Windows 7 does not output analog video correctly to CRT TV

[Snayperskaya]

Hiya. I've spent the last couple days putting together a fairly OK PC for basic emulation, which consist of: Core 2 Duo E7500, 4GB DDR2, Radeon HD4670 512MB. A CVI SD TV (It's a old 20' CRT) is plugged at the S-VIDEO port. by a cable like this (7-pin S-VIDEO):

It was running Windows XP on before and the videocard was correctly outputting (as in I could use any resolution, just like a CRT monitor) to the TV. 800x600, 1024x768 and even higher would get scaled properly (some higher resolutions would result in screen elements being cut, but would work without crapping out like CRT monitors did when outta their range.

 

Windows 7 have a serious issue, though: The videocard only outputs very basic resolutions (720x480p is max) and I'm limited to 25/29Hz. While it may be better from a pixel fidelity point of view, it doesn't play nice with emulators VSYNC since all resolutions are limited to a low refresh rate, so I have to endure plenty stuttering. Weird thing is: Once the emulator is at fullscreen, it reaches 60Hz after a while (checked at Retroarch's menu), also when reinstalling a video driver, the screen seems to try to go to the XP-like behavior, but it just flicks and goes back to the low-res mode.

 

What I've tried, so far:

The three drivers ATi have at their site (with and without Catalyst - couldn't find a way to force the CRT to work as a standard monitor and whatever I tried ended up in very flickey screen on resolutions that were working);

Apps that force/add resolutions (which seemingly didn't work);

 

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[VACRMH]

Just glancing at your post, have you tried CRT_Emudriver?

Or you could always use an Extron Emotia, which will downscale to a resolution your CRT can use - http://retrorgb.com/emotia.html

[Snayperskaya]

6 minutes ago, VACRMH said:

Just glancing at your post, have you tried CRT_Emudriver?

Or you could always use an Extron Emotia, which will downscale to a resolution your CRT can use - http://retrorgb.com/emotia.html

I've tried it, but it just made my CRT became undetectable.

[VACRMH]

It seems like each method has it's ups and downs. I ended up just getting the Super Emotia cause it was much easier for me.

There's a step by step guide to get crt_emudriver working, maybe this will help? http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?id=298

[Snayperskaya]

Tried both 1.2b and 2.0 beta. 1.2b didn't work, still could choose only from default resolutions and 2.0 gave me a blue tinted screen and 720x480 @60 Hz can't be selected for Windows usage - I am able to choose from 800x600 @75Hz or 1024x768@ 60Hz.

[VACRMH]

Odd, and you did the part where it scans MAME and adds the various resolutions?

Wish I could be more helpful, it was a pain for me to get set up as well. Try posting on that forum there too.

 

[Snayperskaya]

Yup, used that tool, selected NTSC TV from the list, created the resolutions and imported them. Dunno if you are supposed to have the ability to use them on Windows, though (it should, but anyways), but I couldn't select any of them.

On a fresh Windows 7 install (using default drivers for everything) the 60Hz option for 720x480 is there, but my screen garbles when i try switching to it. I'd just like to have the same behaviour Windows XP have, since it's much more pratical to be able to choose between normal resolutions @60Hz and above and having emulators set and use 720x480p @ 60Hz. Tried Kega on XP and it worked flawlessly - just like a real console. No tearing whatsoever with VSYNC on.

[VACRMH]

Another good place to check out is the shmups forum http://shmups.system11.org/

But if you can get your hands on a Super Emotia, try that too, a lot easier to use IMO.

[Snayperskaya]

Thanks. I'll take a look.