How does Gameex work

[deano7]

I have several issues with Gameex where I am trying to figure out why something isn't working. I have asked and have not recieved any responses, which either means everyone is busy or doesn't know that answer. Obviously, there isn't tech support and Tom can't answer everyones question on the board or he wouldn't have time to create new functionality and be constantly improving this app. I want to try and figure the answers out for myself, so here is a question. Is there some sort of document that explains exactly how gameex works? I love this application, however, I have several issues that I have no idea how to even begin troubleshooting.

1. I have been told that video codecs control video, but what controls sound for videos/DVD.

2. I have read that gameex uses windows media player for the jukebox, but does it treat playlists differently?

3. Where does gameex pull information on what resolution to use for a game and is there an easy way to change resolutions?

I am really not trying to be a pain, but if there was some sort of blueprint for how things work, it might be worth a read so that I can try and figure out myself things to try and troubleshoot.

Thanks!

[Brian Hoffman]

I have several issues with Gameex where I am trying to figure out why something isn't working. I have asked and have not recieved any responses, which either means everyone is busy or doesn't know that answer. Obviously, there isn't tech support and Tom can't answer everyones question on the board or he wouldn't have time to create new functionality and be constantly improving this app. I want to try and figure the answers out for myself, so here is a question. Is there some sort of document that explains exactly how gameex works? I love this application, however, I have several issues that I have no idea how to even begin troubleshooting.

1. I have been told that video codecs control video, but what controls sound for videos/DVD.

2. I have read that gameex uses windows media player for the jukebox, but does it treat playlists differently?

3. Where does gameex pull information on what resolution to use for a game and is there an easy way to change resolutions?

I am really not trying to be a pain, but if there was some sort of blueprint for how things work, it might be worth a read so that I can try and figure out myself things to try and troubleshoot.

Thanks!

1. The same codecs... A codec is a type of driver for a particular video. In the gameex options you can choose diffrent installed codecs... See screen1

2. The jukebox can be configure to look in a folder and read the 1d3 tags.. Or it can qurey media player. You can specify the playlist settings as well.. See other screenshot

3. It pull data from your mame.ini The arcadecontrols.com software forum for a patch to have a key press chage resolutions.

Ive read your previous posts and you stated everything worked before a system crash. Perhaps something is wrong with your new setup.

Sorry for the delay in tech support... Post you gameex ini and system onfo windows build etc... If your using a LITE windows install it would explain why alot of media issues are present.

[deano7]

1. The same codecs... A codec is a type of driver for a particular video. In the gameex options you can choose diffrent installed codecs... See screen1

2. The jukebox can be configure to look in a folder and read the 1d3 tags.. Or it can qurey media player. You can specify the playlist settings as well.. See other screenshot

3. It pull data from your mame.ini The arcadecontrols.com software forum for a patch to have a key press chage resolutions.

Ive read your previous posts and you stated everything worked before a system crash. Perhaps something is wrong with your new setup.

Sorry for the delay in tech support... Post you gameex ini and system onfo windows build etc... If your using a LITE windows install it would explain why alot of media issues are present.

Thanks for the fast reply Brian!

I did have a system crash and then rebuilt everything. Then when things didn't work, I got a new computer and rebuilt.

I have a full XP install. I am running the most recent version of gameex. I have windows Media Player 11 and honestech DVD player. I am very familiar with the config screen as I have been there and tested everything.

1. I am using Honestech DVD player. I would think this just isn't supported by Gameex except that before the crash, I had it working in gameex and it currently works fine outside of gameex. in gameex now, the video looks great but with no sound.

2. I do have the setup to use WMP11 as the jukebox player and it works fine in gameex except that when I click on playlists, it shows my playlists (that work fine in WMP11 by itself), but when I select a playlist, gameex thinks for a few seconds and then returns me to my entire library as if it encounters some sort of error.

Since both of these work outside of gameex fine and they used to work just fine, I just think I need to change some setting or add something that I am missing.

3. I will check for this patch, this is great info - Thanks!

SEE ATTACHED TEXT FILE WHICH IS MY GAMEEX.INI FILE

GameEx.txt

[lingpanda]

3. Where does gameex pull information on what resolution to use for a game and is there an easy way to change resolutions?

I see you are using mame32UI. You can go into the options menu and set the defaults for the resolution. You can set them per game or system wide.

[Tom Speirs]

In terms of audio for DVD's GameEx does actually look for a seperate audio codec. Namely AC3. The best thing you can do is install FFDSHOW (make sure you use the version from the main site) or Vista Codec Pack. This contains the AC3 codec, and Im pretty sure should fix your problem. The MPEG2 codec is just for video, so I think thats your problem.

In terms of the playlists, Im not sure what the problem is. In order for WMP playlists to work you need to use windows media player mode. All GameEx uses WMP for is to get a list of files from its library. Firstly I would ensure the playlists work outside of GameEx. If youve moved or changed drive the playlists may point to files that are not in the same location. The only other thing I can think of is I must have introduced a bug but I dont think so.

Like the others say unless your using an ArcadeVGA card and ArcadeVGA mode in GameEx, MAME itself decides the resolutions to run the games at.

Sorry you did not get the help you needed before, but theres not a deffinite response for any of your questions, but I hope these new replies help.

Thanks.

Tom.

[deano7]

In terms of audio for DVD's GameEx does actually look for a seperate audio codec. Namely AC3. The best thing you can do is install FFDSHOW (make sure you use the version from the main site) or Vista Codec Pack. This contains the AC3 codec, and Im pretty sure should fix your problem. The MPEG2 codec is just for video, so I think thats your problem.

In terms of the playlists, Im not sure what the problem is. In order for WMP playlists to work you need to use windows media player mode. All GameEx uses WMP for is to get a list of files from its library. Firstly I would ensure the playlists work outside of GameEx. If youve moved or changed drive the playlists may point to files that are not in the same location. The only other thing I can think of is I must have introduced a bug but I dont think so.

Like the others say unless your using an ArcadeVGA card and ArcadeVGA mode in GameEx, MAME itself decides the resolutions to run the games at.

Sorry you did not get the help you needed before, but theres not a deffinite response for any of your questions, but I hope these new replies help.

Thanks.

Tom.

Thanks Tom!!!

I have installed the FFDSHOW from the gameex site. After it is installed, the sound still does not work, although I just left the default settings. Are there any special settings in FFDSHOW or gameex that I need to change?

I do have it set to use WMP mode. The playlists work fine in WMP, but in gameex, playlists don't work. Has anyone been successful in using playlists with recent gameex builds? I am using WMP11.

Thanks again guys for all of the help and Tom, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

Dean

[deano7]

Thanks Tom!!!

I have installed the FFDSHOW from the gameex site. After it is installed, the sound still does not work, although I just left the default settings. Are there any special settings in FFDSHOW or gameex that I need to change?

I do have it set to use WMP mode. The playlists work fine in WMP, but in gameex, playlists don't work. Has anyone been successful in using playlists with recent gameex builds? I am using WMP11.

Thanks again guys for all of the help and Tom, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

Dean

I got the sound to work for movies! hooray. FFDSHOW was the solution after messing with it, thanks Tom.