How to count number of frames of lag for Run Ahead using keyboard

[grant2258]

yes use gamefocus mode if its not set set it to something it will disable hotkeys and retropad binds

[mitu]

I don't think I have the same problem as you - if I plug in a keyboard, it works like a keyboard, no hotkey is attached.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@grant2258 I'll do a search on gamefocus mode, thanks.

[grant2258]

its in settings -> input -> hotkeybinds

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu Weird! After I launch an emulator/game, my keyboard is automatically turned into a gamepad where the arrow keys are the d-pad and Z, X, etc are the face buttons. I have to hold down a hotkey (I've been using Select on my gamepad) in order to make the keyboard work as a regular, old keyboard.

[mitu]

@EmergencyPoncho These are the default binds for a keyboard in RetroArch - this is how the testing was done in the video I presume ?

[EmergencyPoncho]

@grant2258 Thanks, but I just tested this and as soon as I turn game focus mode on, the hotkey stops working, the keyboard no longer works as a gamepad but pressing keys like P or K on keyboard also do nothing now. I have to turn game focus off again then hold the hotkey in order to use P and K on the keyboard.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu Yes, I believe so. I haven't edited the keyboard bindings and the only keys pressed in the video are P to pause and K to advance one frame at a time all while he is holding jump on the gamepad. It seems so simple but, for some reason, this isn't working for me!

[mitu]

OK, I see it now - I could have sworn that keyboard input isn't influenced by the hotkey. You don't have to keep the Hotkey pressed once you've paused. So press Pause (Hotkey + P), release the hotkey, press Jump (on the gamepad), then frame advance with Hotkey + K.

Alternatively, unplug the gamepad and use Z/X (instead of A/B) and the arrow keys instead of the D-Pad. Use P and K normally to pause/frame advance.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu Hmm, that's essentially what I've been trying so far. I just tested this exact method again and I think the problem is that whenever the hotkey is held (either on the keyboard or on the controller) in order to Pause or Frame Advance, this nullifies the regular controller inputs, like jump. So when using the sequence you suggested, the character will never actually jump even though I'm holding the jump button when trying to advance frames.

[mitu]

@EmergencyPoncho The keyboard itself - by default - doesn't have a hotkey assigned, so if you remove the gamepad, there's no hotkey at all.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu Right, but I need the hotkey to Pause and Frame Advance, so it's more convenient to add a hotkey to the keyboard so I don't need to hold select on my controller and press P on the keyboard, for example. In any case, it looks like the hotkey makes it impossible to count the frames of lag. Maybe someday there will be an option for the keyboard to function only as a keyboard and not as a gamepad.

[mitu]

Seems to me like a self-inflicting problem - without a Hotkey on the KB, you'll be able to use it normally (as a keyboard).

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu This problem still occurs without a hotkey assigned to the keyboard - you still need to hold the gamepad hotkey (ex: Select) in order to press P and K on the keyboard to Pause and Frame Advance.

[mitu]

As long as you disconnect your gamepad, there's no Hotkey issue. I'm not going to repeat myself again.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@mitu I've tested this before by removing the gamepad and I just tested it again - the keyboard functions as a gamepad by default and pressing P and K on the keyboard don't do anything without the hotkey. And I have reset the config file so there is no hotkey assigned to the keyboard.

I appreciate your suggestions and your efforts but my time is also worth something and I too have been repeating myself. I get the sense you haven't tested what you're suggesting.

[mitu]

@EmergencyPoncho said in How to count number of frames of lag for Run Ahead using keyboard:

I appreciate your suggestions and your efforts but my time is also worth something and I too have been repeating myself. I get the sense you haven't tested what you're suggesting.

Actually I did, why would you assume I haven't ?

[saccublenda]

@EmergencyPoncho I was trying to do the same thing shown in the video, and I've figured out how to do it on RetroPie. The point is that, in order to have the Hotkey Binds (like pause and frame advance) act without pressing the hotkey you have to unbind the Hotkeys function (usually bound to select on the gamepad). Removing the gamepad in not enough.

1. Launch the game you want to test, open the Retroarch menu and go to
   Main Menu -> Settings -> User Interface
   and set Show Advanced Settings to ON. Then go to
   Main Menu -> Settings -> Input
   and set Autoconfig to OFF. Save the configuration and quit Retroarch.
2. Relaunch the game, open the Retroarch menu and go to
   Main Menu -> Settings -> Input-> Hotkey Binds
   Scroll down to Hotkeys and press the Y button on your gamepad. This will unbind the Hotkeys function. Step 1 is needed because if Autoconfig is set to ON the unbinding would reset Hotkeys to the autoconfiguration binding stored in /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch-joypads/.

At this point there will be no Hotkeys set, so all the Hotkey Binds would work without the need of keeping pressed the hotkey. I suggest you to also unbind all other Hotkey Binds bound to gamepad buttons or dpad, otherwise pressing these would just run the corresponding Hotkey Bind. Now all the Hotkey Binds bound to keyboard keys would run just pressing the corresponding key, so you can pause with p, keeping pressed the jump button on the gamepad, and press k to advance the frame.

[grant2258]

Ive honestly never found the need to speed lag up better than original hardware. The original hardware had these limitations in mind when they where made and compensated for

I cant really tell the difference in most cases. Anyway the only real way to match original hardware would be to speed camera the hardware in question and match it up to that not to when your character starts moving when you press a button.

[EmergencyPoncho]

@saccublenda Thanks so much for the reply, saccublenda!! I just tested your instructions, and this is exactly what I've been trying to do! After going through your steps, my gamepad no longer works for this lag text, but I'm able to use the keyboard as a gamepad (keyboard keys Z, X, A, S, etc) AS WELL as using the P and K keys for Retroarch shortcuts for Pause and Frame Advance. I just used this method to test Earthworm Jim 2 on the Genesis and there are 3 frames of lag. I previously played this game (and all other Genesis games so far) with Run Ahead set to 3 frames but now I'm glad I can measure this precisely. Thanks again!