Author Topic: best sound/video settings in MAME... (Read 5045 times)

radiator · « **on:** March 06, 2003, 10:01:43 am »

...and which version of MAME is best to use to get the optimum video settings?

anywho, back to the questions;

when using MAME (windows command-line version) the video almost always seems very jerky...not random jerks either, it seems to do it every half second.

also, in a scrolling game (side/vertical - actually, pretty much any graphicly intensive game) the screen seems to split up when the background scrolls (pic below):

above image shows a vertical line (say, the edge of a wall or something) - the left side is what it should look like (and does, if the game isn't scrolling) and the right side one shows the choppy scrolling effect that seems to happen alot.
any idea what this is exactly?

if someone could tell me which lines in my mam.ini file i need to be experimenting with that'd be great.

right, last question, my sound is very garbled - it sounds ok some of the time, but then suddenly, it'll start sounding awful (really distorted and garbled).

any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks guys

radiator · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2003, 10:04:50 am »

...if it's any help, my computer specs are:

AMD Athlon 1.2Ghz
640Mb RAM
Sound Blaster Live!
Matrox G400 32Mb/Hercules Prophet 4500 64MB (same thing happens with both)

I'm running WinXP Pro, and the latest version of MAME

all my drivers (sound, graphics etc) are up-to date...

cheers

Minwah · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2003, 10:19:05 am »

The graphics problem you are having is called 'tearing'. Go into your MAME.INI and turn triple buffering on (triplebuffer 1). That should do the trick.

Not sure about your sound problem, does it happen with any games in particular?

radiator · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2003, 12:19:24 pm »

the sound thing happens in pretty much every game...it's like the sound kinda slows down, echo's, repeats itslelf, and the distorts - it only happens for a few seconds, then back to normal - but it seems to do it every minute or so...

rampy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2003, 12:31:43 pm »

Quote from: radiator on March 06, 2003, 12:19:24 pm

the sound thing happens in pretty much every game...it's like the sound kinda slows down, echo's, repeats itslelf, and the distorts - it only happens for a few seconds, then back to normal - but it seems to do it every minute or so...

Do you have sleep set to 0 ?
Have you "tuned" your xp config so that no stupid background processes are running (like search indexing, etc)

which games are doing this? Some games either are just hogs...

Rampy

Odonadon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2003, 12:35:52 pm »

Quote from: radiator on March 06, 2003, 12:19:24 pm

the sound thing happens in pretty much every game...it's like the sound kinda slows down, echo's, repeats itslelf, and the distorts - it only happens for a few seconds, then back to normal - but it seems to do it every minute or so...

I've had that happen to me on both PCs - K6-3 450 and PII 400. I figured it was because my system was too slow. But your 1.2GHz rig shouldn't have a problem. I've seen several posts on this but nobody seems to know the answer. I'm using the "ultimate" configuration: Sound Blaster 16/Radeon 7500 combo. I set the same rate to 22050 and that seemed to help, but didn't remove the problem completely.

I found the best MAME to use for resolutions was the windows verion - MAME command prompt for windows or MAME32. Couldn't get VESA working properly in DOS on the 7500. Plus the games load WAY faster from windows. They run the same.

Thanks,
Odonadon

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2003, 02:34:18 pm »

Turn on vsync.... it will be a little slower, but an image is only displayed after the entire screen is re-rendered and thus tearing is all but eliminated.

radiator · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2003, 04:17:38 pm »

yeah, i already had vsync on, but turning on triple buffering seems to have solved the problem...

...still can't work out why my sound is dodgy though!? ah, sod it, i'll put up with it for now, just wait till i get my cab built and 2nd computer put together and hopefully the same thing won't happen with it...

Odonadon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2003, 05:46:31 pm »

Quote from: radiator on March 06, 2003, 04:17:38 pm

yeah, i already had vsync on, but turning on triple buffering seems to have solved the problem...

...still can't work out why my sound is dodgy though!? ah, sod it, i'll put up with it for now, just wait till i get my cab built and 2nd computer put together and hopefully the same thing won't happen with it...

Try changing sample rate to 22050 and let me know what happens. Does it get better?

ODonadon

radiator · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2003, 02:55:04 pm »

ok, just changed the sample rate, but the problem still occurs...

...on closer listening, it's almost like the sound it skipping to keep in sync with the video

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2003, 03:57:43 pm »

it actually does that on many games
it's just the way mame works.... sorry

Minwah · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2003, 04:59:46 pm »

Yes, I have this problem in SOME games. And I have a 1.4GHz

rampy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2003, 05:05:39 pm »

Quote from: Minwah on March 09, 2003, 04:59:46 pm

Yes, I have this problem in SOME games. And I have a 1.4GHz

well which wones? I'm about to upgrade and want to keep my expectiations in line...

(granted cruisin et, al is out... but what other ones are particular trouble spots for you - the midway games? )

rampy

radiator · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2003, 06:56:03 pm »

er...it happens to me on every game I've played so far...

would a faster system help or not (I would of though 1.2Ghz is enough though - and it's seems strange that it happens on every game I've played...)

Odonadon · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2003, 12:09:05 am »

It does it heavily in Afterburner II (for me). Reducing the sample rate DID help, but didn't fix it. I also noticed that the problem doesn't seem to exist in the DOS version (not a Windows command prompt). Only in Windows. Can anyone back me up on this?

Odonadon

radiator · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2003, 06:56:13 am »

I noticed that also...

I've just (past few weeks) got back in MAME and emulation after a 2 year break from it, and don't remember MAME ever having the sound problem before (and my hardware was slower back then)...so the DOS version doesn't do it then, grrr, that's poo...was gonna build a cab and have a Windows/Game Launcher setup, but if MAME's gonna spurt out crappy sound on every other game I might have to switch to DOS...

Minwah · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2003, 08:15:12 am »

I must say that I don't think you should have problems with EVERY game...

As I say, I have noticed it with SOME games (can't remember any specifically atm tho). But most games are OK.

I am more worried that I can't run Galaga 100% FPS, but MK etc run perfectly. Very odd

Turn hwstretch off if you use it - this kanes a bit of CPU and won't help matters...

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2003, 01:52:52 pm »

Download the latest build of mame and use the high priority switch. It gives more processes to mame and thus cleans up sound dramatically.

Btw I wouldn't sugget turning off hwstretch as it does all the screen resizing work for you if you have mame setup properly. It's one of the main reasons to use a windows build over a dos one. It's one of the few gaudy windows features that is worth the added processes.

Minwah · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2003, 07:26:27 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 10, 2003, 01:52:52 pm

Download the latest build of mame and use the high priority switch. It gives more processes to mame and thus cleans up sound dramatically.

Btw I wouldn't sugget turning off hwstretch as it does all the screen resizing work for you if you have mame setup properly. It's one of the main reasons to use a windows build over a dos one. It's one of the few gaudy windows features that is worth the added processes.

Hate to disagree Howard but I reckon it SUCKS!

Except for now I have an ArcadeVGA and need it for those big vertical line games.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2003, 07:36:30 pm »

Well the mamedevs would agree with me as well. Back when the big port to a windows core took place the feature they were most excited about was hwstretch. It still is.

If you thik it sucks then you probably aren't using it right.

(tip: if you have your resolution set to "auto" or you are changing the resolution for different games then you aren't using it right)

Minwah · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2003, 07:41:27 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 10, 2003, 07:36:30 pm

Well the mamedevs would agree with me as well. Back when the big port to a windows core took place the feature they were most excited about was hwstretch. It still is.

If you thik it sucks then you probably aren't using it right.

(tip: if you have your resolution set to "auto" or you are changing the resolution for different games then you aren't using it right)

In fairness you may well be right. But I have tried a lot of different resolutions and I couldn't find any that looks right (to me). I found I was most happy using scanlines, and putting up with some black borders. Bear in mind this opinion is based on using a PC monitor too. I have much happier results on the higher-res games using the ArcadeVGA (and also when I tried s-video TV).

Odonadon · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2003, 11:39:09 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 10, 2003, 01:52:52 pm

Download the latest build of mame and use the high priority switch. It gives more processes to mame and thus cleans up sound dramatically.

Nope, didn't make a spit of difference to me

.

Odonadon

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #22 on:** March 11, 2003, 09:59:57 am »

Quote from: Odonadon on March 10, 2003, 11:39:09 pm

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 10, 2003, 01:52:52 pm
Download the latest build of mame and use the high priority switch. It gives more processes to mame and thus cleans up sound dramatically.

Nope, didn't make a spit of difference to me .

Odonadon

Read my other thread on this topic.... It CAN make a difference, that's not a guarantee.

radiator · « **Reply #23 on:** March 11, 2003, 11:30:33 am »

just downloaded MAME .66, but still getting sound probs (high priority set in mame.ini, and also tried setting the windows priority to high).

thing is, it DOES happen in every game...even the simple ones like Space Invaders and PacMan, and exactly the same probs in games more complex games like Street Fighter II and Metal Slug...

does the same thing happen with AdvanceMAME?

Minwah · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2003, 05:35:56 pm »

I take it you don't have a virus scanner running while playing? If so turn it off...

radiator · « **Reply #25 on:** March 11, 2003, 06:59:03 pm »

the only programs that run while MAME is running are GameLauncher, and a load of 'system tray' programs (Quicktime, InterVideo WinCinema Manager)

when I bring up the task manager, there are quite a lot of processes running though:

cdbrown · « **Reply #26 on:** March 11, 2003, 10:45:25 pm »

explorer.exe and the 27MB svchhost.exe are quite high. Mine are about 5Mb and 3Mb respectively. You don't have all those pretty xp things going on like a big colourful desktop picture, smoothing of icons, showing icons in all possible colours etc. These chew up memory and performance (may be only marginal but that might be enough). Sisoft Sandra always recommends turning of the bells and whistles to get better performance.

Minwah · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2003, 05:36:37 am »

I personally would do:

1) Get rid of those system tray apps (use msconfig if neccessary to remove from startup).

2) Do as cdbrown says and get rid of the 'pretty' stuff.

3) Try disabling some services that you don't need. Have a look at www.blackviper.com - I found this guys guide pretty helpful.

It *may* not make a great deal of difference but it's worth a try. I wouldn't have thought you should have these sound problems with all games.

radiator · « **Reply #28 on:** March 12, 2003, 08:56:02 am »

ok, i'll give that a shot...

..gotta remember that I do have a lot of memory though (640Mb) - so I don't know if it'll make that much difference disabling memory hungry processes

Random24 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 12, 2003, 09:43:37 am »

Are you playing on a TV? I think that the UK/European TVs display at 50 FPS as opposed to the US which display at 60. I have heard that that can cause synch issues with the sound, where the sound has to slow down to let the video catch up. I might just be talking out my a** though.

radiator · « **Reply #30 on:** March 12, 2003, 10:47:45 am »

Quote from: Random24 on March 12, 2003, 09:43:37 am

Are you playing on a TV? I think that the UK/European TVs display at 50 FPS as opposed to the US which display at 60. I have heard that that can cause synch issues with the sound, where the sound has to slow down to let the video catch up. I might just be talking out my a** though.

i thought that PAL tv's ran at 25fps and NTSC ran at 30fps...maybe you're thinking of the frequency (ie, 50/60Hz...although I'm pretty sure this TV can run at either 50Hz or 60Hz)

even so, how would MAME know you're running through a TV? I'm using a Matrox graphics card which has 2 vga outputs, so the game is currently running on my computer screen and the TV at the same time...but even when I disable the TV output, I still get sound problems...

Minwah · « **Reply #31 on:** March 12, 2003, 05:53:04 pm »

What are your framerates like radiator? I mean if frames are being dropped it is common for the sound to go a bit funny. I seem to remember getting a few sounds probs on some older games running at 100% fps too (eg vs Super Mario Bros).

Do you have onboard sound? If so could be worth disabling it and chucking in a cheap SoundBlaster 16 PCI (?) (Clutching at straws a bit...)

radiator · « **Reply #32 on:** March 12, 2003, 06:33:44 pm »

I'm using a Sound Blaster Live! Player (as they were called when I got one, think they're now known as the 'Value') so I shouldn't have a problem there.

As for framerates, I usually get between 40/60 and 50/60, percentage being between 96% and 104%

No sure if I mentioned in this post, but I've only just got back into MAME (it's been a couple 'o years) and I used to just use the DOS version (no fancy config or anything, just let it run as-is) and don't remember getting any nasty sound problems...

I'm useless with documentation too, I just can't be arsed to read through stuff and get baffled by it...(I was gonna give advance MAME a go, but after looking though all the config options I thought "sod this!")

anywho, here's a copy of my mame.ini file, there might be something that sticks out like a sore thumb that I havn't noticed:

### mame.ini ###

### Frontend Related ###
clones 1

### Windows path and directory options ###
rompath roms
samplepath samples
# inipath <NULL> (not set)
cfg_directory cfg
nvram_directory nvram
memcard_directory memcard
input_directory inp
hiscore_directory hi
state_directory sta
artwork_directory artwork
snapshot_directory snap
diff_directory diff
ctrlr_directory ctrlr
cheat_file cheat.dat
history_file history.dat
mameinfo_file mameinfo.dat

### Windows video options ###
autoframeskip 1
frameskip 0
waitvsync 1
triplebuffer 1
window 0
ddraw 1
hwstretch 1
resolution 640x480
refresh 0
scanlines 0
switchres 1
switchbpp 1
maximize 1
keepaspect 1
matchrefresh 0
syncrefresh 0
throttle 1
full_screen_brightness 0.000000
frames_to_run 0
effect sharp
screen_aspect 4:3
sleep 1
rdtsc 0
high_priority 1

### Input device options ###
mouse 0
joystick 0
lightgun 0
steadykey 0
keyboard_leds 1
a2d_deadzone 0.300000
# ctrlr <NULL> (not set)

### Mame CORE video options ###
norotate 0
ror 0
rol 0
flipx 0
flipy 0
debug_resolution auto
gamma 1.000000
brightness 1.000000
pause_brightness 0.650000

### Mame CORE vector game options ###
antialias 1
translucency 1
beam 1.000000
flicker 0.000000
intensity 1.500000

### Mame CORE sound options ###
samplerate 22500
samples 1
resamplefilter 0
sound 1
volume 3

### Mame CORE misc options ###
artwork 1
use_backdrops 1
use_overlays 1
use_bezels 1
artwork_crop 0
artwork_resolution 0
cheat 0
debug 0
# playback <NULL> (not set)
# record <NULL> (not set)
log 0
oslog 0
skip_disclaimer 1
skip_gameinfo 1

### Configuration options ###
readconfig 1
verbose 0

think of me as a noob when it comes to graphic/sound settings in MAME...

sorry for such a long post

cdbrown · « **Reply #33 on:** March 12, 2003, 10:33:15 pm »

Change
Autoframeskip=0
Sleep =0

Do you also need to use the art stuff - backdrops, overlays, bezels maybe you could change them to 0 and see how you go. Hopefully someone else will be able help with some of the other info you gave.

Cheers
-cdbrown

Minwah · « **Reply #34 on:** March 13, 2003, 07:09:41 am »

Yep, what cdbrown said

I would also set 'waitvsync 0'. This seems to me to do very little, although triplebuffering helps no end. I thought waitvsync was actually broken in MAME, but maybe it has been fixed by now (?)

And also try turning off hwstretch, and set resolution to 'auto'. I know Howard said not to, but I'd be interested to hear if there is any improvement.

radiator · « **Reply #35 on:** March 13, 2003, 08:54:51 am »

right, it seems to be ok now, after changing the settings that everyone recommends...i'll have to tweak the .ini file to see if i can get any speed improvements now (and backup the original as a fallback)...

question now is what kinda hardware would everyone recommend to get the modern games running with high framerates?
i'm looking at an AthlonXP 1800, 256Mb ram, 40Gb Western Digital HDD (has a beefy 8Mb cache!), but not sure about graphics card (something made by ATI with tv-out?)

Minwah · « **Reply #36 on:** March 13, 2003, 09:45:13 am »

Glad you got it running OK.

I'd be very inclined to get 512MB RAM or more. And Athlon XP sounds good, but get the quickest one you can afford - remember NO CPU can emulate the likes of Crusin' USA full speed anyway...

Get an ArcadeVGA card and an arcade monitor/scart TV

radiator · « **Reply #37 on:** March 13, 2003, 10:19:32 am »

mmm, i am trying to do this spending as little money as possible - sure, where i skimp and save on one thing, i can spend more on another

i already got a tv (25" JVC with 2xSCART and 2xS-video for

cdbrown · « **Reply #38 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:08:04 pm »

Make sure you get a reasonable motherboard with some room for upgrading


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