Viewing Issue Advanced Details
ID Category [?] Severity [?] Reproducibility Date Submitted Last Update
01803 Interface Minor Always May 15, 2008, 15:53 May 16, 2008, 03:16
Tester Machone View Status Public Platform MAME (Official Binary)
Assigned To Resolution Unable to reproduce OS Windows XP/Vista 64-bit
Status [?] Closed Driver
Version 0.125u1 Fixed in Version Build Normal
Fixed in Git Commit Github Pull Request #
Summary 01803: Possible issue with prescale option under Vista.
Description This could well be a graphics driver bug, but if it's a MAME bug then it's an important one, so I think it's worth a post.

When '-video d3d' and 'prescale 2' or higher are enabled under Vista I get a weird effect on scrolling games. It seems as though when the scrolling graphics hit a certain horizontal line on the screen the last line drawn gets doubled, which gives the appearance of a continual tear on one fixed horizontal display line. This doesn't happen using XP, but occurs in both the 32 and 64 bit builds under Vista. It's only really noticeable during continuously smooth scrolling games. Note, everything's fine with '-prescale 0' or '-prescale 1'.

The best test I could come up with was using Paperboy's playfield test as this allows for a continuous scrolling background. In the attached picture you can see the doubled line running through the middle of the 'hello' mat all the way through to the kerb.

Hopefully someone can confirm whether this is a MAME issue or not. Btw, I am using an Nvidia 8800GTS graphics card with the latest drivers.
Steps To Reproduce on Windows Vista:
launch MAME using:
mame paperboy -nofilter -effect none -prescale 2 -video d3d -triplebuffer
hit F2 to enter service mode
push key 2 until you enter 'Scrolling Playfield Test'
Hold down either the up or down arrow keys to scroll the screen
Look carefully for any weird line doubling happening at a specific point on the screen. It's quite subtle, so look closely.
Additional Information
Github Commit
Flags
Regression Version
Affected Sets / Systems
Attached Files
png file icon Untitled3.png (3,126 bytes) May 15, 2008, 15:53
Relationships
There are no relationship linked to this issue.
Notes
3
User avatar
No.00970
Tafoid
Administrator
May 15, 2008, 19:23
I've tried to duplicate with your command above and I do not notice any oddness.
Windows 2000, Radeon 9600 Pro, 32-bit build - looks fine. Left open for more user observation.

The "-effect 0" flag is not required.. unless you have a 0.png file you are using, otherwise you get the error: Unable to load PNG file '0.png'.
User avatar
No.00972
Machone
Tester
May 15, 2008, 19:41
Thanks for testing but I believe that if this is an issue, it's a Vista only issue. As for the -effect command, I should've put '-effect none' - it's important to test this without filters or effects as they'll obscure the problem.
User avatar
No.00985
Fujix
Administrator
May 16, 2008, 03:16
edited on: May 16, 2008, 03:18
This is not a bug.
You run MAME with -nofilter, but your PC display or MAME window don't match the game resolution (512x384 in paperboy, 1024x768 with -prescale 2), MAME tries to insert or draw some lines to fit your display.

You should use -prescale along with -filter to minimize the blurring of stretch.

Closing report.