NeoGeoX Hacking and Mods

ack · Jan 5, 2013

Spoonman said:
Nice work.
Can you give us some results on how much, if any, this improves the video output quality on an HDTV via the HDMI out?

Heres some examples. Its kinda hard to get a clear shot because stuff is moving, but if you focus on the static parts of the image you can see the difference.

Notice the players score at the top and HP/POW bars at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_fix.png

For metal slug, compare the difference between "SUPER VEHICLE-001" text in the title and the 'credits' isn't cut off at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_fix.png

Spoonman said:
Would it be possible to have this display an output of 1920x1080 via the HDMI output?
I remember someone saying the video encoder on this particular board is capable of it.

This also leads me to the obvious...why wouldn't TOMMO select a higher resolution output?!
Are they purposely dumbing it down of do they not know how to do it?

That's something tommo needs to do. I don't have any info on their interface to access the video device. This modified fba is me directly editing the executable which makes it extra difficult if new stuff needs to be added.

Spoonman said:
Also, would it be possible to force a 4:3 ratio output instead of having the monitor handle it? My HD display doesn't have a way to switch the video ratio and instead relies
on the input to display it correctly.

The ngx is sending 720×480 signal to hdmi output. This modified version of fba is generating a 640x448 (2x neo-geo's normal res) image with black bars to get up to the 720×480 hdmi output.

-ack

xarcade · Jan 5, 2013

Wow! Those pics show a great improvement in picture quality!

technozombie · Jan 5, 2013

I've been lurking in this thread since it first started and I just wanted to say that you guys are awesome and are really making great progress. Keep up the good work. I tried making my own Micro SD adapter but that fell flat. I'm looking forward to a software solution. Thanks, Again.

TurboRotary13b · Jan 5, 2013

Ok lets assume, for whatever reason, that I'm a complete dumb ass and I don't know how to change the provided dge file on my 337.. How would one such individual go about doing this?

nerdstick · Jan 5, 2013

TurboRotary13b said:
Ok lets assume, for whatever reason, that I'm a complete dumb ass and I don't know how to change the provided dge file on my 337.. How would one such individual go about doing this?

Haven't done it myself yet, but..
Hardware method would be to disassemble it, take the microSD and mount it on Linux, and simply swap the files.
Software method would be to take a backup IMG, mount it in Linux following ack's advice from a number of pages back, swap the files, and then flash it onto the X using the USBTool in Windows XP/7 32-bit, with drivers installed. I made a big compilation of all his posts a few pages back.

While doing so I'd suggest also swapping out the roms for unibios-patched versions, if desired!

-DARKSIDE- · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
Heres some examples. Its kinda hard to get a clear shot because stuff is moving, but if you focus on the static parts of the image you can see the difference.

Notice the players score at the top and HP/POW bars at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_fix.png

For metal slug, compare the difference between "SUPER VEHICLE-001" text in the title and the 'credits' isn't cut off at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_fix.png

That's something tommo needs to do. I don't have any info on their interface to access the video device. This modified fba is me directly editing the executable which makes it extra difficult if new stuff needs to be added.

The ngx is sending 720×480 signal to hdmi output. This modified version of fba is generating a 640x448 (2x neo-geo's normal res) image with black bars to get up to the 720×480 hdmi output.

-ack

Definitely a HUGE improvement. Going to throw this on mine Monday. Any way to enable vsync to possibly get rid of the tearing issues on some games?

TurboRotary13b · Jan 6, 2013

nerdstick said:
Haven't done it myself yet, but..
Hardware method would be to disassemble it, take the microSD and mount it on Linux, and simply swap the files.
Software method would be to take a backup IMG, mount it in Linux following ack's advice from a number of pages back, swap the files, and then flash it onto the X using the USBTool in Windows XP/7 32-bit, with drivers installed. I made a big compilation of all his posts a few pages back.

While doing so I'd suggest also swapping out the roms for unibios-patched versions, if desired!

Ugh.. I hope there is a solution soon where I can stay inside of the same OS... Not running a VM or anything. I don't know how possible that is but man that would make the whole process a lot more palatable for us general users.

nerdstick · Jan 6, 2013

TurboRotary13b said:
Ugh.. I hope there is a solution soon where I can stay inside of the same OS... Not running a VM or anything. I don't know how possible that is but man that would make the whole process a lot more palatable for us general users.

Actually I tried a VM and it continually crashed, I'm using my old PC for it. I recall finding a 64bit driver for the chip that 'might' work (should be on the OP post), but I hadn't tried it so who knows.

crujones4life · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
Heres some examples. Its kinda hard to get a clear shot because stuff is moving, but if you focus on the static parts of the image you can see the difference.

Notice the players score at the top and HP/POW bars at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_fix.png

For metal slug, compare the difference between "SUPER VEHICLE-001" text in the title and the 'credits' isn't cut off at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_fix.png

That's something tommo needs to do. I don't have any info on their interface to access the video device. This modified fba is me directly editing the executable which makes it extra difficult if new stuff needs to be added.

The ngx is sending 720×480 signal to hdmi output. This modified version of fba is generating a 640x448 (2x neo-geo's normal res) image with black bars to get up to the 720×480 hdmi output.

-ack

Incredible! Looks much, much better. It looks like busted ass on my 55 inch LCD. It looks better on my 27 inch crt, but only after alot of changes in picture settings...still sucks though.

hatch · Jan 6, 2013

Steward said:
but for the emulator of both dingux a320 and a380 still have some problem as following picture:

good luck

Steward, try the emus from the Ritmix emulator pack (which includes, among SNES et al, also Neogeo/FBA): http://www.sendspace.com/file/89yfzv

Note to mods: no roms or bios files in there.

These should work.

Martin

Xian Xi · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_fix.png

For metal slug, compare the difference between "SUPER VEHICLE-001" text in the title and the 'credits' isn't cut off at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_fix.png

-ack

Is that seriously an HDMI vs HDMI comparison shot? Looks like composite vs HDMI. Great job dude. I might have to get one of these when someone has buyers remorse.

Steward · Jan 6, 2013

thanks hatch share the emulator link

to ack: current, the dingux can only access the SDcard-0's FAT32 partition(1.1G) and "SDCard-1", it cannot access nand flash. i will try some method later.

after try the emulator shared from hatch, some emulator can normal work

PS1 emulator

FC emulator

SFC emulator

SEGA MD emulator

SEGA SMS emulator

GBA emulator

i will continue to try other emulator and try to access the internal nand flash later.

BloodShed · Jan 6, 2013

Well, Tommo has announced that they're working on fixing the video output issues. I know the scaling, refresh related vertical tearing and lag issues have already been brought to their attention. They should just contract ack (because they probably can't afford to straight up hire the guy). We could have had this officially fixed weeks ago.

TurboRotary13b said:
Ugh.. I hope there is a solution soon where I can stay inside of the same OS... Not running a VM or anything.

Have you considered using a Live CD/DVD/USB? I keep a USB flash with a live install of Gentoo with my laptop bag. I simply boot any PC from my USB and I have a portable Linux environment.

madking · Jan 6, 2013

I've found, after a brief Googling, a driver for the 4770 that allegedly works with Windows 7 64-bit, although it is unsigned. I have successfully installed the driver with my NGX but I have NOT tried to write anything to my device. Anyone with some balls and looking for a thrill can try it but it is completely UNTESTED on this device. Once again, this driver is for a DIFFERENT DEVICE with the same processor but may work. Boot without driver signature enforcement. I really look forward to this handheld being unchained, and thanks to everyone who contributed!

I'm not sure the policy on noobs posting links but mods feel free to delete it if I'm out of line, and here's the link....
http://www.android-hilfe.de/attachments/ainol-novo-forum/67024d1327516413-windows-7-usb-boot-driver-w7_x64.zip

mosaic · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
Heres some examples.

Wow. Just... wow. You can see a dramatic improvement just in those screenshots. I'm jealous. I wish I had the guts to do the tinkering necessary to get the revised file onto my NGX.

Tommo absolutely needs to get a fix incorporating this simple change into the hands of owners ASAP.

CafeineCake · Jan 6, 2013

Way way WAAAAAY too many threads and things going at the same time, my question however is, from what i got so far, it run linux and FBAlpha ?
Where is the source code? Linux is under GPL so releasing the code is mandatory.
Is the emulator really FBAlpha?

slerch666 · Jan 6, 2013

BloodShed said:
Well, Tommo has announced that they're working on fixing the video output issues.

Where did you see this? Twitter? Facebook? Just curious.

REDDIT. Never mind. Found the links, just haven't been here for a few days.

xarcade · Jan 6, 2013

Steward, if you can, I'd like to see you get a proper Neo Geo emulator running on the NGX

.

Alex0916 · Jan 6, 2013

Wow! It's been a while since I been on here & all this talk about the NGX has me intrigue. I knew you guys would step up to the plate. Good job fellas. Now if only they could get some sort of a softmod for the 370 done. I know it'll come in time but just wanted to tip my hat off to you guys. Great work!!!!

ack · Jan 6, 2013

Xian Xi said:
Is that seriously an HDMI vs HDMI comparison shot? Looks like composite vs HDMI. Great job dude. I might have to get one of these when someone has buyers remorse.

Its HDMI vs HDMI.

I don't think its worth using the ngx on hdmi, even with the modified version. A CMVS with component is still better quality.

-ack

trustMe · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
To use it, decompress then copy it over the existing nxu.dge binary on the apps partition.

Hello,
Where exactly please ?

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

ack · Jan 6, 2013

trustMe said:
Hello,
Where exactly please ?

What you are displaying looks like the rootfs partition. The file needs to go on the apps partition, which is partition 2. The location on that filesystem is /local/snk_desktop/

-ack

trustMe · Jan 6, 2013

Oh....

thanks ack !

carnicero27 · Jan 6, 2013

i hope this portable can run street fighter 3rd strike.

Endlessnameless · Jan 6, 2013

ack said:
Heres some examples. Its kinda hard to get a clear shot because stuff is moving, but if you focus on the static parts of the image you can see the difference.

Notice the players score at the top and HP/POW bars at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/magical_lord_fix.png

For metal slug, compare the difference between "SUPER VEHICLE-001" text in the title and the 'credits' isn't cut off at the bottom.

http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_normal.png
http://www.gotwalls.com/neogeox/metal_slug_fix.png

That's something tommo needs to do. I don't have any info on their interface to access the video device. This modified fba is me directly editing the executable which makes it extra difficult if new stuff needs to be added.

The ngx is sending 720×480 signal to hdmi output. This modified version of fba is generating a 640x448 (2x neo-geo's normal res) image with black bars to get up to the 720×480 hdmi output.

-ack

Well done sir. You are making leaps and bounds in progress in this project. The difference in the images is amazing. Keep up the great work!

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