MemCard PRO Support?

[ShadowMask]

Nobody wants to manually manage save files, just like nobody wants to manually manage their game library. Please consider implementing quality of life improvements instead of offering raw functionality alone. Other things the PSIO desperately needs:

-native support for batch processing of multi-disc files OR drag and drop compatibility with redump sets.
-sub directory support and genre filters (search is not a replacement for browsing curated lists)
-a single database file with cover art that can be dropped on the root of the card.
-increase game limit to enable users to fully utilize 1TB SD cards.

[OvoxRubenxovo]

@Matt can you estimate when we can expect the FW update with the MemCard support:)?

[Matt]

We're working hard on this MASSIVE new update for PSIO. We've got the MemCard Pro and HDMI adapter working, SD Card writing is working, a new USB protocol in the works and a few other improvements to the Menu System are underway which mainly speed up the boot times.

It's a pretty major update so that's why it's taking so long

[OvoxRubenxovo]

Sounds awesome. Thanks for the reply

[Retro_Rok]

Sounds great!
Just got my MemCard Pro from 8bitmods and I'll soon get my HDMI compatible SCPH-5502 model.
Can't wait!

[cleeg]

So, how would the PSIO and MC Pro talk to each other?

[Matt]

So, how would the PSIO and MC Pro talk to each other?

Through the bus.

[whitezombie]

I got my MemCard Pros and I must say they are quite nice. If there is one negative thing I have to say is that I was really surprised at how warm they get. I wasn't expecting that. I went into the web gui and shut off the OLED after 30 sec of no activity. Didn't seem to make any difference with the temps. I hope it doesn't cause any issues in the long run.

[Matt]

I got my MemCard Pros and I must say they are quite nice. If there is one negative thing I have to say is that I was really surprised at how warm they get. I wasn't expecting that. I went into the web gui and shut off the OLED after 30 sec of no activity. Didn't seem to make any difference with the temps. I hope it doesn't cause any issues in the long run.

That's what happens when you cram an ESP32 into a small space with no ventilation unfortunately
The main issue isn't the chip itself, but when using it as a web server it starts to really cook up.

[Drunk_Caterpillar]

Yeah, when my pre-order card arrives I plan to turn the WiFi off immediately. I think it's got some really cool features but I don't think it'd be worth the extra power draw, heat, and potential network security issues.

[whitezombie]

I got my MemCard Pros and I must say they are quite nice. If there is one negative thing I have to say is that I was really surprised at how warm they get. I wasn't expecting that. I went into the web gui and shut off the OLED after 30 sec of no activity. Didn't seem to make any difference with the temps. I hope it doesn't cause any issues in the long run.

That's what happens when you cram an ESP32 into a small space with no ventilation unfortunately
The main issue isn't the chip itself, but when using it as a web server it starts to really cook up.

I was kind of thinking it might be the Wi-Fi that was causing it to warm up. In the web UI I cannot disable Wi-Fi at this time. The button doesn’t do anything. They are active on Twitter and I have reached out to them about this issue if it will be enabled in a future update. I also requested a password for the web UI access because I don’t like how anyone in my home can access that IP address. Someone could potentially go in and delete all the memory cards. Overall it is a really nice card and it slides in and out just like an OEM card.

[Takehaniyasubiko]

The heat issues were my biggest objection.

I'm sure it's a very well-made card, for such a price it has to be, but they just want to do too much with that feeble port of this poor old console.

If some power users don't mind the potential damages from prolonged heated usage, then it's fine for them, but this just isn't a product for the general retro public.

[Syntax]

"isn't a product for the general retro public." LMAO Thats some fanboy shit talking right there.
Its a top product and the features and pairing options it has are a huge step forward, especially for PSIO.

ESP32 will run all day hot and not care. And it is external to the PS1 so its not adding any heat to it.
The only real concern would be if you were doing some long read writes to its SD card and having that area reach over 85c could make the SD fail
Id be more worried about an xstation without a fan heating up the inside of the PS1.

If you are that worried about the card whack some speed holes in it.

[Matt]

If you are that worried about the card whack some speed holes in it.

That'll make the card go faster too

[Takehaniyasubiko]

That card is definitely not for the general retro public and that heat defo affects more than the chip. It's never a good idea to push hardware over it specs in terms of thermal design power. Just because it doesn't set the console on fire doesn't mean it's a sane TDP choice.

If you look at a scene like the Amiga one, there are crazy expansions you can buy nowadays, but does the average Amiga fan use them? Nope. Stuff like this is only for power users, which are never the majority of the general public. It's good that options exists, tho. I guess there is somebody out there who will want thousands of personalized PS1 saves on one card.

[SpockYoda]

The heat issues were my biggest objection.

I'm sure it's a very well-made card, for such a price it has to be, but they just want to do too much with that feeble port of this poor old console.

If some power users don't mind the potential damages from prolonged heated usage, then it's fine for them, but this just isn't a product for the general retro public.

Was considering buying one but wouldn't want to fry anything

[Syntax]

Don't listen to that fools BS about heating and blowing stuff up with an external ESP working well under its max temp.
He doesn't even own one.

He says its only for power users, that's why its always sold out lol..

If you own a PS1 and an ODE im pretty sure this product is right up your alley, or you must not be a "Power User" LMAO

[Takehaniyasubiko]

The only fool here is a person who thinks that an overheating device which always stays on in the PS1 port is not going to be a problem in the long run. Nobody said anything about "blowing things up". It's simply not good to have so much juices going through the PS1 ports over extended game sessions.

With WiFi OFF, it might be safe, but only people using it actively for a year or so will be able to say with certainty.

[Cyber Akuma]

As someone who has looked into many ways to backup/restore saves off the cards or memorycards of his retro systems, I am glad to see this feature being added. I used to use a Dex Drive for my PS1/N64 save data, but that's not really viable on modern PCs anymore, was looking for an alternate way to backup my PS1 data.

Although I wanted to ask, as someone who also likes to use their across the physical console and emulators and be able to backup/restore them back and fourth, is the format that the PS-IO will be writing the saves to the SD card be one of the current standard formats used for PS1 saves? Since those are easy to convert between different formats and to/from a physical memcard back and fourth. Or is the PS-IO going to be using a proprietary format that will only work with it?

[Matt]

It'll use a standard format.