E-UAE (Linux & Mac): are smooth and synced graphics & sound possible at the same time?

[gaula92]

Hello there!

Since I am currently working near Madrid, I had to left my trusty Amiga 1200 in Salamanca...So I am on the emulation side of the Amiga for a while: a curious side, to say the least.

I am using the last public version of E-UAE for MAC OSX, running on both 10.4.11(PPC) and 10.5.x(Intel) machines, and I am having some serious trouble here: I am also using OpenGL accelerated graphics, cycle-exact emulation, v-sync on, perfect sound settings...but I can't get perfect sound & video at the same time!

-If I set a refresh rate of 50HZ, I DO get perfect scroll in demos/games, smooth as silk, but sound has gasps that can't be fixed by increasing the sound buffer. I think it's because 50Hz is not enough to fill in every "sound frame", so to say, and the sound chips needs a veery little higher refresh rate.

-If I seg a refresh rate of 50.169Hz, I get perfect sound, with no gasps at all (sound emulation in e-uae is truly awesome), but video seems to skip ocassional frames, once every few seconds. I think PAL refresh rates expected by the chipset is no 50HZ, but a bit higher.

I've tried A LOT of values between 50.0Hz and 50.169Hz, with no luck: some of the values give gasps in sound, and other give skippy framerate, some steps away from the perfect smooth graphics of the real Amiga.

Of course, those problems are for chipset games/demos: no complains about Picasso96 desktop system.

With NTSC chipset emulation, and refresh rates of 60-60.3Hz, I have the same issues: lower values tend to give me smooth graphics and sound gasps, while higher ones give perfect sound and ocassional frameskip.

Can you give me some advice here, pleae? I know you guys know you amigas very well and must know what video modes can be set and used in e-uae for perfect sound/graphics sync, if it can be done at all (I have my doubts).

PD: I can set any custom video mode with SwitchResX, a Mac OSX tool. FrameSkippping is off in e-uae, etc...
Configuration generated with the latest HI-TORO, and verified by myself.
The "native" resolution of 720x576@50-60Hz seems to work in my monitor, with the problems I mentioned.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Try using some preconfig program like Gamebase Amiga, Amikit, AIAB, AmigaSYS or something like that (I always use Lemonade, but that's windows only AFAIK)

[gaula92]

Thanks, Speelgoedmannetje, but that has nothing to do with what I am saying, I think.

I am NOT having problems with desktop, but with chipset demos/games. Those preconfigured systems with picasso96 drivers won't fix the fact that my chipset-mode resolution/refresh rate isn't optimal for perfect sound/smooth graphics IN CHIPSET MODE. Don't mix things up: chipset resolutions/frequencies are a TOTALLY DIFFERENT matter from desktop(picasso) modes!

Can anybody really help, please?

[TjLaZer]

If anyone is running E-UAE on an intel Mac, I finally got a fast working intel binary working.  I Had to add the Frameworks folder from one version to another (that has CAPS support) to get it to work, see this site:

http://simplyamiga.com/blog/?p=3

This new version runs a lot faster than another Universal Binary version I had tried...

http://e-uae.de.vu/

[gaula92]

Thanks, TjLaZer, but that's not a solution: I tried your version and, of course, graphics/sound problems are the same.

I need the knowledge of someone who fully understands the refresh rates expected by the emulated chipset in E-UAE...

[Speelgoedmannetje]

It's not about picasso drivers or whatever, these packages contain the exact A500 and A1200 configurations. This includes how things are buffered etcetera. Just give it a go, and THEN come back when things don't work.
Trust me, I've had these kinda problems too.

[gaula92]

IT IS about graphics: I said Picasso96 modes seem to work well. I understand you're trying to help me, but that's not the way: I've been trying AMIGASYS4 and, as I told you, I am not having problems with PICASSO96 modes, but I DO have issues with chipset modes.

When I enter a chipset mode (to play games/demos: in fact, WHDLOAD enters those modes automatically, as you should know) the graphics settings ARE NOT THE ONES FOR THE DESKTOP/PICASSO96, but the ones configured in E-UAE for chipset graphics display: THEY ARE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS: Picasso96 modes are the modes available in the native graphics of my computer: CHIPSET GRAPHICS ARE EMULATED GRAPHICS MODES WITH PRECISSE TIMING, different from the system graphics PICASSO96 relies on....

Sorry to ask again, but I hav read some other users compaining about those little frameskips: I believe there are amiga(NATIVE) graphics experts around who can really help me with this.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

gaula92 wrote:
When I enter a chipset mode (to play games/demos: in fact, WHDLOAD enters those modes automatically,

Get AIAB, and try booting an .ADF game using the A500 configuration. I got distortion too with using WHDLoad in AmiKit, but not when using such an A500 configuration. I don't know how to fix that as for yet.

[gaula92]

@Speelgoedmannetje:

That's a total nonsense:

1)AIAB does NOT include an A500 configuration: it only has a default.uae for an expanded 1200 machine.

2)That configuration doesn't even use openGL for full screen modes stretching as it is, or full screen for CHIPSET MODES at all: it's plagued with WinUAE options, too, and even if it's imported with HI-TORO most of the settings are outdated, as I have verified by personally looking at it. I AM NOT IN WINDOWS.

Look, Speelgoedmannetje: I believe you are trying to help me, but I think you can't tell chipset modes from picasso modes, you can't tell HOW SMOOTH TRUE AMIGA CHIPSET GRAPHICS ARE for scroll routines, and with all those strange solutions I am wasting A LOT of time.
It's NOT A MATTER OF MAGIC: it doesn't work better just because you use some outdated pre-configured desktop ambient, or bloated windows-like setup: it's about monitor frequencies and expected timings of the emulated chipset.

Please, someone with a good knowledge of E-UAE and how it works on UNIX/LINUX hardware, with OpenGL and adjustable screen frequencies: how can I archieve smooth graphics and sound at the same time? Please, read my explanations above.
I am sure someone has encountered the same problems with e-uae! You can't all be that blind, guys...

Thanks!

[bloodline]

@gaula92

Hmm... I can get WinUAE to sync perfectly at 50Hz fullscreen, and that gives perfect scrolling and audio... I'm not that anally retentive about my gfx, so I've not really played around with the Setting in E-UAE on my Mac much... But just selecting the usual option + OpenGL gives me as good as perfect that I can see... I'll have a play later and see what I can get...

[gaula92]

Thanks, Bloodline! That would be good: can you test both NTSC and PAL chipset modes, please?
If you can give me refresh rate configuration for the modes you're using (I mean, the modes you're using for chipset modes emulation: the ones specified in E-UAE config, not the ones for a Picasso desktop), it will be usefull, too.
I am not testing this on one machine, but in three different machines: two MACS and a Linux X86 machine, too, with the same results.

Please use some horizontal scrolling demos/games to test this. Thanks!

[Speelgoedmannetje]

gaula92 wrote:
@Speelgoedmannetje:

That's a total nonsense:

1)AIAB does NOT include an A500 configuration: it only has a default.uae for an expanded 1200 machine.

Then I don't know where I got that A500 configuration from, but here's the contents of my A500.UAE file:

config_description=Amiga 500
config_hardware=true
config_host=true
config_version=1.1.1
config_hardware_path=
config_host_path=
win32.rom_path=roms\
win32.floppy_path=./
win32.hardfile_path=./
win32.middle_mouse=true
win32.logfile=false
win32.map_drives=false
win32.map_net_drives=false
win32.serial_port=none
win32.parallel_port=none
win32.active_priority=1
win32.inactive_priority=1
win32.inactive_nosound=false
win32.inactive_pause=false
win32.iconified_priority=1
win32.iconified_nosound=true
win32.iconified_pause=true
win32.ctrl_f11_is_quit=true
win32.midiout_device=0
win32.midiin_device=0
win32.no_overlay=false
win32.uaescsimode=SPTI
win32.soundcard=0
win32.cpu_idle=0
win32.notaskbarbutton=false
win32.always_on_top=false
win32.no_recyclebin=false
win32.specialkey=0xcf
win32.kbledmode=0
use_gui=no
use_debugger=false
kickstart_rom_file=G:\Emulators\Amiga\Roms\Kickstart v1.3 rev 34.5 (1987)(Commodore)(A500-A1000-A2000-CDTV)

• .rom

kickstart_ext_rom_file=
flash_file=
cart_file=
kickshifter=false
floppy0=df0.adf
floppy0type=0
floppy0sound=1
floppy1=df1.adf
floppy1type=0
floppy1sound=1
floppy2=df2.adf
floppy2type=-1
floppy2sound=1
floppy3=df3.adf
floppy3type=-1
floppy3sound=1
nr_floppies=2
floppy_speed=100
floppy_volume=70
parallel_on_demand=false
serial_on_demand=false
serial_hardware_ctsrts=true
serial_direct=false
scsi=false
sound_output=exact
sound_bits=16
sound_channels=stereo
sound_stereo_separation=7
sound_stereo_mixing_delay=0
sound_max_buff=16384
sound_frequency=44100
sound_interpol=none
sound_adjust=5
sound_filter=emulated
sound_volume=0
comp_trustbyte=indirect
comp_trustword=indirect
comp_trustlong=indirect
comp_trustnaddr=indirect
comp_nf=true
comp_constjump=true
comp_oldsegv=false
comp_flushmode=soft
compforcesettings=true
compfpu=true
comp_midopt=false
comp_lowopt=false
avoid_cmov=false
avoid_dga=false
avoid_vid=false
cachesize=0
joyport0=mouse
joyport1=kbd1
bsdsocket_emu=false
synchronize_clock=no
maprom=0x0
parallel_postscript_emulation=no
parallel_postscript_detection=no
ghostscript_parameters=
parallel_autoflush=5
gfx_display=0
gfx_framerate=1
gfx_width=720
gfx_height=568
gfx_width_windowed=720
gfx_height_windowed=568
gfx_width_fullscreen=640
gfx_height_fullscreen=480
gfx_refreshrate=0
gfx_vsync=false
gfx_lores=false
gfx_linemode=double
gfx_correct_aspect=true
gfx_fullscreen_amiga=false
gfx_fullscreen_picasso=false
gfx_center_horizontal=smart
gfx_center_vertical=smart
gfx_colour_mode=16bit
gfx_filter=no
gfx_filter_vert_zoom=0
gfx_filter_horiz_zoom=0
gfx_filter_vert_offset=0
gfx_filter_horiz_offset=0
gfx_filter_scanlines=0
gfx_filter_scanlinelevel=0
gfx_filter_scanlineratio=17
immediate_blits=false
ntsc=false
genlock=false
show_leds=false
keyboard_leds=numlock:POWER,capslock:DF0,scrolllock:DF1
chipset=ocs
chipset_refreshrate=0
collision_level=playfields
fastmem_size=0
a3000mem_size=0
z3mem_size=0
bogomem_size=2
gfxcard_size=0
chipmem_size=1
cpu_speed=real
cpu_type=68000
cpu_compatible=true
cpu_cycle_exact=false
blitter_cycle_exact=false
log_illegal_mem=false
catweasel=0
kbd_lang=us
state_replay=no
state_replay_rate=250
state_replay_buffer=20971520
input.config=0
input.joymouse_speed_analog=20
input.joymouse_speed_digital=10
input.joymouse_deadzone=33
input.joystick_deadzone=33
input.mouse_speed=100
input.autofire=10
input.1.mouse.0.disabled=0
input.1.mouse.0.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.1.mouse.0.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.1.mouse.0.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.1.mouse.0.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.0.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.0.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.0.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.1.mouse.0.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.1.mouse.1.disabled=1
input.1.mouse.1.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.1.mouse.1.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.1.mouse.1.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.1.mouse.1.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.1.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.1.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.1.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.1.mouse.1.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.1.mouse.2.disabled=1
input.1.mouse.2.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.1.mouse.2.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.1.mouse.2.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.1.mouse.2.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.2.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.2.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.2.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.1.mouse.2.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.1.mouse.3.disabled=1
input.1.mouse.3.axis.0=MOUSE2_HORIZ.0
input.1.mouse.3.axis.1=MOUSE2_VERT.0
input.1.mouse.3.button.0=JOY2_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.3.button.1=JOY2_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.3.button.2=JOY2_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.4.disabled=1
input.1.mouse.4.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.1.mouse.4.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.1.mouse.4.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.1.mouse.4.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.4.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.4.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.1.mouse.4.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.1.mouse.4.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.2.mouse.0.disabled=0
input.2.mouse.0.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.2.mouse.0.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.2.mouse.0.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.2.mouse.0.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.0.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.0.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.0.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.2.mouse.0.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.2.mouse.1.disabled=1
input.2.mouse.1.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.2.mouse.1.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.2.mouse.1.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.2.mouse.1.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.1.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.1.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.1.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.2.mouse.1.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.2.mouse.2.disabled=1
input.2.mouse.2.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.2.mouse.2.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.2.mouse.2.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.2.mouse.2.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.2.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.2.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.2.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.2.mouse.2.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.2.mouse.3.disabled=1
input.2.mouse.3.axis.0=MOUSE2_HORIZ.0
input.2.mouse.3.axis.1=MOUSE2_VERT.0
input.2.mouse.3.button.0=JOY2_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.3.button.1=JOY2_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.3.button.2=JOY2_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.4.disabled=1
input.2.mouse.4.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.2.mouse.4.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.2.mouse.4.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.2.mouse.4.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.4.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.4.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.2.mouse.4.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.2.mouse.4.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.3.mouse.0.disabled=0
input.3.mouse.0.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.3.mouse.0.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.3.mouse.0.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.3.mouse.0.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.0.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.0.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.0.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.3.mouse.0.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.3.mouse.1.disabled=1
input.3.mouse.1.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.3.mouse.1.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.3.mouse.1.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.3.mouse.1.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.1.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.1.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.1.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.3.mouse.1.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.3.mouse.2.disabled=1
input.3.mouse.2.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.3.mouse.2.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.3.mouse.2.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.3.mouse.2.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.2.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.2.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.2.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.3.mouse.2.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.3.mouse.3.disabled=1
input.3.mouse.3.axis.0=MOUSE2_HORIZ.0
input.3.mouse.3.axis.1=MOUSE2_VERT.0
input.3.mouse.3.button.0=JOY2_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.3.button.1=JOY2_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.3.button.2=JOY2_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.4.disabled=1
input.3.mouse.4.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.3.mouse.4.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.3.mouse.4.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.3.mouse.4.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.4.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.4.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.3.mouse.4.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.3.mouse.4.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.4.mouse.0.disabled=0
input.4.mouse.0.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.4.mouse.0.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.4.mouse.0.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.4.mouse.0.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.0.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.0.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.0.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.4.mouse.0.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.4.mouse.1.disabled=1
input.4.mouse.1.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.4.mouse.1.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.4.mouse.1.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.4.mouse.1.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.1.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.1.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.1.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.4.mouse.1.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.4.mouse.2.disabled=1
input.4.mouse.2.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.4.mouse.2.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.4.mouse.2.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.4.mouse.2.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.2.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.2.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.2.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.4.mouse.2.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0
input.4.mouse.3.disabled=1
input.4.mouse.3.axis.0=MOUSE2_HORIZ.0
input.4.mouse.3.axis.1=MOUSE2_VERT.0
input.4.mouse.3.button.0=JOY2_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.3.button.1=JOY2_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.3.button.2=JOY2_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.4.disabled=1
input.4.mouse.4.axis.0=MOUSE1_HORIZ.0
input.4.mouse.4.axis.1=MOUSE1_VERT.0
input.4.mouse.4.axis.2=MOUSE1_WHEEL.0
input.4.mouse.4.button.0=JOY1_FIRE_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.4.button.1=JOY1_2ND_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.4.button.2=JOY1_3RD_BUTTON.0
input.4.mouse.4.button.3=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_LEFT.0
input.4.mouse.4.button.4=KEY_ALT_LEFT.0,KEY_CURSOR_RIGHT.0

I'm sure you'll be able to alter this file to work correctly on E-UAE.