Question about Mame software lists

[maabus]

I have a quick question about Mame software lists and Hyperspin. I would like to use Retroarch for some of the obscure systems using the mame core, or if I can't get it working in Retroarch I'll just have to use Mame directly. I understand how to set up software lists, and get the systems to run, but I'm a little confused on how they tie into Hyperspin. I know that Mame has it's own naming convention, and to use the software list you have to use Mame's names, otherwise you have to update the hash file with your own names. Updating the hash seems like a pain as every time there is a new version of mame you would need to update the hash file. Also using Mame's naming convention then you need to change the names of all your media files to match the name.

So my question is what is the easiest way/best way to set up systems using mame software list, that let you easily sync media files and not have to rename everything? Is this even possible?

 

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks! 

[SupraKarma]

It's going to be a hassle all around, and I don't think there's an easy way to do it.

There are some small advantages to using MAME software list ROMs, if you want MAME as your primary emulator (namely, the cheats all work if you use them), but for the most part, it's more trouble than it's worth.

[adamg]

Like MAME, you could use a xml database that reflected the MAME software list naming convention.  As roms in that set rarely if ever change names, you would only need to do this once.  The advantage is that you would be able to use the software lists.  The downside is that you would have to rename all your artwork once but you would not have to change any of the hashes.

[phulshof]

MAME software list XML files are delivered as part of my MAME XML set every month; the files for 0.191 are already available at http://www.retrofe.nl/download

[maabus]

Awesome... thanks for the info guys.