Documentation of the AdvanceMAME advv utility

1 ``` Name{number}

advv AdvanceMAME Video Manual Configurator

2 Synopsis 

advv [-advmamev] [-advmessv] [-advmenuv]
    [-vbev] [-vgav] [-videowv] [-log] [-logsync]
    [-rc RCFILE]

3 Description

The `advv' utility is the main video configuration program for the Advance programs. It selects, creates and tweaks video modes interactively.

This utility works differently if one of the -advmamev, -advmessv, -advmenuv, -vbev, -vgav or -videowv options is specified. The main difference is the name of the configuration file used to store the video modes.

Before running this utility you must add in your configuration file the option `device_video_clock' required to define the limits of your monitor and video board. You can add them manually or using the `advcfg' utility.

Check the `advdev.txt' file for more details on these options.

4 Options

-rc RCFILE
Specify an alternate name of the configuration file.
-log
A very detailed log of operations is saved in a `.log' file. Very useful for debugging problems.
-logsync
Like the `-log' option but the log file is not buffered. This option must be used to get a complete log file in presence of a machine crash.
-advmamev, -advmessv, -advmenuv, -vbev, -vgav, -videowv
Select the mode of operation for the programs `advmame', `advmess', `advmenu', `vbe', `vga' and `videow'. The default is `advmame'.

5 Use

When the program starts a list of modelines is printed. You can walk the list with the UP and DOWN arrows of your keyboard. You can select the modelines to use in the emulator by pressing SPACE.

With the LEFT and RIGHT arrows you can select the bit depth of the video mode to test.

To test a video mode you can press ENTER and ESC to return to the list.

When you have finished the selection press F2 to save the video modes in the configuration file. At the next run the emulator will use one of the modelines that you have chosen.

If you have problems please read the `Troubleshooting' chapter in the `install.txt' file.

If you have correctly configured the `device_video_p/h/vclock' options in your configuration file, the video modes out of the frequency range supported by your monitor are displayed in red, and you are prevented from using them.

5.1 Creating Video Modes

To create a new modeline you should press F5 or F6.

You will be asked for:

If possible, a video mode compatible with your current monitor configuration is created. If such a mode doesn't exist, with F5 favorite video modes with the specified size are created, with F6 favorite video modes with the specified vertical frequency are created.

If the `device_video_format' option is present in your configuration file, the video mode is created with this format. Otherwise the generic VGA monitor format is used.

All the video modes created always have negative horizontal and vertical sync polarity.

5.2 Adjusting Modelines

You can modify the modelines in the test screen by pressing ENTER or directly in the list screen.

When you are in the test screen, `advv' prevents you from setting a modeline out of the frequency range supported by your monitor. In these cases you will hear a low long sound. When you are in the list screen you don't have this limitation.

If you request a parameter not supported by your hardware you will hear a high short sound.

You can easily change one of the clock values of your modelines by pressing F8.

Finally you can rename the modelines by pressing TAB.

Remember to select the modified modelines with SPACE otherwise they aren't saved in your configuration file and will be lost.

5.3 Startup Text Mode

The program at startup tries to set a text mode supported by your hardware to show its data.

If a modeline named `default_text' is present in your configuration file the program uses it.

If correct `device_video_p/h/vclock' options are found in your configuration file the program tries to use a text mode that matches your clock configuration from a list of predefined modes and the modes present in the configuration file.

If none of these modes match your configuration the current text mode is used.

6 Configuration

Depending on the command line options used one of the `advmame.rc', `advmess.rc', `advmenu.rc', `vbe.rc', `vga.rc' or `videow.rc' files is used to load and save the video configuration.

8 ```