feature suggestion: secondary display support

favian · Post by **favian** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:25 am

I have noticed (in vista at least) that if i have multiple displays set up, i cannot drag zsnes into the second display (on a couple of occasions this actually crashed zsnes, although i doubt this is zsnes' fault)

My suggestion is to have zsnes automatically loaded into the secondary display in full screen mode whenever zsnes is launched. A secondary suggestion is to have zsnes exclusively controlled by a gamepad in this mode so that keyboard commands are exclusively sent into the windows environment in the primary display. (So theoretically windows could still be used while the emulator is being used by someone else on the secondary display)

Oh and please reserve your vista flaming for a microsoft forum.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:13 am

I don't think you can just assume that everyone want ZSNES loaded in a secondary display by default. The reasonable workaround is to switch whatever is the primary+secondary displays.

Second, the whole gamepad suggestion has been mentioned many times before. The thing is that such separation is "doable" but also considered a "bug" by some devs in terms of application behavior.

Note: The display/crashing issue is result of ZSNES attempting to contain the Windowed display within the primary monitor.

Read this: http://board.zsnes.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9490

favian · Post by **favian** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:36 pm

Well, there is already various features that in all likelihood aren't being used by all users any way. It's hard to measure what will have useful application to the end user. In my experience i've never had to record gameplay from zsnes into xvid video, although its nice to know it is there. Who decides what is useful for everyone? Would anyone else like to be able to have the option of zsnes exclusively operating on a secondary display. The opensource video player VLC (VideoLAN) plays directdraw video on a seperate window which can be dragged anywhere including a second display and can be maximized as well. How does that sound?

The gamepad suggestion gets my vote.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:23 pm

Noone is against your multi-monitor support request... the thing is that it is not as important at the moment. Donate some decent monitors if you really want that support.

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:40 pm

what a prissy prick. seriously.

and yes, this is all i do, in case people were starting to wonder.

DancemasterGlenn · Post by **DancemasterGlenn** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:32 am

sweener2001 wrote:what a prissy prick. seriously.

and yes, this is all i do, in case people were starting to wonder.

1269 posts of pure reliability.

favian · Post by **favian** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:59 am

i'm just throwing ideas out there to see if they get some support. Computers are evolving away from desks and into living rooms and tv/hdtv displays so it's not a bad idea. Considering how i've been using zsnes since it was exclusively for dos it'd be nice to see it evolve up until that point.

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:57 am

by your logic your request is moot, because the computers you're talking about are just media center pc's, and the television is the only monitor. you would have a seriously ghetto setup if you had a tiny monitor tucked in the corner of your living room that you had to go to in order to get any media going.

and then you try to say that zsnes isn't evolving. the faq in the development forum says otherwise, as does the already increased accuracy and removal of hacks. not to mention the myriad other fixes and additions in order to keep up with expectations. the idea that you fail to see the point of video recording is astounding, if you've really been around as long as you say you have. TAS is pretty popular in "the scene."

and if you've honestly been with zsnes as long as you claim, the idea that the emulator hasn't evolved either makes you a liar or a retard. you can decide which.

favian · Post by **favian** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:29 pm

Except "media center pc's" aren't always exclusively used with tv's. Most people, like myself, have dual display going on, so that they use the computer for normal functions on a monitor, and when they want to, they activate their media center program to watch on their secondary display.

Secondary displays aren't necessarily only used on media center pc's as well, this isn't some sort of new feature. This was a common feature before media center software was much more common

I never said that zsnes is not evolving, in fact i am implying the contrary, i'm saying that would be one of the logical next steps for the emulator. Don't put words in my mouth. *sigh at lame forum miscommunication and name calling*

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:37 pm

sweener2001 wrote:by your logic your request is moot, because the computers you're talking about are just media center pc's, and the television is the only monitor. you would have a seriously ghetto setup if you had a tiny monitor tucked in the corner of your living room that you had to go to in order to get any media going.

i haven't even called you a name yet. your "sigh" would be an indication of your own inability to communicate your point. and it certainly doesn't show any maturity on your part, just an attempt at it. i would use your post history as an indication. the same request about the gamepad made on three separate occasions in three different threads. saying that the gamepad suggestion "gets your vote" like you were supporting someone else's idea, and trying to justify your ghetto setup as an evolution of pc usage when in fact it's a jimmied up workaround.

and make sure to read the part where your setup is ghetto. lots of people do exactly what you do, except just with the tv. that's why they sell wireless mice and keyboards. your setup is ghetto. i don't know how you misinterpreted that.

and then there's the fact that you should have left this thread alone after the fourth post, as Deathlike2 already kindly and objectively responded to your requests.

and i'm not ignoring your statement about secondary displays on more than media center pc's. it's just that it was addressed quite clearly in the second and fourth posts. and don't forget that media center pc is a legitimate term, so i fail to understand why you put it in quotes.

favian · Post by **favian** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:56 pm

sweener2001 wrote:
sweener2001 wrote:by your logic your request is moot, because the computers you're talking about are just media center pc's, and the television is the only monitor. you would have a seriously ghetto setup if you had a tiny monitor tucked in the corner of your living room that you had to go to in order to get any media going.
i haven't even called you a name yet. your "sigh" would be an indication of your own inability to communicate your point. and it certainly doesn't show any maturity on your part, just an attempt at it. i would use your post history as an indication. the same request about the gamepad made on three separate occasions in three different threads. saying that the gamepad suggestion "gets your vote" like you were supporting someone else's idea, and trying to justify your ghetto setup as an evolution of pc usage when in fact it's a jimmied up workaround.

and make sure to read the part where your setup is ghetto. lots of people do exactly what you do, except just with the tv. that's why they sell wireless mice and keyboards. your setup is ghetto. i don't know how you misinterpreted that.

and then there's the fact that you should have left this thread alone after the fourth post, as Deathlike2 already kindly and objectively responded to your requests.

and i'm not ignoring your statement about secondary displays on more than media center pc's. it's just that it was addressed quite clearly in the second and fourth posts. and don't forget that media center pc is a legitimate term, so i fail to understand why you put it in quotes.

"Sigh" says the man who tires of immature forum antics. Your disposition is common on a lot of forums, the patronizing forum member, who passively insults without explicitly doing so.

1) you've put words in my mouth (saying i never thought the emulator evolved)

2) you've assumed that i have a 'ghetto rig', as though having a media center pc connected to an lcd in addition to an HD television (a common hookup nowadays) is somehow ghetto.

Anything else you want to fabricate? Better yet, anyone else with any maturity want to contribute to this thread? My sigh was provoked by your post which is a thinly veiled attempt to start a forum argument, sorry no time for you kiddo, especially since i was on my way to work when i replied to your inane post, thus the "sigh"

Why would i use my tv as my media center display exclusively? Yes i do own a wireless mouse and keyboard, however i'm not going to perform microsoft excel tasks, outlook functions, and other things on a 50 inch HDTV. WOULD YOU?

Thus two displays, one for daily funcions such as email, messaging, office functions, music management, the second display when i want to watch recorded tv programs, video downloads, computer gaming.

Sorry if that is too "ghetto" for you, but i'm sure i'm not the only one that uses a media center rig in this fashion, especially since all vista pc's have media center included, it's going to be a lot more common (Besides the fact that every decent ati/nvidia video card has a tv out)

Ghetto or not, this is a common setup, anyone mature want to contribute? The purpose of this thread is to begin a dialogue about this, and to get some feedback. Sure deathlike replied, but there are other people who could contribute to the topic

adventure_of_link · Post by **adventure_of_link** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:32 am

the problem with secondary displays is that it's a limitation of direct-something (draw or 3D, I forgot which)

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:33 am

you want someone besides a developer to answer? who else? just someone to back up your idea? what have i been doing? i've been responding.

a developer seems like a best bet. and you actually brought up some points this time. none of which help you out, but still. at least you've only got one thread going now. that's a lot better than three separate threads about the same thing, i'd say.

have you even read the faq in the development forum? i'm going with no, because this entire issue will probably be solved when zsnes 2.0 comes out because of the huge changes being made to the gui. once again making this a stupid and pointless thread started by you.

you're actually right. i probably wouldn't want to work on a spreadsheet on a 50" screen. I was only planning on using a 40" lcd HDTV as my primary monitor. even if that's something you think just shouldn't be done on a large screen for whatever reason, that's why you get a work computer. a little 300-500$ box for your office and email needs. your setup is only common among people who go halfway. it doesn't have to be that much, since those prices include a video card and more than enough RAM.

and then there's the fact that you called me out on "forum antics." before you had 10 posts, you had to be warned about your behavior. that basically means you have no right.

and as an aside all vista machines do NOT have media center included. mine doesn't. anything with vista business won't. i'm pretty sure home basic is lacking it as well. so inform yourself, read the faq in the development forum, listen to deathlike, and stop wasting people's time. (granted it's not really a waste of time for me since i so obviously get off on this sort of thing.)

favian · Post by **favian** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:20 pm

adventure_of_link wrote:the problem with secondary displays is that it's a limitation of direct-something (draw or 3D, I forgot which)

That's not an issue anymore with the newer directx versions.

favian · Post by **favian** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:30 pm

sweener2001 wrote:you want someone besides a developer to answer? who else? just someone to back up your idea? what have i been doing? i've been responding.

a developer seems like a best bet. and you actually brought up some points this time. none of which help you out, but still. at least you've only got one thread going now. that's a lot better than three separate threads about the same thing, i'd say.

have you even read the faq in the development forum? i'm going with no, because this entire issue will probably be solved when zsnes 2.0 comes out because of the huge changes being made to the gui. once again making this a stupid and pointless thread started by you.

you're actually right. i probably wouldn't want to work on a spreadsheet on a 50" screen. I was only planning on using a 40" lcd HDTV as my primary monitor. even if that's something you think just shouldn't be done on a large screen for whatever reason, that's why you get a work computer. a little 300-500$ box for your office and email needs. your setup is only common among people who go halfway. it doesn't have to be that much, since those prices include a video card and more than enough RAM.

and then there's the fact that you called me out on "forum antics." before you had 10 posts, you had to be warned about your behavior. that basically means you have no right.

and as an aside all vista machines do NOT have media center included. mine doesn't. anything with vista business won't. i'm pretty sure home basic is lacking it as well. so inform yourself, read the faq in the development forum, listen to deathlike, and stop wasting people's time. (granted it's not really a waste of time for me since i so obviously get off on this sort of thing.)

You're right, i should pass on car payments this month so i won't have a ghetto setup where i use one computer for both gaming and office/school work. All windows vista versions except vista basic and business edition include media center, maybe i generalized a little, but i hardly think businesses who purchased a license for vista business edition are also going to be playing with emulators in the office. My point is that the home operating system environment is pushing towards using your television as an additional display. Since microsoft is pushing for HDTV/Gamepad support for all windows games released in the future, this is going to be a lot more common.

Surprise surprise, not everyone has the same setup as you, i'm merely requesting some more flexible features that would benefit users such as myself who have a similar setup

That's more than what i should have said, notice i replied to your post without resorting to petty insults such as yourself. The problem with the internet is that you have to sometimes waste your time arguing with children who enjoy the anonymous guise on a web forum. Do us both a favor and stop posting in this thread.

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:52 pm

pass your car payments to the dev team, that might get something done.

favian · Post by **favian** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:16 am

haha!

oh me and my "ghetto rig"

so sue me, i want to experience snes on tv the way it was intended, not on a 15 inch monitor. that would be 'experience emulation' rather than hardware emulation, and it is just as important.

computing is moving away from desks and into the living rooms, zsnes will evolve accordingly.

snkcube · Post by **snkcube** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:26 am

I think it's more important to focus on making the best emulation on ZSNES, rather than adding these optional features.

Post by **odditude** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:30 am

ZSNES on my ghetto rig looks beautiful on my TV thanks to blargg's NTSC filter.

w00t!

</smartass>

DancemasterGlenn · Post by **DancemasterGlenn** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:31 am

favian wrote:haha!

oh me and my "ghetto rig"

so sue me, i want to experience snes on tv the way it was intended, not on a 15 inch monitor. that would be experience emulation rather than hardware emulation, and isn't that important as well.

You could always skip the emulation altogether and hook a real snes up to your fancy TV... "the way it was intended"...

favian · Post by **favian** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:32 am

odditude wrote:ZSNES on my ghetto rig looks beautiful on my TV thanks to blargg's NTSC filter.

w00t!

</smartass>

our ghetto rigs are awesome

favian · Post by **favian** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:53 am

DancemasterGlenn wrote:
favian wrote:haha!

oh me and my "ghetto rig"

so sue me, i want to experience snes on tv the way it was intended, not on a 15 inch monitor. that would be experience emulation rather than hardware emulation, and isn't that important as well.
You could always skip the emulation altogether and hook a real snes up to your fancy TV... "the way it was intended"...

no.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:31 am

funkyass wrote:pass your car payments to the dev team, that might get something done.

Send money and do it often.

favian · Post by **favian** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:34 am

hahaha

paypal?

Clements · Post by **Clements** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:52 am

When I want to use ZSNES on a TV, I use TV-Out (clone mode). I'm old-fashioned like that.