MiSTer FPGA Forum

I see 1024x768 and 1600x1200 but no 1280x1024? It it possible? In 24-bit?

Yes, you can do that. I have a ScreenMode settings file on my MiSTer at home that will give you this, I’ll upload it a bit later unless someone beats me to it in the meantime (please do!)

I mis-remembered, I had a file for 1024×768 instead. If anyone uses the Picasso tools to make a 1280×1024 resolution in the meantime, I’ll include both in the next release.

Is this good enough? I did a quick Google and found this: https://forum.amiga.org/index.php?PHPSE ... #msg295546

cursedverses wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2024 5:45 pm

Is this good enough? I did a quick Google and found this: https://forum.amiga.org/index.php?PHPSE ... #msg295546

Cool thanks I'll give it a try. I was wondering how close of a clone the MiSTer core's RTG is of the real hardware. Also found this thread here: viewtopic.php?t=3707

That last screenshot in your link definitely seems to be the key!

thisisamigaspeaking wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2024 10:00 pm

Cool thanks I'll give it a try. I was wondering how close of a clone the MiSTer core's RTG is of the real hardware. Also found this thread here: viewtopic.php?t=3707

It’s not a clone of a real board, it just uses the frame buffer directly, since that’s a much more capable and faster approach.

So you are not limited to a sub-50hz refresh like the board in that thread.

When I go into this Picasso96Mode utility, clicking the "new" button does nothing but bring up a little "new" tooltip. Can't see to get it to make a new resolution entry.

It’s one of the most user-hostile pieces of software I have ever used

Maybe look for a YouTube video or something? If not, I’ll get to it eventually, but a bit busy these days.

limi wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2024 1:17 pm

It’s one of the most user-hostile pieces of software I have ever used

You are right about that. I figured it out. You drag the "new" icon to either the Resolutions list or the Modes list.

One thing I'm not sure about is the difference between the values (FrameSize etc.) in the linked post and the program's default values for that resolution as both seem to have the same net effect.

Default:

And linked post:

On a tangent, it seems like 1280x1024 is a great resolution for MiSTer. I had been running at 1920x1080 but I am set up with a 1280x1024 monitor (as well as a scaler for retro computers and a capture card) and it is working out well. There are a lot of 1280x1024 LCDs out there still and the aspect ratio is good for retro stuff. Of course you may not get fancy features like HDR and VRR.

I'm on the waiting list for a Checkmate Display - a relatively new 4:3 monitor at 1280x1024. If I can get my hand son one, this will help a lot I'm the future and I'll look to see if I can get a 60Hz mode too.

So thanks for trying this and posting the results!

cursedverses wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 2:23 pm

I'm on the waiting list for a Checkmate Display - a relatively new 4:3 monitor at 1280x1024. If I can get my hand son one, this will help a lot I'm the future and I'll look to see if I can get a 60Hz mode too.

So thanks for trying this and posting the results!

Cool! I'd like a Checkmate monitor although as I mentioned I have gone a different route of investing in separate scaler(s) and such. I have a Checkmate Mini case for my MiSTer and I am extremely satisfied with it. A3000 style is great to have.

As 1280x1024 a Checkmate is a 5:4 monitor not quite 4:3, but it's close enough for minimal distortion I guess. I think in the case of MiSTer it's best to let MiSTer handle all the scaling and such and just set it to your native resolution in HDMI (1280x1024 60Hz). Rather than try to fill a 5:4 screen or let the 5:4 screen scale anything, I would use the different scaling options in MiSTer and accept some black bars at the edges in favor of the least distorted output possible.

To be clear, even though it says 54 or 55Hz in the Picasso control panel, the MiSTer is outputting 60Hz (or whatever resolution and refresh you have it set to) on the HDMI port. I guess the VGA/RGB port would be native (never used it) but I see little reason to use that for anything but CRTs. Looks like the Picasso emulation is limited to a 100MHz clock while DVI single link is 165MHz but that is the internal representation, not what MiSTer outputs.

Oh yeah, for anyone considering just going for a very inexpensive second hand 1280x1024 display, single link DVI is the same signaling as HDMI, so a simple cable can convert HDMI output at 1280x1024 up to 85Hz to DVI. No audio though, of course.

While modular, the Checkmate displays are best suited for native input from low resolution retro devices from what I understand about them - that's where the value proposition would be. For SCART/RGB there is always the option of OSSC or RetroTink. I like the Extron DSC 301 HD for higher frequency VGA/RGB to HDMI - I've seen an OSSC run through an Extron to good effect. This also lets me integrate an HDMI capture card in the pipeline easily.

Following up on this, on a hunch I tried setting the parameters to no overscan to free up some bandwidth. The Picasso utility lets you do this and it says 1280x1024 76Hz, and testing the mode works (assuming it actually takes it, can't verify the refresh), but the ScreenMode utility always seems to have the same refresh rate for 1280x1024: 58.46Khz, 55Hz. It seems to ignore the settings in the Picasso96Mode utility, perhaps that's related to the implementation in MiSTer?

I got the impression that RTG modes always run at 60Hz regardless of what the Picasso tool says?

(Ideally, I'd like to try a 960x600 RTG mode at 50Hz to see if it can switch more between RTG and PAL modes more seamlessly, without forcing the monitor to re-sync)

The upcoming version of AmigaVision has a preset for this included, I have attached the preset for anyone that wants to use it on their own setup or needs it in the meantime.