MAME Merged categorized data explained

https://archive.org/details/mame-merged

 

mame bios - devices/peripherals like disk2, cassette, etc.

mame rom set merged - game + pc

mame chd merged - cd, hdd

mame sl rom set (merged) no chd - rom for retro pc (like apple2e.rom)

MAME BIOS Sets

MAME ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD

MAME CHD (Merged)

MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD

MAME Support Files

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please explain the differences between the followings: MAME BIOS Sets MAME ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD MAME CHD (Merged) MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD MAME Support Files

 

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

 

Certainly! Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the various types of files associated with MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator):

1. MAME BIOS Sets

• Definition: BIOS sets are essential system files required by certain arcade machines to operate. BIOS files are specific to the hardware of the machine being emulated, and they contain the basic instructions necessary for the hardware to function.
• Usage: These are necessary for running certain games, especially those that rely on specific hardware configurations (like Neo Geo, Sega, etc.). They need to be placed in the same directory as the ROMs or in the MAME BIOS directory for the emulator to recognize and use them.

2. MAME ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD

• Definition: A MAME ROM set is a collection of game files. In a merged set, the ROMs of a game and its clones are combined into a single file. Clones are variations of the original game (e.g., regional versions or updates). The "No CHD" indicates that this set does not include CHD (Compressed Hunks of Data) files, which are large files used to emulate systems with complex storage media like hard drives or CDs.
• Usage: These sets are used for emulating arcade games. A merged ROM set is convenient because it reduces redundancy by combining clones with their parent ROM, but it still allows you to play all versions of the game from one file.

3. MAME CHD (Merged)

• Definition: CHD files are used to emulate games that require large storage media, like hard drives, laserdiscs, or CDs. In a merged CHD set, multiple versions of a game that share the same CHD files are combined. Unlike ROM sets, CHD files can be quite large, sometimes several gigabytes.
• Usage: These are required for emulating more complex arcade games that use media beyond simple ROM chips. The merged CHD set would be used in conjunction with a MAME ROM set to run these types of games.

4. MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD

• Definition: SL stands for "Software List." This refers to ROM sets that are used to emulate home consoles, computers, and other systems that are supported by MAME. Like the standard MAME ROM sets, SL ROM sets can also be merged, meaning the ROMs for a game and its variations are combined into a single file. "No CHD" indicates that this set does not include CHD files.
• Usage: These are used for emulating software for systems other than arcade machines. The merged format reduces redundancy in the same way as it does for arcade ROMs.

5. MAME Support Files

• Definition: Support files in MAME include various types of data files that enhance the emulation experience. These may include artwork, control mappings, high scores, cheats, sample audio files, etc.
• Usage: Support files are not required to run the games but provide additional features and enhancements. For instance, artwork files can replicate the look of the original arcade cabinets, and cheats can enable special gameplay modes.

Summary:

• BIOS Sets are essential system files for certain hardware.
• MAME ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD contains combined game ROMs without large storage files.
• MAME CHD (Merged) includes large media files needed for complex games.
• MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD is similar to MAME ROM Set but for non-arcade systems.
• MAME Support Files provide enhancements like artwork and cheats.

4o

You said:

For the old computers like Apple II, Commodore 64, we need its system roms. Do such roms belong to "MAME ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD"? And for such computer systems, we needs some peripherals like disk drives, video cards, etc. Do they belong to MAME BIOS Sets?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

For old computers like the Apple II and Commodore 64, here's how their system ROMs and peripherals would be categorized in the context of MAME:

1. System ROMs for Old Computers (e.g., Apple II, Commodore 64)

• Category: These ROMs would generally be part of the MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD.
• Explanation: System ROMs for old computers are akin to the ROMs for arcade machines, but they are specifically for home computers, consoles, or other non-arcade systems. The "SL" in "SL ROM Set" stands for "Software List," which includes the system ROMs for these older computers. These ROMs contain the basic firmware or operating system necessary to start and run these machines, such as the BASIC interpreter in the Commodore 64 or the operating system in the Apple II.

2. Peripherals (e.g., Disk Drives, Video Cards) for Old Computers

• Category: These typically fall under MAME BIOS Sets.
• Explanation: Peripherals like disk drives, video cards, and other essential components that are part of the hardware configuration of old computers often require specific BIOS files to function correctly in emulation. These BIOS files contain the necessary firmware or instructions that these peripherals need to operate, just like how certain arcade systems need specific BIOS files for their hardware.

Summary:

• System ROMs for old computers like the Apple II and Commodore 64 are generally included in MAME SL ROM Set (Merged) - No CHD.
• Peripherals such as disk drives and video cards for these systems would typically require files from the MAME BIOS Sets.

This categorization allows MAME to accurately emulate the entire system, including both the primary computing hardware (via system ROMs) and any necessary peripherals (via BIOS files).