Advice on emu launcher from XBMC

[Warborg]

So this isn't strictly about an arcade cab I know, but I haven't really kept up on any advancements in launchers and such so was hoping to get some advice.  Currently I have an HTPC set up in my bedroom hooked up to a 42" LED TV and running XBMC (w/a wireless 360 controller hooked up as well), and I am working on putting emulators on it in hopes of also using it as a "retro console" as well...  Probably some MAME, SNES, PS1 and PS2, GameCube (maybe Wii, just haven't tested how well it will run on the PC yet), etc.  Originally I was going to use Advanced Launcher (plugin for XBMC) but wasn't happy with the results of selecting different games and systems, so I am now considering just launching an emulation front-end when I want to game.  I know of HyperSpin of course, but it might be a little too much for what I need plus (in my opinion) some of the silly restrictions like "don't upload themes/artwork for current gen systems" and a few other things that I just didn't care for.  I've had the same installation of Mala on my cab in the living room, but don't know that it would be the way I'd want to go for this either.  So I just was hoping that I could get some input from you all as to the current state of front ends and anything that might be appropriate for this use, look decent on a larger screen but not take a week to set up.

[rpgposer]

I have been down your path a few times.  I used XBMC with Advanced Launcher, even created customized scripts to deal with compressed game images.  I have a cabinet with MALA and an HTPC.  At this time, for my HTPC, I use Windows 8.1 start screen with Oblytile to create custom icons for my current crop of favorite games.  I use AdvanceMenu for emulated console games and EmuLoader for arcade games.  There is a new frontend that has gotten some traction in the software forum section:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135704.0.html, but I haven't had time to try it out.

[Warborg]

I have been down your path a few times.  I used XBMC with Advanced Launcher, even created customized scripts to deal with compressed game images.  I have a cabinet with MALA and an HTPC.  At this time, for my HTPC, I use Windows 8.1 start screen with Oblytile to create custom icons for my current crop of favorite games.  I use AdvanceMenu for emulated console games and EmuLoader for arcade games.  There is a new frontend that has gotten some traction in the software forum section:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135704.0.html, but I haven't had time to try it out.

Thanks...  Yeah, I was looking at Attract-Mode also, but haven't really had the time to mess with it yet...  Was looking at the Hyperlaunch documentation to consider it also, but there were my previous misgivings plus I don't know if it's really worth the complexity...  I'll tinker with attract-mode a bit to see how it works too.

70 views and 1 response...  Would have thought this is the type of thing more people here would have encountered at one point or another...

[keilmillerjr]

Try this: http://code.google.com/p/romcollectionbrowser/

[rpgposer]

Thanks...  Yeah, I was looking at Attract-Mode also, but haven't really had the time to mess with it yet...  Was looking at the Hyperlaunch documentation to consider it also, but there were my previous misgivings plus I don't know if it's really worth the complexity...  I'll tinker with attract-mode a bit to see how it works too.
70 views and 1 response...  Would have thought this is the type of thing more people here would have encountered at one point or another...

Well, this IS the BYOAC forum, most of what is discussed here is for cabs.  The "perfect" solution for an HTPC frontend has eluded me for years.

[Warborg]

Thanks...  Yeah, I was looking at Attract-Mode also, but haven't really had the time to mess with it yet...  Was looking at the Hyperlaunch documentation to consider it also, but there were my previous misgivings plus I don't know if it's really worth the complexity...  I'll tinker with attract-mode a bit to see how it works too.
70 views and 1 response...  Would have thought this is the type of thing more people here would have encountered at one point or another...

Well, this IS the BYOAC forum, most of what is discussed here is for cabs.  The "perfect" solution for an HTPC frontend has eluded me for years.

I know it's primarily about cabs (built two myself, been here since 2002), but the type of people that dabble in this stuff seem to dabble in other gadgets as well, so I'm pretty sure it's not out of the realm for those that have built cabs to also tinker with HTPCs...  So I was just hoping to draw from the experience of others that might have ran across a config or two that worked well... 

[Warborg]

Try this: http://code.google.com/p/romcollectionbrowser/

Yeah, I have looked at this one briefly, still might dive into it...  It just seems like the plugins are kind of half-assed compared to an actual front-end...

[keilmillerjr]

Try this: http://code.google.com/p/romcollectionbrowser/

Yeah, I have looked at this one briefly, still might dive into it...  It just seems like the plugins are kind of half-assed compared to an actual front-end...

The why do you want "Advice on emu launcher from XBMC"?

You probably should have left it at "Advice on emu launcher". Honestly, there is no perfect solution. Your going to have to try them out for yourself.

[Warborg]

Try this: http://code.google.com/p/romcollectionbrowser/

Yeah, I have looked at this one briefly, still might dive into it...  It just seems like the plugins are kind of half-assed compared to an actual front-end...

The why do you want "Advice on emu launcher from XBMC"?

You probably should have left it at "Advice on emu launcher". Honestly, there is no perfect solution. Your going to have to try them out for yourself.

Sigh... 

Ok, as I said before, was just hoping to perhaps draw on anyone else's experience trying out combos...  I've seen XBMC not always agree with launching external programs well without having focus problems or other little quirks, which is why I asked if anyone had recommendations or using a launcher along side XBMC.  I didn't ask for the perfect solution, I have tried out MANY launchers in the past when I built my cabinets (which were years ago), so I was asking what other people might have already tried.

It's amazing, I've seen people bashed here for not listening to other member's experience, yet others being unhappy for my asking specifically for advice based on their experience...

[rpgposer]

I was able to setup and use XBMC as an all purpose frontend using Advanced Launcher.  It's just that I like to have my cake and eat it.  I always have a few "Favorites" which are on varying systems.
For now, using the windows 8.1 start screen for those and my favorite console and arcade frontends is working.
Is it ideal?  No.  Will it change over time as new OS's and frontends are released?  Yes.
Things I would like to try, maybe you could give them a spin:
Touchmote
AttractMode - looks like you already started playing with it.
MediaPortal

Don't let some of the replies and characters here get you down.

[Warborg]

I was able to setup and use XBMC as an all purpose frontend using Advanced Launcher.  It's just that I like to have my cake and eat it.  I always have a few "Favorites" which are on varying systems.
For now, using the windows 8.1 start screen for those and my favorite console and arcade frontends is working.
Is it ideal?  No.  Will it change over time as new OS's and frontends are released?  Yes.
Things I would like to try, maybe you could give them a spin:
Touchmote
AttractMode - looks like you already started playing with it.
MediaPortal

Don't let some of the replies and characters here get you down.

Thanks for the feedback...  Advanced Launcher is cool, just had a few usability issues I didn't like.  It's got Win7 x64 on it right now, don't see that changing anytime soon...  Attractmode I've just plopped on my system but haven't really delved into as of yet...  MediaPortal, well I used to run that before I switched to XBMC and while it's really configurable and has a lot of plugins and such, it had a few stability issues I ran into plus added complexity and most of the development is overseas so there was some other issues especially when I was trying to use it as a PVR...  I ultimately found that XBMC worked a bit smoother for my uses.

I was still looking at both Hyperspin and Attractmode, I guess in a way I wanted a menu that was a little "flashier" that maybe looked like a commercial console or something, but then my GF said she just wants "a list", just straight and simple.  I need at least SOME artwork, screenshot, some sort of layout tho...  argh!

[rpgposer]

Thanks for the feedback...  Advanced Launcher is cool, just had a few usability issues I didn't like.  It's got Win7 x64 on it right now, don't see that changing anytime soon...  Attractmode I've just plopped on my system but haven't really delved into as of yet...  MediaPortal, well I used to run that before I switched to XBMC and while it's really configurable and has a lot of plugins and such, it had a few stability issues I ran into plus added complexity and most of the development is overseas so there was some other issues especially when I was trying to use it as a PVR...  I ultimately found that XBMC worked a bit smoother for my uses.

I was still looking at both Hyperspin and Attractmode, I guess in a way I wanted a menu that was a little "flashier" that maybe looked like a commercial console or something, but then my GF said she just wants "a list", just straight and simple.  I need at least SOME artwork, screenshot, some sort of layout tho...  argh!

I don't like hyperspin, it's too flashy for me.  I am using AdvanceMenu right now.  I have it set to show the name of the game and boxart.  Mala can do the same thing, and it's layout editor is easy to use.