Question about the multicades...refresh rates

dmarcum99

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I've been scratching my head about the multicades...the monitors and refresh rates.

Do the multicades play the agames at their native refresh rate(s) or do they convert all the games to a fixed rate?

I'm under the impression that the boards are basically using a mame-like emulation...and I've always had hitching and tearing in games even when using soft15khz in my MAME cab. Even in advancemame, if you're not dead-nuts on the modeline, you'll get the hitches...

Since I've never played a multicade board, how do they perform in regards to native refresh rates? Does they use a different set of modelines when hooked up to VGA instead of a CGA arcade monitor?

Thinking about a bartop multicade, but on the fence to go mulitcade board or go groovymame (linux live-cd) and mini-itx PC
 
Here's what I'm thinking, I hope you understand.

If you're the type that's kind of picky about that, you're NOT going to be happy with that board, because it has lots of little minor flaws that will end up bugging the hell out of you, since you're kind of picky to begin with.

See what i'm saying? For instance the sound on some of the games is WAY off, like Gyruss is super distorted.

To most people, that doesn't really matter... but since the scanlines bother you, and you're able to notice stuff like that, you're going to have a conniption fit with all the little bugs on these boards.
 
Here's what I'm thinking, I hope you understand.

If you're the type that's kind of picky about that, you're NOT going to be happy with that board, because it has lots of little minor flaws that will end up bugging the hell out of you, since you're kind of picky to begin with.

See what i'm saying? For instance the sound on some of the games is WAY off, like Gyruss is super distorted.

To most people, that doesn't really matter... but since the scanlines bother you, and you're able to notice stuff like that, you're going to have a conniption fit with all the little bugs on these boards.

I agree. I have a multi and most people don't know the difference. However some of my hard core arcade buddies come over and they spot things here and there on the games.
 
Thanks for the input!

I did get stupid with trying to achieve proper emulation. I spent countless hours in advancemame tweaking modelines only to be left half-satisfied. I could get the screen resolution dialed in, but the refresh rate was always a tad off. I am so thankful I found groovymame. My upright multicade has this installed (linux live-cd) and I have a nec xm29 for the monitor. Outside of the games that have emulation-related bugs, I have no hitches whatsoever...perfect example would be MK. When the player faces scroll downward, normally you get the tearing/hitching...not with groovymame. Smooth like butter.

I'm suprised no one has asked for permission for the author's work and incorporated it into a new multicade board...it would dominate!

On a side note, my scratch-built multicade has caused me to buy original uprights....I now own a Simpsons Bowling cab (MAME emulation still not 100%) & a Midway Skins game.

Sorry I rambled...looks like you saved me about $80 Your input was certainly appreciated.
 
I'm picky. I've ended up using a Double Dragon cab (has rotatable 19" monitor) and original boards with jamma adapters to play the games I care about that I don't have machines for. The only modern multigame board that isn't running on original hardware that feels right to me is the JROK multiwilliams, although I haven't tried Clay Cowgill's stuff yet.

I spent a bunch of one on Mame and gave up. Fixing it woud feel too much like work. :)
 
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