This post is to flesh out the documentation for using the newly-merged 15 khz resolution-switching functionality implemented by Alphanu. Once it’s polished up and ready to go, we’ll copy it over to the official documentation site.
Ok, So lets start with the system functionality, currently this is working on windows but with the need of CRTEmudriver and some specific modelines installed.
This will work on windows XP - 10 the one and most important things here is the graphics card. This must be an ATI, any ATI graphics card will work up to but not including the R models (the very latest cards).
We will also need a scart to vga adapter I have linked to possibilities below but others will work.
http://arcadeforge.net/UMSA/UMSA-Ultimate-SCART-Adapter::57.html?language=en
https://www.tesco.com/direct/scart-to-vga-syncblaster-cable/673-5671.prd?source=others
Setup is pretty simple. Have a version of windows installed, install CRTEmudriver and restart. On the first try of installing CRTEmudriver it will need you to restart and then run the installer once again. This is done because windows needs to be set to test mode. CRTEmudriver does this for you.
Once installed you need to run Vmmaker, this is where we install the mode-lines. You will need to edit an .ini file by adding the mode lines needed. We should include an .ini file for download, this will have all the resolutions needed.
Vmmaker has quite a few options, so here we will click on edit settings. For ease we will choose Arcade 15khz in the pull down menu (you can add other ones and edit them but that will be for advanced users).
Next we need to click on user modes, In here we need to make sure that static is selected and not dynamic. Then click browse and locate your .ini with the mode-lines and load it.
Finally click OK to exit the settings, then generate the mode lines by pressing the generate button and then click install. Now unplug your monitor and plug in your TV using the scart to VGA.
Now that everything is setup it will be a case of enabling the option with in Retroarch and playing.
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Well I’d already started on a guide so maybe a mix of all of these would be an idea:
Purpose
This feature is for users with CRT TVs and monitors which can handle 15khz video (most consumer TVs and arcade monitors, some older multisync computer monitors). It allows the emulators to output the correct video resolutions and refresh rates as the original consoles and arcade hardware did. This allows for a much better representation of how the original games looked and greatly impoves the emulation experience.
Warning: It should also work fine on an LCD capable of handling 15khz signals but this is untested and not recommended for the best possible experience.
Requirements
For the easiest way to get up and running you will need CRTemudriver installed under windows and have a list of custom resolutions installed:
insert resolutions here
These should be saved in a text file (suggest calling this retroarch-super.txt to keep things simple).
Tip: If you need to install CRTemudriver there are guides available here: https://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=295 may be best to have a guide here as the process may be slightly different?
Once installed we need to load vmmaker and install our modes from our text file. Click on the “Edit Settings” icon and click on the “User modes” tab. Now select our text file and click the static modes radio button then click ok to close the dialog box. Finally click install modes and all going well you should now have the correct modes installed and be ready to go.
There are other ways to install super resolutions but they are not recommended over CRTemudriver.
Now it’s time to set up retroarch. Simply load it up, go to settings > video and enable CRT Super Resolutions and at the bottom of this page, turn of Bilinear Filtering. Then make sure integer scale is off.
Tip: Gameboy advance and other similar, smaller resolutions require integer scale to be turned on, a core override should be saved for these systems.
Emulator setup
Most emulators require certain settings enabled or disabled to look correct and generate the correct resolution. Here’s a list of emulators and options you will need to set in order to get the best results. This assumes a clean retroarch install:
Mednafen PSX Overscan off
Mednafen Saturn Last PAL line 279
Genesis Plus GX Borders Full
incomplete
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CRT 15Khz Resolution Switching
CRT Switch res will turn on, on the fly. However, you will need to restart retroarch to disable it. With CRT SwitchRes enable Retroarch will start in 2560 x 480 @ 60.
If you are running windows, before enabling the CRT SwitchRes options pleasae make sure you have installed CRTEmudriver and installed some modelines. The minimum modelins for all games to switch correctly are:
2560 x 192 @ 60.000000
2560 x 200 @ 60.000000
2560 x 240 @ 60.000000
2560 x 224 @ 60.000000
2560 x 237 @ 60.000000
2560 x 256 @ 50.000000
2560 x 254 @ 55.000000
2560 x 448 @ 60.000000
2560 x 480 @ 60.000000
Install these modelines replacing 2560 with your desired super resuloution. The above resolutions are NTSC only so if you would be playing any PAL content please add pal modelines:
2560 x 192 @ 50.000000
2560 x 200 @ 50.000000
2560 x 240 @ 50.000000
2560 x 224 @ 50.000000
2560 x 288 @ 50.000000
2560 x 237 @ 50.000000
2560 x 254 @ 55.000000
2560 x 448 @ 50.000000
2560 x 480 @ 50.000000
Some games will require heigher PAL resolutions which should also be installed:
2560 x 512 @ 50.000000
2560 x 576 @ 50.000000
Ideally install all these modelines and everything will work great.
Super Resolutions The default super resolution is 2560. It is displayed just under the CRT switch option, which can be found in video settings. This can be changed within the retroarch.cfg. The only compatible resolutions are 1920, 2560 and 3840. Any other resolutions will be ignored and native swithing will be activated.
Native Resolutions If native reolutions are activeted you will need a whole new set of modelines:
512 x 240 @ 50.006977 SNESpal
512 x 224 @ 50.006977 SNESpal
512 x 448 @ 50.006977 SNESpal
512 x 240 @ 60.098812 SNESntsc
512 x 224 @ 60.098812 SNESntsc
512 x 448 @ 60.098812 SNESntsc
256 x 240 @ 50.006977 SNESpal
256 x 448 @ 50.006977 SNESpal
256 x 240 @ 60.098812 SNESntsc
256 x 448 @ 60.098812 SNESntsc
320 x 240 @ 59.922745 MDntsc
320 x 448 @ 59.922745 MDntp
320 x 480 @ 59.922745 MDntsc
256 x 192 @ 59.922745 MDntsc
320 x 224 @ 59.922745 MDntsc
256 x 224 @ 59.922745 MDntsc
320 x 288 @ 49.701458 MDpal
320 x 576 @ 49.701458 MDpal
256 x 192 @ 49.701458 MDpal
320 x 224 @ 49.701458 MDpal
320 x 240 @ 49.701458 MDpal
320 x 448 @ 49.701458 MDpal
320 x 480 @ 49.701458 MDpal
256 x 224 @ 49.701458 MDpal
256 x 288 @ 49.701458 MSYSpal
256 x 240 @ 60.098812 NESntsc
256 x 240 @ 50.006977 NESpal
640 x 480 @ 60.130001 N64ntsc
640 x 237 @ 60.130001 N64ntsc
640 x 240 @ 60.130001 N64ntsc
640 x 480 @ 50.000000 N64pal
640 x 576 @ 50.000000 n64pal
640 x 288 @ 50.000000 n64pal
256 x 252 @ 49.759998 PSXpal
384 x 252 @ 49.759998 PSXpal
640 x 540 @ 49.759998 PSXpal
320 x 252 @ 49.759998 PSXpal
640 x 252 @ 49.759998 PSXpal
384 x 240 @ 59.941002 PSXntsc
256 x 480 @ 59.941002 PSXntsc
352 x 240 @ 59.820000 Saturn/SGFX_NTSCp
704 x 240 @ 59.820000 SaturnNTSCp
352 x 480 @ 59.820000 SaturnNTSCi
704 x 480 @ 59.820000 SaturnNTSCi
352 x 288 @ 49.701458 SaturnPALp
704 x 288 @ 49.701458 SaturnPALp
352 x 576 @ 49.701458 SaturnPALi
704 x 576 @ 49.701458 SaturnPALi
240 x 160 @ 59.730000 GBA
320 x 200 @ 60.000000 Doom
// Arcade
400 x 254 @ 54.706841 MK 384 x 224 @ 59.637405 CPS1 These modelines are more acurate giving exact hz. However, some games may have unwanted results. This is due to mid-scanline resolution chages on the orgiginal hardware. For the best results super resolutions are the way to go.
CRT resolution switching & Mame Some arecade resolutions can be alot different. There is resolution detection to ensure mame games will be diplayed in the closest available resolution but drawn at their native resolution within this resolution. Meaning that the mame game will look just like the original hardware.
Mame roms that run in a vertical aspect like DoDonPach! I have incorporated a detection to switch these to a horizontal 480i. Once the game is rotated within mame it with switch back to the correct game resolution.
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Need to a a foot note here.
Due to the implementation of Linux the boot resolution of Retroarch has now changed. If you are using super resolutions this will not effect you. However, if you are going native you’ll need to add 704x480@60 As one of your modlines one Vmmaker.
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