Recalbox distinguishes three resolution levels, from the broadest to the most specific:
The principle is simple: a specific resolution always wins over the global one, and the default value means "the native resolution of the screen".
This does not apply to CRT screens: when a Recalbox RGB Dual or RGB JAMMA board is detected, video modes are picked automatically per system and per game, and the
RESOLUTIONSmenu disappears.
This is the recommended way: Recalbox only offers resolutions actually supported by your screen.
START then go to ADVANCED SETTINGS > RESOLUTIONS.GLOBAL RESOLUTION — the resolution used by default by the emulators;EMULATIONSTATION RESOLUTION — the one used by the Recalbox menus;SYSTEM SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS, a resolution for each system (FOR NINTENDO NES, FOR SUPER NINTENDO…).Every per-system setting offers two special values: USE GLOBAL (follow the global resolution) and NATIVE (the native resolution of the screen).
📷 Screenshot to come:
resolutions-menu.png
On PC, only the
GLOBAL RESOLUTIONis offered: the interface and the emulators follow the desktop resolution.
recalbox.confThe same settings exist in the recalbox.conf file. A resolution is simply written widthxheight.
global.videomode=1920x1080
system.es.videomode=1280x720
The key really is
system.es.videomode(notes.videomode). Leave it commented out to keep the automatic behaviour.
Each system has its own key, built from its identifier:
nes.videomode=640x480
snes.videomode=1280x1024
dreamcast.videomode=default
Kodi also has its own key:
kodi.videomode=default
In every case, the default value asks for the native resolution of the screen. If a line does not exist in the file, add it on an empty line.
A resolution the screen does not support results in a black screen when starting a game or the interface. Take back control by editing recalbox.conf from a computer (SD card, web manager or SSH) and set the value back to default.
Need help? Join the Recalbox Discord.