Emulation box ideas

[dataDave]

Yeah, that's precisely why I didn't wade in with my MiSTer stick like usual. Maybe Craig missed the budget.

[dataDave]

I was thinking of a Pi5. I had intended to get a MiSTER in 2024 but this just seems so much easier. And I'm seeing amazing videos of Saturn emulation.

Nah, software emu is full of compromises, and setting up (and maintaining) a Pi isn't anywhere near the ease of a MiSTer, which works exactly like any of the old consoles or arcades do once you've initiated a core from the barebones front end.

You really do get what you pay for when it comes to open-source emu solutions. A Pi would have suited me if I was space restricted like back in Singapore, but after coming back to Europe and obtaining my first pro-grade CRT a MiSTer was the obvious selection to pair it with.

EDIT: I'd possibly go in with a Pi if you're not too sure just how much time you're going to spend retro gaming. A MiSTer isn't cheap, however it's been the device of my dreams since long before it ever existed. I was fantasizing about an all-in-one FPGA unit that could cover everything up to the 16-bit consoles on here at some point, and it was actually Brad who brought up the MiST project and how we're not far away from something with a bit more capability - that must have been a good ten years back or something. Now I'm sat typing this after 90mins of objectively flawless Guardian Heroes and F-Zero X.

Did you get a Miyoo Mini+ yet?

[MartyG]

It's literally just downloading an image from Arcade Punks, burning it, and switching it on. What maintenance?

Unless you're ultra serious about retro gaming, emulation on a Pi5 is fine and will be for most people at £60 rather than the £3-400+ for a full MiSTER setup.

It's exactly the same as a phone camera being fine for most people rather than shelling out for a Sony A7RV, which is unquestionably better.

[dataDave]

It's literally just downloading an image from Arcade Punks, burning it, and switching it on. What maintenance?

Does that come with all the box/cover art and stuff? The last time I checked it was RetroArch-esque levels of ****ery to get set up. That was ages back, mind.

It's exactly the same as a phone camera being fine for most people rather than shelling out for a Sony A7RV, which is unquestionably better.

Indeed. We're not just most/regular people, though. An amateur photographer who's into the hobby probably isn't going to settle on taking photos with their phone.

[dataDave]

[MENTION=4957]hudson[/MENTION]

tl;dr Get a Pi5.

If you then spend loads of time enjoying it and want to upgrade one day (perhaps you notice lag and stuff, or maybe the Saturn and N64 emu isn't quite on point) then save up and get a MiSTer. If you really love that and absolutely must emulate Dreamcast/NAOMI/Model 2 then upgrade from there to the MARS once it's out.

[MartyG]

Indeed. We're not just most/regular people, though. An amateur photographer who's into the hobby probably isn't going to settle on taking photos with their phone.

I actually find a phone can produce the majority of the photographs I take now (and it probably counts for the majority of photos I do take), it's only the niche areas they can't compete on.

Does that come with all the box/cover art and stuff? The last time I checked it was RetroArch-esque levels of ****ery to get set up. That was ages back, mind.

Depends on the image, the majority of them come with the complete setup - you just need to read the descriptions, I won't link to the site, but if you search for the above you'll find it. For example, at the moment there's a 2TB "fully loaded Batocera" image for PC, that will have everything set up with video intros as well.

[CMcK]

Yeah, that's precisely why I didn't wade in with my MiSTer stick like usual. Maybe Craig missed the budget.

Ah. Didn’t know the MARRS thingy is so expensive.

[Asura]

Nah, software emu is full of compromises, and setting up (and maintaining) a Pi isn't anywhere near the ease of a MiSTer, which works exactly like any of the old consoles or arcades do once you've initiated a core from the barebones front end.

You really do get what you pay for when it comes to open-source emu solutions. A Pi would have suited me if I was space restricted like back in Singapore, but after coming back to Europe and obtaining my first pro-grade CRT a MiSTer was the obvious selection to pair it with.

EDIT: I'd possibly go in with a Pi if you're not too sure just how much time you're going to spend retro gaming. A MiSTer isn't cheap, however it's been the device of my dreams since long before it ever existed. I was fantasizing about an all-in-one FPGA unit that could cover everything up to the 16-bit consoles on here at some point, and it was actually Brad who brought up the MiST project and how we're not far away from something with a bit more capability - that must have been a good ten years back or something. Now I'm sat typing this after 90mins of objectively flawless Guardian Heroes and F-Zero X.

Did you get a Miyoo Mini+ yet?

That's part of it; I'm never owning a CRT again. Done with all that. I'll be running this through a large QLED TV; admittedly I know the MiSTer does that too, but I'm already compromising.

And no, I'm holding off on the Miyoo until it's clear what's happening with the upcoming folding model. I have a Steam Deck so I would much prefer a device I can fold up and shove in a pocket without having to care about the screen.

[gunrock]

I still use a MiST (the precursor to the MiSTER). Works well for my needs

[Brad]

[MENTION=278]gunrock[/MENTION] I'm thinking of getting a mist.

I'll only use the microcomputer cores so don't need a mister and the mist seems to come in a metal box and has midi ports, which is excellent!

Struggling to find anyone selling other that Lotharek's lair though. Does this look alright?

https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=45

I've bought from him before I'm pretty sure.

[CMcK]

I’ve bought a few things Lotharek seems to be good quality kit.

[gunrock]

[MENTION=278]gunrock[/MENTION] I'm thinking of getting a mist.

I'll only use the microcomputer cores so don't need a mister and the mist seems to come in a metal box and has midi ports, which is excellent!

Struggling to find anyone selling other that Lotharek's lair though. Does this look alright?

https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=45

I've bought from him before I'm pretty sure.

Yeah, it's a little pricey, but it's high quality and this version has 64mb (the previous were 32mb) thus can support Neo Geo amongst others. I, like you, am primarily concerned with the 8 bit micros, so MiSTER is overkill for my needs (plus I've had my MiST for years - since about 2016/2017)

[Brad]

Excellent. I've got one on the way now, cheers.

[Brad]

Oh, last question @gunrock - No room for a CRT anymore. Any idea if VGA port into an OSSC into an HDMI monitor is gonna be ok for the microcomputer cores (Amiga {hires, lowres, productivity mode would be a bonus}, Vic-20 and BBC in particular)?

[gunrock]

[MENTION=9465]Brad[/MENTION] - don't have a working OSSC at the moment. You generally have two choices; most of the cores will support scart at 15khz into the OSSC. The second is to get an old 4:3 or 5:4 vga flat panel that has VGA input (all of them). The only thing to watch is that some of the old micros have video that doesn't scale well to VGA frequencies, so the OSSC might handle them better.

I have a VGA flat panel myself.