[RESOLVED] Video Snaps Not Displaying... black box

[FCAL]

I used my old configuration and installed GameEx 16.92 and MAME video snaps were working.

I ran into a number of issues and reloaded GameEx, configuring from scratch as I worked out my Theme.  I have never been able to get the MAME video snaps to work again.  I tried to upgrade to the latest version of GameEx, but there were a number of issues, so I uninstalled and went back to 16.92.

I am seeing black boxes sized to the video snap that should play.  Every few seconds, the box changes shape but there is no video, or sound.

What files can I provide to troubleshoot?

Thank you, - FCAL

[tthurman]

What happens if you change your theme back to default?

Tom will need the regular files at a minimum in order to see if he can replicate this.

GameEx.ini  and log

[FCAL]

Tthurman,

If I change the Theme back to 'Default', it shows exactly the same thing.  I have been really picking at this and individual settings for about 3+ weeks to no avail.  I do NOT want to create extra work.  I am helping with theme documentation, but I am finding some gaps in general.

Note:  I did load the LAV Filters (codecs) v0.68.1.  I even tried K-Lite codec mega pack.  I could see and play the snaps, but GameEx could not.

Enclosed are my log files, gameex.ini, and theme.ini (still documenting to post in another thread).

Stupid Questions:

1.  My video snaps are .mp4 files and the documentation does note .AVI.  Is this an issue?  I believe all these files did work with an old config (a LOT was broken, so abandoned).

2.  Can I run GameEx from a command line with an arg to make it create all the video snaps?   Since I used custom menus, there is no item to enable this, but I do see in the Config Wizard. 

Thank you!  --FCAL

 

log.txt ThemeEditor.txt GameEx.ini Theme.ini

[Tom Speirs]

Its been reported that the video scanlines and upscaling causes this issue.

For creating the videos, yes, there is a new feature that is fairly recent. It is under the start menu program group.

[FCAL]

Tom,

Thank you for replying.  I am missing a little context.

1.  No MAME snap videos:  I have scanlines disabled, and I have tried a number of resolutions and arcademode, with no luck.  Can you recommend a course of action for me?  Settings, version, wait for update, etc.

2.  Use GameEx to create video snaps:  I am using custom menus and do not see an option.  Is there a command line option to run manually?  If not, how would I get to this option?

Thank you sir!  -FCAL

[Tom Speirs]

30 minutes ago, FCAL said:

Tom,

Thank you for replying.  I am missing a little context.

1.  No MAME snap videos:  I have scanlines disabled, and I have tried a number of resolutions and arcademode, with no luck.  Can you recommend a course of action for me?  Settings, version, wait for update, etc.

2.  Use GameEx to create video snaps:  I am using custom menus and do not see an option.  Is there a command line option to run manually?  If not, how would I get to this option?

Thank you sir!  -FCAL

1. No, probably a codec or your system issue. Not really any ideas. There are no current issues I am aware although issues like this are reported sometimes. Please provide a little more info on your setup. What is the video card and display?

2. In windows start menu, not GameEx itself.

[FCAL]

Tom,

1. System Info:  This is from the GameEx log (left pertinent info)....

10:42:16.82  24-Aug-21:  GameEx x64: Version 16.92: Starting Log
10:42:16.86  24-Aug-21:  Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
10:42:16.86  24-Aug-21:  Aero running
10:42:16.87  24-Aug-21:  AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Six-Core Processor, 16329MB
10:42:16.87  24-Aug-21:  3.19Ghz - 12 Cores or CPU's

10:42:17.34  24-Aug-21:  Using 3D Alpha Blended Animations.
10:42:17.35  24-Aug-21:  GameEx will try to reduce CPU usage
10:42:17.42  24-Aug-21:  Initialising Direct3D
10:42:17.59  24-Aug-21:  Setting Resolution to 1024x768 32 bit color

10:42:17.80  24-Aug-21:  Creating Back Buffer
10:42:17.81  24-Aug-21:  Version 2 Theme being used. Loading.

--> Not sure why Version 2 Theme is loaded.  I saved it as Version 4.  My Theme.ini shows:  Version=4

10:42:17.82  24-Aug-21:  Display is running at: 1024x768 32bit color, 60hz
10:42:17.83  24-Aug-21:  Adapter: AMD Radeon HD 5450
10:42:17.83  24-Aug-21:  Max texture size: 16384x16384
10:42:17.83  24-Aug-21:  Available texture memory: 4084MB
10:42:17.85  24-Aug-21:  Available video memory: 2048MB

--> I am using this graphics card to output to a 1024x768 CRT display.  At this time, I am using the HDMI interface to output to a LED Monitor at 1920x1080 until I get all the configurations completed and move the system into my cabinet.

--> I did install the LAV Filters (Codecs) 0.68.1
--> I also tried K-Lite Codecs without success.

 

2.  My apologies... I have worked with all the files in the GameEx dir and overlooked the Win Start icons!  ...Thank you.

 

I noticed something interesting...  if I select 1941 (for example), it displays a black box and I hear sound.  When I ran the GameEx Video Creator, I told it to record 1941 and over-wrote the existing mp4 file.  When I started GameEx, 1941 played the video snap along with a few other games, but not ALL.  The video recorded from GameEx did not have sound though.

[FCAL]

I have an update.  I believe it is fixed.

I deleted ALL the video snaps and NOT FOUND directory.  I used 'Download Artwork and Videos' from the Windows Start menu, GameEx folder.  It took some time, but GameEx downloaded all new video snaps and apparently updated its DB.  At this point  All MAME games (with snaps) are displaying videos with sound in 1024x768 res.

Is it safe to say when installing / upgrading GameEx: 

1.  Uninstall GameEx

2. Leave all directories in tact

3. Install new version of GameEX

4. Run 'Download Artwork and Videos' ????

5. Anything else?

 

[tthurman]

I've upgraded GameEx time and time again without touching the previous installation.  

It just installs over itself and backs up your gameex.ini to give you something to revert back to if for some reason things don't go well.  Even if for some reason something fail to "take" for one reason or another you should be able to reinstall it over itself again to correct whatever it was that went wrong.  Obviously there will be exceptions to the norm and perhaps that what you've just experienced.  Some themes don't play well though, so that could be it as well.

 

[FCAL]

Tthurman,

I LOVE GameEx! 

Before upgrading to this current release, I was on version 4 or 7 (can't remember)!   My arcade ran well and there was no need to change until now... complete redesign with new hardware.  I'm sure there were artifacts.  Thanks for chiming in.

-FCAL

[tthurman]

Oh 

Glad you got it sorted out!