No 480i possible at emulationstation/Kodi PI4 400

[lightpixel]

I ´ve a problem to setup my Retropie system for an old Sony Trinitron Tv...
The rainbow start screen and retropie startscreen are displayed perfect on my Tv..
But when ES starts, it switches to 480p. In raspi-config I am not able to change the resolution to CEA 6, because it´s not available...

I can force by tvservice --explicit to CEA manually but not on startup ES

Here´s my config.txt:

# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=768	
#framebuffer_height=576

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
hdmi_group:0=1
hdmi_mode:0=6

#hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
#config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2
#sdtv_aspect=3
#enable_tvout=1

#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
#dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
overscan_scale=1
gpu_mem=320
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=4

tvservice -s 
state 0xa [HDMI CEA (6) RGB lim 4:3 x2], 720x480 @ 60.00Hz, interlaced

[mitu]

I've re-formatted your config.txt contents with a code block, it will be easier to read.
Looking at it, you have 2 distinct configurations for the resolution:

hdmi_group:0=1
hdmi_mode:0=6

...

hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=4

Remove the 2nd entry and see if the 480i mode is applied on start-up. Also, you can remove the gpu_mem entry, recent RaspiOS released don't need that anymore.

[lightpixel]

@mitu

no success till yet: It´s boots in progressive...
It works if I manually start a tvservice -e"CEA 6"
Than ES switch to 480i. So I need to set this command to autostart.sh or autostart.cfg? I dont know...

In raspi-config under "display options" there´s no CEA 6 visable... how can I add the special mode?

[mitu]

What Pi model do you have ? You haven't given any detail on it and how you installed it. I assume the TV is connected via HDMI.

In raspi-config under "display options" there´s no CEA 6 visable... how can I add the special mode?

EDIT: Looks like raspi-config filters out non-progressive video modes (see here). But raspi-config will do the same thing as you've done - write some values to config.txt, so there's no advantage over editing the configuration file directly.

[lightpixel]

@mitu

Oh I am sorry.
Pi4 400
weekly retropie image from yesterday
simple HDMI 2 VGA converter (yes, it supports 480i)
VGA 2 Scart cable...

[mitu]

Oh I am sorry.
Pi4 400

Eh, it was in the title, forgot about it - sorry.

I've tested with a pi3 and the config.txt changes work, but haven't tested with a Pi4.

For the Pi4, things may be different, since tvservice sets the firmware resolution, but the GPU drivers use the EDID information retrieved from the display for the list of supported resolutions.

What does tvservice -m CEA reports when you run it from the command line ?

[lightpixel]

@mitu

Group CEA has 5 modes:
mode 1: 640x480 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:25MHz progressive
mode 2: 720x480 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:27MHz progressive
mode 3: 720x480 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:27MHz progressive
mode 4: 1280x720 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:74MHz progressive
mode 16: 1920x1080 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:148MHz progressive

...seems raspi-config filters out all interlaced modes.
This is so sad, because many many people love to play there old games on there old CRT TV set´s...

[mitu]

@lightpixel said in No 480i possible at emulationstation/Kodi PI4 400:

mode 1: 640x480 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:25MHz progressive
mode 2: 720x480 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:27MHz progressive
mode 3: 720x480 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:27MHz progressive
mode 4: 1280x720 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:74MHz progressive
mode 16: 1920x1080 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:148MHz progressive

Seems the interlaced mode is not reported by the converter.
Add to the configuration file:

hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080

and see if it makes a difference.

...seems raspi-config filters out all interlaced modes.
This is so sad, because many many people love to play there old games on there old CRT TV set´s...

raspi-config not showing that particular video mode is not an obstacle in making it work. Worse case - if config.txt setting don't work - you can set the video mode via tvservice.

[lightpixel]

@mitu
Yes it´s wired...
If I set manually tvservice -e "CEA 6" the adapter works...
I added hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080 in the config.txt
now the resolution is correct set to 640x480, but progressive.
... I also added tvservice -e "CEA 6" in the config.txt, but it it´s not recognized....
I´ve done a test with a OSMC (KODI folk for raspberry) and there´s 480i working like charm... so it must be Pi4 relatetd issue in retropie

[mitu]

@lightpixel said in No 480i possible at emulationstation/Kodi PI4 400:

... I also added tvservice -e "CEA 6" in the config.txt, but it it´s not recognized....

That's a command, not a valid config.txt configuration option.
Can you post your current config.txt ? Add code blocks (```) before and after the contents.

[lightpixel]

@mitu

# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=768	
#framebuffer_height=576

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group:0=1
#hdmi_mode:0=6

tvservice -e "CEA 6"

hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2
#sdtv_aspect=3
#enable_tvout=1

#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
#dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
#overscan_scale=1

Oh success: I´ve put the

tvservice -e "CEA 6"
 

in the autostart.sh and now it works...

[mitu]

Your config.txt is wrong - you've commented out the hdmi_mode/hdmi_group options and set hdmi_safe , which will set a fixed resolution. Plus, the tvservice command doesn't go in config.txt.

I suggest you start with a stock config.txt and add at the end:

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_group=1
hdmi_mode=6
hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080

[dankcushions]

@lightpixel
and also
config_hdmi_boost=4
doesn't apply to pi4: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/configuration.html#troubleshooting-your-hdmi

[lightpixel]

@dankcushions
thanks to all but I give it up...
ES starts in 480i now correctly, but Kodi and all other emus switch to 480p when starting.
I´ve here a Pi2scart on my desk which I ´ve ordered some month ago...
Is there any chance to get I work at 480i?
I should only setup the corrcet hdmi timings for 480i... but how?

[mitu]

Is there any chance to get I work at 480i?
I should only setup the corrcet hdmi timings for 480i... but how?

Don't have a Pi2Scart set-up, so can't comment on that.

[sirhenrythe5th]

i dont know if this is still up-to-date, but after my dissapointing try to connect my Pi4 to a CRT i also wanted to buy a Pi2Scart.
At this point it was not possible to use it without issues, there were problems with the 3,5" headphone-jack, which is used by the Pi2Scart for audio-output.

[lightpixel]

@sirhenrythe5th
for me sound over the 3,5mm jack is working perfect. And at 240p everthing is working like a charm....

[sirhenrythe5th]

@lightpixel thanks a lot for info, then this issue seems to be resolved.
Do i understand it right that with this Pi2ScartDevice you also bypass this downclocking of the CPU that the Pi4/OS does when the AV-Out of the Pi4 is used?

[lightpixel]

@sirhenrythe5th can´t tell exactly, but I did nt notice any performance differences between Pi2scart and composite.