Batocera 15kHz Video Output

This Guide would not have been possible without the following people to name a few.

• jfroco's work to output Batocera on a Crts.
• rtissera's knowledge, enthusiasm and willingness to add 15khz patches.
• Calamity for his knowledge, drivers, tools, GroovyMame.
• D0023R Doozer continued work at adding 15khz to the linux kernel.

To achieve this on your setup, the following elements are needed :

• Wired Network Connection
• AMD/ATI/INTEL card with VGA or DVI-I connection
• Analog connection to your CRT/Monitor
• VGA → Scart/BNC/Component
• DVI-I → DVI-I to VGA adapter → Scart/BNC/Component
• Putty, WinScp and Notepad++ for editing or similar software.

The first step is to be able to connect your Batocera computer to the CRT itself.

To solve this we have 4 options

• Have your Tv/Monitor turned off, or on another channel during the boot.
• Have a look at gambaman's excellent solution The ultimate VGA to SCART adapter over at BYOAC (Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum)
• Use buttersoft's passthrough dongle based on gambaman's design in the link above.
• Flash you AMD/ATI card with ATOM-15.

The first step will be to change the syslinux file to be able to use Batocera at a lower resolution. To achieve this, we need to be able to modify the boot partition:

1. Connect to Batocera using SSH. See : Access Batocera Linux via ssh for more informations.
2. Make the boot partition writable : While still connected to the Pc type mount -o remount,rw /boot

Then, we have to identify the video output we will be using

1. Get your graphics card DVI/VGA output using the following command : ls /sys/class/drm/
   • this will return something like

     card0          card0-DP-1     card0-DVI-I-1  renderD128     ttm            version

   • (In this example: DVI-I-1)
2. To make the next step a little bit easier for windows users, connect to Batocera using WinScp and install Notepad++
3. Search for the syslinux file to enable booting in low resolution
   • If legacy, the file will be at /boot/syslinux.cfg or /boot/boot/syslinux.cfg
   • If UEFI, the file will be at /boot/EFI/syslinux.cfg or /boot/EFI/BOOT/syslinux.cfg
4. Add the resolution for your graphic card output video=YourCardOutput:640x480ieS

• In our example :

  	APPEND label=BATOCERA console=tty3 quiet loglevel=0 vt.global_cursor_default=0 video=DVI-I-1:640x480ieS

For other supported boot resolutions, see the documentation here: https://github.com/D0023R/linux_kernel_15khz

Now we need to disable the displayport DP to get video exclusively out of the VGA/DVI-I port.

1. Get your graphics card DP output using the following command : ls /sys/class/drm/
   • this will return something like

     card0          card0-DP-1     card0-DVI-I-1  renderD128     ttm            version

     (in this example: card0-DP-1)

2. Get your display output using xrand : xrandr -display :0.0 | grep “connected”
   • this will return something like

     DisplayPort-0 disconnected primary (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
     DVI-0 connected 655x500+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 0mm x 0mm

     (in this example: DisplayPort-0)

3. We then need to create a config file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ named 10-monitor.conf
4. Paste these line in to the file (replace the Identifier by the values you found previously) and save.

   • Section "Monitor"
         Identifier "card0-DP-1"
         Option "Ignore" "true"
     EndSection
     
     Section "Monitor"
         Identifier "DisplayPort-0"
         Option "Ignore" "true"
     EndSection

Now we need to add the modeline “640x480i”

mount -o remount,rw /boot

This will make the partition writable so we can make the changes.

Edit

  etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

Go down to

  #####################
  ## CUSTOMISATIONS ###

Add

xrandr -display :0.0 --newmode "640x480i" 13.10 640 664 728 832 480 484 490 525 interlace -hsync -vsync
xrandr -display :0.0 --addmode DVI-0 "640x480i"

Example

 <code>  
 # xrandr -s 640x480 -r 60
 xrandr -display :0.0 --newmode "640x480i" 13.10 640 664 728 832 480 484 490 525 interlace -hsync -vsync
 xrandr -display :0.0 --addmode DVI-0 "640x480i"
 #####################
 #####################
 </code> 

—-

1. Save the changes you made to batocera so far with batocera-save-overlay : When you edit anything outside of the SHARE partition, the changes are lost when rebooting unless this command is used.
2. Reboot the system : Your are now booting up in 640x480i
3. Set your default video output to DVI-0 : MAIN MENU→SYSTEM SETTINGS→HARDWARE→VIDEO OUTPUT
4. Reboot again.

As you might have noticed there is some overscan and the picture in EmulationStation might not be centered. For this configuration you need to be able to look at your TV/Monitor directly to see the changes we are going to make.

We are going to use xrand and a funtion called –scale-from wxh xrandr --scale-from

Connect via SSH and from the terminal and type

 xrandr -display :0.0 --output DVI-0 --scale-from 640x480

Horizontal Resolution: Increasing/Decreasing this will make the image shrink or expand to the left.

Vertical Resolution: Increasing/Decreasing this will make the image shrink or expand from the bottom.

When you are satisfied with your results we need to add this setting to etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

mount -o remount,rw /boot 

This will make the partition writable so we can make the changes.

Edit

 etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

Go down to

#####################
## CUSTOMISATIONS ###

Add xrandr -display :0.0 –output DVI-0 –scale-from 640×480

Example

 # xrandr -s 640x480 -r 60
 xrandr -display :0.0 --newmode "640x480i" 13.10 640 664 728 832 480 484 490 525 interlace -hsync -vsync
 xrandr -display :0.0 --addmode DVI-0 "640x480i"
 xrandr -display :0.0 --output DVI-0 --scale-from 640x480
 #####################
 #####################

We also need to make a script so this setting persists even after exiting an Emulator. Make a folder inside

/userdata/system/

called “scripts” and name it “first_script.sh”

/userdata/system/scripts
/userdata/system/scripts/first_script.sh

first_script.sh

#!/bin/bash
#This is an example file how Events on START or STOP can be uses
#
 
#Set logfile location and filename
#logfile=/tmp/scriptlog.txt
 
#Case selection for first parameter parsed
case $1 in
#    gameStart)
#        echo "START" > $logfile
#        echo "$@" >> $logfile
#    ;;
 
    gameStop)
        xrandr -display :0.0 --output DVI-0 --mode "640x480i"
	xrandr -display :0.0 --output DVI-0 --scale-from "640x480i"
    ;;
esac

Make the script executable with chmod +x /userdata/system/scripts/first_script.sh

Explanation: When the game exit it will return to the boot resolution we set in syslinux.cfg and also recenter the image.

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

reboot

This will give you 1x pixel accuracy.

Let's start by using the same resolution in xrand –scale-from as show in the example above. In this case 640x480i

We are going to manipulate the Screen Size X, Y & Screen Position X, Y of the Emulationstation window.

mount -o remount,rw /boot 

This will make the partition writable so we can make the changes.

Edit

etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

Go down to

cd /userdata # es needs a PWD
openbox --config-file /etc/openbox/rc.xml --startup "emulationstation --windowed ${EXTRA_OPTS}"

add and replace to this

cd /userdata # es needs a PWD
openbox --config-file /etc/openbox/rc.xml --startup "emulationstation --windowed --screensize 640 480 --screenoffset 00 00 ${EXTRA_OPTS}"

–screensize [width] [height] = For a canvas smaller than the full resolution.

–screenoffset [x] [y] = Move the canvas by x,y pixels.

Start by loking at you picture to see if the image needs to be bigger or smaller. Change –screensize 640 480 to a higher or lower value and change accordingly.

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

reboot to see the changes. 

When you are satisfied with the result do the same for Screen Position by changing the values –screenoffset 00 00

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

reboot to see the changes. 

mount -o remount,rw /boot 

Edit

/userdata/system/batocera.conf

Add this

## Configurations generated by Batocera.linux"
global.integerscale=1
global.smooth=0
global.retroarch.menu_driver=rgui

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

Make a backup of

 /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/retroarchcustom.cfg
 /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/retroarchcustom.cfg.backup

Edit

 /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/retroarchcustom.cfg

Add

 menu_enable_widgets = "false" 

This will disable On-Screen Notifications and is optional

 menu_show_advanced_settings = "true"

Configure Libretro CRT switchres in RetroArch

Choose any libretro core and game inside Batocera using your gamepad or keyboard.

Example: Core: Atari 2600 Game: H.E.R.O.

Access the menu and configure (in this order):

Main Menu -- Settings -- Configuration -- Save Configuration on Quit [ON]  
Main Menu -- Video -- Bilinear Filtering [OFF]
Main Menu -- Video -- Scaling --Integer Scaling [ON]
Main Menu -- Video -- Scaling --Aspect ratio 4:3
Main Menu -- Video -- CRT SwitchRes -- Use custom Refresh Rate [ON]
Main Menu -- Video -- CRT SwitchRes -- CRT Super Resolution: 1920/2560/3830/Native/Dynamic (Dynamic is preferred)
Main Menu -- Video -- CRT SwitchRes -- CRT SwitchRes [ON]

It should change to 240p/480i

Now you can adjust your scaling

 Main Menu -- Video -- Scaling

Finally, save the configuration for this core:

 Quick Menu -- Overrides -- Save Core overrides

Do the same with the other libretro cores.

Right now we only have one usable modeline and that is 640x480i.

We would like to add more modelines for external Emulators like for example PS2, PSP, GameCube, Wii, Wine (PC) and so on.

To do this we are going to use a program called Switchres made by Calamity that's now apart of Batocera as of v30.

First we need to create a file named switchres.ini inside the folder /usr/bin/

From the terminal type

mount -o remount,rw /boot
nano /usr/bin/switchres.ini

Paste this into the file

#
# Switchres config
#

verbose                   0
monitor                   generic_15
crt_range0                auto
crt_range1                auto
crt_range2                auto
crt_range3                auto
crt_range4                auto
crt_range5                auto
crt_range6                auto
crt_range7                auto
crt_range8                auto
crt_range9                auto
lcd_range                 auto
modeline                  auto
user_mode                 auto


#
# Display config
#

display                   auto
api                       auto
lock_unsupported_modes    1
lock_system_modes         0
refresh_dont_care         0
keep_changes              0


#
# Modeline generation config
#
modeline_generation       1
interlace                 1
doublescan                0
dotclock_min              0
sync_refresh_tolerance    2.0
super_width               2560
aspect                    4:3
v_shift_correct           0
pixel_precision           1


#
# Custom video backend config
#
screen_compositing        0
screen_reordering         0
allow_hardware_refresh    0
custom_timing             auto

then end with crtrl+x to save and type Y then enter.

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

There are several types of Monitor types to choose from. Here is just a selected few. The one we are going to use is generic_15 that works good for a standard crt. arcade_15 is also a good alternative.

generic_15 = Generic 15.7 kHz
arcade_15 = Arcade 15.7 kHz - standard resolution
pal = PAL TV - 50 Hz/625
ntsc = NTSC TV - 60 Hz/525
arcade_15ex = Arcade 15.7-16.5 kHz - extended resolution
pc_31_120 = PC CRT 70kHz/120Hz
pc_70_120 = PC CRT 70kHz/120Hz

In this example we are going to generate the modeline 320×240@60hz

switchres 320 240 60 -i switchres.ini -c
Switchres: Modeline "320x240_60 15.660000KHz 60.000000Hz" 6.514560 320 333 364 416 240 242 245 261   -hsync -vsync

We have now generated the modeline based on our monitor preset generic_15.

Copy the modeline and save it temporarily to a text file.

Modeline "320x240_60 15.660000KHz 60.000000Hz" 6.514560 320 333 364 416 240 242 245 261   -hsync -vsync

Lets make it easier to read in EmulationStation and shorten the name.

Modeline "320x240_60" 6.514560 320 333 364 416 240 242 245 261   -hsync -vsync

Now we need to add the modeline to

etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

mount -o remount,rw /boot 

This will make the partition writable so we can make the changes.

Edit

 etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

Go down to

#####################
## CUSTOMISATIONS ###

Example

 # xrandr -s 640x480 -r 60
 xrandr -display :0.0 --newmode "320x240_60" 6.514560 320 333 364 416 240 242 245 261   -hsync -vsync
 xrandr -display :0.0 --addmode DVI-0 "320x240_60"
 xrandr -display :0.0 --newmode "640x480i" 13.10 640 664 728 832 480 484 490 525 interlace -hsync -vsync
 xrandr -display :0.0 --addmode DVI-0 "640x480i"
 xrandr -display :0.0 --output DVI-0 --scale-from 640x480
 #####################
 #####################

Finish with

batocera-save-overlay

This will save the changes we made.

reboot

Let's say you have a PC Crt Monitor and like to add the boot resolution 1024×768@60hz. This can be done by using a custom Extended Display Identification Data (EDID).

This will use the Monitor preset pc_31_120 Pc Crt 31-120hz at 1024×768@60hz

switchres 1024 768 60 -m pc_31_120 -e

The file will be named pc_31_120.bin.

• Create the folder mkdir /lib/firmware/edid/

• Move the file mv pc_31_120.bin /lib/firmware/edid/

1. Search for the syslinux file
   • If legacy, the file will be at /boot/syslinux.cfg or /boot/boot/syslinux.cfg
   • If UEFI, the file will be at /boot/EFI/syslinux.cfg or /boot/EFI/BOOT/syslinux.cfg
2. Replace the boot resolution with your edid file video=YourCardOutput:e drm.edid_firmware=YourCardOutput:edid/pc_31_120.bin
   • In our exemple :

     	APPEND label=BATOCERA console=tty3 quiet loglevel=0 vt.global_cursor_default=0 video=DVI-I-1:e drm.edid_firmware=DVI-I-1:edid/pc_31_120.bin

Here are some resolutions to use

• Calculate Resolution using Monitor generic_15
  • switchres 320 240 60 -m generic_15 -c

• Calculate Resolution using setting in switchres.ini
  • switchres 320 240 60 -i switchres.ini -c

• Calculate Resolution using setting in switchres.ini and force the generation of the modeline
  • switchres 854 480 60 -f 854×480@60 -i switchres.ini -c

• Super Resolutions
  • 2560×240@60
  • 2560×248@58
  • 2560×256@57
  • 2560×264@55
  • 2560×272@54
  • 2560×280@52
  • 2560×288@51
  • 2560×448@60
  • 2560×464@60
  • 2560×480@60
  • 2560×496@58
  • 2560×512@57
  • 2560×544@54
  • 2560×560@52

• Emulator/Wine/PC
  • 240×240@60
  • 256×192@60
  • 288×224@60
  • 320×180@60
  • 320×200@60
  • 320×240@60
  • 320×240@60i
  • 320×256@55
  • 320×256@60
  • 352×240@60
  • 360×200@60
  • 360×240@60
  • 380×284@60
  • 384×216@60
  • 384×480@60i
  • 400×240@60
  • 416×240@60
  • 426×240@60
  • 428×240@60
  • 456×256@55
  • 460×200@60
  • 464@272@50
  • 480×270@50
  • 480×270@60
  • 480×272@60
  • 512×480@60i
  • 640×240@60
  • 640×360@60
  • 640×480@60
  • 640×480@60i
  • 854×480@60i (4:3 from 16:9)

As of Batocera v30 we now have GroovyMame support.

We are now going to manually configure GroovyMame for use with a CRT.

• Go to the mame folder using the command cd /usr/bin/mame

• Generate the ini files needed ./mame -cc

• this will create the following files

  mame.ini
  plugin.ini
  ui.ini

  (Now we need to move them)

• Create the folder mkdir /userdata/system/.mame/

• Move the files mv /usr/bin/mame/*.ini /userdata/system/.mame/

• Making GroovyMame's Gui display correctly on a CRT.

mount -o remount,rw /boot

• For this we need to download a Font called Hack. (Place the folder TTF you just download in to /usr/share/fonts )

batocera-save-overlay

Now let's configure GroovyMame.

• Edit mame.ini using nano : nano /userdata/system/.mame/mame.ini or Notepad++ for example.
  • # CORE SEARCH PATH OPTIONS

    fontpath                  .

• Change it to.

• fontpath                  /usr/share/fonts/TTF/

• # CORE MISC OPTIONS

  • skip_gameinfo             0

  • uifont                    default

    (Change to)

  • skip_gameinfo             1

  • uifont                    Hack-Regular.ttf

• # OSD FULL SCREEN OPTIONS

  • modesetting               0

    (Change to)

  • modesetting               1

• Edit ui.ini using nano : nano /userdata/system/.mame/ui.ini or Notepad++ for example.
• # UI OPTIONS

  infos_text_size           0.75

  font_rows                 30

• Change it to.

  • infos_text_size           1.00

    font_rows                 19

Let's choose Mame (GroovyMame) as the default emulator for Mame roms in Batocera.

MAIN MENU→GAMES SETTINGS→DEFAULT SETTINGS→PER SYSTEM ADVANCED CONFIGURATION→Mame

• EMULATOR: MAME
• VIDEO MODE: AUTO
• DECORATION: NONE
• STRETCH BEZELS (4K & ULTRAWIDE): NONE
• GRAPHICS BACKEND: AUTO
• BGFX BACKEND: AUTO
• BGFX VIDEO FILTER: AUTO
• CRT SWITCHRES: ON
• TATE MODE: AUTO (Change if you are rotating your TV/Monitor when playing in Vertical TATE MODE)