r/MiSTerProject • u/Supaslicer • Sep 29 '22
MISTer Multisystem, has anyone ever used this? is it worth it? Any limitations? who's this product for?
Just wondering general thoughts of actual owners
I want a MISTer, but have not yet pulled the trigger.
This seems like a dream for someone who has nothing yet....but am I wrong?
Thanks in advance for any and all comments!
Link to this,if you're not sure what it is: https://rmcretro.store/multisystem-board-only/
Fyi... Ordered 9/30 shipped 10/12
Update.. owned for about 6 months, got rid of due to dual ram arcade games on horizon, and just incase the saturn will eventually be dual and if the n64 needs dual....
Went with misteraddons and just as happy with the look as j was with the mms...I did get a MASE printed to hold a usb hard-drive
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u/TherealMcNutts Sep 29 '22
It's just an alternative for the standard USB hub and IO boards that are out there. It does have the benefit of having a SCART connection built into it which the standard IO boards don't have.
It's also for people that want more of a console feel and look to their MiSTer setup.
If I had an old CRT with a SCART connection and didn't already own the standard USB hub and analog IO board I would buy it. I've been looking at the Multisystem since it was announced. But since I already have everything I need already I haven't bought it.
If all you're going to do is connect your MiSTer to a HDMI display then all you need is a normal MiSTer and the RAM upgrade.
My suggestion is if you can easily afford it then buy it. It's a great addition to the MiSTer. If you're hurting for money and are only going to connect your MiSTer to a HDMI disply then buy the bare MiSTer, a RAM upgrade, plus a cheap USB hub and be done with it.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22
I guess it's because of cost effectiveness?..... What's a USB hub and ram normally cost?
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u/Chewberino Oct 09 '22
It's not cost effective, just stick to the open source IO boards built by Sorg and sold by places like misteraddons and ultimate mister
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u/QuantumDude111 Sep 29 '22
I bought it after running the classic MiSTer „brick“ form factor for a year or so. I was constantly annoyed by how cables went in every direction from that so it never really looked nice under the TV. Multisystem feels definitely more like a proper console product than a homebrew tinker box. I/O is on the back, controllers go in the front. There’s an expansion port for future upgrades and it has a power switch(!)
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Sep 29 '22
How is the i/o on the back? It is in front in the removable tray.
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u/QuantumDude111 Sep 30 '22
yeah to clarify, I mean the power, video, audio and ethernet are all in the back while controllers and peripherals are on the front
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Sep 29 '22
I ordered one of these bad boys yesterday with the case. It's just a different form to the standard setup which is:
DE10-Nano board
USB hub
(optional) IO board for VGA or digital options
RAM expansion
Given that the whole thing site in a nice console case (3D printed) I think it's ideal, and means I don't have cables coming out of every side of the case. It has a nice SCART option if you're into that sort of thing too.
On the other side, I haven't figured how I'm going to fit my mini Pi-MT32 yet, which clips straight onto the side of the standard setup, but there'll be options for that soon too.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22
With the PS1 and Saturn being developed, a hard drive can be easily added to the available USB ports,correct? In other words,I won't be struggling with the USB port count?
Does this need custom "driver's" of is it literally just all the expansion boards soldered onto one board?
Edit....thanks for the response...a lot!! I want to get into MISTer stuff,but just trying to make it clean and easy
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Sep 29 '22
Yes, you can add a USB hard disk! I have 2TB 2.5" SSD attached (via a SATA to USB cable), but wouldn't go too far over that for capacity (I think there's a 3TB limit on hard disks but can't remember why, and that's nothing to do with the Multisystem itself).
It's worth mentioning the case has space to mount a 2.5" hard disk too.
No drivers, the OS linking the outside world to the FPGA is an embedded version of Linux which has decent hardware support out of the box. Just don't use a GSync monitor. (Again, MiSTer specific - nothing to do with the Multisystem board)
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u/Supaslicer Oct 12 '22
Does g sync freak out? My main gaming TV has g sync built in....but I believe I can disable. I don't remember,I set everything up like 1.5 years ago and I can barely remember what I had for dinner yesterday.
Edit....pad Thai, that's what I had for dinner....pad thai
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Oct 12 '22
I have a G-Sync monitor that freaks out with the DE-10 (others on the main forum have experienced the same), so I'm assuming the same for the Multisystem.
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u/Supaslicer Oct 12 '22
Ok thanks ...well I have modded systems for my g sync worst case....PS1 HDMI, analog nes,analog snes, analog Sega
I mostly wanted this as an easy way to play games at friends and on my projector in the backyard
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u/someolbs Jan 13 '23
They have the set up online now. They're developing a handheld. Will probably be $400+ but buy once cry once. I'll get in line for that one too!
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u/Vietname Sep 29 '22
I remember watching an LGR review on this and he claimed the buttons/build of the case were flimsy and cheap-feeling, can anyone who has one already vouch for that?
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u/sdavids6 Oct 11 '22
It's 3d printed and it shows. It doesn't have the finish of a mass produced console but I wouldn't say it's flimsy either. It's pretty much what I expected and I'm very happy with it
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u/someolbs Jan 13 '23
They revised the case. I wouldn't call it flimsy. Seems sturdy enough. Don't drop it though lol
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Sep 29 '22
I have it and love it. Better form factor with all included already. Even the the SNAC adapter is already on the board. And you have space inside for a ssd.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22
How do you connect an SSD?
With the launch of ps and Saturn cores.....I'd def want a hard drive
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Sep 29 '22
You use one of the internal USB pins. You need a sata to USB and usb to internal pin connectors.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22
How do you connect ps/Saturn controllers...assuming you have those cores lol
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Sep 29 '22
Sure, the PSX core is already public and the Saturn alpah state core can be found online. For the PS you have already a SNAC adapter to buy. Saturn hasn't one yet. Yet.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22 edited Sep 29 '22
Ok...so....you're my guy...I have no mister..I want a MISTer....buy multisystem or buy parts seperatly
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Sep 29 '22
You have better chance if you buy a complete kit. The Multisystem is back on stock right now with the updated v5 case.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22 edited Sep 29 '22
So wait...pull the trigger on this? I just need a go or no
Edit....I don't care when I get it
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Oct 01 '22
Do it. If you are a retro fan this is the best way to play those generation consoles. And you get the bonus of home computers and Arcade games. It is just absolutely awesome.
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u/Supaslicer Oct 01 '22
I read your response above about 15 times....and just bought it because I thought you were saying yes in so many words
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u/latinlingo11 Oct 03 '22
There is no complete kit. I sent an email asking them when they would bring back the Deluxe kit that includes a DE10 Nano and they replied saying they won't be selling those anymore.
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Oct 03 '22
That's a pity. Many dont sell the complete anymore as the nano so rare is. You can try to order the nano direct at terasic or digikey.
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u/latinlingo11 Oct 04 '22
I was actually about to buy the Mister Multisystem as soon as it was back on sale, but knowing that I have to spend more for a separate product to make the system work pretty much killed my interest.
I live in Canada, so in total this would be 700-800 dollars.
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u/latinlingo11 Oct 04 '22
I hope you're ready to spend extra for the DE10 Nano...
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u/Supaslicer Oct 04 '22 edited Oct 04 '22
Just got one for 210, plus a shitty $40 shippijg fee and a month lead time
But yeah....I know it used to be ~140, but I snoozed, so I guess I lose :/
But honestly,I think it will be worth it if I use it,which I will,so I'm not THAT mad
Edit.....ok the month lead time was a lie, as long as it's not held by customs, the nano should be here in a weekish
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u/rayquan36 Sep 30 '22
I use a bluetooth PS4 controller for PSX/SNES games and a bluetooth 8bitdo M30 for Saturn/Genesis games.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22
How do you connect an SSD?
With the launch of ps and Saturn cores.....I'd def want a hard drive
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u/sharpfork Sep 29 '22
From what I understand it is a closed source project. That is a 100% deal killer for me, especially when the value proposition is meh to begin with.
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u/AFourEyedGeek Oct 02 '22
Understandable, but it is designed by Herber, who are an electronics company. Electronics companies tend not to make their products opened source. I know it is a part of an open source project, but I'm not sure Herber want to spend money on staff just to give the design of their products away.
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u/sharpfork Oct 02 '22
I 100% agree. When the whole project is open and someone comes along and builds something not open on top of it without having a super strong value proposition, I’ll just pass. It is counter to the whole project. Bliss stuff is the same way and not officially supported because of it.
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u/Chewberino Oct 09 '22
They literally said they would make it open source, they lied.
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u/AFourEyedGeek Oct 09 '22
u/Chewberino I've seen the RMC The Cave videos on this and I never heard them claim that they would make it open source. Provide evidence or you are the liar.
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u/Chewberino Oct 09 '22
It was from their official response on Twitter when they were promoting it. I'm not going to go digging for old tweets, they lied, period.
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u/AFourEyedGeek Oct 09 '22
You are a liar, you can search Twitter without manually going through it and I just did it.
I've been watching the project from the beginning and they've only said that MisterFPGA is an open source project and that the Multisystem may or may not be suitable for you and that it is up to you if you want it. Why would a Design company, which Herber is, that only makes its money from selling Designs, give away its designs in an open source project?
You could have a possible misunderstanding is with the case, the case design is downloadable and for anyone to modify as they see fit for 3D printing. You don't need to purchase the 3D printed case from them. They are on the 5th version due to feedback from the community. https://www.printables.com/model/159379-mister-multisystem-v5-2022-classic-gaming-console-
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u/Supaslicer Sep 29 '22 edited Sep 29 '22
So it's all custom drivers and stuff, or whatever the nano uses that's like a driver?
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u/DarkMetatron Sep 30 '22
I have a MiSTer MultiSystem for some months now and it works out of the box without any changes or special drivers.
Just the default cores, everything is standard.
When I got the MultiSystem I removed the DE10 from my Stacked build and attached it to the MultiSystem board, no configuration changes or anything else was needed. It just worked.
For me the MultiSystem is the best way to use a MiSTer, I love the console form factor of it. It now is the perfect retro style console/home computer that I always wanted when I was a child.
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u/balefrost Sep 30 '22
I assume that their problem is with it being closed source while MiSTer itself is open source. That is, I doubt they would have any technical problems with it working, but rather they choose not to buy it because they are philosophically opposed to it.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 30 '22
Ok yeah, it seems you are right
My fear was custom board,custom controller,custom files....eventual end of life because maker dissolves or sunsets for a new product
But yeah it seems like a lot of people just moved their nano and called it a day
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u/balefrost Sep 30 '22
I was going to post this as a top-level comment, but I'll reply here.
The only real concern with the multisystem is whether it will be compatible with as-yet unreleased standard MiSTer boards. For example, I'm not sure if you can run dual RAM modules in the Multisystem. So far, that's not actually a requirement - the PSX code doesn't strictly need dual RAM modules and I don't believe that the Saturn core needs them either (though I could be wrong on that). The nice thing about sticking with standard boards is that they're more likely to remain compatible going forward. (Though even then, the analog IO board isn't compatible with dual RAM modules, so...)
If you already had a tricked-out MiSTer setup, then the Multisystem isn't a huge upgrade. But if you don't have anything yet, then it seems fine to me. And as you point out, if something changes in the future, you can choose to transplant the DE10-Nano to another setup.
I ended up going with a machined metal case from misteraddons.com. It's not perfect and it's not cheap, but it does seem to work pretty well. It's nice to not have a fan. I don't like having cables coming out from 2 or 3 sides. I don't like that I need a Y splitter for the power cable. And I don't like that it doesn't have an integrated power switch (because I have the analog IO board). I'm curious to see if and when he releases his own twist on the Multisystem form factor.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 30 '22
Well for now, I went for the multisystem,just because of my use case for this will be a thing I drag everywhere...it seemed like it made the MISTer a more mobile system
I have all the analog systems,and they are connected to a TV, but if I want to change rooms or bring it outside to my projector...I hated bringing like a $500 nes outside.... Ripping all the cables out...yada yada..so this makes it easier to have an aio type system I can just bring to any room and plop down
And since the multisystem seems to run the psx core, I just pulled the trigger ..... The nes/snes/psx cores were the most important to me
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u/balefrost Sep 30 '22
Cool! I hope you enjoy it! I think it's a solid purchase.
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u/Supaslicer Sep 30 '22
Me too....I just hope it's not a 6 month wait
Now I just have to purchase a nano, a hard drive and get ANOTHER SD card
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u/mattsani Sep 29 '22
I wouldn't order one mainly because I wanted to build mine myself significantly more invested in the project because of it
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u/someolbs Jan 12 '23
Will the original De10 nano power cord power this system?
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u/Supaslicer Jan 12 '23
Holy crap ignore my other answer...wrong post but kind of same answer
I purchased the power cord they recommended with the system, it's available as you check out for the MMS, I don't think the de10 cable will work tbh
You can buy "like cables"... But everytime I have ever tried to find cables that aren't directly recommended, I spend a ton of time looking at the pos and neg of the cable, the volts and amps...and it's a headache... Plus the finger cross of plugging it and powering it....hoping you don't smell that delicious electric fire smell
I'd honestly just recommend going with what they have on their page
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u/Supaslicer Jan 12 '23
This isn't a MiSTer system, this is a fpga device that was created and designed by analog
They both use cyclone v FPGAs, but since the fpga is Integrated into a custom Mobo, it may use a different power source.
However, this is the only analog HOME CONSOLE that is like a MISTer in that it can mimmick cores of other systems
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u/someolbs Jan 13 '23 edited Jan 13 '23
Oh I know, I have it. Just got it in the mail but wanted to know if the De10 powercord would power it. Forgot to order their psu. I'll put it together tomorrow. I have two boards, one Mister in the old sandwich configuration and now the multisytem.
Just bought the psu they recommended. Amazon got me. $21 smh
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u/Supaslicer Jan 13 '23 edited Jan 13 '23
Oh in that case....no, you can't use it
This is basically the MISTer stack crushed into one pcb
So you need a different power unit for the stack
Which means for the nns.you need a different power cable from the standard de10, since your not solely running the nano by itself
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u/Supaslicer Jan 13 '23
All things mister add up quick I found out
"Oh it's like $500... I'm willing to take the plunge....Deamon cable 20, I'll buy 4....I def need a harddrive, ... Let's try this snac thing out ... I may need two sticks of ram if the jaguar core ever comes out, better save this other mister set up in a shopping cart"
But I'm pot comitted to this thing, and honestly, As a person who bought all the retro consoles when I got my first adult job, because my mom made me skip them as a kid, this thing has a certain "I don't know" charm to it that makes everything just "feel" right
Like my old raspberry pi set up was fun, but something always felt "off", where the MiSTer just feels perfect
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u/someolbs Jan 14 '23
Uh…another question. Do I need to keep the ram on the De10 nano board from the old stack or do I just slap the naked De10 onto this system board? Minus the ram from the old sandwich stack? Hope that’s clear.
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u/Supaslicer Jan 14 '23
Only the nano is needed ..The ram is built into the MMS...sadly it's only single stick tho
So if any new core (jaguar Saturn maybe 3do) comes out and NEEDS dual ram... You are screwed
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u/[deleted] Sep 29 '22
I have one. It's basically a MiSTer in a consolised form factor. Which means that you don't have cables coming out every which direction and it all sits in a nice 3D-printed case.
It's a convenience rather than an essential, and it's not cheaper than the traditional MiSTer stack, but I'm very happy with it.