Video Card advice

[deadpool18]

I was hoping that someone could help me out.  I have an advent HD-TV that is 4:3 and a CRT model capable of 480p, 720p, and 1080i.  Right now I'm using an old ATI All-in-Wonder 9200 video card with s-video.  I have an ATI DVI to Component adapter, but the card I have doesn't have DVI.

Is there a card that I could replace this one with that will give me significantly better performance?  Would something like an ATI 9500 (with DVI), and my adapter look much better with mame?  If so, is that the card to get?  Right now most games look good, but vertical games like Donkey Kong are blurry and have some flicker that I can't seem to eliminate.

Also, since I have updated drivers, can I just replace the card with the aforementioned ATI card and just go, or do I need to configure differently for component?  Does the fact that the tv supports up to 1080i change anything, settings wise?

Last question, what settings should I use in mame32 (windows xp) if I decide to do this?

Thanks in advance for any input!!!

[TOK]

I think going to component over s-video will be a worthwhile upgrade for you. I'm using a Radeon 9550 with the DVI to component adapter. My TV is only 480i, the component resolution is set on the adapter via switches.
The main things I noticed going with component over s-video were much darker blacks and better reds. They had a pinkish tint to them when using s-video.

The cards and adapters are very cheap now... When I bought mine, there were two version of the component adapter. Make sure you get the one that is compatible with your card.
 
Since the games are mostly low res, I found that setting Windows to 640x480 get me in the ballpark. Thing with that is, you might need to either adjust the settings on your TV from the service menu or use something that allows a custom resolution because a 640x480 signal into a component input typically results in the edges of your image being cut off the screen... I found that MaLa supports custom resolutions in the front end, and it worked for me. I have MaLa set to 640x420 and the games fit the screen perfect.

[Ummon]

Where did you get your adapter? Some time ago, I found one online for I swear only a few dollars, but lost the link. Now, they're at least $40 shipped.

[SparkyGoBlue]

This should work fine:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

[TOK]

I got mine off Ebay. It was under 15 bucks shipped.

[Ummon]

This should work fine:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Thank you. That's the one.

[deadpool18]

Thanks for the response.  I'll probably try to pick up a Radeon 9550 on Ebay.  I got an actual ATI adapter on ebay for only $7.00.

[deadpool18]

I just ordered the radeon 9550 from Newegg.  Any suggestions on settings for Mame or the PC?  I was thinking of using 1024 x 768 in both mame and the pc.  Since I'm using a high res crt tv, what switches should I use on the dongle?  I was thinking of using 480p, 720p, and 1080i since the TV supports all of those.  Should I also set it for 480i?  Will my image be too sharp if I enable the High resolutions?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Ummon]

Play around with it and see.

[deadpool18]

ummm, thanks for your help...

[TOK]

ummm, thanks for your help...

 

I can't offer much help because my TV is 480i only... I set my component adapter for 480i, the Windows desktop resolution to 640x480 and set the custom resolution in MaLa 640x420. I have the same card, and the good thing about it is that you can pop in those oddball resolutions and it can do them without a helper app like Powerstrip.

[deadpool18]

Well, I'm hoping to avoid overscan while still getting a nice, sharp image.  I'm going to try it at 720p, 1024x768.  I'd like to have the option of playing "arcadey" pc games like Hamsterball at higher resolutions.

I'll post my tests when the card arrives!

[Ummon]

ummm, thanks for your help...

The things are, you're wanting to do such a range of resolutions and such, and you've already purchased it, best to get your legs wet, then come back and share, etc. Yeah?

[deadpool18]

Just got the card, and a lot of tweaking needed!  I've been fiddling with this quite a bit, and the card and the TV seem to be fighting each other every step of the way.  The good news though, is that the image looks fantastic!  Probably the best that I can expect from this TV.

This is what I have so far:

720p dip switch on dongle (720p looked better than 1080i and 480p was huge!) Note: I didn't want to mess with the service menu, because I already adjusted the TV for the PS3 (had major overscan at the top) and I'm very happy with the way it displays PS3 games.  As a result, their is some underscan at the top of the screen with the PC, but I'm cool with it.  It is worth the trade off.

Desktop initially set to 1024 x 768

Used Catalyst to adjust the resolution so that everything fit on the screen.  The result is a strange resolution (1184 x 676) but it fits nicely!

Mame set to D3D, 1024 x 768, 32 bit color ***strange problem though:  I'm running three different older versions of Mame because I have roms that work on one version, and not the other.  I sure wish I could fix all of my roms so that they ran on just one of them!  I've heard about clrmame, but it seems confusing.  Anyhow, the two oldest versions work great, but the newest version that I have, .116, squishes all of the games to the center of the screen!  I had to turn off enforce aspect ratio, and enable the GameEx vertical bezel in order for the games to fill the screen.  The GameEx bezel actually prevents the vertical games from being stretched across the screen, since enforce aspect ratio had to be set to off.  The horizontal games looked fine, and filled the screen.  I wish I knew why the older Mame's work fine without having to do this!

Fusion, Nestopia, ZSNES, set to 640 x 480 (otherwise, for some reason they wouldn't fit the screen right)

Project 64 set to 1184 x676. Although this still puts the image in a letterbox, the bump in resolution looks great compared to 640 x 480.

Unfortunately, Hamsterball has to be run at 640 x 480, otherwise at 1024 x 768, it just runs in a smaller box in the center of the screen.

Overall everything looks great other than some of the weird issues noted above.  Most of the games look the best I have seen them outside of the arcade.  Specifically, classics like Robotron, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug, Galaga, etc. Or, newer Capcom fighters like Street Fighter 2.  Some games like The Simpsons, The Legend of Kage, and Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles look a little bit blocky.  Although, I seem to remember That The Simpsons looked a little blocky in the arcade...

Anyhow, if anyone wants more info, or has any tips based upon the above, let me know!

[Ummon]

Now see? I don't think I've seen anyone post such experience with that set-up.

[deadpool18]

Now see? I don't think I've seen anyone post such experience with that set-up.

  Ha, Ha, O.K. I'll give you that!