What are the current limitations of the 2.93 DOS version? Testing it in DOSBox it appears to only support 16-color text mode, no SMZX or unbound sprites. That said, the latest build of DOSBox-X doesn't seem to support SMZX mode on the original DOS versions either.
Page 1 of 1
2.93 DOS version limitations?
#2
Posted 19 January 2024 - 03:35 AM
If you switch to the SVGA renderer (should be possible from the F2 menu or a config.txt option) you should get SMZX and unbound sprites afaik. It defaults to the EGA renderer.
fwiw I can't get the SVGA renderer to work on my actual DOS machine (see recent bug report), but it apparently does work in DOSBox from what I've heard.
fwiw I can't get the SVGA renderer to work on my actual DOS machine (see recent bug report), but it apparently does work in DOSBox from what I've heard.
- Your Jumpy Neighborhood Admin
<@Tixus> Anyway, I set the year to 1988 for some reason.
<@Tixus> And set the microwave to run for a minute and 28 seconds.
<@Tixus> But it failed to send me back in time, and I was disappointed.
<Insidious> Tixus accidentally microwaved the 80s
<Insidious> that is my takeaway from this
<@Tixus> Anyway, I set the year to 1988 for some reason.
<@Tixus> And set the microwave to run for a minute and 28 seconds.
<@Tixus> But it failed to send me back in time, and I was disappointed.
<Insidious> Tixus accidentally microwaved the 80s
<Insidious> that is my takeaway from this
#3
Posted 19 January 2024 - 03:44 AM
As for DOSBox-X (the fork I tried it with) I left a bug report since I confirmed it wouldn't do SMZX mode in the old 2.69c DOS version: https://github.com/j...x-x/issues/4764
#4
Posted 19 January 2024 - 03:47 AM
DOSBox and other emulators (and most real video adapters...) do not support SMZX at all. The new DOS port has two renderers: EGA (text mode, default) and SVGA (graphics mode). To get SMZX and unbound sprites support, you need to run MZX with "video_output=svga"—either in config.txt or as a command line argument—or you need to use the F2 menu to switch to the SVGA renderer at runtime. The SVGA renderer is a bit slower than the EGA renderer, which is why it's not enabled by default.
Other limitations:
Other limitations:
- The only sound card supported currently is the Sound Blaster 16, and reportedly it might be totally broken on some or all real hardware.
- MZX tries its best to convert long filenames (LFNs) to 8.3 short filenames (SFNs) where possible, but a lot of modern games use filenames that don't resolve to unique SFNs. You might have to get a DOSBox fork (such as DOSBox-X) that supports LFNs and enable them. Apparently the latest version of DOSBox-X also has troubles running MZX with audio enabled, though.
- I've encountered graphical bugs when MZX tries to render expensive frames using the SVGA renderer on real hardware which sometimes make the UI layer completely invisible.
"Let's just say I'm a GOOD hacker, AND virus maker. I'm sure you wouldn't like to pay for another PC would you?"
xx̊y (OST) - HELLQUEST (OST) - Zeux I: Labyrinth of Zeux (OST) (DOS OST)
w/ Lancer-X and/or asgromo: Pandora's Gate - Thanatos Insignia - no True(n) - For Elise OST
MegaZeux: Online Help File - Keycode Guide - Joystick Guide - Official GIT Repository
xx̊y (OST) - HELLQUEST (OST) - Zeux I: Labyrinth of Zeux (OST) (DOS OST)
w/ Lancer-X and/or asgromo: Pandora's Gate - Thanatos Insignia - no True(n) - For Elise OST
MegaZeux: Online Help File - Keycode Guide - Joystick Guide - Official GIT Repository
Share this topic:
Page 1 of 1