 x      )


Not a show stopper in any way, but for newbies you might want to change the default setting to 48 or something.


BTW, nice work, it's a lot easier than I remember the last version.


Later,
dabone

[wpcmame]

Got a question on how the tool handles left/right borders.

My monitor is setup to display 288 lines which means that displaying a 240 line game will have black borders at top and bottom. To keep the correct aspect ratio of the game I need the same amount of black borders on left/right.

Take the following example: Gauntlet uses a native resolution of 336x240. To display correctly on my monitor it should use a resolution of 400x240. (336/400=240/288) Will the tool automaticly select such a resolution if it exists?

Also, I prefer to use interlaced modes since I don't want the scanlines. Can the tool select resolutions which are doubled in any direction (e.g. 800x480 for gauntlet).

Currently I'm using a patched mame which reads a resolution ini file, e.g. "336x240H.ini" but it would be nice if could use a tool instead.

[Minwah]

One small problem I found is that the match resolution within 8 pixels is checked by default, after I just loaded up the 9200 res file and told it to generate the lot of them, I had a bunch of ini files with only half a res.. (i.e. 240 x      )

Thanks...not sure what this is, the default should actually be 16!    I'll have a look...

BTW, nice work, it's a lot easier than I remember the last version.

Thanks, yes I was beginning to forget how to use the old one myself!

[Minwah]

Got a question on how the tool handles left/right borders.

It doesn't, as it doesn't know how your monitor is adjusted.  You could squash your horizontal size slightly to allow for this.  I prefer having my screen adjusted for ~256 lines.

Also, I prefer to use interlaced modes since I don't want the scanlines. Can the tool select resolutions which are doubled in any direction (e.g. 800x480 for gauntlet).

Why?  This defeats the object of using an arcade monitor, the whole point is the get near to native resolutions and to see scanlines, and not see flickery-interlacing where possible.

If you really want to you could just remove the low-res modes from the Available Mode list on the right.

[wpcmame]

Why?

[Minwah]

So does hardware stretch and many people use it for games anyway.

True, but most people with (15khz) arcade monitors only use it to squash medium-high res. games on screen.

I use interlace becuse
- Artwork/bezel look bad with scanlines.
- Scanlines are in wrong direction on vertical games anyway.
- I don't need to set up special modes for interlaced games like tapper and popeye.

Fair point on the artwork, I prefer not to use it.  The scanlines are only the wrong way for vertical games if your monitor is the wrong way!

Everybody got different opinons on what works best. You want scanlines and hardware-strectched vertical games. I prefer no-scanlines and correct aspect ratio.

I want horizontal games to look as authentic as possible (resolution, size and ratio).  The only comprimise I have made is on games with >256 lines (medium-high res. & some vertical games).

The only benefit of your method I can see is for 264-288 line vertical games.  But I still don't see why you want to use interlaced modes for horizontal low-res games with no artwork - that defeats the point of using an arcade monitor.  As you say each to their own

BTW: interlace doesn't flicker when odd and even lines are the same.

Nor do authentic low-res modes.  And they look better than interlaced modes!

[ssjenkins]

I'm obviosly doing something wrong as whatever I do the "Generate INIs" option is permanently greyed out . I've set all the path options but it still doesn't work . I'm using Win98SE with an ArcadeVGA (9200) and Mame 0.91 . I read on one of the other forums that it might have something to do with the "xml2info.exe" file but I've got that file in the Mame directory . I've no problems using "Gavin Bensons" tool .

Sammy

[Minwah]

I'm obviosly doing something wrong as whatever I do the "Generate INIs" option is permanently greyed out . I've set all the path options but it still doesn't work . I'm using Win98SE with an ArcadeVGA (9200) and Mame 0.91 . I read on one of the other forums that it might have something to do with the "xml2info.exe" file but I've got that file in the Mame directory . I've no problems using "Gavin Bensons" tool .

Are all of the lists populated (native modes, games and available modes)?  They all need to be populated to generate the inis...use the View menu to refresh them - if they will not generate there must be a problem somewhere...

You do require xml2info.exe, but that's not the problem here - even if it was missing it would not cause that option to grey out.

[ssjenkins]

OK , thanks . I'll check that out . Enjoy yourselve "down under"

Sammy

[Minwah]

OK , thanks . I'll check that out . Enjoy yourselve "down under"

Thanks mate 

[Minwah]

One small problem I found is that the match resolution within 8 pixels is checked by default, after I just loaded up the 9200 res file and told it to generate the lot of them, I had a bunch of ini files with only half a res.. (i.e. 240 x      )

I can't get this to happen...odd that you had 8 pixels by default, when it should be 16 (I checked and it goes to 16 for me).  Drop me an email if you figure out what might have happened, I'm not going to be able to spend any more time on it right now...

[GGKoul]

Its the best time to goto OZ!  Have fun!    Are you working or going for a vacation?

[vibez]

mine defaults to 16 too