Author Topic: "The Varsity Club" Dual Monitor Arcade Reconstruction has begun 12/29/09 (Read 177513 times)

markrvp · « **Reply #320 on:** June 04, 2006, 11:19:26 pm »

Do it now before you know what happens. That 27" TV with component input will look great with an XBOX. I just got component cables for mine and it looks fabulous. You will also really like having a multisync in your MAME cabinet. You don't have to get the ArcadeVGA right away as the Multisync monitor will work with a regular VGA card at 640x480 and 800x600.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #321 on:** June 05, 2006, 12:20:11 am »

I've been reading a lot over at the avsforums and googling the overscan problem. I'm gonna give it a minute to try and figure out what is going on.

infiniteomega · « **Reply #322 on:** June 05, 2006, 12:29:32 pm »

As far as your overscan problem goes, you might want to look for the code to put in with your remote to get to your tv's secret menu. There you have options to configure the tv much like you would a pc or arcade monitor. I had to do this with my tv as I couldn't stand the overscan that was there. Now I have a bit of underscan but I'd rather have a half inch of black than have bits of game huds missing.

escher · « **Reply #323 on:** June 05, 2006, 01:42:56 pm »

Quote from: infiniteomega on June 05, 2006, 12:29:32 pm

As far as your overscan problem goes, you might want to look for the code to put in with your remote to get to your tv's secret menu. There you have options to configure the tv much like you would a pc or arcade monitor. I had to do this with my tv as I couldn't stand the overscan that was there. Now I have a bit of underscan but I'd rather have a half inch of black than have bits of game huds missing.

Personally, with my ATi converter and drivers I can keep the desktop at 640x432. With MAME, it adjusts properly when I have it set to 640x432. However, MAMEwah crashes when I try to configure it to 640x432.

I'd rather not go the hackish route with the TV controls. This is something that should definitely be possible in the software.

cam_wmh · « **Reply #324 on:** June 05, 2006, 03:33:24 pm »

pardon my interruption but.. I fricking love this Cabinet.
..

alright carry on with your regular posting.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #325 on:** June 05, 2006, 04:40:26 pm »

Thanks man!

Fellas, my roaming desktop is pretty big. I've seen a couple things on the avsforums that I will try tonight. It is frustrating though because now my s video is in black and white so I need to get something figured out.

Timoe · « **Reply #326 on:** June 05, 2006, 05:45:21 pm »

Just take a picture of the installed T-molding for now. That should help anyway.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #327 on:** June 05, 2006, 06:24:26 pm »

Will do this evening. I've got to get to get this monitor issue resolved. I can't believe their is no good solution, but I've yet to even hit up the ATI forums. I must remain patient. Stupid life, keeping me all busy and stuff when I should be messing with important stuff.

escher · « **Reply #328 on:** June 05, 2006, 07:54:21 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 05, 2006, 06:24:26 pm

Will do this evening. I've got to get to get this monitor issue resolved. I can't believe their is no good solution, but I've yet to even hit up the ATI forums. I must remain patient. Stupid life, keeping me all busy and stuff when I should be messing with important stuff.

Are you using the ATi DVI-to-component adaptor? If so, make sure you have the latest catalyst drivers installed. At that point, run their little utility, and there's an option to switch the video output to "tv mode" or something along those lines. I only found it in the "Basic" menu, not the "Advanced."

I realize that's about as generic as you can get, but I hope it's enough for you to get to it. If you still can't find it, let me know and I'll look up the exact names of the software/menu/etc.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #329 on:** June 05, 2006, 08:44:30 pm »

Oh mama cita this is good news! I will report back later with my findings! I am using this dongle:

http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=2537967

mccoy178 · « **Reply #330 on:** June 05, 2006, 10:40:15 pm »

I almost had it then I messed it up. I had the full windows bar at the bottom and I clicked something and poof! Totally jacked up resolution. I will probably have to go back to a previous save state and start over.

, but I'm still excited to see it at least close to where it should be.

escher · « **Reply #331 on:** June 05, 2006, 10:47:36 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 05, 2006, 08:44:30 pm

Oh mama cita this is good news! I will report back later with my findings! I am using this dongle:

http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=2537967

That's the one I'm using. If you get MAMEwah working in 640x432, for the love of God let me know how.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #332 on:** June 06, 2006, 12:29:21 am »

When I switch primary monitors to the t.v., the resolutions all change and it goes back to an unusable state where the desktop is crazy big. Otherwise, I think it is forcing 800x600 on the t.v. if I make it the primary monitor. I did get the preview movies to play full screen on the t.v. while I was going through mamewah on the lcd. That was pretty sweet.

markrvp · « **Reply #333 on:** June 06, 2006, 12:50:33 pm »

That adapter says it converts VGA to HD Component Television. The TV you are using is not HDTV is it? Does it still work with non-HDTV monitors?

mccoy178 · « **Reply #334 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:02:32 pm »

I noticed the site said that but the adaptor is a convertor for YbPbr (or whatever it's called).

escher · « **Reply #335 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:13:06 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 06, 2006, 02:02:32 pm

I noticed the site said that but the adaptor is a convertor for YbPbr (or whatever it's called).

It does in fact work on non-HD TV's (such as my cheapo Insignia from Best Buy).

horseboy · « **Reply #336 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:14:14 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 06, 2006, 02:02:32 pm

I noticed the site said that but the adaptor is a convertor for YbPbr (or whatever it's called).

Which is component output. HD can be output through component as well as dvi and hdmi (I think that is what it is called). Televisions can have component inputs and not be HD ready/compatible. I have 2 TV's with component and Cox HD channels. 1 TV is HD ready and the other isn't. The HD ready tv will display HD but the other one won't. If that adapter is only for HD, that could very well be part of your problem.

horseboy · « **Reply #337 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:14:44 pm »

Quote from: escher on June 06, 2006, 02:13:06 pm

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 06, 2006, 02:02:32 pm
I noticed the site said that but the adaptor is a convertor for YbPbr (or whatever it's called).

It does in fact work on non-HD TV's (such as my cheapo Insignia from Best Buy).

If this is true...nevermind

escher · « **Reply #338 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:24:01 pm »

One thing to note is that there are switches on the adaptor to set what mode it outputs.

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #339 on:** June 06, 2006, 02:37:03 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 06, 2006, 12:29:21 am

I did get the preview movies to play full screen on the t.v. while I was going through mamewah on the lcd. That was pretty sweet.

Wouldn't you want this switched? Or is this part of the problem I'm just not seeing? It is a pretty cool feature though. It's making me want to steal yet another of your ideas.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #340 on:** June 06, 2006, 04:38:13 pm »

I guess I would, but I've yet to enjoy component the way it's supposed to be. The more I've thought of it, I've been trained to watching s video and it has taken me a minute to realize how clear the component is. This could solve many a problem as I've had a difficult time finding either a fe or emulator that likes playing on the secondary monitor. I just can't figure out how to make the resolution stay when I make the t.v. the primary monitor.

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #341 on:** June 06, 2006, 06:45:05 pm »

Have you tried setting the regkey in the .bat file? Mine is listed here:
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\iAlm\Device0
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\iAlm\Device1

It might be worth a shot.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #342 on:** June 07, 2006, 12:16:55 am »

John, I'm dumb and don't understand what you mean there. Please explain if further detail what you're talking about.

Escher, your layouts have to be in the resolution that you want to use. If you have tried this, I am trully a dingleberry. If not, I would throw them in Photoshop and resize them and try that. I'll see if there is any topic on the mamewah forum at www.mameworld.info.

Oh, by the way, I GOT THE T.V. TO WORK AT 640x432 AS THE PRIMARY MONITOR! I JUST TOLD MAME THE RESOLUTION NEEDED. SORRY FOR THE CAPS, BUT I'M YELLING THIS AS I'M TYPING. MY WIFE IS WONDering why I was doing that. Sorry honey.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #343 on:** June 07, 2006, 12:29:20 am »

I could ---smurfing--- cry. I have got mamewah to work on the t.v.! I'm not yelling this time. Anyways, I am using mamewah 1.62b9, but downloaded 1.61 to get the layout editor. In it, you can change the layout to 640x432. I will have to use a photo editor to change the size of the background pic, but never the less, it worked. I do have one problem, my screen is split right down the middle and it looks like two of the same thing split by a 4" black bar down the middle. I'll investigate further, but at least it is viewable. Having the preview movie on the other screen is the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #344 on:** June 07, 2006, 12:40:08 am »

I just had another great moment in gaming history(okay, that might be a stretch). I think I may use the light guns on the computer monitor. It is at the right height for an adult, is not at an angle, and, the best part, I wouldn't have to stand that far away. The lightbars also wouldn't be that ugly located up there. Man, this is really coming together now. I may also experiment with some other front ends for the resolution issues. Man, youse guys should see it.

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #345 on:** June 07, 2006, 01:07:57 am »

That is a great idea for the LCD.

The GT cabs have that extreme angle for the monitor, which is good for the fingers and knuckles coming off the trackball, but probably not great for light gun action. I am humbled by your continued ingenuity on this project.

In regards to my earlier post, I figured that you could create a .reg file that the .bat file used by MameWah could load that might force a resolution change on your monitors.

i.e. - Launch Mamewah --> Mamewah runs .bat (batch) file --> .bat file runs .reg file --> .reg file forces your hkcc to change the resolution.

Since you got it to work without that, I'm assuming my solution was way more complicated than it needed to be. I haven't run Mamewah yet, so I'm not 100% familiar on how it works. Sometimes a fresh perspective helps, even if it's an idiotic solution like mine was. We always do that at work whenever there's a tough problem. Try and look from every angle, even if it doesn't make sense. It might lead to an epiphany, although more likely to a Miller Lite.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #346 on:** June 07, 2006, 01:24:53 am »

I appreciate the help. Anyone on here will tell you, when it comes to software, I'm a bumbling idiot. I have mamewah down, but that is where it ends. Everything else is a battle. It took me longer to make that cp overlay in CS2 than it did to build the whole thing!

BTW, it's almost Miller Time!

mccoy178 · « **Reply #347 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:44:16 am »

The pics are for Timoe (Keepin' an eye out for ya'

) :

Here is a pic of the previews playing on the t.v. with a couple different emulators through mamewah:

mccoy178 · « **Reply #348 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:46:10 am »

This is for Markrvp.

Here is a pic of the component video picture quality:

mccoy178 · « **Reply #349 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:48:21 am »

Here is the mamewah problem with the split screen issue and now the preview movies playing on the lcd. Just think about the possibilities!

mccoy178 · « **Reply #350 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:50:01 am »

Here is a little issue I'm having with the attract mode in Powermame:

mccoy178 · « **Reply #351 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:54:48 am »

Here is the pinball buttons installed. I still have a little finishing to do, but they are great in application.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #352 on:** June 07, 2006, 02:59:08 am »

I am strongly considering putting flat led's in the middle of the arrows for powermame use. I love that it shows all the controls when playing, and I think some of those flush mount led's would be perfect. I took a look under the cp and although I would be drilling through the controller, it wouldn't be hitting anything strategic I believe, so I will investigate further later on.

Sprucemoose · « **Reply #353 on:** June 07, 2006, 04:19:00 am »

McCoy,
3am? Sleep my friend...sleep...

Project looks brilliant. Been watching your progress for a long time. Keep up the good work.

PS. OSU projected top 5 next year! Go Bucks!

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #354 on:** June 07, 2006, 10:57:02 am »

WOW, just WOW!!!

BTW, not sure if it's still an issue, but you can use Multires - http://www.entechtaiwan.net/util/multires.shtm with a command line argument to change resolutions from a batch file.

If that helps!!!

mccoy178 · « **Reply #355 on:** June 07, 2006, 12:29:47 pm »

Thanks fellas! Tiger, the only issue with video I have with the t.v. is about a 5% overscan. I may try to use that code on the controller to adjust the picture on the t.v. But who knows? I have no clue what model of t.v. I have. A little research I presume. Also, for the life of me, when I have the usb cables plugged in, it gets stuck at the motherboard splash screen.

I've checked the bios about half a dozen times to figure out what is going on. I downloaded the drivers from asus and installed them as well. It stopped working after I uninstalled the ati video card driver a couple weeks back.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #356 on:** June 07, 2006, 03:22:24 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 07, 2006, 12:29:47 pm

It stopped working after I uninstalled the ati video card driver a couple weeks back.

Pretty sure ATI's website has a utility for COMPLETELY uninstalling their drivers. Just playing a hunch here, but it's worth a shot.

http://www.tweakguides.com/ATICAT_1.html and http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/ are worth looking at also if you haven't already.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #357 on:** June 07, 2006, 05:57:34 pm »

Thanks! I'll give it a shot. The coindoor arrived today!

Time for goodness.

Timoe · « **Reply #358 on:** June 07, 2006, 09:00:43 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on June 07, 2006, 02:44:16 am

The pics are for Timoe (Keepin' an eye out for ya' ) :

Aw yeah, its been too long. Those are the pics.

Put the coin door in there as soon as you can find someone to help to unload the behemoth.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #359 on:** June 07, 2006, 10:12:57 pm »

Coindoor is in. Pics at eleven.


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Author Topic: "The Varsity Club" Dual Monitor Arcade *Reconstruction has begun* 12/29/09 (Read 177513 times)

Author Topic: "The Varsity Club" Dual Monitor Arcade Reconstruction has begun 12/29/09 (Read 177513 times)