VBA 1.72 with Kega Fusion plugin system

[suanyuan]

I have add Kega Fusion plugin system to my VBA 1.72 derived version. If you want to run VBA faster with high end filter, you should give it a try.



Binary can download from VBA's official forum:
http://www.ngemu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63952

[suanyuan]

Here is the compiled binary and source code.

[suanyuan]

In VBA172_smooth_V5 version, I restore "synchronize" option's behavor.

Now "auto skip frame" option has no relation with "synchronize" option.
If you want VBA sounds better, you should turn on "synchronize".
If you want VBA runs game faster you can turn off "synchronize".

Now when "auto frame skip" option turn off, VBA172_smooth_V5 behaves
just like official VBA172.

the changes for VBA172_smooth_V5:

- restore "synchronize" option's behavor
- rewrite part of Direct3DDiplay class rendering code
- rewrite plugin system to support hq3x, hq4x, lq3x, lq4x, Scale3x, Scale4x filter plugin
- change frame adjust code, to stable FPS
- output notify message on screen when "auto skip frame" on/off

In my computer of P4 2.53 G, VBA172_smooth_V5 can run F-ZERO with hq3x
filter almos 95% CPU speed with both "synchronize" and "auto skip frame" turn on.
Alough I can't tell the differences between outputs of hq2x and hq3x.

[Squaresoft74]

Works like a charm here , very nice job Suanyuan.

[Ash]

Whoa. Very nice indeed.

[suanyuan]

Base on VBA smooth v5, I continue to enhance audio synchronizaion.

This version I try to keep track audio synchronization with multi-thread, and let VBA core speed a little bit slow than 100% to get a better audio.

Now VBA smooth v6 can run almost 98% cpu speed with synchronize option on. And the problem when enter a cafe CPU speed drop to 75% for GBC "Lufia - The Legend Returns (U) [C][!]" is also fixed.

Try "Castlevania - Circle of the Moon" to find out the improvement.


This version can't run well at computers without hyper-thread hardware support.
I am trying to fix this problem.

[Squaresoft74]

Thanks for the update , i will test it asap.

[bohdy]

Hi suanyuan, I have tried your latest version with Circe of the Moon (US), and the synchronisation seems worse if anything. Sound stutters and core speeds up too fast every now and again.

Btw, I like what you are doing, but I wish you would move your changes to the latest 1.8 version as there are many timing fixes that certain games need to run smoothly in that one.

[suanyuan]

Hi suanyuan, I have tried your latest version with Circe of the Moon (US), and the synchronisation seems worse if anything. Sound stutters and core speeds up too fast every now and again.

Btw, I like what you are doing, but I wish you would move your changes to the latest 1.8 version as there are many timing fixes that certain games need to run smoothly in that one.

(1) Have you turned on the "auto frame skip" option?

When turn on "auto frame skip", throttle option will change to "no throttle", frame skip option will change to "skip 0", and synchronize option will turn on automatically.

The VBA speed shuld be 96% - 98% a little bit slow than 100% for this setting.



(2) VBA official coder PokemonHacker is working on ARM CPU core for more acculate timing and more speed boost. Before he finished his modifcation of ARM core, it's difficult for VBA 1.8b2 to get 60 FPS with sound synchronization and high level filter like hq2x, hq3x.

[bohdy]

(1) Have you turned on the "auto frame skip" option?

Of course. That is where the main work of your version is, no? In comparison, one of your previous versions (first with new plugin system I believe) synchronises better with less sound stutter. Also, in your build with no throttle and no auto frame skip the emulator goes as fast at it can, while it stays at 60 with the original 1.8b2. Is it meant to?

(2) VBA official coder PokemonHacker is working on ARM CPU core for more acculate timing and more speed boost. Before he finished his modifcation of ARM core, it's difficult for VBA 1.8b2 to get 60 FPS with sound synchronization and high level filter like hq2x, hq3x.

I see, so you will integrate updated core when it is finished. Btw I should mention that the noticeable timing fixes (that get rid of slowdown whenever there are too many moving sprites in a few games) are not implemented in the original 1.8 as I had assumed, but they are in kode54's build. See here.