                       ==================================
                       Release Notes For AdvanceMAME/MESS
                       ==================================


ADVANCEMAME 1.2
===============

This version is an update for modern OS and compiler,
it fixes some important bugs, and adds some new
features like the new "xbr" video effect.

Note that despite the version number change, it's still
based on MAME 0.106.

Note that the full DOS port and the video drivers 'svgalib'
for Linux and 'svgawin' for Windows are now obsolete.
They are still present, but likely not working with modern
video boards and removed in future releases.

You can instead still use the 'fb' video driver using the Linux
Frame Buffer support, and the generic 'sdl' using the SDL library.


ADVANCEMAME 0.100.0
===================

This version has some internal changes to adapt to the
recent internal MAME changes. Please report any regression
from the previous version.


ADVANCEMAME 0.97.0
==================

This version adds lightguns support in Windows XP.
The lightguns supported are:

* SMOG Lightgun (http://lightgun.splinder.com/)
* Acts Labs Lightgun (http://www.act-labs.com/)

The lightgun is automatically calibrated before
every use. You must move the lightgun over the whole
screen every time the program starts or changes video
mode.


ADVANCEMAME 0.95.1
==================

The DOS and Windows version now includes the old SVGALIB
drivers for GeForce and Savage boards. If you have problem
with the new driver you can still use the old ones with the
names "savage_leg" and "nv3_leg".
Use the "device_video sdl svgawin/savage_leg" option
for Windows and "device_video vga svgaline/savage_leg" for
DOS.

The Windows version includes two new mouse driver called
`rawinput' and `cpu' to allow the use of multiple mice
in Windows 2000 and XP. Check the documentation in the
advdev.txt file.


ADVANCEMAME 0.94.0
==================

This version uses for DOS the new SVGALIB 1.9.20 library that
adds support for the latest Radeon and nVidia video boards.


ADVANCEMAME 0.92.1
==================

This version is based on the MAME update 0.92u2000. This
is a very stable version of the MAME core. A good candidate
for your cabinet.


ADVANCEMAME 0.87.0
==================

This version of AdvanceMAME adds a new `device_video_clock'
option which substitutes the previous `device_video_p/h/vclock'
options. This new option allows a better support of
multi-standard arcade monitor. You can now specify different
vertical clocks for different horizontal clocks.


ADVANCEMAME 0.85.0
==================

This version of AdvanceMAME tries always to use the installed
zlib and expat libraries. If you want to use the copy included
in the source of these libraries you must run the ./configure
script with the arguments --disable-zlib and --disable-expat.


ADVANCEMAME 0.84.0
==================

This version of AdvanceMAME is based on the MAME update
0.84u3. The original MAME 0.84 version has some problems
on the new input management.


ADVANCEMAME 0.82.0
==================

This version has a reworked audio/video synchronization algorithm.
It should fix any remaining problem of distorted sound present on
some specific systems.

This version adds a new "Startup End" key which is normally mapped
as the minus key on the numeric pad. When you press this key the
current game time is marked as the game startup time and
saved in the configuration file with the `sync_startuptime' option.
The next time you start the game, it will execute very fast
until the startup time is reached.


ADVANCEMAME 0.80.0
==================

This version adds support for TrueType (TTF) fonts with alpha blending
using the FreeType2 library. If you compile from source, you must
ensure to have installed the FreeType2 library from
www.freetype.org or this feature will be disabled.

This version uses the 16 bits rgb color mode as default also if the
game has less than 256 colors. Previously the 8 bits palette
color mode was used.


ADVANCEMAME 0.79.1
==================

The host configuration directory is now under the installation prefix
as $prefix/etc. This means that if you install in /usr/local the host
configuration directory is /usr/local/etc and not /etc.
You can customize this directory using the --sysconfdir option of the
./configure script.


ADVANCEMAME 0.79.0
==================

This release changes the manual compilation process in DOS
and Windows. You must now use the Makefile.usr file instead of
the old Makefile.in file. Check the build.txt file for more details.


ADVANCEMAME 0.78.0
==================

This release completely removes the .cfg file support. All the
customization information are now saved in the main .rc file.
This allow to view, edit and copy them directly. They are also more
compact because only the difference from the default is saved.
And they are independent of the internal MAME structure.

This release add also a new user interface managed directly by
AdvanceMAME which allow better visualization control because the
interface isn't draw on the game bitmap, but directly on the screen.
This mean that the interface doesn't have the same video effects
of the game, it isn't limited on the game area, and it isn't recorded
on video clips.


ADVANCEMAME 0.77.0
==================

This release removes the legacy support for the DOS
unchained VGA modes and for the banked VBE modes. It means
that you now need a supported SVGA or VBE2 video card.


ADVANCEMAME 0.72.0
==================

This release contains a new set of `event' Linux
drivers for keyboards, mice and joysticks based on the Linux
input-event interfaces.
These drivers remove any limitations on the number of
keyboards, mice and joysticks, and they give the best
support for the new USB HID devices.

The `raw' set of Linux drivers has now the same functionality
of the `svgalib' set. If you don't need the SVGALIB video you can
now completely remove this library.

The `input_map' option now accept the `auto' setting which
is able to map the correct input device on the correct
game control. This option works best with the new
Linux input-device drivers which are able to report
correctly the exact type of input control.

The `input_map' option now can remap also all the digital
inputs like keys, buttons and digital joystick.
This feature is similar at the official MAME ctrl remapping,
but it allow to select any type of digital input, not only
the inputs known by MAME. For example you can map the
`bookmark' key (present only on some keyboards) also if
doesn't exist a MAME code for it. This also remove any limitation
on the number of joystick and mouse buttons.

In Linux the host configuration files are now read in /etc,
the files in */share/advance have now less priority
of the user specified options. They can be used
to set default options.


ADVANCEMAME 0.68.0
==================

This release supports the new `scale3x' and `scale4x' effects.
To use them you must ensure to use an high pclock upper limit.
Something like 150 MHz. You need also a monitor which support an
high hclock upper limit. Something like 70 kHz.
Otherwise the required 3x3 and 4x4 times bigger mode may be rejected.

This release supports Mac OS X with the SDL library. Please note that
it isn't able to directly program your video board, so you cannot use
it with an Arcade Monitor.


ADVANCEMAME 0.67.0 / ADVANCEMESS 0.66.0
=======================================

The precompiled DOS binaries of these releases are compiled with
the old gcc 2.95.3. Please report if this fixes any know specific
game problem.


ADVANCEMAME 0.63.0
==================

The .chd files must now be placed in a subdirectory of the same name.
For example C:\CHD\AREA51\AREA51.CHD.


ADVANCEMAME 0.62.2 / ADVANCEMESS 0.62.0.0
=========================================

The display_rgb and display_depth options are gone. They are now
substituted with the new display_color option.
The device_video_*bit options are now substituted by the
new device_color_* options.

The option device_sdl_fullscreen is now substituted with the
device_video_output option which is also used to enable a new
`zoom' mode. Check the advv.txt file for other details.


ADVANCEMAME 0.62.1
==================

The .CHD files are searched as default in the "image" directory.
The .DIF file in the "diff" directory. You can customize them
with the `dir_image' and `dir_diff' options.


ADVANCEMAME 0.62.0 / ADVANCEMESS 0.61.2
=======================================

In Windows NT/2000/XP you need to reinstall the SVGAWIN driver.
Simply run "svgawin /u" and "svgawin /l".


ADVANCEMAME 0.61.4 / ADVANCEMESS 0.61.1
=======================================

This is the first Windows NT/2000/XP version able to directly
program your video board. This puts the Windows version at the same level
of the other Linux and DOS versions. It's very experimental, and tested only
with a GeForce 2. Anyway, it should work with all the video boards that
work in DOS and Linux because the SVGA drivers are the same.

To use these video drivers you need to install the SVGAWIN.sys driver with the
SVGAWIN.exe utility. If installed, AdvanceMAME automatically tries to use it
unless you set a specific driver with the `device_video' option.
If you don't install the SVGAWIN.sys driver AdvanceMAME works like the previous
version using only the SDL library.


ADVANCEMAME 0.61.0
==================

The `input_analog' and `input_track' options are now substituted
by the new `input_map' option.


ADVANCEMAME 0.59.1
==================

The option `input_analog[] joy[]' is now changed in
`input_analog[] joystick[]', where the joystick stick index is
decremented by 1. The conversion is done automatically.


ADVANCEMAME 0.57.1
==================

You must remove the option `dir_sound' from the configuration file. The
sound file are now saved in the `dir_snap' directory.
You must rename manually the Linux config directories to `$home/.advance' and
`$prefix/share/advance'. (Previously they were `*/advmame').


ADVANCEMAME 0.56.2
==================

This is a big update for AdvanceMAME with a lot of changes.
Don't uncompress the new archives in your MAME directory, but create
a new one.

To convert your old mame.cfg to the new format follow these steps :

* Rename your configuration file as "mame.cfg" if it has a different name.
* Copy it in the same directory of "advmame.exe".
* Ensure that a file named "advmame.rc" doesn't exist.
* Run "advmame.exe".
* A file named "advmame.rc" should be now present in your current directory.

This conversion works only for the DOS version of AdvanceMAME.
