[jaCKYass]

I'm thinking about downloading an ePSXe. But next-gen emulators look so...complicated! I'm feeling like I wouldn't be able to get the hang of it all, but i'd still like to check it out.
Any thing I should know, being a Noob to the next-gen scene? I could sure use some advice on how these darn things work...

[VT-Wesley]

Next generation is a little bit complicated. Playstation emulators don't fully do the job usually. You need plug-ins. For example, you usually need a video plug in , an audio plug in , a cdrom plug in, etc. This makes it easy for the emulator authors I'd think because they don't have to write all of it. I honestly don't know much about plug-ins other than they effect some of the menus you see. The entire settings for things relating to said plug-ins are totally modular, so if you use Video Plug-in A and you have trouble, and then use Video Plug-in B, both will give ePSXe different video settings menus.

It's a little messy, and honestly, I have never seen any emulator using this plug-in system work exceptionally well (PS1, PS2 and N64 emulators often use this plug-in system).

Unfortunately, some plug-ins may work better with some hardware, so it might depend a little on your computer (don't worry if it's a little old or something for PS1 emulation).

I think before anyone says anything more, you should probably mention whether you want to understand how to do these things, or you want to have a "Step by Step guide to playing PSX gameso n your PC". I have a bad habit of explaining things in too much detail (one time someone asked me "how are you playing that?" when I was playing a game on an NES emulator. I explained what the emulator was doing and why, and they looked at me like I had a third eye or something, and they asked me again. I disappointedly said "with a controller" and they replied with "oh, wow! I didn't know computers had those thingies!").

[VT-Vincent]

ePSXe may seem intimidating, but it's actually a bit easier than it looks. As Wes previously mentioned, the most complicated part of setting it up is the plugin system. The plus side is that ePSXe already includes a full plugin set and just about the only one you will want to change / update is the video plugin. If you choose to get a different video plugin, I'd recommend heading over to our Playstation plugins page and choosing the plugin that is recommended for your video card (this is most likely the Pete's GPUs Package). All you will need to do is move the files from the package to your ePSXe plugin directory and select it from within the emulator.

The plus side to ePSXe is it's much more streamlined than most plugin-using emulators. The first time you start ePSXe it will provide a six-step setup wizard and make recommendations on which plugins you should use and allow you to set all of them up.

The downside to ePSXe and all other PSX emulators (except PCSX) is that you need a Playstation BIOS file in order to boot the emulator. Unfortunately due to the legal issues surrounding the BIOS, it's one topic that we can't discuss.

I hope this information helps, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in our Help Forum!

[Kid Einstein]

The PSX system is a little more complicated than ... Let's say the regular Sega Genesis.

The PSX is not only a more powerful machine but it can calculate more complicated instructions than what the Genesis is capable of. The machine can generate a certain amount of polygons, the sound chip is running at a certain frequency and with several other channels...

It all goes in a big chain. Only the fact that the PSX is more complex than the retro systems. Writing graphical instructions is a pain, because with 3D engines, you don't have the usual sprite plane, the background and object mapping (Alhough these include as well), but with 3D you need to assign ranges, take consideration for texturemapping, clipping and several other things that 3D include.

In terms of emulation, you can say that ePSXe is a whole lot more complex than Gens in relation with the systems that these emu's are supposed to emulate.

What you are referring to however, is the GUI and I can assure you that the ePSXe main GUI is relatively easy to handle. What might trick you a little bit is Pete's graphic plugins (Which also are easy, there are two buttons saying "Nice" and "Fast", just choose either if you're worrying)

There is another thing, compatibility. Some games need fixes that requires some tweaking with the GPU plugs.

[jaCKYass]

Hmm...It's a lot to remember and learn. Which will give me something to do this summer.
I am so one of those people that needs a detailed set of steps on "how to" and "why so". I'm horrible at remembering things!
I appreciate all the help going into it. I think i'll get started on setting it up and figuring everything out...and checking in when I need help---you guys are pros!
BTW, I posted my picture in my profile page, if anyone wants to see what I look like. It's a horrid picture, cause I couldn't make it fit correctly so I had to keep cropping it. It's like all you can see is my face! And it's not a good shot--I take terrible pictures. But it's the most recent (taken on my birthday) and if I can get a better one, I'll post that instead. So, prepare to be scared (naw just kiddin')!

[jaCKYass]

So I posted the same pic, but figured out what I did wrong...looks much better now! Yay! Not so scary!