Serving files via NAS, emulating via archives?

[StaticVision]

Hello all,

I am attempting to serve my backed up gaming collection which spans the following systems:

NES // rom

SNES // rom

Genesis // rom

Sega Saturn // iso

Nintendo64 // rom

Playstation // iso

Dreamcast // iso

Gamecube // iso

Would this collection of file formats be able to stream to Hyperspin via my NAS? If so, does Hyperspin stream files in archives (.rar, pakkiso, .7z) or would my collection of back ups have to be completely unarchived? Is this more a limitation of the emulators I choose to run? If it is limited by the emulators which emulators would allow me to emulate from archived files if any?

Thanks!

[Dazz]

Go away, we don't need no stinkin' [M] to cause this place to rot too.

Seriously though, I don't see why you couldn't stream files to HyperSpin. Rom based systems shouldn't have any issues, but I don't think cd based systems could be streamed fast enough. It's up to the emulator if they accept archived files or not as HyperSpin doesn't extract/compress files. Actually, I don't know of any cd based system emulators that work from compressed files.

I'd setup a couple systems with like one game in each database and then test it out.

[djvj]

I have every system streaming from a server. I think the only systems that can't are pc games that need to be installed in windows and possible the laserdisc emu. Keep all the media/emus local, but the roms/iso on the server.

[StaticVision]

OK, so it sounds like all roms//iso need to be extracted even if I leave them on the NAS. Done! Now the next question is hardware related. What would be capable enough of powering NES to Gamecube potentially even PS2? My intentions are to house the hardware and 1 x 2TB system drive with roms/iso served over the network to an HTPC / micro-ATX case.

[StaticVision]

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black EIDE/ATAPI Model SH-S222A

$16.99

MSI N240GT-MD1G/D5 GeForce GT 240 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

$89.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

$69.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

$89.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

$104.99

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

$114.99

Thermaltake Black SECC Japanese steel LANBOX Lite VF6000BNS Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

$69.99

Grand Total: $586.60

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Where can I cut costs on this? Perhaps only 2GB of RAM and a lesser video card? I am attempting to emulate up to PS2 if possible.

[djvj]

Roms can be zipped for most systems, depends on the emulator support.

Isos need to be extracted. Even if you did get it to work, the amount of time for each game to start would be silly.

I would not cut anything from that PC honestly. That sounds like a good build. I could never build a PC these days with only 2GB ram. Especially since it's an HTPC, stick with 4.

Do you really need a dvd drive in there? My htpc has none, I serve all from my server.

[StaticVision]

Do you think the GPU is sufficient? I know MAME utilizes only CPU do you think maybe an i7 would be the better fit here? I want to have emulation running at its finest if that's what it takes.

I know I can emulate up to N64 without a problem but what of later systems? Saturn, Dreamcast, PSX, PS2, and Gamecube... Do any of these systems offer emulators that benefit from advanced GPU/CPU?

[djvj]

I have a gtx260 and it's more then enough for saturn/dc/psx. I have not tested gc or ps2 much though, but I'm pretty sure it would still be ok.

You don't "need" an i7, but more cpu never hurts. You were looking to cut costs, not add to it I thought?

[StaticVision]

It would be nice to have a capable machine made for $500 but I am not going to cut corners for an inferior experience!

[StaticVision]

This is a little off topic but could this Hyperspin box double as an HTPC? Do I require any extra hardware?

[SophT]

HS and emulators are all CPU utilizers whereas HTPC boxes are all GPU accelerated - so if you have a decent CPU and GPU - then it will work as both, but if you trade off one or the other, it won't work for both.

[blur]

This is a little off topic but could this Hyperspin box double as an HTPC? Do I require any extra hardware?

yup, no problem

you even have some software like hyper spin to act like media center, hypermedia or something like that

though it would be good to add blu ray reader

[Bossnutz]

Here is my build that was done earlier this year:

http://pcpartpicker.com/b/WHHxFT

I would like to stream all of my XBMC and Hyperspin data from a server. Is it possible to do this from my current build or should I just buy a WD Cloud/NAS system and stream it from the "cloud" that way. I have little knowledge on servers/nas systems so any input would be appreciated.

Just in case you are confused as to what I want to do; I'd like to play my emulators, xbmc media, etc. from anywhere that has an internet connection. I know my computer is powerful enough, just not sure what steps to take.

TIA