DVI + monitor timing issues, please help!

OK, here`s my problem.

All of my Blitz programs run fine in fullscreen mode however since getting a flatscreen monitor and using the DVI connection windowed programs are almost half of the framerate that they should be. This is only happening with Blitz games and programs and I suspect that it is a refresh rate problem.

I have tried vwait : flip false but no luck, CreateTimer(my monitors refresh rate 75) no luck and am really stuck for things to try. I have also disabled the VWait in my NVidia settings but nothing, windowed mode is still slow and jerky going at 30ish FPS instead of 75.

When using BMax and setting the Graphics commands hertz setting to 75 programs in windowed mode work silky smooth. Is there no way to get back my smoothness in B3D\B+?

Incidentally, using a VGA connection on the monitor cures the problem completely but I lose the sharpness of my image so I really do not want to go back. I need my B3D programs to work again. Has anybody else experienced this problem who has found a way around it?

Any help would be great,
Jason.

No - the whole thing sounds pretty absurd to me. The only thing I can imagine could possibly be at fault is poor video drivers.

you sure your tft does 75? mine does 60hz (it ignores any attempt by dx to force 75 and does 60 no matter what)

I`ve tried 60hz mode too but it still does the same.

Jason.

Strangely you're not the only noe who has this problem. I've not seen a cure but I think the only thing that could make a difference is the drivers.

One guy I spoke to thought DVI screens updated less frequently because of the issue- which doesn't just affect blitz3D.

May also be a DX7 problem, in which case there's not much hope of it being fixed.

Does this mean that there are lots of potential Blitz game players out there that are using DVI connections and who are experiencing choppy framerates?

Surely this cannot be a good thing for potential customers? I know for one that if I played a choppy demo then I would not buy the full version of a Blitz made game as it looks unprofessional.

Jason.

Quite possibly. :( I wonder if Evak uses DVI...

Either way youre not the only one i've seen complain about this problem.

I have DVI for my 20.1 inch monitor, tested our old Blitz3D fun racer demo in windowed and fullscreen and noticed no difference in framerate.

I checked the manual, and it doesn't say much except to keep it at 60hz at its optimal res of 1600x1200. It seems to adjust automaticly as far as I can tell.

Did just discover the magin preset button on my monitor though, so thanks for that :).

If I run at the recommended 60hz in 1400x900, my monitors optimal settings I still get the problem :( but only in DVI mode.

What a bummer and to make it worse its only in Blitz. Cave Story for example runs very smoothly in windowed mode as do many other games.

In BMax setting the hertz parameter of the Graphics command cures the problem so surely there must be a way to do something similar in B3D, perhaps with a dll?

Jason.

Here's the thing. The Bmaz Hz param in windowed mode should only affect Flip -1 which is where Bmax does the timing as Flip 1 is using VSync so I assume the Hz isn't used (it IS used in full-screen mode of course). This is what I recall from last year when I was creating my framework but I'm willing to be wrong ;-)

No. I have a DVI connection, and do not experience the problems you're describing (then again I have an ATi graphicscard). Seriously, update your graphics drivers to the latest version (in case of nVidia you may want to go back a version or two) and monitor drivers.

yeah but will the average user update their drivers? Then again maybe they won't be using a DVI cable ...

I am using the latest NVidia drivers and monitor drivers. They still do not work. And it`s not only me. I know of at least three other people who have the same problem.

I`ve even tried using the unofficial Omega drivers and the same thing happens.

I can easily just switch and use VGA although I will lose a little quality of image but how many potential buyers of Blitz games are going to be willing to do this just for Blitz games when all others are working fine?

Jason.

I've got a sammy wide 20" flat monitor, nvidia card and found vwait: flip(false) solved the problem.

Rob Farley also suggeted this but sadly it doesn`t work here. Thanks for suggesting it though any help is appreciated.

Just out of interest what NVidia drivers are you using and have you installed your monitors drivers yourself or have you let Windows find them for you?

Jason.

GFX Card: GeForce FX 5900XT nv4_disp.dll v6.14.0010.9371 (English)
Moniter: Samsung SyncMaster 205bw 1680x1050x32 60hz

Not installed any moniter drivers.

Although I have found that using Flip False : VWait doesn`t work in solving the stuttering framerate problem in windowed mode I have found that doing a Flip False : Delay 16 ALMOST works. There is still a slight stuttering every few frames but it is much smoother overall, still not perfect.

Any ideas as to why this works and any suggestions as to making it work perfectly smooth? I have tried incrementing the delay (and decreasing it too) by tiny amounts but there is still a slight stuttering. I feel that I am almost there though.

If anyone can offer some advice as to what could cure the problem based on this finding I wouold be most greatful as it`s driving me nuts. Any ideas as to why it almost cures the problem would also be welcome.

Jason.

16 ms is almost the length of one frame at 60Hz. It seems a weird solution to had to skip a frame to make your game smooth.

Agreed, I figured that 1000 millisecs divided by 60 works out to about 16 but haven`t a clue as to why this smooths out the framerate issues. Still jars a little though so it`s still not a perfect solution.

Jason.

Trouble is that using a Delay 16 is giving me 62fps and I really want it at spot on 60 as I think this will cure the problem.

The Delay command doesn`t seem to accept floating point values. Is there an easy way to make my own version of the Delay command?

Jason.