Panzer General dosbox 0.74 issues

[agenthunk]

hi im new here.I wanted to say im looking for help with getting the recording to not slow down game when i play.I have 0.74 version it runs great when it doesnt record.I have a hp laptop E1-2100 apu 1.00 ghz ,4.00gb ram,windows 8.1 64bit procesor.

now it is not a question of it not running on my pc due to specs being to low.it has to do with the options.bat file and how to get it to run smooth and at good speed without slowdowns during gameplay recordings.I have seen it speed up after i stop record and go fast.now I think it has to do with my zmbv codec,i read on many forums you go to start and file then update to dosbox file folder.I have a different setup and would like to find out if i need to get that codec or change the options.bat file settings.or both.

I described what the issue is and hope you could kinda know what might be amiss.I could post the options.bat file here for you to see and you can tell me what to adjust.

also,I saw the old system requirements for pc version of pg and my oc should run it great and dosbox works well.the poland campaign through north africa i used frameskipping at 1-2 or 5 or 10 at times to record my gameplay.sometimes the file will comeout as 2.00gb and no bitrate info listed in avi file properties.sometimes it will record correctly.sometimes not.

I use media player,vlc media player and movie maker and it wont read the file.I have the windows media player classic and the file i mentioned above will play on it,but the last 30 or so minutes of game plays first the it cuts,and shows the beginning breifing then it plays till it cutsoff where the ending should be!

maybe you guys might know what is wrong here.please tell me how to adjust this.
and one more thing.For the option of going to start menu and zmbv codec update on older os,how and the hell do you do it with windows 8.1?
I got my pg dos version game from a website that had pg version variants for different platforms and selected dos.this is the link-http://www.panzergeneraldownload.com/

I think I did everything right with dosbox and the game,I had decent gameplay early on at 1939 start date till low countries then had recording issues with what i mentioned above.this is all the info I witnessed and experienced,so i hope some of you more educated tech wiz would know what needs to be fixed.I'll wait for a reply.thanks

ps: I have 7 videos I recorded with success on my youtube channel to prove it works on my pc.
here is my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqB...y6c6jZKTlo3SlQ


here is the options.bat file.


# This is the configurationfile for DOSBox 0.74. (Please use the latest version of DOSBox)
# Lines starting with a # are commentlines and are ignored by DOSBox.
# They are used to (briefly) document the effect of each option.

[sdl]
# fullscreen: Start dosbox directly in fullscreen. (Press ALT-Enter to go back)
# fulldouble: Use double buffering in fullscreen. It can reduce screen flickering, but it can also result in a slow DOSBox.
# fullresolution: What resolution to use for fullscreen: original or fixed size (e.g. 1024x768).
# Using your monitor's native resolution with aspect=true might give the best results.
# If you end up with small window on a large screen, try an output different from surface.
# windowresolution: Scale the window to this size IF the output device supports hardware scaling.
# (output=surface does not!)
# output: What video system to use for output.
# Possible values: surface, overlay, opengl, openglnb, ddraw.
# autolock: Mouse will automatically lock, if you click on the screen. (Press CTRL-F10 to unlock)
# sensitivity: Mouse sensitivity.
# waitonerror: Wait before closing the console if dosbox has an error.
# priority: Priority levels for dosbox. Second entry behind the comma is for when dosbox is not focused/minimized.
# pause is only valid for the second entry.
# Possible values: lowest, lower, normal, higher, highest, pause.
# mapperfile: File used to load/save the key/event mappings from. Resetmapper only works with the defaul value.
# usescancodes: Avoid usage of symkeys, might not work on all operating systems.

fullscreen=false
fulldouble=false
fullresolution=original
windowresolution=original
output=surface
autolock=true
sensitivity=100
waitonerror=true
priority=higher,normal
mapperfile=mapper-0.74.map
usescancodes=true

[dosbox]
# language: Select another language file.
# machine: The type of machine tries to emulate.
# Possible values: hercules, cga, tandy, pcjr, ega, vgaonly, svga_s3, svga_et3000, svga_et4000, svga_paradise, vesa_nolfb, vesa_oldvbe.
# captures: Directory where things like wave, midi, screenshot get captured.
# memsize: Amount of memory DOSBox has in megabytes.
# This value is best left at its default to avoid problems with some games,
# though few games might require a higher value.
# There is generally no speed advantage when raising this value.

language=
machine=svga_s3
captures=capture
memsize=63

[render]
# frameskip: How many frames DOSBox skips before drawing one.
# aspect: Do aspect correction, if your output method doesn't support scaling this can slow things down!.
# scaler: Scaler used to enlarge/enhance low resolution modes.
# If 'forced' is appended, then the scaler will be used even if the result might not be desired.
# Possible values: none, normal2x, normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x, scan3x.

frameskip=2
aspect=false
scaler=normal2x

[cpu]
# core: CPU Core used in emulation. auto will switch to dynamic if available and appropriate.
# Possible values: auto, dynamic, normal, simple.
# cputype: CPU Type used in emulation. auto is the fastest choice.
# Possible values: auto, 386, 386_slow, 486_slow, pentium_slow, 386_prefetch.
# cycles: Amount of instructions DOSBox tries to emulate each millisecond.
# Setting this value too high results in sound dropouts and lags.
# Cycles can be set in 3 ways:
# 'auto' tries to guess what a game needs.
# It usually works, but can fail for certain games.
# 'fixed #number' will set a fixed amount of cycles. This is what you usually need if 'auto' fails.
# (Example: fixed 4000).
# 'max' will allocate as much cycles as your computer is able to handle.
#
# Possible values: auto, fixed, max.
# cycleup: Amount of cycles to decrease/increase with keycombo.(CTRL-F11/CTRL-F12)
# cycledown: Setting it lower than 100 will be a percentage.

core=dynamic
cputype=auto
cycles=max
cycleup=10
cycledown=20

[mixer]
# nosound: Enable silent mode, sound is still emulated though.
# rate: Mixer sample rate, setting any device's rate higher than this will probably lower their sound quality.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# blocksize: Mixer block size, larger blocks might help sound stuttering but sound will also be more lagged.
# Possible values: 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 512, 256.
# prebuffer: How many milliseconds of data to keep on top of the blocksize.

nosound=false
rate=44100
blocksize=1024
prebuffer=20

[midi]
# mpu401: Type of MPU-401 to emulate.
# Possible values: intelligent, uart, none.
# mididevice: Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.
# Possible values: default, win32, alsa, oss, coreaudio, coremidi, none.
# midiconfig: Special configuration options for the device driver. This is usually the id of the device you want to use.
# See the README/Manual for more details.

mpu401=intelligent
mididevice=default
midiconfig=

[sblaster]
# sbtype: Type of Soundblaster to emulate. gb is Gameblaster.
# Possible values: sb1, sb2, sbpro1, sbpro2, sb16, gb, none.
# sbbase: The IO address of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 220, 240, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
# irq: The IRQ number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 7, 5, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12.
# dma: The DMA number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
# hdma: The High DMA number of the soundblaster.
# Possible values: 1, 5, 0, 3, 6, 7.
# sbmixer: Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the DOSBox mixer.
# oplmode: Type of OPL emulation. On 'auto' the mode is determined by sblaster type. All OPL modes are Adlib-compatible, except for 'cms'.
# Possible values: auto, cms, opl2, dualopl2, opl3, none.
# oplemu: Provider for the OPL emulation. compat might provide better quality (see oplrate as well).
# Possible values: default, compat, fast.
# oplrate: Sample rate of OPL music emulation. Use 49716 for highest quality (set the mixer rate accordingly).
# Possible values: 44100, 49716, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000.

sbtype=sb16
sbbase=220
irq=7
dma=1
hdma=5
sbmixer=true
oplmode=auto
oplemu=default
oplrate=44100

[gus]
# gus: Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.
# gusrate: Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# gusbase: The IO base address of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 240, 220, 260, 280, 2a0, 2c0, 2e0, 300.
# gusirq: The IRQ number of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 5, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.
# gusdma: The DMA channel of the Gravis Ultrasound.
# Possible values: 3, 0, 1, 5, 6, 7.
# ultradir: Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory
# there should be a MIDI directory that contains
# the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used
# with Timidity should work fine.

gus=false
gusrate=44100
gusbase=240
gusirq=5
gusdma=3
ultradir=C:\ULTRASND

[speaker]
# pcspeaker: Enable PC-Speaker emulation.
# pcrate: Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# tandy: Enable Tandy Sound System emulation. For 'auto', emulation is present only if machine is set to 'tandy'.
# Possible values: auto, on, off.
# tandyrate: Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.
# Possible values: 44100, 48000, 32000, 22050, 16000, 11025, 8000, 49716.
# disney: Enable Disney Sound Source emulation. (Covox Voice Master and Speech Thing compatible).

pcspeaker=false
pcrate=44100
tandy=off
tandyrate=44100
disney=false

[joystick]
# joysticktype: Type of joystick to emulate: auto (default), none,
# 2axis (supports two joysticks),
# 4axis (supports one joystick, first joystick used),
# 4axis_2 (supports one joystick, second joystick used),
# fcs (Thrustmaster), ch (CH Flightstick).
# none disables joystick emulation.
# auto chooses emulation depending on real joystick(s).
# (Remember to reset dosbox's mapperfile if you saved it earlier)
# Possible values: auto, 2axis, 4axis, 4axis_2, fcs, ch, none.
# timed: enable timed intervals for axis. Experiment with this option, if your joystick drifts (away).
# autofire: continuously fires as long as you keep the button pressed.
# swap34: swap the 3rd and the 4th axis. can be useful for certain joysticks.
# buttonwrap: enable button wrapping at the number of emulated buttons.

joysticktype=none
timed=true
autofire=false
swap34=false
buttonwrap=false

[serial]
# serial1: set type of device connected to com port.
# Can be disabled, dummy, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# Additional parameters must be in the same line in the form of
# parameter:value. Parameter for all types is irq (optional).
# for directserial: realport (required), rxdelay (optional).
# (realport:COM1 realport:ttyS0).
# for modem: listenport (optional).
# for nullmodem: server, rxdelay, txdelay, telnet, usedtr,
# transparent, port, inhsocket (all optional).
# Example: serial1=modem listenport:5000
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial2: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial3: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.
# serial4: see serial1
# Possible values: dummy, disabled, modem, nullmodem, directserial.

serial1=dummy
serial2=dummy
serial3=disabled
serial4=disabled

[dos]
# xms: Enable XMS support.
# ems: Enable EMS support.
# umb: Enable UMB support.
# keyboardlayout: Language code of the keyboard layout (or none).

xms=true
ems=true
umb=true
keyboardlayout=auto

[ipx]
# ipx: Enable ipx over UDP/IP emulation.

ipx=false

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
# You can put your MOUNT lines here.
mount c c:\oldgames\
c:
cd pg
pg.bat

[Japo]

There needn't be anything wrong, capturing video does always take a lot of power out of DOSBox. Even taking a screenshot makes it stutter. DOSBox uses always the ZMBV codec, you have no other option; it must be installed, otherwise you wouldn't be able to capture video at all.

But one thing you can try is a different value for [sdl]output, and hope it makes some difference.

Otherwise you may want to try capturing video while fullscreen with another 3rd party program or utility from your graphic card manufacturer, which could be more efficient than DOSBox regarding direct hardware acceleration.

[agenthunk]

There needn't be anything wrong, capturing video does always take a lot of power out of DOSBox. Even taking a screenshot makes it stutter. DOSBox uses always the ZMBV codec, you have no other option; it must be installed, otherwise you wouldn't be able to capture video at all.

But one thing you can try is a different value for [sdl]output, and hope it makes some difference.

Otherwise you may want to try capturing video while fullscreen with another 3rd party program or utility from your graphic card manufacturer, which could be more efficient than DOSBox regarding direct hardware acceleration.

hello

I went to the video codec file after i went to windows 8.1 start menu and install there with no success.it kept saying -

(copy error -setup cannot copy the zmbv.inf file -ensure that the location specified below is correct,or change it and insert ;zip motion block vdeo codec in the drive you specify')

.anyway I went instead to the dosbox file folder in c:drive then video codec file then zmbv.inf and left click ,then install and i think it worked.i checked program uninstall and features and it is at the bottom saying 'zip motion block video codec (remove only).so i figured it out after researching how to do it.

frankly i did'nt know any other way to figure out what to specify in that error copy dialogue box so i went to the file location and did it oldschool way.

And thanks for the tip on the power usage and the third party video copy software.that helps to know :)

Possible values: surface, overlay, opengl, openglnb, ddraw.

which one might work best for my machine?

[Japo]

Just try all the values and compare the results. But I don't guarantee that any will be satisfactory for you.

If the codec installation fails, try right-clicking and choosing "run as administrator"

But as I said, if you're able to capture video (no matter how slow), it should mean that the codec is installed successfully.

[agenthunk]

Just try all the values and compare the results. But I don't guarantee that any will be satisfactory for you.

If the codec installation fails, try right-clicking and choosing "run as administrator"

But as I said, if you're able to capture video (no matter how slow), it should mean that the codec is installed successfully.


It is installed correctly.I have been playing the caucusus campaign now over and over with retry's because the video file is coming out 2.00gb with no info that it recorded.I was using frameskip at 2 since it worked for me before,however it isnt working if its on 1,2,or any of them (I think).I have been experiencing slowdowns and had to reset my options.bat file to default.now I dont know what to change in my option.bat file with my pc's specs to match up good performance.

I dont know how to use the options.bat file or what to change.becuase my computer is 20 years apart from the pentium 1 pc in 94 and the game.

So,I would think it should run this emulator well.

I dont understand why it is slowing down half the times when it is at zero frameskipping.and max cycles 100%.

it keeps showing slow frames and i can literally watch the frame switch from top to bottom.it is that slow.

now when it it not at zero frameskipping and it is 2 or higher it runs fast and great while recording...but I get a corrupt file most of the time at 2.00gb with no time how long it recorded or any info in the files avi property ,no bit rate,no frame rate,etc....I got lucky running frameskip at 2 before and got the game recording from poland to middle east.

I cant remember how many times i have played the caucusus trying different approaches to get a decent recording(I think i played it 20 times now.),i had luck before getting it with the other campaigns,but why not this time,why over and over with failure to record.
just so you know i am playing and recording the game from start to finish with no break!thats how i got campaigns with over 2 hours of footage.but caucusus is becoming a problem.it blows my mind it is not working.

I need help with setting up my options.bat file and get it running better.or i might make a mistake.

[agenthunk]

Just try all the values and compare the results. But I don't guarantee that any will be satisfactory for you.

If the codec installation fails, try right-clicking and choosing "run as administrator"

But as I said, if you're able to capture video (no matter how slow), it should mean that the codec is installed successfully.


I have seen it work anywhere from 22 mins to 1:37 mins.with the caucusus campaign,but when i do turn 30 to turn 15 in 3:45 mins it comes out 2.00gb instead.
I have also seen it record if i stop in any of the 7 earlier campaigns poland to middle east.however,I am not sure if frameskipping affects the ability to record or not.I have played a few campaigns with frameskipping at 2 and got succesful recordings,lately not much success.I dont know what the prefered seetings would be with my pc hardware.It could help if someone had the same specs if not similar to try a different appraoch with recordings.I am hoping other dos gamers might have a hp laptop with the e1-2100 apu and found settings that work with this game specifically and this machine.I look forward in any help from other fellow abandonia members.

[agenthunk]

Just try all the values and compare the results. But I don't guarantee that any will be satisfactory for you.

If the codec installation fails, try right-clicking and choosing "run as administrator"

But as I said, if you're able to capture video (no matter how slow), it should mean that the codec is installed successfully.

Thank you japo.It works.I recorded 4 parts of a 4 hour and 18 minute campaign of the caucasus.had to use movie maker though.

[Japo]

No problem. DOSBox is not optimized for this.

I think even when capturing video, it still does it in the same CPU thread. Which in layman terms it means even less acceleration.

[agenthunk]

No problem. DOSBox is not optimized for this.

I think even when capturing video, it still does it in the same CPU thread. Which in layman terms it means even less acceleration.

I have two files of panzer general one being from the panzergeneraldownload website 15.6 mb it works that is the one i been playing and talking to you about the codec.no issues there,except there is no voice sound for the briefing.
The other one is from this site and it is 15.1 mb and I changed the file name to pg2. they have both the same pg.bat file now when i mount the first one it works.however when i mount the pg2 one from abandonia it doesnt accept the pg.bat file.is the two files conflicting?and do i need only one of these files to work?

next question I dont know if you tried out the www.panzergeneraldownload.com site but it was ok for me thus far.it plays ,but without the voice in briefings.I selected the dos version they had.
now is there any chance both of these files are the same type of game engine and platform?what do I do about the briefing voice sound issue?and should i keep the same one from their site since i have all my files on it?And does the 2nd file from your site have the same briefing voice issue?I don't want to delete the other one I been using to find out.:picard:

[Japo]

It's possible that the speech files were ripped off so that the size didn't become too big, specially if the rest of sound effects are working, so it wouldn't be a configuration issue. 15 MB doesn't sound like it would have space for speech briefings for every mission.

[agenthunk]

It's possible that the speech files were ripped off so that the size didn't become too big, specially if the rest of sound effects are working, so it wouldn't be a configuration issue. 15 MB doesn't sound like it would have space for speech briefings for every mission.

Hi japo,I am seeking the right site to go to for the file size being correct for the video intercut scenes(war footage scenes before each mission) as well as the speech for every mission.where do I find the right game file?
And what is the original file size if it were to be complete?:unsure:

[Japo]

I haven't tried it but I have a CD version in a 161 MB zip that I believe to be complete. When I have time I can test it and try to upload it and replace the current one, if the FTP server begins to work someday, and although I'm very busy looking for an apartment... :E

[agenthunk]

I haven't tried it but I have a CD version in a 161 MB zip that I believe to be complete. When I have time I can test it and try to upload it and replace the current one, if the FTP server begins to work someday, and although I'm very busy looking for an apartment... :E

no sweat japo when you can I would like a copy. :):OK:
wish you luck on finding one.

[agenthunk]

I haven't tried it but I have a CD version in a 161 MB zip that I believe to be complete. When I have time I can test it and try to upload it and replace the current one, if the FTP server begins to work someday, and although I'm very busy looking for an apartment... :E

Hi japo,How ya been?Did you have any chance to look into that game file you said you had?

[Japo]

Thanks for your patience and for checking back!
FTP is back online. The archive including the CD, I believe in full, is within the current capacity, so what I'll do is test that it works and replace the current ripped archive. Then you can be the first to test the download and game more thoroughly. I'll try to upload it this week :-)

[agenthunk]

Thanks for your patience and for checking back!
FTP is back online. The archive including the CD, I believe in full, is within the current capacity, so what I'll do is test that it works and replace the current ripped archive. Then you can be the first to test the download and game more thoroughly. I'll try to upload it this week :-)

You are awesome I bow before your magnificance.You are truly a noble worthy friend.thanks. :OK:

[Japo]

Aren't you exaggerating :P

Bad news, apparently Abovo has lowered the maximum archive size without notifying us. If I swap the download it fails to work. I'll ask them if there's a special reason or if it can be increased back.

[Japo]

The problem is fixed, the limit is back up, and the Panzer General archive has been replaced with one containing the full CD. Please feel free to try it :-)

[agenthunk]

The problem is fixed, the limit is back up, and the Panzer General archive has been replaced with one containing the full CD. Please feel free to try it :-)

Great.I will :) I will let you know how it runs and works and stuff.this is great guys.thank you.:OK:

[agenthunk]

The problem is fixed, the limit is back up, and the Panzer General archive has been replaced with one containing the full CD. Please feel free to try it :-)

It's Alive It's Alive muhahahahahahaaaa. And it works well...:OK:XD