Help this newbie learn and start from scratch...

[moctodhyperspin]

It started with browsing old school table top pinball machines/toys. Then I ran across these two player consoles where all you have to do is plug a cable into your LCD. Something like this: AMAZON EXAMPLE Then I started watching youtube and see people take it a step further with full size cabinets and table top cabinets. Something like this: MINI CABINET EXAMPLE. I'll be referring to these two examples a lot below, so I'll say Amazon example or mini cabinet example. 

I soon realize there are so many sellers on eBay and their description makes me realize this is very much a DIY hobby. I can buy one, but that wouldn't be fun. I do have a DIY spirit and have a lot of tool "toys" in my garage, and I'm also above average with computers. For example, I would install Kodi for friends and family, and I've even learned to make custom kodi builds just by following youtube tutorials. So I believe building an arcade is something I can tackle. 

I first want to comprehend the software side, the BRAIN! I'm not sure I would ever build a full size cabinet because we're short on real estate in our home. So first I want to simply learn the software side and then build something simple like the Amazon Example.

Okay guys, some questions to help me understand things better:

1. Let me know if I understand Hyperspin correctly by this analogy: Hyperspin is to Mame as Oreo is to Android 8.0? Something like that? Like a launcher interface? 

2. In my two links above. Is there limitations to building a simple Amazon Example versus a Mini Cabinet Example? I mean can you put all the power of the Mini Cabinet Example into the Amazon Example? I want to know if the price descripency is mainly for the craftsmanship of the cabinet. Obviously tinycarcademachines must also be using better components like the i5 quad core, 8gb ram, etc. I'm sure the Amazon Example uses weaker components. Basically, can I cram all the power of the Mini Cabinet Example into the Amazon Example form factor? Is there any reason we shouldn't? For example overheating, cabling inefficiency, etc. 

3. I see a plethora of those Amazon Examples on Amazon, eBay, etc. They call it Pandora 4, 4s, 5, etc. Kinda like Iphone numbering. LOL! What motherboard CPU are they using? 

4. From the website tinyarcademachines, I see they also offer mini cabinets based on Rasberry Pi. So I'm perplexed by the wide spectrum in the quality of components needed to make a good arcade machine. A Pi cost less than $50, whereas a motherboard with i5 or i7, ram can cost much more. If money is no issue, is it correct to assume the better route to go would be the traditional motherboard and components? I also assume the Pi is for people who would like to keep their build as small as possible?

5. I have a Dell XPS GEN5 from like 2005. 3.2 ghz with hyperthreading or something. I have not fired it up in a long time, but anyway, is something like this strong enough for a good arcade machine?

6. What are some of the other best active forums where I can also dig for help?

Okay, don't want to overload you guys. Based on the feedback I get, hopefully I'll understand more and will know what to ask next. Thank you for your time! 

[Bungles]

1. Mmmmm Oreos.. 

2. The sky is the limit if you are doing things yourself from scratch.. Or taking another product and modding it. This was made starting off with an old PS2 Arcade Stick.
Its not amazing nor "Professional" but its personalized in homage of a fallen comrade who owned the joystick.

3. As Hyperspin is built on a Windows or Android platform it depends on what you want to do with your cabinet and what generation of systems you want to emulate.

4. Raspberry Pi's and Hyperspin don't really go together. Pi's are built for smaller systems and also have supporting Front Ends but if you want power you really need a full machine with a dedicated graphics card.

5. the Gen5 should be ok for a test machine and if you need more power you can always upgrade adding Ram, a SSD or Changing video cards etc. Most emulators are still using single core architecture.

6. The Hyperspin forum/community is probably your best bet. Though there are other Arcade Machine enthusiast sites out there, I found Hyperspin is almost a cover all as people are very friendly.

Other than that, there are some guides here on how to get started. And many ways in which to shape your Hyperspin software with Universal Themes and media covering most of the games out there.

The other's may claim to be more "User Friendly" but the ones that try and do it all for you are never satisfying in my opinion. As you said this is a DIY project that takes time to create your own masterpiece.

As Hyperspin is an amazing Front end, there are better "Back Ends" in my opinion like Rocketlaucher which worst very well with Hyperspin Driving out in front.

 

[moctodhyperspin]

Thanks Bungles! That's a great looking build! I hope to get there. Where do I start? Before getting into hyperspin, I have to install and understand mame first, right? Would this be a good start?

 

[Honosuseri]

Welcome to the forum!

Hyperspin is a frontend, essentially a flashy way to show off games. In a nutshell it tells other software (emulators) to load the game in question. You've asked a lot of questions which is understandable. From what I can deduce from your post, possibly doing an Nvidia Shield TV setup would make the most sense for you initially. It's a very powerful little box indeed!

A word to the wise though, do be careful who you listen to. Most of the Youtube channels seem only to be concerned about making revenue. They harp on about the Pi and images to download because they are cheap, a trained chimp could install them. Meaning they'll get a larger audience...and more ad revenue.

Having said that, Pi boards are very cool but are rather limiting. I've done some pretty decent Kodi/Arcade builds, with all the different Frontends available. I don't use images that are floating around, I've built them up from scratch with the Hyperspin media assets I already had from my PC setup. My Bro has an RPI 3 but covets my Shield.

The 2017 Shield TV is tiny. I helped a friend set one up and he has put it and the portable HDD inside an original (broken) NES console. He's really enjoying learning all the cool stuff that can be done with it. He also bought an 8bitdo N30 Pro for an additional controller, it looks like a Nintendo pad. I already had the FC30 Pro (Famicom inspired version), which he got to try out first. I know they also do fighting sticks that are bluetooth like the gamepads.

If you head over to the Android section of this forum, you'll see some of us have shown off our setups. We all try to help each other along and there are guides and base packs available to get you started off.

Do a bit of research on the Shield TV and you'll see it's a great "stepping stone" device before having a gaming PC. Then it becomes a brilliant companion device once you own one. I wish you all the best with your project, we look forward to seeing you around more.

[Bungles]

MAME is a good way to start as it covers a plethora of Arcade Games.

Once you have that setup then. Get the basic Hyperspin and Rocketlauncher package going and setup your first wheel connection to Mame.

Some great tutorials on youtube from some members here which I am sure people will link for you.

Personally I started watching Simply Austin's Guides and installing packs at a time.. which got a bit messy quick as nothing was working though it looked great, since then some official guides have come out.

Conquering your first system is most of the battle, the rest then is just time and how many systems you want to add. (Suggestion, add what you want to play at first and dont go for the Pokemon "Gotta catch em all" mentality..)

 

 

[moctodhyperspin]

Hey Guys, it just dawned on me to ask this... I have a wii, a ps3, and an xbox one. I guess the xbox one would be the strongest console I have. Can the xbox one be used to install hyperspin and rocketlauncher?

[Honosuseri]

10 minutes ago, moctodhyperspin said:

Hey Guys, it just dawned on me to ask this... I have a wii, a ps3, and an xbox one. I guess the xbox one would be the strongest console I have. Can the xbox one be used to install hyperspin and rocketlauncher?

In a word...No.

If you want to use Hyperspin it will be a PC or an Nvidia Shield device.

[Bungles]

You could put a PC in an old XBox Case though..

 

[Honosuseri]

10 minutes ago, Bungles said:

You could put a PC in an old XBox Case though..

 

Funnily enough I still have the OG Xbox modded with XBMC installed.

I doubt the Dell PC parts he has would fit in the OG Xbox Chassis. I still think he might be better of doing a Shield TV although he could repurpose that old Dell PC for sure.

[Bungles]

Any Mid/High Range PC Really, I run HS on my Main PC.. All my Games are there and its powerful. 

Can always plug run it across to the Big TV and use controllers on the couch.

Its all about what you want.

I also port across what will run onto that little cabinet I linked which has a Dell Optiplex 790 that was being tossed at work, which I put a different Graphics Card in it as it had a PCI-E slot and a 2TB HDD.

It can run everything up to Nintendo 64 fine.. (About 14,000 Games I think on it so far..) but to be fair haven't tested much further than that.

 

 

[Honosuseri]

4 minutes ago, Bungles said:

Any Mid/High Range PC Really, I run HS on my Main PC.. All my Games are there and its powerful. 

Can always plug run it across to the Big TV and use controllers on the couch.

Its all about what you want.

I also port across what will run onto that little cabinet I linked which has a Dell Optiplex 790 that was being tossed at work, which I put a different Graphics Card in it as it had a PCI-E slot and a 2TB HDD.

It can run everything up to Nintendo 64 fine.. (About 14,000 Games I think on it so far..) but to be fair haven't tested much further than that.

Oh there's lots of ways to go, as you well know lol I meant the Shield TV for ease of setup and use really...plus it's really tiny.

I have Hyperspin on an Ivybridge i3 with a 4GB GTX960 GPU. I'd argue that PC is a better gaming machine than a PS4 or Xbox one. I've also got Hyperspin on an old Dell laptop too which does the classic retro stuff well enough. I do enjoy seeing all the different setups people do and how they show the games off with different themes and artwork

[moctodhyperspin]

Cool! Just wanted to know the possibilities, my options. I think I'll repurpose the Dell instead of buying more devices that will just add up in time. Got the Gamecube, the N64 as well. 

My zotac is my main goto pc in the garage and it's my serves as my Plex server. I believe this is the model I have: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZOTAC-Barbone-Desktop-i7-4770T-3-6GHz/dp/B00GU2X08Q

It has an i7-4770t process from several years ago. I love this little pc. I might just go ahead and turn this into the arcade instead of repurposing the dell. This way it's more manageable in terms of moving the arcade around the rooms. What do you think?

[Honosuseri]

15 minutes ago, moctodhyperspin said:

Cool! Just wanted to know the possibilities, my options. I think I'll repurpose the Dell instead of buying more devices that will just add up in time. Got the Gamecube, the N64 as well. 

My zotac is my main goto pc in the garage and it's my serves as my Plex server. I believe this is the model I have: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZOTAC-Barbone-Desktop-i7-4770T-3-6GHz/dp/B00GU2X08Q

It has an i7-4770t process from several years ago. I love this little pc. I might just go ahead and turn this into the arcade instead of repurposing the dell. This way it's more manageable in terms of moving the arcade around the rooms. What do you think?

It really depends on what systems you plan to emulate, I don't know much about that Zotac PC. The integrated graphics will limit what you can do to a point, you won't be adding a dedicated GPU to it. That said the Arcade stuff would be OK and retro consoles, it'll just be trial and error one wheel at a time.

Wish you all the best with it, we'd love to see what you end up with

[Bungles]

If you get yourself a little TV Card or USB you should be able to run the old RGB devices through to it also if you wanna add genuine consoles etc directly to your "MainFrame!"

[Bungles]

You can also get external graphics card boxes these days... as an addon to it via USB 3.0.

They arent as quick as using a direct PCI-E port but would still do the job.

https://www.gamingscan.com/best-external-graphics-card/

 

 

[moctodhyperspin]

Guys, another thought... what do you think of a notebook as an arcade server? Mine is an i7-6500U with 8gigs of ram. It's the Dell 13-7359. Can you recommend an external graphics card for this? It has Windows 10.

This computer is a PITA for me. Constantly getting hot and slow. I want to just factory reset it, make it fresh again and just let it be a dedicated arcade if possible. I've decided I'm going to trade it in whenever I get a chance. Instead of trading it in, I can use it as a dedicated arcade too. It's not powerful, but wouldn't it still be better or faster than a rasberry pi?

BTW, can I start working on my arcade even before deciding which machine it'll be on? When the whole hyperspin and rocketlauncher is completed, is it transferreable? Or, should I decide on my machine first, and start installing directly to the machine that it's staying on? I'm beating around the bush cause I haven't decided on which of my leftover computers will be the server. 

So I got a Dell Gen5 from years ago, and a more current Dell 13-7359 notebook as possible guena pigs to choose from. BTW, with the notebook idea, I wouldn't use the actual laptop screen to view. I want to hide the whole notebook and use a different monitor. 

 

 

 

 

[Spawk]

Guys, another thought... what do you think of a notebook as an arcade server? Mine is an i7-6500U with 8gigs of ram. It's the Dell 13-7359. Can you recommend an external graphics card for this? It has Windows 10.
This computer is a PITA for me. Constantly getting hot and slow. I want to just factory reset it, make it fresh again and just let it be a dedicated arcade if possible. I've decided I'm going to trade it in whenever I get a chance. Instead of trading it in, I can use it as a dedicated arcade too. It's not powerful, but wouldn't it still be better or faster than a rasberry pi?
BTW, can I start working on my arcade even before deciding which machine it'll be on? When the whole hyperspin and rocketlauncher is completed, is it transferreable? Or, should I decide on my machine first, and start installing directly to the machine that it's staying on? I'm beating around the bush cause I haven't decided on which of my leftover computers will be the server. 
So I got a Dell Gen5 from years ago, and a more current Dell 13-7359 notebook as possible guena pigs to choose from. BTW, with the notebook idea, I wouldn't use the actual laptop screen to view. I want to hide the whole notebook and use a different monitor. 
 
 
 
 

Depending on how much gaming you actually do at a time, I would advise against using a laptop. They are just not meant to be run for long periods of time and cant disperse the heat fast enough. Just my opinion, I havent owned a laptop in a few years so maybe they have got better??? I doubt it.

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