Beta is out ... (first look)

[springfield_tom]

I weep with joy! I'm over 30fps for the first time at 1080p.

Somewhat middle of the road dual-core and graphics.

New HDTV, 120hz w/240hz backlight scanning. High contrast ratio tuned to low ambient light. Good sound system. I'm in heaven!

[ozbeats]

Andy discovered that there was some corruption to the recently posted beta of G-Force (4.0b3) and subsequently removed the file from our server. He has since addressed the issue and reposted the beta. Please redownload this beta version and see if this AV problem still exists.

EXCELLENT - Thankyou Andy and SS Staff and Contributers - GForce 4.0 Beta 3 Rocks!!!!!!!!!!

ALL GOOD - AND ALL FIXED - NO MORE HUERISTICS ALERTS

NO install LOCK UP's and NO MORE Scan QUARANTINED AUTO REMOVAL

Downloaded the File to Another Folder seperate from previous also.
This was after swiping an temp files and cookies with IE8's internet options, Windows 7's Disk Cleanup, and Norton 360v.4's File Cleanup

Rebooted and installed straight away, no issues or risks reported, although there was a "IPS Statistical Submission", nothing was quarnantined by download insight (file download inspection component), nor after running a folder scan manually with Norton 360v.4

Thankyou Andy and SS for getting this issue resolved

Much appreciated, and G-Force 4.0 Rocks, why not consider to release it as a Gold / Platinum Disc hard copy One year licensed in retail outlets, this would be great as a finished product and really make the exposure boom.
You could even go one further and Debut it's final release at a Club, Dance Event, etc, on huge Sync-ed FULL HD LED'S, LCD'S and maybe:

Launch G-force at a Popular well known venue/ nightclub even in 3D
(using something like Nvidia's 3D Vision / Discover or ATI's equivalent) -
the More Expensive NVidia 3D Vision is a powered setup, requiring battery / rechargable linked 3D Glasses (like sunnies, almost identical to 3D Television 3D Glasses and the 120Htz setup for Display

Cheers and THANKYOU

From Alf in Australia

[jerohm]

I weep with joy! I'm over 30fps for the first time at 1080p.

Somewhat middle of the road dual-core and graphics.
...

How are you determining fps? I try to achieve 30fps (XPro/sp3 32, v40b3) on a Centrino Duo (BELOW Core Duo). I am using FRAPS( FREE, unless you want to use it to capture video) to get a running benchmark FPS. I find it interesting that I am able to achieve ~29-31 MOST of the time (>90%) irrespective of 800x600 OR 1280x800, BUT go as low as 21-23fps during periods of internal transition [setup] on either resolution. In NO case is the CPU utilization pegged at 100% and ususally MUCH less. Once a configuration combination is 'stable' (i.e., completely loaded and running), things seem to attain my desired fps.

[jerohm]

... I try to achieve 30fps (XPro/sp3 32, Standalone, v40b3) on a Centrino Duo (BELOW Core Duo). ...

Maybe I was just being stupid, but I finally got around to just pushing up the desired frame rate to its maximum position. While you aren't going to attain something your hardware just can't do, you DO seem to get the best that IS possible (do'h!). I was originally playing around with the task scheduler and (re)setting [to higher] priorities with little, or no success.

With the 'desired' frame rate set MAX'ed out, you DO get HIGHER fps with lower resolutions (as I would expect), but even at MY maximum of 1280x800 the motion is pretty fluid (~>30fps) and very acceptable. ... Bumping the priority too, STILL MIGHT be beneficial.

I find it INTERESTING that there seems to be quite a large fps penalty when a Sprite (backgound) is being displayed. In FULL screen mode, I typically go from >43 fps to closer to 32fps when a Sprite loads and remains displayed

No data/guarantee on how this setting might affect other concurrent running processes... but that is NOT MY [main] concern.

[juxtiphi]

... I try to achieve 30fps (XPro/sp3 32, Standalone, v40b3) on a Centrino Duo (BELOW Core Duo). ...

Maybe I was just being stupid, but I finally got around to just pushing up the desired frame rate to its maximum position. While you aren't going to attain something your hardware just can't do, you DO seem to get the best that IS possible (do'h!). I was originally playing around with the task scheduler and (re)setting [to higher] priorities with little, or no success.

With the 'desired' frame rate set MAX'ed out, you DO get HIGHER fps with lower resolutions (as I would expect), but even at MY maximum of 1280x800 the motion is pretty fluid (~>30fps) and very acceptable. ... Bumping the priority too, STILL MIGHT be beneficial.

I find it INTERESTING that there seems to be quite a large fps penalty when a Sprite (backgound) is being displayed. In FULL screen mode, I typically go from >43 fps to closer to 32fps when a Sprite loads and remains displayed

No data/guarantee on how this setting might affect other concurrent running processes... but that is NOT MY [main] concern.

increasing the frames per second can give better results but if your comp isnt capable of keeping up with all the graphics then increasing the fps with the toolbar slider could actually slow things down

[swiftyone]

Sorry if I missed this....Just joined up for the Beta testing....Was wondering if I need to "Un-install G-Force 3.94 completely...."Before" in-stall of the Beta 4.0b3? If so, is this just a standard un-install from "Add-Remove Programs" (XP Pro SP3)

Many thanks for your help

Swifty

[juxtiphi]

Sorry if I missed this....Just joined up for the Beta testing....Was wondering if I need to "Un-install G-Force 3.94 completely...."Before" in-stall of the Beta 4.0b3? If so, is this just a standard un-install from "Add-Remove Programs" (XP Pro SP3)

Many thanks for your help

Swifty

you can do an overwrite but I recommend that you uninstall the program completely . and delete the soundspectrum folder found in your documents application data folder.

its not necessary, but it insures a brand new prefs files will be created,
unless you want GF to retain your previous settings

[swiftyone]

Many thanks juxtiphi for your reply I will do a complete uninstall, just to be on safe side

Cheers...

Swifty

[AirmanKJE]

Got the beta download not too long ago. Wow what a difference! I run a pieced together Core i7 system with dual Ati Radeon 5870 cards. I turn up the frame rate bar to max and the visuals are just breathtaking. Much better than the previous version. No problems from what I can tell also. Can't wait for the official version.

[swiftyone]

Just had to get back here, and say WOW!....
Don't know how, but G-Force 3.9.4 would not run well on my 5 year old crappy laptop (gave laptop to the wife...lol ) very choppy poor FPS..... Installed G-Force 4.0b3 on the same laptop (now the wife's)."Amazing" FPS never go below 32, runs real smooth, that's on a crappy Laptop too....
Wife is soooooo happy with this, that I've had breakfast in bed ALL week wait till the "Final Release" she said......Breakfast, and me naked ALL week.....Hurry up Andy! cant wait mate....not had me oats in months.....Hehehe

Great work!! Thanks....

Swifty

[jerohm]

RE: G-Force 4, re: SetNextFlowField( )
IF any of you have written any SCRIPTS (NOT Configs)

There seems to have been an argument change from GF 3.9x -> GF 4.0. Documentation NEEDs to be updated, BUT example script, 'CTRL 3.txt', HAS BEEN fixed/works properly. YOUR scripts will need to be updated.

[thejoker]

Nice beta...
One flaw for me: changing colors and other settings via Keyboard causes a short pause on the screen.

Joachim

[Gringo]

I've used (and uninstalled) the 64-bit beta and the full version of Gforce 4. I cannot get either version to work with my Soundblaster X-Fi in Windows 7 64.

In the mixer, the "What you can hear" option is selected for recording and no other devices are selected for recording/playback other than my Soundblaster.

Does anyone else have a Soundblaster X-Fi who's gotten it to work in Win 7 64? If so, please let me know your settings because I've not been able to figure it out up until now. Thanks.

[juxtiphi]

I've used (and uninstalled) the 64-bit beta and the full version of Gforce 4. I cannot get either version to work with my Soundblaster X-Fi in Windows 7 64.

In the mixer, the "What you can hear" option is selected for recording and no other devices are selected for recording/playback other than my Soundblaster.

Does anyone else have a Soundblaster X-Fi who's gotten it to work in Win 7 64? If so, please let me know your settings because I've not been able to figure it out up until now. Thanks.

I have an x-fi but I dont run windows 7, I am just offering a possible fix not a guaranteed one.

assuming you are using the volume control panel that comes with the x-fi right click the volume knob in the task bar icon and you will see an option to select audio device , there you should be able to see 2 options windows default and the x-fi choose the x-fi then go to the windows control panel. look for the sound and audio device icon and click it. then click the properties tab and make sure all the needed device lines are checked in play back and recording. also look in the windows volume panel and make sure the drivers listed are for the x-fi

[Gringo]

I've used (and uninstalled) the 64-bit beta and the full version of Gforce 4. I cannot get either version to work with my Soundblaster X-Fi in Windows 7 64.

In the mixer, the "What you can hear" option is selected for recording and no other devices are selected for recording/playback other than my Soundblaster.

Does anyone else have a Soundblaster X-Fi who's gotten it to work in Win 7 64? If so, please let me know your settings because I've not been able to figure it out up until now. Thanks.

I have an x-fi but I dont run windows 7, I am just offering a possible fix not a guaranteed one.

assuming you are using the volume control panel that comes with the x-fi right click the volume knob in the task bar icon and you will see an option to select audio device , there you should be able to see 2 options windows default and the x-fi choose the x-fi then go to the windows control panel. look for the sound and audio device icon and click it. then click the properties tab and make sure all the needed device lines are checked in play back and recording. also look in the windows volume panel and make sure the drivers listed are for the x-fi

Man, thanks for the suggestion...but the settings were already set for the X-Fi. The only other option for a setting is an SRS Audio driver for when I watch movies (I only switch to it for movies though).

I was hoping the 64-bit beta would have fixed the issue with the X-Fi input options but alas...still having to run G-Force via itunes.

I should probably cross-post this to the beta thread in case anyone else has viable workarounds.

I actually got desperate and tried running G-Force through Win 7's virtual machine (a version of XP). Total comedy! If anyone runs VM, you gotta do it just to experience the lag and get a lil' chuckle or two (P.S. - not a G-Force issue but a VM issue).

Hope you fuckers are having a good week.