Can't get video and other artwork to work consistently

[Garrett Fell]

Hey all - I am a brand-new Gameex user as of yesterday, and I've come across something I just can't figure out.   In short - the artwork/video and other media I've downloaded doesn't consistently show-up in the Gameex menus    I've seen it work before, but then it stopped - then I saw it work again after a reboot of the machine, then it broke again and is still broken. 

Best I can tell something seems to be flipping upper case to lower case?   I tried "the Google" and found some vague references to this from many years ago, but with no resolution.  I tried forum search as well to no avail.  That's why I am here now - hoping for a little assistance.    I am including some snippets from the log here and have also attached the whole file as well.....

I've tried deleting all the path info using the setup wizard, and re-doing all that - same thing.

There's plenty of content in the VIDEO directory

Help!

10:08:24.06  3/4/2018:  Opening Configuration File
10:08:24.08  3/4/2018:  GameEx Arcade Edition: Version 15.10: Starting Log
10:08:24.30  3/4/2018:  Data Source=C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\data.db3;Pooling=true;FailIfMissing=true
10:08:24.38  3/4/2018:  MAME Path is: C:\MAME
10:08:24.39  3/4/2018:  MAME EXE file is: mame64.exe
10:08:24.39  3/4/2018:  ROM Path is: C:\MAME\roms
10:08:24.39  3/4/2018:  Catver.ini is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\catver.ini
10:08:24.41  3/4/2018:  controls.ini is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\controls.ini
10:08:24.44  3/4/2018:  History.dat is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\history.dat
10:08:24.44  3/4/2018:  nplayers.ini is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\nplayers.ini
10:08:24.44  3/4/2018:  command.dat is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\command.dat
10:08:24.46  3/4/2018:  MAMEinfo.dat is located at: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\DATA\mameinfo.dat
10:08:24.46  3/4/2018:  Snap Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\SNAP
10:08:24.46  3/4/2018:  Database Snap Path: Not Found
10:08:24.46  3/4/2018:  Background Snap Path: Not Found
10:08:24.47  3/4/2018:  AVI Snap Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\VIDEO
10:08:24.47  3/4/2018:  Video theme Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\VIDEO_THEMES
10:08:24.47  3/4/2018:  Video background Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\VIDEO_BACKGROUND
10:08:24.47  3/4/2018:  Flyer Path: Not Found
10:08:24.47  3/4/2018:  Cabinet Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\CABINET
10:08:24.49  3/4/2018:  Cabinet 3D Path: Not Found
10:08:24.49  3/4/2018:  Title Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\TITLE
10:08:24.49  3/4/2018:  Title Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\LOGO
10:08:24.49  3/4/2018:  PCB Path: Not Found
10:08:24.49  3/4/2018:  Artwork Preview Path: Not Found
10:08:24.50  3/4/2018:  Panel Path: Not Found
10:08:24.50  3/4/2018:  Manual Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\MANUAL
10:08:24.50  3/4/2018:  Icon Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\ICON
10:08:24.50  3/4/2018:  Marquee Path is: C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\MARQUEE
10:08:26.97  3/4/2018:  Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\themes\default - default\media\bak.mp4
10:08:44.99  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\005.mp4
10:08:46.15  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\10yard.mp4
10:08:46.65  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\10yard85.mp4
10:08:47.19  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\progolf.mp4
10:08:47.67  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\pc_1942.mp4
10:08:52.46  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\1942.mp4
10:08:53.48  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\1943.mp4
10:08:53.83  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\1943mii.mp4
10:08:54.20  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\tceptor2.mp4
10:08:54.57  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\4in1.mp4
10:08:54.97  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\4dwarrio.mp4
10:08:55.78  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\600.mp4
10:08:57.57  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\720.mp4
10:08:58.05  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\mariner.mp4
10:08:58.51  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\ad2083.mp4
10:08:59.26  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\ar_argh.mp4
10:08:59.80  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\abscam.mp4
10:09:00.35  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\aceattac.mp4
10:09:06.45  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\alienar.mp4
10:09:09.26  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\ambush.mp4
10:09:11.05  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\arabian.mp4
10:09:13.73  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\idsoccer.mp4
10:09:14.72  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\aliencr.mp4
10:09:15.64  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\aliensec.mp4
10:09:16.19  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\aliensyn.mp4
10:09:25.24  3/4/2018:  Open: Failed Opening Video: c:\gameex arcade edition\media\downloaded artwork\mame\video\pc_trjan.mp4
 

 

log.txt

[simbamame]

Ensure artwork names match the game names exactly would be my 1st try, and check paths in the setup wizard / set up mame..if you click I think it's the 3rd icon across where you enter the paths it will open the folder so you can make sure it's pointing to the correct location 

[Garrett Fell]

2 minutes ago, simbamame said:

Ensure artwork names match the game names exactly would be my 1st try.

I did check this - There is content in that directory that matches the name, but the directories are upper case vs it trying to go after something in lower case for whatever reason.  I'll attach the .ini file here as well....

GameEx.ini

[Garrett Fell]

To clarify a little more - I am not seeing any content on the left hand side of "the wheel screen".   I do get an appropriate picture on the wheel - and the background is a scrolling set of tiled pictures.    So odd, because it saw it working once this morning.....

[RedDog]

Hello Garrett,

Have you installed the LAV codecs? Many of the video problems people have are resolved by installing the proper codecs.

If you already have the codec installed, can we assume that you are only asking for help for Mame right now? Your GameEx.ini file shows that no video paths have been set for your other emulators (PS2, Gamecube, N64, etc).

[Garrett Fell]

2 hours ago, RedDog said:

Hello Garrett,

Have you installed the LAV codecs? Many of the video problems people have are resolved by installing the proper codecs.

If you already have the codec installed, can we assume that you are only asking for help for Mame right now? Your GameEx.ini file shows that no video paths have been set for your other emulators (PS2, Gamecube, N64, etc).

Thank you for your reply.  Yes - I am just working on MAME right now.   I may have this resolved?  It's working again.  I had MAME de-selected in the emulator setup screen.  I selected it and it looks like it's working again.  I think....sort-of.

I had MAME installed on this machine before I had Gameex installed.  I didn't let gameex handle the install.  Maybe I should-have?

I guess I am not clear on the differences (and maybe overlap?) between some of the items in the Setup Wizard and some of the locations where various media is being stored.

Wizard: 

MAME Settings vs. Emulator Selection vs. Emulator Setup (with MAME selected)

Media locations:

C:\Emulation\Assets\MAME\*

C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\*

 

[RedDog]

To get the full benefits of GameEx Arcade with Mame, just set it up under the Mame Settings. There is no need to set up anything under the Emulator Setup area. The Emulator Setup is generally for all the other emulators. If you prefer a simple Mame Setup, you can set it up under the Emulator Setup...in any case, you only need to set it up in one place.

As far as paths, GameEx Arcade will use whatever paths you set up. If you have Automatic Artwork Down enabled, it will also place new assets in those folders. For instance, all of my roms and assets are located on an external drive I:\Emulation...so some of my folders are I:\Emulation\Mame, I:\Emulation\NES, I:\Emulation\Genesis, etc. Then, inside each of those folders I have folders for Logo, Title, Snaps, Video, Background, etc.

I prefer to keep my assets outside of GameEx, mostly because I have that external drive that I can move around. I currently have 650Gigs of of emulation files and assets (I keep EVERYTHING), so it's nice to not take up my main PC hard drive. If you want to leave them inside the GameEx file structure, you can.

If you ever decide to reorganize your asset structure, all you need to do is set up your folders, move your assets over, and update the paths in the Setup Wizard to match. If you do everything right, GameEx Arcade will not know the difference when you run it.

[simbamame]

Also easy way to check just click this icon will open the place where artwork is stored to check all paths are set correctly.

There has been times ive missed a letter or a space or summit simple and artwork didnt show. This is an easy way to check.

[Garrett Fell]

Okay - One thing I am still not clear-on.    I understand that for the automatic art downloads it will look at my MAME romlist and download the various artwork/videos and I assume file them appropriately.  Somewhere.....

The question is - where does it put them?  It seems to be putting them in two different places and maybe hasn't made it all the way through the lists yet??

1. Right now - it's putting content into C:\Emulation\Asset\MAME

"Snaps" is currently being populated as we speak, but all other directories off the MAME directory are still empty (Boxes, Cartridges, Controls, Manuals).  The titles directory was touched yesterday, but has no content other than a NOT FOUND directory with a bunch of files in there.

2.  I see it's also been putting some content into C:\GameEx Arcade Edition\MEDIA\DOWNLOADED ARTWORK\MAME\

But no updates in there since yesterday morning.    It populated CABINET, ICON, LOGO, MANUAL, MARQUEE, SNAP, TITLE and VIDEO with a bunch of stuff.   

It did *not touch* the VIDEO_BACKGROUND or VIDEO_THEMES directories.   They are empty!   Where does this content come from?    I assume this is where the really cool backgrounds come from?   That's what I am after.   Right now my wheel has all of the "LOGO" data and the background is a tiled and scrolling set of LOGOs.   The SNAP video plays on the left-hand side and I think is also displaying the TITLE picture right below.

I did also get the EmuMovies Sync application and pulled a bunch of content over for that.  It's in a separate (took the default) directory structure and I don't have anything pointing to it.

Thanks for the help.  FNG - I know.....

-Garrett

 

 

[Draco1962]

You might want to attach (not copy & paste) copies of your gameex.ini and log.txt files so others can review and give some recommendations.

[Garrett Fell]

You bet....right here!

 

GameEx.ini

log.txt

[Draco1962]

The Video Themes probably won't download as there is no default for them on Emumovies. If you have a membership, you can download them from the CriticalCid video themes collection via the FTP site.

[simbamame]

To get the video background snaps i think you have to reqister an account with emumovies. or as @Draco1962 said use the CriticalCid video themes collection via the FTP site.

 

[Garrett Fell]

Okay - I am getting closer!

I did find some of this content off the emumovies site and downloaded some  that content last night for the video “Theme Backgrounds” and well as the video backgrounds for the games themselves.   I downloaded the first “pack” which covers “005” and about the first 60 or so after that in alpha numerical order.   I am a basic free member here - so l may need to fully register to make this less of a manual process   I am totally fine with that

Here’s what I’ve found so far....

1. I may have grabbed the wrong themes backgrounds which doesn’t properly correspond to how the themes are named on my gameex menu.    I get no themes playing when I select a theme from the main menu

 

2. The video backgrounds to play a cool movie rather than scroll a set of tiled logos sort of works     It seems to be getting stuck in the first file in the video backgrounds directory and never changes   For example  if the background for 005 is there - it’ll load that one up, but never change it as I flip through other titles    If I remove it - now “1st and 10” is the first title and that one will get stuck as I flip around   

I am going to play around with this more this evening when I get home (I am typing this on my phone on a train)

I am also have another issue with controller set-up in the wizard throwing an exception, but I think I found the resolution (thanks google) to that issue being with a directx upgrade.  Maybe related maybe not?

Thanks for all the help with this  

 

 

[RedDog]

The filenames for Mame roms are much more consistent than with other emulators (like nes, genesis, etc). The only time you will see different filenames for a Mame games is because there are multiple versions of the roms due to country or region specific releases or re-releases.

I really think that once you decide that you definitely want the theme videos, the subscription to emumovies is worth it...even if it is for one month just to get a good base. I have a subscription and I was updating today using the emumovies sync application and it reminded me how nice it was that it would rename each asset download to match the rom. That alone saves SOoooooo much time. The asset download for GameEx essentially does the same thing (since it connects to emumovies too), but since it is free you only get basic graphic assets like snaps, title snaps, logos, etc.