16 replies to this topic

[BobAlbright]

   I'm not sure what's going on with my Hyperpin setup, but it's been acting very strangely lately. I'm getting lockups and black screens when I try to launch it. My database is good---When I had the issue I used my backup (which was about 3 months old) to get it back working again. In efforts to bring it back to where it was with the changes in the last 3 months, I started going through it to get it up to date. When I say acting strangely--here's an example. Barracora was updated recently from 1.0.0 to 1.1.1. All I did in my database was change from the old 1.0.0 to 1.1.1 and after doing so, Hyperpin would not launch. So----I am looking at changing to PinballX and before attempting to change over, I was looking for any caveats,advice, tips, etc. Thanks guys

[zeenon]

Check out the PinballX guide, the guys that wrote it did a pretty good job...

 

Z

[dark]

It sounds like you probably just need to update your FPLaunch for hyperpin to work right.

[RNunez187]

All I did was install PinballX and then copied my Hyperpin media to the correct folders in PinballX. Don't remember if I copied my xml or not but the Game Manager in PinballX is easy to use to add games.

[BobAlbright]

Don't think it's that dark. I restored my backup database and it's working again. Just seems like it goes crazy once I try to add something. And what's weird us that if I remove what I just added, the issue persists. So strange. So.... I guess what most concerns me is that if I can't get Pinballx up and running, I can always resort back to Hyperpin...right? It's installation is totally separate...right? I'm not exactly a computer guru and I'm so afraid of mucking it up

[RNunez187]

Completely seperate. I still have Hyperpin installed.

[BobAlbright]

Ok thanks...that will be my project tomorrow morning

[ReDEy3]

File structures are very similar between Hyperpin and PinballX.  The only difference is PinballX required a different codec to play the playfield and backglass videos.  I personally like PinballX better due to the fact that it loads up quicker and I like how customizable it is.

[xzotic]

I just did this yesterday and there are a few things you need to look out for.

 

1. As stated above you can copy all your hyper pin media files straight across to the same directories in Pinballx. 

 

2. You can also copy your XML files across however you need to be aware that pinballx is much stricter about there being any extra spaces or carriage returns in the XML file. If it finds an extra space after </game> for example then it won't load (Hyperpin seems to ignore extra spaces). Pinballx will however tell you that it failed loading due to an error relating to the space if you look in the log file directory. So if it doesn't load then you simply check the log and see why. Hyperpin does the same actually so you should have been able to see what was wrong with your Hyperpin XML update. Anyway, just make sure you have no extra spaces or extra returns. I had a the <description> tag for example on a new line for one game and that was also enough for it to not load. Once you have sorted those out however you don't have to go back into that file again as it is all managed by pinballx table manager. It's definitely a quick way to port your whole collection over.

 

3. Also as stated above you have to install the shark007 standard codec pack otherwise none of your videos will play. Once installed they all play fine.

 

4. Be aware that in the game list manager you can select if the back glass is disabled on not. If you have any tables that don't have b2s or UVP animated back glasses (i.e.: use a static back glass) then you must make sure the back glass is not disabled for that table otherwise you'll get a black back glass when you run that table. 

 

Finally, when you start a table it brings up a menu first and then you select to play the table (which is the default option). As yet there is no way to simply start the table without showing that menu first. It has been requested as a feature but not implemented as yet. I don't mind it however.

 

Hope this helps get you going. Pinballx appears much faster even with videos and table management is much easier. It does have its own quirks though including the inability to have  a delayed exit like hyperpin does (i.e. hold down exit for 3 seconds before leaving the table) so in Pinballx if you touch your exit button even by accident you are going to be immediately exited from the table. Not great when you have people that like to nudge and bump the table a lot. 

[Gilrock]

I have Hyperpin and PinballX running. Hyperpin gave me a lot of trouble exiting tables but I finally got it worked out but it involved me having to change FPLaunch and re-compile it and the compile tool you have to use must be an older version of the tool so it can really be a pain to figure it all out. PinballX does seem to launch the tables faster. Like above I don't like having to go though the menu to start a table but I do like being able to filter my table list. I don't really like the long list of filters. I really only want to be able to filter it down to FP only or VP only. I had PinballFX2 working through PinballX but I had a problem with it crashing out when I try to exit the table so I've just decided if I want to play PinballFX2 I'll use its own launcher. I really prefer the graphical look of Hyperpin and was really hoping a follow-on release was coming. I was told 10 months ago to expect an update that would blow away PinballX but after I took a break and came back I don't see anything new. I've come close to deciding to develop my own front-end but I'd really rather spend my time helping design tables or furthering development on the simulators.

[laprocket]

I have both frontends on my system but decided use Pinballx because it runs so much smoother and is actively being developed.  There are a few things mentioned above they need to work out but overall i prefer it.  You can also download different wheels to give a very similar look to hyperpin. Hyperspin/Hyperpin have not been updated which seems like forever which sucks because it is a good.

[LoadedWeapon]

Yea its weird to me that so many people say pinballx is faster than hyperpin. . Maybe on older systems but to me hyperpin starts up faster at windows boot and loads and exits all tables faster.. I really liked the dmd videos but other than that hyperpin is just smoother and more instant with no problems on my machine. .. maybe I just got lucky. Maybe its quad-core on ssd drive but you would think pinballx would be just as fast... idk .... I guess as long as you get it to work and your happy thats all that matters

[Gilrock]

@LoadedWeapon: I have a quad-core with SSD also so that is strange to behave that much different. I'd love to see a video of how your system looks entering and exiting the two different fronts-ends.

There is one thing bothering me about PinballX. I took a break from the hobby for several months and when I went to start my cabinet up recently PinballX popped up a window and said my version had expired. It bugs me to think I'm using software that might time out after the developer finds better things to do in real life. I expect to be able to disconnect my internet connection and have my cabinet run forever.

[LoadedWeapon]

You can prob disable that in pinballx but I can't remember. I don't have it installed any more but I can take a video of mine on hyperpin. .

[Gilrock]

Yeah if it was just telling me an update is available then that's fine. But the message appeared I was prevented from running the program unless I updated. Anyways not a big deal right now...don't want to derail the thread.

[laprocket]

Yea its weird to me that so many people say pinballx is faster than hyperpin. . Maybe on older systems but to me hyperpin starts up faster at windows boot and loads and exits all tables faster.. I really liked the dmd videos but other than that hyperpin is just smoother and more instant with no problems on my machine. .. maybe I just got lucky. Maybe its quad-core on ssd drive but you would think pinballx would be just as fast... idk .... I guess as long as you get it to work and your happy thats all that matters

 

i have a quad core/ssd on my system.  For me initially starting pinballx is much faster than hyperpin.  Entering and exiting tables hyperpin is much faster.  Scrolling through the list of games pinballx is much smoother.  Both frontends are great just comes down to personal preference. 

 

BTW i love your NM tables

Edited by laprocket, 13 August 2014 - 05:35 PM.

[Tony dMax]

There is one thing bothering me about PinballX. I took a break from the hobby for several months and when I went to start my cabinet up recently PinballX popped up a window and said my version had expired. It bugs me to think I'm using software that might time out after the developer finds better things to do in real life. I expect to be able to disconnect my internet connection and have my cabinet run forever.

 

Sorry for adding a reply 3 months late.  I just received a message telling me I had to update PinballX, and I think it sucks.  I Googled PinballX expiring and found this thread.  Not much on the Internet about PinballX expiring.  I unplugged my network connection and tried it again, and it worked!  I didn't even have to reboot.  So you can disconnect your internet connection and have your cabinet run forever!