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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    Weird behavior after installing pulseaudio-module-bluetooth.

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    bugpulseaudioframeratefps dropfps
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    • I
      Izzi
      last edited by

      TL;DR: Framerate capped at 50 after installing pulseaudio-module-bluetooth. Removing the package doesn't solve the problem. Only fix seems to be re-flashing a new image.

      I searched around to see if anyone noticed it before and found nothing. I stumbled upon a really weird behavior after installing pulseaudio-module-bluetooth for pairing bluetooth speakers. (I followed this guide).

      The audio works flawlessly, but after the installation, all my games begun to run at around 48~50 fps when I could get a smooth 60fps before.

      I'm running a Raspberry Pi 4 model with the latest 4.6 image, arm clock at 1.9Ghz and gpu clock at 750Mhz. The power supply is adequate (CanaKit, even checked using vcgencmd get_throttled, output was 0x0) and thermals are completely fine (caps around 60º under load using the Flirc case).

      I tried to mess around with NTSC/PAL configs to see if it was the case, I purged the package from the system and undid all the file changes, nothing solved the problem. Only way to fix it is by backing everything up and re-flashing the image again.

      I can consistently reproduce the problem doing:

      1. Flash the 4.6 image
      2. Run some games to measure framerate
      3. Run the bluetooth guide linked above
      4. Run the same games and compare framerate

      Expected behavior:
      Same framerate as before installing pulseaudio-module-bluetooth (60 fps with vsync on)

      Actual behavior:
      Framerate seems to float around 48~50 fps with vsync on.

      Roms used for testing:
      Mario Kart (snes), Link's Awakening (gbc), Mega Man Zero (gba) and Rival Schools Arcade Disc (psx)
      All run at 60fps before installation, 50fps after.

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      • mituM
        mitu Global Moderator
        last edited by

        Can you get an emulator log (/dev/shm/runcommand.log) captured with verbose logging ? Post it to pastebin.com.
        What does tvservice -s shows ?

        I 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • I
          Izzi @mitu
          last edited by

          @mitu Yeah, but I'll have to make you wait a little, I'm currently at work, will get the logs as soon as I clock out.

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          • I
            Izzi @mitu
            last edited by

            @mitu

            Sorry by the delay in response.

            Before installing pulseaudio-module-bluetooth and setting it up:

            tvservice -s outputs state 0xa [HDMI CUSTOM RGB lim 16:9], 1920x1080 @ 60.00Hz, progressive
            runcommand.log verbose output: https://pastebin.com/2ycTusDv

            After installing:
            tvservice -s outputs the same thing state 0xa [HDMI CUSTOM RGB lim 16:9], 1920x1080 @ 60.00Hz, progressive
            rincommand.log verbose output: https://pastebin.com/TUv7C3vk

            What I noticed this time, is that just installing the package doesn't cause the problem, I had to edit both /etc/pulse/default.pa and /etc/bluetooth/main.conf as stated in the guide for the problem to appear, and after that, reverting the changes does not resolve them.

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            • mituM
              mitu Global Moderator
              last edited by

              Thanks for providing the log file. I don't notice anything different between the 2 runs, so it's not something related to a configuration.
              Try removing pulseaudio completely then reboot the system, this might get rid of any PA interference.

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