How to count number of frames of lag for Run Ahead using keyboard
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Hi all! I'm currently using the latest weekly build of RetroPie on my Pi4 and I'm experimenting with Run Ahead, which is amazing so far! At this point, I've been choosing the number of Run Ahead frames by what 'feels' right but I'm hoping to dial things in more precisely and cut out only exactly the number of frames of lag using the same method ETA Prime uses in this video:
He's using a PC and presses P on the keyboard to pause the game, holds the jump button on his controller, then presses K on keyboard until the character's jump begins in order to count the number of frames of lag. In the end, the number of frames of lag equals the number of times K is pressed minus 1.In all of my efforts so far, I can't figure out how to get this method working in RetroPie because of the Hotkey. As soon as I plug in my keyboard, RetroPie treats it as a controller/gamepad unless I'm holding the Hotkey. But when I'm holding the Hotkey, I can't hold down the jump button on my controller.
Does anyone know how I can precisely count the number of frames of lag in RetroPie? Thanks for any advice!!
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Use the keyboard only and remove the controller then.
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@mitu If I remove the controller, I have the same issue where the keyboard is treated as a gamepad unless I hold down the hotkey. And if I hold down the hotkey to pause with P or advance the frames one at a time with K, I can't hold down the jump button.
Is there a way for the keyboard to not be treated as a gamepad and simply as a keyboard, as it works in ETA Prime's video?
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yes use gamefocus mode if its not set set it to something it will disable hotkeys and retropad binds
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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.
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@grant2258 I'll do a search on gamefocus mode, thanks.
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its in settings -> input -> hotkeybinds
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@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.
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@EmergencyPoncho These are the default binds for a keyboard in RetroArch - this is how the testing was done in the video I presume ?
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@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.
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@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!
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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 withHotkey + K.Alternatively, unplug the gamepad and use
Z/X(instead of A/B) and the arrow keys instead of the D-Pad. UsePandKnormally to pause/frame advance. -
@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.
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@EmergencyPoncho The keyboard itself - by default - doesn't have a hotkey assigned, so if you remove the gamepad, there's no hotkey at all.
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@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.
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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).
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@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.
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As long as you disconnect your gamepad, there's no Hotkey issue. I'm not going to repeat myself again.
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@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.
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@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 ?
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