PS2 Current state of going "all digital" with the PS2?

[GudetamaLazyEgg]

Hello!

Please help me! I am very passinonate about the PS2 and its library due to its variety, but also nostalgia.

I've been trying to look around here on the forums to find an answer, but I am not sure regarding the current state of HDD/USB/Micro SD to Memory Card solutions in order to play games without the disc.

Last time I looked into this (years ago), there was no perfect solution. I remember the following about each mod:
- HDD: high compatibility, seemed to be the best way overall
- USB: videos stuttering because the USB port is too slow to stream data fast enough in order to play videos properly. I think there were other issues as well. Bad way to play games.
- Micro SD to Memory Card: Pretty much as bad as USB. Low compatibility and all sorts of problems.

Has anything changed since then? Are there any new solutions where everything just finally works properly?

I reside in the UK and there is this shop. They (re-)sell some kind of "Memory Card + 32GB SD" (from AliExpress, I suppose) and claim that every game works perfectly via that mod. I asked about it and they also said it was the best way to play your back-ups and that there were no benefits to using an HDD instead.
Recently my old PS2 broke, should I just get a new one from them including the Memory Card plus SD card thing? Somehow I don't trust them. I don't won't to be disappointed by a half-baked solution where videos stutter and half of the games don't work at all.

Please help!

 

[Ripto]

PS2 HDD Recommendations:

• SATA HDD > 5400RPM with 512 or 512e Sector Support. (3.5" recommended but not required)
• < 1TiB if using HDDOSD, 2TiB if not using HDDOSD, theoretically unlimited if using APAJ without HDDOSD.
• OEM Sony Network Adapter for highest compatibility and network functionality.
• BITFUNX Sata Kit to make the network adapter support SATA instead of IDE.
• A SATA to USB kit to connect your HDD to a PC which includes a power source - USB alone will not power the 3.5" drives.
• PFS-BatchKit-Manager to do any of the chosen exploits and game installs from a Windows PC.
• PS2HDD Decryption Helper for APAJ conversion/setup via Linux or WSL.

QoL Unrelated Recommendations:

• PSxMC2 and/or MCP2 with > 1GiB highspeed (A2/v30+) microSD.
• Blue-Retro Core with DualShock 3
• fat32 32kb cluster formatted USB drive for applications which don't support MC or HDD.
• Wireless extender if you need to make the PS2's ethernet connection wirelessly connect to the network.

Those are my recommendations. ATA, SMB, and MMCE are a fantastic trio of performance.

 

[GudetamaLazyEgg]

I don't even understand half of this. I thought you might be able to tell by how I phrased my initial post. So does that mean HDD is the best way?

 

[Ripto]

I don't even understand half of this. I thought you might be able to tell by how I phrased my initial post. So does that mean HDD is the best way?

Nothing has surpassed HDD performance. But there are games which won't work properly from HDD that sometimes work when on a different device.
Having HDD, SMB, and MMCE seems to cover a broad and reliable set of compatibility.

MMCE surpasses MX4SIO.

 

[GudetamaLazyEgg]

Nothing has surpassed HDD performance. But there are games which won't work properly from HDD that sometimes work when on a different device.
Having HDD, SMB, and MMCE seems to cover a broad and reliable set of compatibility.

MMCE surpasses MX4SIO.

Is there a list of games that don't work properly from HDD?

I bought the IDE/SATA to USB cable, the network adapter and a HDD. Can you please post a link so I can get everything set up? I am asking because there are so many outdated tutorials around so I don't know where to find the latest guide. I just want to put ISOs on to the HDD (from PC, mot by using the PS2 and its drive) to play them, I don't need a million features and stuff. And I want to use the method where there is no Free McBoot Memory Card needed because it is "built" into the HDD (although I have a Free McBoot Memory Card). Hope you can help. Thanks!

Edit: I saw saw this: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/hacking-the-ps2.10719/
But again what should I do? I am sure I only need to do two or three things for what I want to do (just playing PS2 games from a fat PS2 using a HDD with the network adapter).

 

[Algol]

MMCE surpasse le protocole MX4SIO.

@Ripto : j'ai une question à te poser.
Peux-tu expliquer brièvement pourquoi le MMCE est t'il si supérieur au MX4SIO ???
Je possède les deux interfaces et je n'ai pas remarqué que le MMCE soit plus efficace que le MX4SIO car je rencontre les mêmes incompatibilités entre ces 2 interfaces. C'est identique pour les jeux PS2 que je possède, mêmes erreurs. La vitesse de chargement est la même. identique. La seule différence c'est qu'avec le MMCE je peux lancer mes jeux PS1. Je suis plus emmerdé avec les VMCs du MMCE qu'avec la gestion qu'en fait OPL depuis le jeu "Gran Turismo 3" qui possède un très bon gestionnaire intégré des cartes mémoires (tout comme des VMCs). Je peux avoir différentes tailles des VMCs et je référence leurs contenus dans un fichier XSLX me permettant une bonne gestion des différents jeux avec leurs paramètres.
Si tu peux me répondre, je t'en remercie par avance.

In English :
@Ripto: I have a question for you.
Can you briefly explain why the MMCE is so much better than the MX4SIO?
I own both interfaces and I haven't noticed the MMCE being more efficient than the MX4SIO because I encounter the same incompatibilities between them. It's the same for the PS2 games I own; the same errors occur. The loading speed is identical. The only difference is that with the MMCE I can launch my PS1 games. I have more trouble with the MMCE's VMCs than with the way OPL manages them since "Gran Turismo 3," which has a very good built-in memory card manager (as well as VMCs). I can have different sized VMCs and I reference their contents in an XSLX file, allowing me to easily manage the different games and their settings.
If you can answer me, I would be very grateful.

 

[1052]

The loading speed is identical

Check out this. MMCE is the next step in the evolution of MX4SIO.

 

[Algol]

Je n'utilise pas "Neutino" avec mes PS2 Fat SCPH39004R et SCPH70004. Seulement OPL est utilisé avec les Drivers nécessaires.

I don't use "Neutino" with my PS2 Fat SCPH39004R and SCPH70004. Only OPL is used with the necessary drivers.

 

[TnA]

Did you set ACK low and alerts off?

 

[Ripto]

@Ripto : j'ai une question à te poser.
Peux-tu expliquer brièvement pourquoi le MMCE est t'il si supérieur au MX4SIO ???
Je possède les deux interfaces et je n'ai pas remarqué que le MMCE soit plus efficace que le MX4SIO car je rencontre les mêmes incompatibilités entre ces 2 interfaces. C'est identique pour les jeux PS2 que je possède, mêmes erreurs. La vitesse de chargement est la même. identique. La seule différence c'est qu'avec le MMCE je peux lancer mes jeux PS1. Je suis plus emmerdé avec les VMCs du MMCE qu'avec la gestion qu'en fait OPL depuis le jeu "Gran Turismo 3" qui possède un très bon gestionnaire intégré des cartes mémoires (tout comme des VMCs). Je peux avoir différentes tailles des VMCs et je référence leurs contenus dans un fichier XSLX me permettant une bonne gestion des différents jeux avec leurs paramètres.
Si tu peux me répondre, je t'en remercie par avance.

In English :
@Ripto: I have a question for you.
Can you briefly explain why the MMCE is so much better than the MX4SIO?
I own both interfaces and I haven't noticed the MMCE being more efficient than the MX4SIO because I encounter the same incompatibilities between them. It's the same for the PS2 games I own; the same errors occur. The loading speed is identical. The only difference is that with the MMCE I can launch my PS1 games. I have more trouble with the MMCE's VMCs than with the way OPL manages them since "Gran Turismo 3," which has a very good built-in memory card manager (as well as VMCs). I can have different sized VMCs and I reference their contents in an XSLX file, allowing me to easily manage the different games and their settings.
If you can answer me, I would be very grateful.

What you describe sounds like you need to update the firmware of MMCE. MX4SIO and MMCE, when properly setup to their best, are noticeably different in both performance and compatibility. I have multiple of each, and while MX4SIO is nice - MMCE dominates.
What SD card are you using with your MMCE device? What firmware are you on?

 

[Algol]

Merci @Ripto de me répondre, merci beaucoup.

J'utilise une SDcard de 128Go de marque Samsung "128 EVO Plus" qui m'a été fourni par les développeurs Anglais lors de mes Tests de Compatibilité pour eux. J'ai rendu compte de ceux-ci dans le fichier qu'ils m'ont indiqué, disponible pour tout le monde.
Je ne connais pas le firmware du MMCE que je possède et je n'ai aucun moyen matériel de le mettre à jour par mon très vieux MAC-Mini. J'utilise ce que j'ai.
J'ai eu plusieurs cartes MX4SIO données par les DEVs et un seul MMCE donné par un ami proche. Je n'ai rien acheté, je me suis seulement engagé à les aider pour connaître les compatibilités. Je suis le "Algol" (Français) qui a beaucoup oeuvré pour les tests de OPL depuis bien longtemps, très longtemps. Je suis dans les "Greatings" de OPL et j'en suis très fier.
Je n'aime pas le MMCE pour sa méthode de stockage des jeux et des VMCs car ils ne sont pas dans un dossier commun ainsi que les VMCs qui les concernent, c'est du gâchis. La compatibilité avec les jeux n'est pas meilleure, je l'ai testé avec de très nombreux jeux et c'est presque identique avec les mêmes ralentissements sur des jeux identiques. Le MX4SIO est bien plus simple à mettre en oeuvre et aussi pas cher. Le MX4SIO est capable de recevoir des jeux PS1 (comme le MMCE) et qu'ils y fonctionnent sans rupture, ralentissements divers. La méthode de mon ami @krHACKen est toujours aussi efficace sur MX4SIO (comme sur le MMCE).
Je n'engage donc personne à mettre le prix du MMCE pour une très faible amélioration qui est nullement rentable. C'est, de plus, pas aussi facile à utiliser que le MX4SIO.
Je possède aussi des "PS2NetBox" et des "PS2USB2" qui m'ont été offerts par le Développeur Chinois pour me remercier de mon aide dans l'amélioration du OPL "spécial" qui permet de gérer ces interfaces très rapides et fiables.
J'ai tout dit, je ne peux rien y ajouter.


In English :

I use a 128GB Samsung "128 EVO Plus" SD card, which was provided to me by the English developers during my compatibility testing for them. I documented these tests in the file they provided, which is available to everyone.
I don't know the firmware version of the MMCE I have, and I have no way to update it with my very old Mac Mini. I'm using what I have.
I've received several MX4SIO cards from the developers and only one MMCE from a close friend. I haven't bought anything; I simply agreed to help them with compatibility issues. I'm "Algol" (French), who has contributed a great deal to OPL testing for a very long time. I'm on the OPL "Greatings" list, and I'm very proud of that.
I dislike the MMCE because of its method of storing games and VMCs, as they aren't in a shared folder along with the VMCs themselves, which is wasteful. Game compatibility isn't any better; I've tested it with numerous games, and the results are almost identical, with the same slowdowns on the same titles. The MX4SIO is much simpler to set up and also inexpensive. The MX4SIO can accept PS1 games (like the MMCE) and they run without any issues or slowdowns. My friend @krHACKen 's method is just as effective on the MX4SIO (as it is on the MMCE). Therefore, I don't recommend anyone pay the price of the MMCE for such a minor improvement that isn't worth it. Furthermore, it's not as user-friendly as the MX4SIO.
I also own "PS2NetBox" and "PS2USB2" devices, which were given to me by the Chinese developer as a thank you for my help in improving the "special" OPL that manages these very fast and reliable interfaces.
That's all I have to say, I have nothing more to add.

 

[Ripto]

Merci @Ripto de me répondre, merci beaucoup.

J'utilise une SDcard de 128Go de marque Samsung "128 EVO Plus" qui m'a été fourni par les développeurs Anglais lors de mes Tests de Compatibilité pour eux. J'ai rendu compte de ceux-ci dans le fichier qu'ils m'ont indiqué, disponible pour tout le monde.
Je ne connais pas le firmware du MMCE que je possède et je n'ai aucun moyen matériel de le mettre à jour par mon très vieux MAC-Mini. J'utilise ce que j'ai.
J'ai eu plusieurs cartes MX4SIO données par les DEVs et un seul MMCE donné par un ami proche. Je n'ai rien acheté, je me suis seulement engagé à les aider pour connaître les compatibilités. Je suis le "Algol" (Français) qui a beaucoup oeuvré pour les tests de OPL depuis bien longtemps, très longtemps. Je suis dans les "Greatings" de OPL et j'en suis très fier.
Je n'aime pas le MMCE pour sa méthode de stockage des jeux et des VMCs car ils ne sont pas dans un dossier commun ainsi que les VMCs qui les concernent, c'est du gâchis. La compatibilité avec les jeux n'est pas meilleure, je l'ai testé avec de très nombreux jeux et c'est presque identique avec les mêmes ralentissements sur des jeux identiques. Le MX4SIO est bien plus simple à mettre en oeuvre et aussi pas cher. Le MX4SIO est capable de recevoir des jeux PS1 (comme le MMCE) et qu'ils y fonctionnent sans rupture, ralentissements divers. La méthode de mon ami @krHACKen est toujours aussi efficace sur MX4SIO (comme sur le MMCE).
Je n'engage donc personne à mettre le prix du MMCE pour une très faible amélioration qui est nullement rentable. C'est, de plus, pas aussi facile à utiliser que le MX4SIO.
Je possède aussi des "PS2NetBox" et des "PS2USB2" qui m'ont été offerts par le Développeur Chinois pour me remercier de mon aide dans l'amélioration du OPL "spécial" qui permet de gérer ces interfaces très rapides et fiables.
J'ai tout dit, je ne peux rien y ajouter.


In English :

I use a 128GB Samsung "128 EVO Plus" SD card, which was provided to me by the English developers during my compatibility testing for them. I documented these tests in the file they provided, which is available to everyone.
I don't know the firmware version of the MMCE I have, and I have no way to update it with my very old Mac Mini. I'm using what I have.
I've received several MX4SIO cards from the developers and only one MMCE from a close friend. I haven't bought anything; I simply agreed to help them with compatibility issues. I'm "Algol" (French), who has contributed a great deal to OPL testing for a very long time. I'm on the OPL "Greatings" list, and I'm very proud of that.
I dislike the MMCE because of its method of storing games and VMCs, as they aren't in a shared folder along with the VMCs themselves, which is wasteful. Game compatibility isn't any better; I've tested it with numerous games, and the results are almost identical, with the same slowdowns on the same titles. The MX4SIO is much simpler to set up and also inexpensive. The MX4SIO can accept PS1 games (like the MMCE) and they run without any issues or slowdowns. My friend @krHACKen 's method is just as effective on the MX4SIO (as it is on the MMCE). Therefore, I don't recommend anyone pay the price of the MMCE for such a minor improvement that isn't worth it. Furthermore, it's not as user-friendly as the MX4SIO.
I also own "PS2NetBox" and "PS2USB2" devices, which were given to me by the Chinese developer as a thank you for my help in improving the "special" OPL that manages these very fast and reliable interfaces.
That's all I have to say, I have nothing more to add.

Its my duty as an MMCE tester and owner of multiple devices both mx4sio and mmce, to state objectively that your claims are flat out incorrect in relation to mmce performance and compatibility.
You even admit yourself you dont know the firmware you're on, likely outdated and poor performance.
This is your personal setup, not the technology failing.
https://github.com/rickgaiser/neutrino#backing-store-driver

 

[pianohombre]

I would recommend getting a FMCB memory card, either using the adapter and loading the correct files on there or buying a pre-installed FMCB card. I've had a lot of fun with my HDD ps2 and I still haven't gotten around to this new edge stuff like MMCE or MX4SIO

 

[Algol]

Its my duty as an MMCE tester and owner of multiple devices both mx4sio and mmce, to state objectively that your claims are flat out incorrect in relation to mmce performance and compatibility.
You even admit yourself you dont know the firmware you're on, likely outdated and poor performance.
This is your personal setup, not the technology failing.

View attachment 47231
View attachment 47233​

Désolé de vous contredire mais je suis plus ancien que vous dans le domaine et j'ai des références qui le prouvent.
Je peux cependant vous dire que votre tableau n'est que théorique car les débits sont moindres en cours d'utilisation.

Je possède une FAT (SCPH39004R) et un DD externe IDE dans un boitier qui possède un adaptateur iLink (FW400 Apple). C'est très rapide mais le fonctionnement est mauvais avec de très nombreuses incompatibilités sous le OPL. Là aussi je connais.

Je suis convaincu que si le MMCE est "un peu" meilleur que le MX4SIO, il en est pour le reste bien trop cher en comparaison avec le cout du MX4SIO. Ce n'est pas la SDcard de 8Go (de mauvaise qualité) fournis avec qui y changera quoi que ce soit.

Avec le MX4SIO et un bon OPL, aucun besoin de pianoter sur des boutons pour lancer les jeux désirés avec TOUS les paramètres disponibles.

Je ne suis pas un vendeur mais seulement un "BON" testeur reconnu (voir les GREATINGS de OPL). Je n'ai aucun intérêt dans les ventes des très nombreuses interfaces disponibles pour les consoles PS2 et autres.

Je considère ces commentaires comme clos.

Bonne suites ...

PS : pour les tests, je ne suis jamais seul, j'ai de la famille et de très nombreux amis très proches de chez moi.


In English :

Sorry to contradict you, but I have more experience in this field than you, and I have references to prove it.
However, I can tell you that your table is purely theoretical because the transfer speeds are lower in real-world use.

I have a FAT (SCPH39004R) and an external IDE hard drive in an enclosure with an iLink adapter (Apple FW400). It's very fast, but the performance is poor, with numerous incompatibilities under OPL. I'm familiar with that as well.

I'm convinced that while the MMCE is "slightly" better than the MX4SIO, it's otherwise far too expensive compared to the cost of the MX4SIO. The included 8GB SD card (of poor quality) won't change that.

With the MX4SIO and a good OPL, there's no need to fiddle with buttons to launch the games you want, with all the settings available.
I'm not a salesperson, just a recognized "GOOD" tester (see OPL's GREATINGS). I have no vested interest in the sales of the numerous interfaces available for PS2 and other consoles.

I consider these comments closed.
Best regards...

PS: I'm never alone when it comes to testing; I have family and many friends who live very close to me.

 

[Ripto]

Désolé de vous contredire mais je suis plus ancien que vous dans le domaine et j'ai des références qui le prouvent.
Je peux cependant vous dire que votre tableau n'est que théorique car les débits sont moindres en cours d'utilisation.

Je possède une FAT (SCPH39004R) et un DD externe IDE dans un boitier qui possède un adaptateur iLink (FW400 Apple). C'est très rapide mais le fonctionnement est mauvais avec de très nombreuses incompatibilités sous le OPL. Là aussi je connais.

Je suis convaincu que si le MMCE est "un peu" meilleur que le MX4SIO, il en est pour le reste bien trop cher en comparaison avec le cout du MX4SIO. Ce n'est pas la SDcard de 8Go (de mauvaise qualité) fournis avec qui y changera quoi que ce soit.

Avec le MX4SIO et un bon OPL, aucun besoin de pianoter sur des boutons pour lancer les jeux désirés avec TOUS les paramètres disponibles.

Je ne suis pas un vendeur mais seulement un "BON" testeur reconnu (voir les GREATINGS de OPL). Je n'ai aucun intérêt dans les ventes des très nombreuses interfaces disponibles pour les consoles PS2 et autres.

Je considère ces commentaires comme clos.

Bonne suites ...

PS : pour les tests, je ne suis jamais seul, j'ai de la famille et de très nombreux amis très proches de chez moi.


In English :

Sorry to contradict you, but I have more experience in this field than you, and I have references to prove it.
However, I can tell you that your table is purely theoretical because the transfer speeds are lower in real-world use.

I have a FAT (SCPH39004R) and an external IDE hard drive in an enclosure with an iLink adapter (Apple FW400). It's very fast, but the performance is poor, with numerous incompatibilities under OPL. I'm familiar with that as well.

I'm convinced that while the MMCE is "slightly" better than the MX4SIO, it's otherwise far too expensive compared to the cost of the MX4SIO. The included 8GB SD card (of poor quality) won't change that.

With the MX4SIO and a good OPL, there's no need to fiddle with buttons to launch the games you want, with all the settings available.
I'm not a salesperson, just a recognized "GOOD" tester (see OPL's GREATINGS). I have no vested interest in the sales of the numerous interfaces available for PS2 and other consoles.

I consider these comments closed.
Best regards...

PS: I'm never alone when it comes to testing; I have family and many friends who live very close to me.

I'm sorry you feel this way, and the need to inflate yourself when met with facts.
I have been heavily involved in the MMCE and am very aware of the MX4SIO short comings, so much so that I too have received freebees during testing from multiple sources during peek development.
MX4SIO does not do all that MMCE does. MMCE does do all that MX4SIO does. You don't need to push buttons to play games on MMCE, not sure what you're even talking about. That's only for card switching or card relatted settings... MX4SIO can't even operate as an MC, but MMCE can operate as both

But that's okay, you can toot your horn and boast your experience - It changes nothing, and only further proves the ignorance in what you are describing as definitive. The consensus across those who utilize it properly, already have seen for themselves that your claims are both biased and factually inaccurate.

You can have this one though, I'm not gonna die on this hill. Enjoy your prototypes and artificial superiority, I don't need it.
To the readers - hopefully you look into it more than Algol has; if not, well, your loss. Facts have been stated, specs have been proven.
At the end of the day, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

 

[Algol]

Désolé mais j'ai la même remarque pour vous "Il est impossible de forcer un âne à boire s'il n'a pas soif". Je ne suis pas hautain, c'est seulement un constat à votre égard. Si le MMCE disparaît, je ne m'en porterai pas plus mal.
A mes yeux, vous êtes un simple vendeur très intéressé, rien de mieux. Je suis aussi extrêmement heureux de ne pas être un "MAGA", très copain du "GROS Canard". Respectez mon âge et mon expérience. Fin de commentaire, sans insulte.

Sorry, but I have the same comment for you: "You can't make a donkey drink if it's not thirsty." I'm not being arrogant; it's simply an observation about you. If the MMCE disappears, I won't be any worse off.
In my eyes, you're just a very self-serving salesman, nothing more. I'm also extremely glad I'm not a "MAGA," a crony of the "GROS Canard" (the French equivalent of "Big Duck"). Respect my age and experience. End of comment, no insults.

 

[Ripto]

Désolé mais j'ai la même remarque pour vous "Il est impossible de forcer un âne à boire s'il n'a pas soif". Je ne suis pas hautain, c'est seulement un constat à votre égard. Si le MMCE disparaît, je ne m'en porterai pas plus mal.
A mes yeux, vous êtes un simple vendeur très intéressé, rien de mieux. Je suis aussi extrêmement heureux de ne pas être un "MAGA", très copain du "GROS Canard". Respectez mon âge et mon expérience. Fin de commentaire, sans insulte.

Sorry, but I have the same comment for you: "You can't make a donkey drink if it's not thirsty." I'm not being arrogant; it's simply an observation about you. If the MMCE disappears, I won't be any worse off.
In my eyes, you're just a very self-serving salesman, nothing more. I'm also extremely glad I'm not a "MAGA," a crony of the "GROS Canard" (the French equivalent of "Big Duck"). Respect my age and experience. End of comment, no insults.

I hear you loud and clear old man.

 

[Berion]

What I just read? To extinguish some fire, let's factorize/summarize some things.

< 1TiB if using HDDOSD, 2TiB if not using HDDOSD, theoretically unlimited if using APAJ without HDDOSD.

APAJ limit is 512TiB because that's exFAT limit (or rather saying: largest tested one, exFAT and GPT can handle far way larger storage). Even with HDD OSD which will saying disk is corrupted if size detected is 1T+ but... HOSDMenu patching that so in reality it is no longer an issue if you will use it instead FHDB or vanilla HDD OSD.

PFS-BatchKit-Manager to do any of the chosen exploits and game installs from a Windows PC.

Or HDLBatch Installer.
I know that's quotes from 2025 but worth to clarify in 2026.

Can you briefly explain why the MMCE is so much better than the MX4SIO?

• Easy control over emulated PSXMC/PS2MC (imagine situation when entry point for user is only ps2 card and he break it somehow; with ps2 mc he will be left without exploit, while with MMCE he can fix it in few minutes on PC).
• All SD2PSX and all MCP2 using the same MC ID, while every PS2MC using unique one per unit. In other words: every boot card made on sd2psXtd fw will work on every SD2PSX and every boot card made on MCP2 fw will work on every MCP2.
• You can have as many VMCs as microSD card fit up to 2TiB limit; which are 100% compatible with every game because emulation is on hardware level in compare to MCSIO emulation feature i.e in OPL which must fit with the other in RDRAM/IOP RAM with game itself (in other words, no 100% game compatibility).
• Less abuse access to storage (sd card).
• Access to sd card in the same time as hw mc emulation which means user no longer need PS2MC with eg FMCB and MX4SIO; which makes them both now obsolete by this fact.

The only downside is price of MMCE. For many countries far higher with taxes than normally, defeating the sense of exchanging devices. But I believe we discuss about it somewhere already. MX4SIO can be made from anything by DYI methods, extremely cheaply.

MX4SIO cannot emulate PSXMC or PS2MC, so this means also cannot serve as mc replacement. It is like pendrive but connected to mc slot.

I own both interfaces and I haven't noticed the MMCE being more efficient than the MX4SIO because I encounter the same incompatibilities between them.

Did you used A2 class card? It is very important for some games.

It's the same for the PS2 games I own; the same errors occur. The loading speed is identical. The only difference is that with the MMCE I can launch my PS1 games.

You can also start PSX games from MX4SIO. There is BDMA for MX4SIO too.

I have more trouble with the MMCE's VMCs than with the way OPL manages them since "Gran Turismo 3," which has a very good built-in memory card manager (as well as VMCs). I can have different sized VMCs and I reference their contents in an XSLX file, allowing me to easily manage the different games and their settings.

Could you elaborate more about that troubles? Like which scenarios exactly?

I don't know the firmware version of the MMCE I have, and I have no way to update it with my very old Mac Mini.

If you have USB-A in that Mac, you can. Update mode in sd2psXtd fw exposing internal memory in MSC mode; in other words, it becoming visible as any ordinary pendrive. Then you can drag and drop proper update file on it, and MMCE will disconnect automatically and perform update. That's all.

I dislike the MMCE because of its method of storing games and VMCs, as they aren't in a shared folder along with the VMCs themselves, which is wasteful.

You don't need to use feature called GameID (making VMC per game), You can stick to one VMC file for everything (like me, I found that feature annoying after long usage). Or eventually group some GameIDs to use some specific VMCs. That's fully configurable.

And disc images, lies in the same places like on USB/MX4SIO/BDM HDD.

However, I can tell you that your table is purely theoretical because the transfer speeds are lower in real-world use.

Table was provided by Maximus32, Neutrino developer involved in several projects. There are apps which can test read speed on them and they matching in margin of error around 100KiB/s.

The included 8GB SD card (of poor quality) won't change that.

Indeed, that's garbage card but for VMC alone usage is fine (any are fine).

With the MX4SIO and a good OPL, there's no need to fiddle with buttons to launch the games you want, with all the settings available.

Buttons don't serve to navigate to use disc images but to change MMCE settings if you want/need or change VMCs. For nothing else.

I'm not a salesperson, just a recognized "GOOD" tester (see OPL's GREATINGS). I have no vested interest in the sales of the numerous interfaces available for PS2 and other consoles.

But Ripto isn't salesperson. We both promoting just better solution, and the more popular MMCE it will become, the cheaper devices become.

PS: I'm never alone when it comes to testing; I have family and many friends who live very close to me.

And we are all appreciate that! That's invaluable effort to the scene.

And those below fragments wasn't really necessary @Algol and @Ripto. :|

In my eyes, you're just a very self-serving salesman, nothing more. I'm also extremely glad I'm not a "MAGA," a crony of the "GROS Canard" (the French equivalent of "Big Duck"). Respect my age and experience. End of comment, no insults.

I hear you loud and clear old man.

PS: I'm sorry to not giving you French translation but that's huge wall of text. I trying to keep it as compact as possible.

 

[Ripto]

What I just read? To extinguish some fire, let's factorize/summarize some things.


APAJ limit is 512TiB because that's exFAT limit (or rather saying: largest tested one, exFAT and GPT can handle far way larger storage). Even with HDD OSD which will saying disk is corrupted if size detected is 1T+ but... HOSDMenu patching that so in reality it is no longer an issue if you will use it instead FHDB or vanilla HDD OSD.

Or HDLBatch Installer.
I know that's quotes from 2025 but worth to clarify in 2026.

• Easy control over emulated PSXMC/PS2MC (imagine situation when entry point for user is only ps2 card and he break it somehow; with ps2 mc he will be left without exploit, while with MMCE he can fix it in few minutes on PC).
• All SD2PSX and all MCP2 using the same MC ID, while every PS2MC using unique one per unit. In other words: every boot card made on sd2psXtd fw will work on every SD2PSX and every boot card made on MCP2 fw will work on every MCP2.
• You can have as many VMCs as microSD card fit up to 2TiB limit; which are 100% compatible with every game because emulation is on hardware level in compare to MCSIO emulation feature i.e in OPL which must fit with the other in RDRAM/IOP RAM with game itself (in other words, no 100% game compatibility).
• Less abuse access to storage (sd card).
• Access to sd card in the same time as hw mc emulation which means user no longer need PS2MC with eg FMCB and MX4SIO; which makes them both now obsolete by this fact.

The only downside is price of MMCE. For many countries far higher with taxes than normally, defeating the sense of exchanging devices. But I believe we discuss about it somewhere already. MX4SIO can be made from anything by DYI methods, extremely cheaply.

MX4SIO cannot emulate PSXMC or PS2MC, so this means also cannot serve as mc replacement. It is like pendrive but connected to mc slot.

Did you used A2 class card? It is very important for some games.

You can also start PSX games from MX4SIO. There is BDMA for MX4SIO too.

Could you elaborate more about that troubles? Like which scenarios exactly?

If you have USB-A in that Mac, you can. Update mode in sd2psXtd fw exposing internal memory in MSC mode; in other words, it becoming visible as any ordinary pendrive. Then you can drag and drop proper update file on it, and MMCE will disconnect automatically and perform update. That's all.

You don't need to use feature called GameID (making VMC per game), You can stick to one VMC file for everything (like me, I found that feature annoying after long usage). Or eventually group some GameIDs to use some specific VMCs. That's fully configurable.

And disc images, lies in the same places like on USB/MX4SIO/BDM HDD.

Table was provided by Maximus32, Neutrino developer involved in several projects. There are apps which can test read speed on them and they matching in margin of error around 100KiB/s.

Indeed, that's garbage card but for VMC alone usage is fine (any are fine).

Buttons don't serve to navigate to use disc images but to change MMCE settings if you want/need or change VMCs. For nothing else.

But Ripto isn't salesperson. We both promoting just better solution, and the more popular MMCE it will become, the cheaper devices become.

And we are all appreciate that! That's invaluable effort to the scene.

And those below fragments wasn't really necessary @Algol and @Ripto. :|



PS: I'm sorry to not giving you French translation but that's huge wall of text. I trying to keep it as compact as possible.

Very well said, thank you Berion! I hope other readers find your post <3

Here's a small segment of what I have laying around. Unfortunately I forgot to include my MCP in the picture, but I have that too.

 

[TnA]

Did you set ACK low and alerts off?

:point_up: @Algol