Mutimedia / Gaming FE

[FrizzleFried]

OK folks...somewhat of a hot topic for sure...but I am looking for a good front end to use on my cocktail table.  Unlike both my vertical and horizontal stand-up cabinets that run MAMEWAH,  this cocktail cabinet utilizes a PC monitor and will be used more as a general utility cabinet than a gaming cabinet.  Sure,  MAME will be installed and some head to head vertical gaming will be in order,  but aside from that I would like to build something with a jukebox...perhaps a video jukebox...internet radio...PC games...browser, etc.

I have been messing with GAMEEX for a bit,  but frankly,  it doesn't seem nearly as configurable as I was hoping.   Add to that the fact that it crashes 1/2 the time I use it,  that the weather module crashes,  that the jukebox is quite asstastic,   that I can't figure out how to make custom game lists,  or how to eliminate clones on any other list than the "ORIGINAL" list,  and the fact that the nag screen at the beginning is so friggin' long that by the time I reboot 5 times I am growing a gray beard,  and it all adds up the GameEX not being the FE of choice for me.

I tried AtomicFE,  but the damn thing crashes when I have my monitor set to to run windows vertically...and it seems to be more of a cabinet gaming only type FE...

Any other suggestions?   Does MALA do jukeboxes?  Video jukeboxes?  Browsers?  Internet Radio?   I am trying to make this cabinet as seamless as possible eliminating the need for a keyboard except for browsing, etc...

[headkaze]

If GameEx crashes and AtomicFE crashes have you thought that perhaps your system is not setup right? That there might be some other problem? Or do you naturally assume everything you run on your machine that crashes means the software is at fault?

GameEx and I'm sure AtomicFE as well have been tested over and over again on many different configurations. If there is a crash of some kind there is usually an explaination which is what the forums are for. If a FE crashes you should report it with as much detail as you can provide so the bug (if there is one) can be fixed. No FE author has a 100 computers with different configurations at hand to test their FE's so it's up to users to report problems. It helps if you do that, and it's always appreciated I would think.

[youki]

Did you try that one :

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

or

MCE? 

But I agree with headkaze , if GameEX crashes and AtomicFE Crashes  on your machine , it is surely due to a configuration "specificity" of your PC , and other FE could crash too.   I'll check on the side of your Video Driver.  May be you need to update them or get another version.

[FrizzleFried]

Youki:

I am positive AtomicFE crashed because of my vertical orientation (via windows).   That said,  when I played around with it in horizontal mode,  it seemed more of a GAME FE rather than a GAME/MULTIMEDIA FE.

As for GameEX,  it runs fine if I run it from windows...with a few of the layouts...but the majority of the layouts crash when I run it vertically.  Unfortunately,  I can not run it horizontally,  then use the VERTICAL feature in GameEX as that feature is a pay only feature...and I ain't gunna pay for the FE until I can get it right and be sure I can use it for my cabinet... so I am at an impasse.

It seems that GameEX is crashing with a resolution error...I tried forcing 1024x768,  then I tried forcing 768x1024 (since it's a vertical orientation),  then I tried turning off the FE setting a resolution.   All settings end up the same...I can load from windows with some of the layouts...most of them crash...and even the layouts I can run WILL NOT RUN from the STARTUP folder...each time i get a black scrambled screen then a crash to windows.

I run MAMEWAH without issue.  I run MAME without issue.  I run MEDIO without an issue.  I run windows without issue.

I am prepared to spend more time working with GameEX,  but I am a little disappointed with the lack of flexibility as far as assigning buttons,  etc.   I am also extremely disappointed in the GAMES LISTS it offers... I'd like to set up a vertical list without clones and I can't figure out how to do it thus far...and I'd really like to check out the native vertical functionality of the FE,  but again,  it's not available in the free version and I won't cough up any dough until I am sure I will use the FE.

Right now I am leaning toward MAMEWAH still...but incorporate a 3rd party Jukebox, etc...but I am not sure.   I think I will look at Medio again as well...it worked well when I was using this box as an HTPC.

[youki]

Youki:

I am positive AtomicFE crashed because of my vertical orientation (via windows).   That said,  when I played around with it in horizontal mode,  it seemed more of a GAME FE rather than a GAME/MULTIMEDIA FE.

You mean you  use your video driver to rotate windows  and you don't use the FE Rotation Option?   
It would mean you should use Atomic in Horizontal Mode if you rotate windows.

Yes, AtomicFe is not Media Center , It is a gaming FE optimized for Arcade Cabinet with some limited "multimedia" feature like built'n jukebox and video Jukebox.   But you can always run external application from Atomic if you need another jukebox or karaoké software or etc....

In the philosophy Atomic could be compared to MameWah or Mala , i think.

Anyway in your case, it seems you need more a Media Center or HTPC Software.  Eventually you could run a GamingFE from your Media Center  or inversly.

[FrizzleFried]

Yes...I am now looking at AtomicFE and MALA with an external jukebox, etc.   I posted this in another thread,  but I will repeat here just in case....

When I run AtomicFE stock...default...in horizontal mode on a horizontal monitor...it works fine...when I run AtomicFE stock...default...in horizontal mode on a vertical monitor (using ATI's control panel to rotate the screen),  it crashes to a black screen.

I will go in and try to configure AtomicFE to rotate the monitor for me and then the issue may be moot...