ShmupMAME settings: Wait for vsync or triple buffering?

[mycophobia]

I hate tearing. A lot. Enough to endure some extra input lag to not have to see it. As far as I can tell, in the latest version of ShmupMAME, triple buffering and wait for vsync effectively do the same thing, and I can't really tell a difference in terms of lag, not to mention I'm really not good enough at shmups to have to worry about some minimal input lag anyway, so this question really just boils down to putting my mind at ease

So which option is better? Or are they effectively the same?

[Bananamatic]

last time I checked the lag wasn't really minimal
just get used to the tearing tbh

[mycophobia]

The ugliness detracts from my enjoyment of the game.

[Xyga]

Use GroovyMAME, use BGFX for video, and turn autosync on.

We should let Shmupmame rest in piece, GroovyMAME is the only build effectively giving less lag than the regular builds, and it does without using damaging hacks.

[mycophobia]

I've never heard of GroovyMAME. I will definitely give it a shot when I get home. Thanks!

[pegboy]

last time I checked the lag wasn't really minimal
just get used to the tearing tbh

Yup. I remember trying those settings on my old PC and having an unplayable amount of input lag.

You just gotta get used to screen tearing or find a real, hardware solution to removing it. I personally play on a G-Sync enabled laptop, and there is absolutely no screen tearing or added input lag. It's awesome.

[Xyga]

G-Sync is nice but a big investment, you know some laptops do the same as G-Sync without it ?
My 400€ one does, that'll work only with the integrated display though...

[pegboy]

I'm sure there are cheaper ways, but I'm just relating my personal experience with what I'm using. MAME works beautifully with G-Sync.

[Nick420]

I can vouch for groovymame.
That shit is just completely amazing.
Well worth getting a proper set up going...
I always found it to be lag free(or as close as can be) like shmup mame. And the games just look so beautiful on a crt.
I have a few pcbs but groovy mame is so good I just can't justify spending the money and then dealing with hardware failures.
I've had a blazing star cart fuck up on me...(still looking to buy another because it happens to be a game that doesn't seem to be emulated that well in mame, so if anyone has a legit working original for sale please pm me)
Having said that, groovy mame is still the way forward..
I have it in my nac and it's literally just the best piece of arcade software in existence.
Everything looks so amazing and like it's the real thing. Highly recommended

[Xyga]

Yeah, it's the best for a crt setup indeed. We haven't asked but I'd bet OP was thinking of a simple use with a windows pc + lcd monitor or something...

With flat panels GroovyMAME offers much narrower optimization possibilities (I've only suggested the most basic settings for the current 0.177) but it's still more than what regular MAME builds can do, effectively reducing the delay.
0.177 is still in alpha state though, people who want a more stable solution can go back to GroovyMAME 0.171 and use D3D9ex for video instead of BGFX (the 'ex' is important, on lcd setups it's the most simple thing to use for immediate lower lag).

@mycophobia: Beyond those convenient quick default settings, the best performance is achieved by tweaking each emulated hardware individually using the frame_delay and vsync_offset options among other things, storing the settings in individual .ini files for each emulated hardware or even single games.
But that's something to be learned step-by-step.
GroovyMAME is not the friendliest MAME around, it can be confusing at first, but the people on GroovyMAME forums (and here too) will help you.

[mycophobia]

Unfortunately I'm stuck with an LCD monitor for emulation purposes (though I do play old console games on a CRT television).

I have no problem with spending a little time to set GroovyMAME up properly if it's ultimately better.

[mycophobia]

I turned off vsync and got my 1-ALL on DDP. So I guess I'll just grin and bear it

[michino]

What version of GroovyMAME it´s the best? not always the last version is the better.

[Xyga]

0.171 works with the 'old' MAME system, using D3D or D3D9EX you will probably get the most stable results, Calamity 'tuned' GroovyMAME for it after all.

I read some even prefer 0.168 for whatever reason, maybe it's a matter of filters/shaders, or compatibility with frontends, I forgot...
(also CRT users have their habits with D3D)

If you visit the groovymame forums you will also find a modified build featuring Asio sound output, in an attempt to reduce sound latency (depends on your computer sound card's compatibility with the Asio4all driver).

Finally there are modified builds with some game fixes and hacks, adding autofire menu, support for the toaplan sound samples, etc.
The links are scattered but you might have some luck asking user haynor666.

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0.177 has the latest 'advances in research' from the mamdev side, of course the latest is always the best on the emulation side, but the switch to BGFX also introduces some stability and resolution issues that haven't been solved yet.
Personally this is the one I use because it features the extensive integer scaling options I need.