tty2rpi Add-On (shows core based pictures and videos on a HDMI or DSI display)

[MiSTer Consoles]

I can't believe you were able to get those changes to the screensaver in so quickly. Absolute perfection. Bravo!

[MiSTer Consoles]

Hi all. I modified a couple of my 3D printed enclosures for MiSTer to incorporate 5" HDMI screens powered by the Pi Zero 2 W and wanted to share a few pics. Normally my cases have a 3" display powered by an Uno board and running TTY2TFT software. I must say that these new larger displays are really a sight to behold. The extra real estate and higher quality of these screens is super impressive, especially now that game artwork can be displayed. Needless to say that my other consoles are a little bit jealous. A million thanks to RealLarry for making all this possible!

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[RealLarry]

Woah! My wife would say that bigger is always better! And she's always right.

[MiSTer Consoles]

LOL! I'm definitely a believer in the philosophy "go big or go home!".

[metalfacemark]

I’m new to this with the display, is it possible to get the hdmi display out on a mini monitor while having vga crt for the main display?

I have a pihat for the Roland midi, can this do that and this or would I have to switch pies when setting this up?

[RealLarry]

I’m new to this with the display, is it possible to get the hdmi display out on a mini monitor while having vga crt for the main display?

I have a pihat for the Roland midi, can this do that and this or would I have to switch pies when setting this up?

...I think I don't get it what you are asking for. But before you are trying to run tty2rpi on a mt-32pi or on the MiSTer itself: No, not possible (not to say impossible). tty2rpi is a totally independent device. Doesn't have to be a Raspberry Pi, any device which can run a Linux OS is enough.

[metalfacemark]

i was just wondering if i could have combined the MT32 which has a pi already with ttyrpi - ive got a spare pi anyway so its not a big deal, appreciate the response though!

[RealLarry]

i was just wondering if i could have combined the MT32 which has a pi already with ttyrpi - ive got a spare pi anyway so its not a big deal, appreciate the response though!

tty2rpi on the mt32-pi isn't possible (in the actual form). The latter is using a "Bare Metal OS" which has only its tools and libs implemented and hasn't any possibility to add any (way more complex) other stuff.

mt32/GM on a tty2rpi setup (complete OS) would be possible and not that hard to realize, but this isn't a feature I'm going to implement (but everyone is free to implement it themselves). But keep in mind that mt32/GM emulation is a very time critical thing.

[metalfacemark]

Thank you, ive found my spare pi - so ill have a crack over the weekend at setting it up.

[RealLarry]

Thank you, ive found my spare pi - so ill have a crack over the weekend at setting it up.

Great, have fun! And don't hesitate to ask if something doesn't work...
What display (format/dimension) are you going to use?

[metalfacemark]

Thank you, ive found my spare pi - so ill have a crack over the weekend at setting it up.

Great, have fun! And don't hesitate to ask if something doesn't work...
What display (format/dimension) are you going to use?

ive got an ipad screen with hdmi that i planned to use just for testing and if i can get it all working ill get one of the marquee looking ones to replace it.

[RealLarry]

Thank you, ive found my spare pi - so ill have a crack over the weekend at setting it up.

Great, have fun! And don't hesitate to ask if something doesn't work...
What display (format/dimension) are you going to use?

ive got an ipad screen with hdmi that i planned to use just for testing and if i can get it all working ill get one of the marquee looking ones to replace it.

That is one solution. But you could also use your standard flatscreen TV (if you own one) for testing...

[thorr]

Hi RealLarry: I ended up making my own version of this same project (see page 1 where I started talking about it) because I knew I could do it and wanted to have that journey of getting it all working, but I also didn't want to stomp on what you were doing for the community so I just went down my own path and kept it to myself. It works great with the MiSTer and is very easy to use and is completely flexible because it calls a script that can be customized per game. Right now by default, all I have to do is drop either jpg or png files into a folder on the Pi with the same name as the core and it displays it. I can easily make it play videos or cycle through images. I will probably automate this as well eventually by looking for multiple filenames like corename-01.ext corename-02.ext, etc. that tells the script what to do in what order and then loops, and have options to only play some things once, etc. (again part of the file name like corename-01-once.ext and corename-02-repeat.ext). Then I won't have to customize the scripts per game.

However, now that GroovyMAME is here, I also want to get it working with Mame. Essentially what I need to do is scp a file named CORENAME (if I recall correctly) from my Windows PC to my Raspberry Pi, and the Pi takes care of the rest. Do you have any tips on how to get the running game name into a file that I can then scp to my pi? Thanks!

[RealLarry]

Hi RealLarry: I ended up making my own version of this same project (see page 1 where I started talking about it) because I knew I could do it and wanted to have that journey of getting it all working, but I also didn't want to stomp on what you were doing for the community so I just went down my own path and kept it to myself. It works great with the MiSTer and is very easy to use and is completely flexible because it calls a script that can be customized per game. Right now by default, all I have to do is drop either jpg or png files into a folder on the Pi with the same name as the core and it displays it. I can easily make it play videos or cycle through images. I will probably automate this as well eventually by looking for multiple filenames like corename-01.ext corename-02.ext, etc. that tells the script what to do in what order and then loops, and have options to only play some things once, etc. (again part of the file name like corename-01-once.ext and corename-02-repeat.ext). Then I won't have to customize the scripts per game.

However, now that GroovyMAME is here, I also want to get it working with Mame. Essentially what I need to do is scp a file named CORENAME (if I recall correctly) from my Windows PC to my Raspberry Pi, and the Pi takes care of the rest. Do you have any tips on how to get the running game name into a file that I can then scp to my pi? Thanks!

That is what my project is for: Fork it and do it another way or simply better
I'll collect my scripts for MAME usage later this day. It's already working great since a long time, but my MAME arcade machine is build around Linux only, which means that these techniques and scripts may not work an Windows.

[RealLarry]

However, now that GroovyMAME is here, I also want to get it working with Mame. Essentially what I need to do is scp a file named CORENAME (if I recall correctly) from my Windows PC to my Raspberry Pi, and the Pi takes care of the rest. Do you have any tips on how to get the running game name into a file that I can then scp to my pi? Thanks!

I'm starting MAME with its option "-output network". This way MAME opens a listening local network socket on port 8000. On the same machine one of my scripts starts "netcat" (nc) which waits for one received packet and after receiving one it scans the data for specific keywords:

Code: Select all

while true; do
  MAMEOUT="$(nc -W1 localhost 8000 | tr -c '[[:print:]]' ' ')"          # output of MAME
  MAMECMD=$(echo ${MAMEOUT} | cut -d " " -f 1)                          # 1st param: command
  if [ "${MAMECMD}" = "mame_start" ] ; then
    CORE=$(echo ${MAMEOUT} | cut -d " " -f 3)                           # core's name
    [ "${CORE}" = "___empty" ] && CORE="MENU"
    if ! [ "${CORE}" = "${LASTCORE}" ]; then                            # only if != LASTCORE
      logger "tty2rpi - show core ${CORE%.*}"
      echo "CMDCOR,${CORE}" > ${TTY2RPI}                                # show media
      LASTCORE="${CORE}"
    fi
  fi
  sleep 0.5
  [ -z $(pidof mame) ] && exit 0                                        # MAME still running?
done

That's all what I'm doing.

[thorr]

However, now that GroovyMAME is here, I also want to get it working with Mame. Essentially what I need to do is scp a file named CORENAME (if I recall correctly) from my Windows PC to my Raspberry Pi, and the Pi takes care of the rest. Do you have any tips on how to get the running game name into a file that I can then scp to my pi? Thanks!

I'm starting MAME with its option "-output network". This way MAME opens a listening local network socket on port 8000. On the same machine one of my scripts starts "netcat" (nc) which waits for one received packet and after receiving one it scans the data for specific keywords:

That's all what I'm doing.

Thanks! This is very helpful. I will play with it and see if I can get it working in Windows and report back after I have made some progress.

[Darkmister]

I have a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and an 14 inch ultra-wide screen monitor with a resolution of 38401100, but the Raspberry Pi can only display 19201080 and cannot adapt to the aspect ratio.

[RealLarry]

I have a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and an 14 inch ultra-wide screen monitor with a resolution of 38401100, but the Raspberry Pi can only display 19201080 and cannot adapt to the aspect ratio.

I assume that this is a HDMI display? I'll have a look at this, but none of my displays is having a display resolution bigger then 1080p (1920 x 1080). But I'll come back to you to request some diagnostic data...

[RealLarry]

I have a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and an 14 inch ultra-wide screen monitor with a resolution of 38401100, but the Raspberry Pi can only display 19201080 and cannot adapt to the aspect ratio.

Please send me the file ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log and the output of the command

Code: Select all

DISPLAY=:0 xrandr

from your RPi to get an idea what your display type/model and detected display resolutions it is capable of.

[Darkmister]

First of all, thank you for your help. My Raspberry Pi 3B+ keeps failing when running the tty2rpi script. At the same time, I don't have permission to modify files under the boot directory, such as config.

[dcrosby]

So I think I have everything working, got some pictures copied over, although I have a BigBlue, that I want to put a 30"Monitor in, I think it'll fit, but measure 2x cut never, but buy the right display !
But I was wondering if I was to Hard-Wire the Pi to MiSTer, would I just make a crossover cable, and then hard code the IP's ? are there any other issues regarding setting this up that way? I would Imagine if I didn't set a gateway, it (Mister) would still find the internet wirelessly? as well as the PI ?
So the idea is to have the TTY2RPI communicate wired, and then have Mister and Pi communicate wirelessly, since having an arcade cab that you have to run ethernet for isn't great... I'd want to be able to move it around in the house to wherever it look good, and then SSH into both and update what I need... I'm also thinking of creating a library of Big-Blue Marquees designed for a 16:9 1080 Aspect ratio, with proper Big Blue marquees for Vampire Saviro, Alien Vs. Predator, Mega Man, SF2/3 etc.. etc...

[RealLarry]

I'm unsure if I'm getting everything you said Let's de-puzzle some things:

• A network crossover cable is ok for the Pi and MiSTer if "network" is correct configured, but no internet and no updates then
• Integrating Pi and MiSTer to an existing cabled/wifi network is the normal way we go. If you not configure a default gateway (to them), no internet and no updates possible
• An option is a serial connection between MiSTer and the Pi. tty2rpi is already capable of this (although not yet documented), but again, no internet and no updates possible

[dcrosby]

Yes, sorry I ramble on...
I was thinking, 2 Ethernet connections on each box.

• wired Ethernet, (Crossover Cable) no gateway for the tty2rpi --> MiSTer connection

• wirless Ethernet (Wifi) with a gateway for remote ssh, and updates, for the internet

This way you could have both, and if you hard coded the wired Ethernet with no dhcp, it would work.

[RealLarry]

Yes, sorry I ramble on...
I was thinking, 2 Ethernet connections on each box.

• wired Ethernet, (Crossover Cable) no gateway for the tty2rpi --> MiSTer connection

• wirless Ethernet (Wifi) with a gateway for remote ssh, and updates, for the internet

This way you could have both, and if you hard coded the wired Ethernet with no dhcp, it would work.

Hum...yes, that would work, but: why should one do this? I can't get the point of it.

[dcrosby]

Because the Building I'm putting this into is not going to have wifi in the normal SSID/PW situations, but it's one of those corporate deals where the password shifts, and like in a hotel you have to sign in and give some identifying information, all well and good, but not great for the TTI2PI situation... So I can do that or create an ad-hoc network with an ethernet bridge on my laptop to update the system (New Roms Jotego cores, new artwork), but when it's running for the majority of it's time, it's going to be running stand-alone, and Isolated. So having wired ethernet cable between the two, to assure connectivity for the marquee is guaranteed would be preferred. That way regardless of what wifi does, the marquee would work as expected. And I only have to wrestle with wifi when I need to add art, or cores...

[dcrosby]

This is my progress thus far...

Screenshot 2024-08-17 171951.jpg

Big Blue Rev1, 27" WG CRT, Msitercade, and TTY2PI driving the marquee... I'll do a full video some day

[MiSTer Consoles]

Because the Building I'm putting this into is not going to have wifi in the normal SSID/PW situations, but it's one of those corporate deals where the password shifts, and like in a hotel you have to sign in and give some identifying information, all well and good, but not great for the TTI2PI situation... So I can do that or create an ad-hoc network with an ethernet bridge on my laptop to update the system (New Roms Jotego cores, new artwork), but when it's running for the majority of it's time, it's going to be running stand-alone, and Isolated. So having wired ethernet cable between the two, to assure connectivity for the marquee is guaranteed would be preferred. That way regardless of what wifi does, the marquee would work as expected. And I only have to wrestle with wifi when I need to add art, or cores...

TTY2RPi can communicate with MiSTer using a serial connection and these cables. Since I don't always have a great WiFi connection throughout my house RealLarry was able to implement this functionality to avoid having to use an internet connection to handle the communication. It works perfectly and might even give a very slight performance advantage. I think it would work well for your situation too.

[dcrosby]

TTY2RPi can communicate with MiSTer using a serial connection and these cables. Since I don't always have a great WiFi connection throughout my house RealLarry was able to implement this functionality to avoid having to use an internet connection to handle the communication. It works perfectly and might even give a very slight performance advantage. I think it would work well for your situation too.

That actually sounds like a better more "Local Approach". Also is there an option to change the marquee when you're picking a game from the MiSTer menu? (Before it loads) I was looking and I didn't see anything like that...

[MiSTer Consoles]

TTY2RPi can communicate with MiSTer using a serial connection and these cables. Since I don't always have a great WiFi connection throughout my house RealLarry was able to implement this functionality to avoid having to use an internet connection to handle the communication. It works perfectly and might even give a very slight performance advantage. I think it would work well for your situation too.

That actually sounds like a better more "Local Approach". Also is there an option to change the marquee when you're picking a game from the MiSTer menu? (Before it loads) I was looking and I didn't see anything like that...

The display of a marquee or graphic for a given core or game relies on information that is written to temporary files so that TTY2RPi can find the corresponding images. That doesn't happen until the core/game is selected. As far as I know there is no way to show the marquee for a given core/game as you highlight it in the menu unfortunately.

[dcrosby]

Ok, thanks, maybe in the future