StephenJ Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Hello, When I run the attached NTSC file on my Harmony Cart, it causes the screen to constantly scroll...just like the PAL versions. It would be great if someone would try the file on their Harmony Cart to see if it does the same thing. All the best, StephenJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Nothing's attached. Run the ROM in Stella then hit COMMAND-L (Mac) or ALT-L (Linux, Windows) and check the scan line count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenJ Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 "...Nothing's attached..." Sorry...here it is. StephenJ Alien8k(NTSC).bin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrekMD Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Cool. I only had the PAL 60 version so nice to have the NTSC version now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenJ Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 Nothing's attached. Run the ROM in Stella then hit COMMAND-L (Mac) or ALT-L (Linux, Windows) and check the scan line count. When I hit Alt-L I get the following in the top-left hand corner of the screen: 262 @ 60.00 FPS => NTSC* F8* (8K) Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Another little problem with the hack is on the second screen, you have to push down before you can move up. Otherwise you're stuck at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrekMD Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Another little problem with the hack is on the second screen, you have to push down before you can move up. Otherwise you're stuck at the bottom. I noticed this. At least it is a known issue and relatively easy to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 (edited) I tried the game tonight, on my Jr. I have the same screen issue. It's not really scrolling, but it does jump horribly. It makes it completely unplayable. So, I tested it on my Vader and my 7800. It still had the jumping issue. It's unplayable. I don't see why someone hasn't already fixed it. I would, but I'd have no clue where to even begin. Edited July 26, 2017 by RamrodHare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenJ Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 Spicewar, Any chance the Alien 8K (NTSC) can be fixed to work with the Harmony Cart? Thanks, StephenJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Sure, whoever hacked it needs to fix their VSYNC routine. It's only holding it for 1 scanline, a TV needs the VSYNC signal to be held for 3 scanlines. If you're asking me to fix it, sorry but no. Without source it's not something I could quickly fix, and my plate is full as I need to finish this in time for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 (edited) This was done by Kurt Howe, back in 2005, I think. I tried to look him up here on the forums and on google, but I didn't have any luck finding a way to get in touch with him.. I found this info , so I'm going to see if I can figure out how to fix the issue. It seems simple enough, but I got stuck trying to hack colors not long ago. This is all new to me, but I have to learn sometime! 3.3 Vertical timing When the electron beam has scanned 262 lines, the TV set must be signaled to blank the beam and position it at the top of the screen to start a new frame. This signal is called vertical sync, and the TIA must transmit this signal for at least 3 scan lines. This is accomplished by writing a “1” in D1 of VSYNC to turn it on, count at least 2 scan lines, then write a “0” to D1 of VSYNC to turn it off. To physically turn the beam off during its repositioning time, the TV set needs 37 scan lines of vertical blanks signal from the TIA. This is accomplished by writing a “1” in D1 of VBLANK to turn it on, count 37 lines, then write a “0” to D1 of VBLANK to turn it off. The microprocessor is of course free to execute other software during the vertical timing commands, VSYNC and VBLANK. Edited July 28, 2017 by RamrodHare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 I just realized that it says 2010 on the title, so this isn't as old as I thought, but it doesn't change the fact that I can't find a way to contact Kurt Howe. I have made a bit of progress using Stella to go through the code, but the version of Stella I have is having issues with crashing on Windows 7. I've got to get that sorted out before I can work on fixing this. I've found VSYNC and managed to make it roll on Stella, so I have a feeling I can just mess around with it until I get it working right, but I'll read through some more tutorials to see if I can get a better grasp on what I'm actually doing, instead of just changing values. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Not sharing anything that isn't already public knowledge... Kurt is "Nukey Shay". Which also explains the very tight assembly code around the vsync that I saw when I looked into this hack earlier today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Not sharing anything that isn't already public knowledge... Kurt is "Nukey Shay". Which also explains the very tight assembly code around the vsync that I saw when I looked into this hack earlier today. That's news to me. I had no idea Nukey Shay was Kurt. I guess I wasn't looking in the right place. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenJ Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 Sure, whoever hacked it needs to fix their VSYNC routine. It's only holding it for 1 scanline, a TV needs the VSYNC signal to be held for 3 scanlines. If you're asking me to fix it, sorry but no. Without source it's not something I could quickly fix, and my plate is full as I need to finish this in time for this. Thanks anyway...Have a great time at the Expo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nukey Shay Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 The source was included with the binaries (as I usually do). Plenty unused space to make any mods needed...in this case, adding 2 WSYNC writes just above the final VSYNC. Have at it if you don't want to wait for me to do it. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/159370-alien8k 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I don't have have the brains to fix it, so I'm more than happy to wait until someone smart comes along or Nukey has time to to work on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiki Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 http://atariage.com/forums/topic/218240-fixed-games-for-your-2600-jr-pal-esp-later-model/?do=findComment&comment=2859921 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 http://atariage.com/forums/topic/218240-fixed-games-for-your-2600-jr-pal-esp-later-model/?do=findComment&comment=2859921 That's cool, but we were looking for the NTSC version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SpiceWare Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I took a quick look. I added the 2 WSYNCs but still had screen jumps on my C=1084S. So something else is a factor, but it wasn't immediately obvious. I'm back to working on Draconian. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I'm back to working on Draconian. Good choice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I ported Omegamatrix' changes to NTSC. Does this work better? Alien8k(NTSCfixV4).bin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenJ Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 I ported Omegamatrix' changes to NTSC. Does this work better? Hi RevEng, Unfortunately it still has the same scrolling problem. Thanks for trying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamrodHare Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 I appreciate the efforts of everyone who has tried to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nukey Shay Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 The boot screen had the same problem...another attempt: Alien8k(NTSCfixv5).bin 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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