ScummVM or ScummVM with SDL1 ?

[maxbeanz]

The SDL 1 version has fully working MT32 Sound emulation (if you add the required roms). The other version of SCUMMVM crashes on most games that use MT32 (when selected). I think they should add a note like this to the RetroPie Setup.

[Aphex]

Thanks! It's much clearer now.

Though, i am now wondering: If the SDL1 version has that extra compatibility feature, is there still a point to install the normal version? So far all i've heard was a gamepad/joystick issue with the SDL1 version of ScummVM but that issue was already adressed (i think?)

[ExarKunIv]

@maxbeanz

i was wondering that my self. i just never got around to asking or messing with it myself.

so maybe i will do that now :) Thx for the info and to @Aphex for asking the question

[stoo]

The SDL2 version seems to work with MT-32 now. The Legend of Kyrandia doesn't freeze if you enable MT-32.

If you set "Don't use Roland MT-32 music" in the menu, The Legend of Kyrandia will freeze at the game start screen.

If you try to use General Midi, ScummVM will give a warning when you try to load The Legend of Kyrandia and then crash immediately.

What I did:

• mkdir called extra in /opt/retropie/configs/scummvm/ (because I don't want the scraper to see these files)
• Copy MT32_CONTROL.ROM and MT32_PCM.ROM to /opt/retropie/configs/scummvm/extra
• ScummVM Options - Paths - Extra Path: /opt/retropie/configs/scummvm/extra
• Set MT-32 Device: Use first available device

Result: MT-32 now works fine in The Legend of Kyrandia!

This is with the latest ScummVM build from the RetroPie repos which is, at time of writing: 2.0.1pre (Jan 19 2018 17:55:08).

Conclusion: It seems the SDL2 bug preventing MT-32 support is now fixed.

[jonnykesh]

@stoo Have you tried any other games that support MT-32?

[stoo]

@jonnykesh Yep, just tried Simon the Sorcerer which is a native MT-32 game. It works fine.

[jonnykesh]

@stoo Thanks for that. Only asking as one could be a fluke. I'l have a mess about as soon as I get a chance. Glad to know it's fixed. I've been enjoying a few ScummVM games but thought the music was a bit weak in some of them and it kinda, not ruined, but weakened the experience.
If you are going to emulate, you may as well emulate some decent hardware!

[BillyH]

@aphex said in ScummVM or ScummVM with SDL1 ?:

So far all i've heard was a gamepad/joystick issue with the SDL1 version of ScummVM but that issue was already adressed (i think?)

I tried both last weekend and I couldn't get SDL1 to work with my controller, while the other (actually newer) version worked with the controller right away, without any need for remapping even.

[coldnpale]

Are there any plans to merge or add MT-32 support to the standard scummVM?

[stoo]

@coldnpale I don't understand your question.

MT-32 support is enabled in both SDL1 and SDL2 RetroPie builds.

The SDL2 version is the recommended version. AFAIK, the SDL1 build was only maintained because several months ago the SDL2 build didn't work with certain controller types and the SDL1 version just happened to work with MT-32 while an old SDL2 bug was preventing it.

That bug has now been fixed and MT-32 is working in SDL2. The only reason to use the SDL1 build would be if you had some exotic controller that didn't play nice in SDL2. I doubt that's the case for many users now.

The main ScummVM project targets SDL2 now, and support for SDL1 is vanishing.

If you mean distribute ScummVM with the MT-32 ROMs included, that is not possible. The MT-32 ROMs are owned by Roland and historically they do send C&D letters to infringers. To use them legally you must own an MT-32 device and you should dump the ROMs from it yourself, but since that's a chore I believe many people use MT-32 ROMs "found" on the Internet.

Realistically, most people won't ever own any MT-32 compatible device. They appear on eBay from time to time and they tend to go for a LOT of money. Recently I've seen from around $210 for an MT-32 up to $1900(!!) for a boxed LAPC-I card!

I suppose if you wanted to be quasi-legal and have the goodfeels of supporting Roland you could subscribe to the Roland Cloud which includes their D-50 softsynth. The MT-32 is essentially a cost-reduced box version of the original D-50 synth. Ironically, the MT-32 (and compatibles) can now sometimes outprice the D-50 on eBay!

[coldnpale]

@stoo
I cannot blame you for not understanding my question. In fact I hadn't correctly understood the scummVM versions. But now you made everything clear.
I thought the sdl2 version was absent and replaced by sdl1 version. But if I understand correctly now, the standard scummVM version is the sdl2.

Regarding the second part, of course I didn't mean supplying scummvm with mt32 roms, that would be very wrong obviously.
Does this mean, however, that if I buy a game from gog (like I did recently with GK1:sins of the fathers) it will not come with mt32 roms?

[stoo]

@coldnpale Almost certainly not. I very much doubt GOG have the right to do that.

[coldnpale]

@stoo
I see, shame the right are still exclusively held by roland but it makes sense.
Thanks again for your time in answering those things for me stoo!

[marus]

@stoo My "exotic" Wii U Pro actually does not work with SDL2 and work fine in SDL1 (retropie 4.3, PI 3).
Anyway i found another difference about resolution, i can't set the same resolution i have in SDL2 (almost cover the full screen) in SDL1: any tricks?
Thanks in advance.
MR

[hhromic]

Hi guys, as ScummVM users I would like to invite you to test the scriptmodule I'm developing for installing the libretro/retroarch version of ScummVM here: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/19693/lr-scummvm-request-for-comments-and-testing

It does have MT32 enabled and as long as your MT32 ROM files are alongside the games data files, it should work out of the box. However, on the games I tested I had varying success. I didn't try the games you mention here with native MT32 yet, so if you can give your feedback it would be greatly appreciated.
Also, because is retroarch-based, mapping the controllers should be straightforward.
Thanks!

[stoo]

@marus sorry I don't know how to fix the screen scaling in the SDL1 version.

If you're using the Mayflash WiiU Pro Game Controller Adapter there is indeed no line for it under Linux in the controller db (but it's there in the Windows and MacOS sections):

https://github.com/gabomdq/SDL_GameControllerDB/blob/master/gamecontrollerdb.txt

I dunno how you would go about getting it added to the list.

Marus you might want to try testing the lr-scummvm port for @hhromic. If it works then your controller would be handled by RetroArch, which would solve your issue.

[marus]

@stoo Thank you, then better go with lr-scumm: i'm installing from source.
Soon I will let you know the results.

[hhromic]

@stoo thanks for the support!
@marus let me know (in the lr-scummvm thread) if you have any issues and will try to help. The idea is to make the scriptmodule as mature and easy to use as possible.
Just remember that the core has a minor bug that sometimes it crashes when you try to exit from RA (for example using the HotKey + Exit combo). The safe way is to go to the ScummVM's menu (using START) and then quiting from there. You will get back to RA where you can now safely exit without crashing. Everything else so far seems to be working fine.
I reported the issue and hopefully a solution will be fouund.

[mbworth]

This post is deleted!

[mbworth]

@stoo I was wondering are you able to change the controller format for the ps3 controls to work with sdl 2? Because when I use the ps3 I have to use the select button as my button to click with instead of x.