Multimedia Software
Multimedia software is designed to allow your PC to act and appear as a home theater system (htpc). Some of these multimedia software can been cab and/or jukebox friedly. This would act like a main frontend.
There are some software, that may have addition plugins, that can start mame games directly, but you need to find them your self.
Multimedia Software is available for several different operating systems and may or may not be freeware. Often, if the software is freeware, a donation link is present on the homepage of the software to allow you to show your appreciation for the developer's efforts in creating software that frequently rivals and/or bests commercial software!
Multimedia software may also be "skinnable", meaning the appearance of the software may be changed by the end-user based on their preferences (so it can been changed to a cab freidly). This may take the form of preset skins within the software, or the ability to develop and share skins with other end-users.
Multimedia software often require a trackball to operate, but it may been configuable.
This type of software can been great, if you want to use a arcade controller (like X-Arcade) on a pc, that is connected to a tv (also not in a cab).
List of Multimedia software
Below is the Multimedia software comparison table. Click on the software's name for detailed information about that software. The Multimedia software listed here are all cabfriendly.
Please be aware that this may be incomplete! The individual pages will have the software's homepage for you to verify any information or questions you may have!
| Software | OS | Type1 | Skinnable2 | Monitor | Resolutions | Other Features3 |
| Windows Media Center Editon | 
|
Commercial | ? |   ?
|
? | ? |
| Wellton Way |
|
Commercial | ? | ?
|
? | ? |
| Meedio |
|
Commercial | ? | ?
|
? | ? |
| Xloppy |
|
Free | ? | ?
|
? | ? |
1) Type:
- Freeware: is fully functional without payment. A nag screen or ads are not considered a loss of functionality.
- Shareware: has limited functionality until payment is made.
- Commercial: software is fully functional for a limited time, after which payment must be made.
2) Skinnable:
- Basic: change only the background and/or add album art
- Partial: change the background and/or album art, text size and/or color
- Advanced: change all artwork. The interface elements are locked in place, although buttons may be able to be resized
- Full: change all artwork and all interface elements can be changed (resize, moveable and resolution).
3) Other Features:
- CAB - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
- TOU - Touch screeen support (hide mousepointer)
- JB - Can been used in a Jukebox Cabinet
- MAME - Can launch MAME directly (internal or an plugin)
- LAU - Launch Externtional Application
