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Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:23 pm
by Deramin
Hello again!
So this time I need some help with the proper setting I need to make my 3.5 inch screen from gearbest work.
So far it works and loads up but I am having issues figuring out this overscan business as well as getting the font to be legible once its in emulation station so that I can read the names of the games.
I also am wondering what its refresh rate is and how to change it... my googlefoo seems to be weak today.
Thanks much for all your help guys !
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:48 pm
by ABH
#1 Edit your config file
This is my config file :
Code: Select all
# For more options and information see
# http://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/config-txt.md
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details
# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1
# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#disable_overscan=1
# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
overscan_left=0
overscan_right=0
overscan_top=-2
overscan_bottom=-2
# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
framebuffer_width=720
framebuffer_height=480
# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1
# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_mode=1
# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2
# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
#config_hdmi_boost=4
# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2
#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800
# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on
# Uncomment this to enable the lirc-rpi module
#dtoverlay=lirc-rpi
# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README
# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on
gpu_mem_256=128
gpu_mem_512=256
gpu_mem_1024=256
overscan_scale=1
#2 ( Edit your xml file of theme are u using )
http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 106#p11547
#3 This is if you want to change The Command Line Font Size
http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/0 ... font-size/
Good luck .
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 5:59 am
by Deramin
Hey thanks that will help me a lot!
Just wondering though is the screen you used also the gearbest one? the resolution you have in your config.txt is way bigger than what the site says it is
Thanks for your help man!
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:00 am
by BadBert
thnx for the tips! I'll have to set up my screen soon...

Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:29 am
by ABH
Deramin wrote:Hey thanks that will help me a lot!
Just wondering though is the screen you used also the gearbest one? the resolution you have in your config.txt is way bigger than what the site says it is
Thanks for your help man!
Your welcome
yes i know im using bigger resolution
Don't Worry im aolso using 320 x 240 display .( i set it bigger because it's give me cleaner logo for raspberry when start up , and semi to full of the screen using )
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:17 am
by BadBert
ABH wrote:Deramin wrote:Hey thanks that will help me a lot!
Just wondering though is the screen you used also the gearbest one? the resolution you have in your config.txt is way bigger than what the site says it is
Thanks for your help man!
Your welcome
yes i know im using bigger resolution
Don't Worry im aolso using 320 x 240 display .( i set it bigger because it's give me cleaner logo for raspberry when start up , and semi to full of the screen using )
I used the code you posted, copied and pasted the whole thing to my file, but it does not seem to do anything?

Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:43 am
by ABH
BadBert wrote:ABH wrote:Deramin wrote:Hey thanks that will help me a lot!
Just wondering though is the screen you used also the gearbest one? the resolution you have in your config.txt is way bigger than what the site says it is
Thanks for your help man!
Your welcome
yes i know im using bigger resolution
Don't Worry im aolso using 320 x 240 display .( i set it bigger because it's give me cleaner logo for raspberry when start up , and semi to full of the screen using )
I used the code you posted, copied and pasted the whole thing to my file, but it does not seem to do anything?

Double check the config file if it save or not
"I prefer to use terminal to edit config file "
What is the exact thing that you want to change ?
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:23 am
by BadBert
ABH wrote:Double check the config file if it save or not
"I prefer to use terminal to edit config file "
What is the exact thing that you want to change ?
I checked if it was saved with the new data, and it was.
i wanted to change font size, and because the rest of the pi was not setup yet, i started with the file i could edit from my computer using a micro sd card reader.
After that i have to change 2 and 3 you mentioned.
I also want to change overscan and position of the picture, i thought that was in the file you posted too, but i cant se any change (in anything for that matter)
Re: Pi zero 3.5 display settings help!
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 6:26 am
by Zero
Font size isn't changed in the config.txt file, it's done via the carbon.xml file in a theme folder. There's a guide here:
http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=159
The overscan changes are done in the config.txt file, you're correct there. Guide here:
http://www.opentechguides.com/how-to/ar ... tting.html