In
order to use the Info Tabs (see Navigating for
more), you'll need to attach info file(s) for each entry. For example, in order
to view snapshots of a game, you need to select the snapshots you want for that
game then to assign them. The Launcher is capable of doing this automatically,
and this process called DETECT. Also you can get all games data (info,
snapshots and/or covers) from the internet using Detect And Download from
TheGamesDB.net (DETECT TGSB) feature.
- In
the main toolbar of the Launcher window, click DETECT TGB button.
- Then
the detect window will be shown, it should look like this picture:
- Platform:
this option tells TheGamesDB.net server which platform to look inside,
it's set to "Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)" by default.
- Rename rom using "Title": if set, the engine will rename each entry matches a
TGDB entry with "Title" field provided by TGDB for that entry.
- Clear snapshots/covers/info table first: Indicates if the search engine should clear previously
detected snapshot/cover/info files that assigned to the entries first.
- Use entry name instead of entry file name: normally the search engine uses the entry file name to
compare it with the searched file name. If the entry has no file assigned,
the entry name is used instead (to compare with the searched file name of
course).
This option force the engine to use the entry name always, even the entry
has a file assigned or not.
- Use entry name when the path is not valid: same of the above option: normally the search
engine uses the entry file name to compare it with the searched file name.
If the entry has no file assigned, the entry name is used instead (to
compare with the searched file name of course) only if this option is
enabled. If this option is disabled, this entry get ignored (no search
applied to it).
- Overview/Boxart Back/Boxart
Front/Fanart/Banners/Screenshots: provide
options for files that possibly available in TheGamesDB.net for the
entries.
Include "Overview" as rom info:
indicates that the engine should get entry's "Overview" data
and save it as info files then assign it to the matched entry.
Include "Boxart Back/Boxart
Front/Fanart/Banners/Screenshots" as roms: indicates that the engine should get entry's
"xxx" data and save it as files then assign it to the
matched entry's Covers or Snapshots.
And save the text/image files in this
folder: the folder where to save/download the files for
matched entries.
Limit download to
one file only (faster, reduce disk space required): if set, it will limit the download files count
for selected data into one file (like Fanart, it can be there more than
one file for matched entry) and thus reduce download files size and
increase the progress speed.
- Assign master folder (auto set all folders): helps to set all folders in one click by browsing for
one folder then to create a folder for each data inside that folder.
- Set
all (default): click to include all data (Overview/Boxart Back/Boxart
Front/Fanart/Banners/Screenshots).
- Search mode:
The most important option, effect the search result slightly. You should
choose the search mode carefully depending on entries and snapshot files.
The modes are:
Search mode Entry in file: In this mode,
the search engine will look for the entry name (name or file name, here
will call it name) inside the searched file name. For example, let's say
we have this entry name "Super Mario Bros" and this snapshot
file "Super Mario Bros Snap 1". In this mode, this is a match
because of the "Super Mario Bros" is included in "Super
Mario Bros Snap 1". Thus, choosing this mode will be wise if the
snapshots file names are larger (in length) than the entry names/file
names.
Search mode file in Entry: In this mode,
the search engine will look for the searched file inside the
entry name. For example, let's say we have this entry name "Super
Mario Bros" and this snapshot file "Super Mario Bros Snap
1". In this mode, this is NOT a match because of the "Super
Mario Bros" does NOT include "Super Mario Bros Snap
1". Thus, choosing this mode will be wise if the snapshots file names
are smaller (in length) than the entry names/file names.
Search mode both: This mode is not
recommended although it's nice and easier. This mode will make the search
engine to decide which mode of the previous modes to use. Generally, this
may cause errors in many cases.
- One file per entry: this may understood as same as Don't assign same file to more than
one entry but it is not the same. In this option,
the entry take one snapshot file only for an entry but that file will
STILL be available for other entries. While the option Don't assign same file to more than
one entry is meant to set the snapshot file to one entry
then that snapshot file get dropped from the search list
and won't be used again.
- Match case:
Indicates if the search engine should care about case: for example, if
Match case is enabled, "Car" will be treated different than
"car". Otherwise "Car" and "car" will be
treated the same.
- Match word:
Indicates if the search engine would use word match instead of char match.
For example if you search for "Car" inside "Cartty",
with is option DISABLED this is a match because of "Car" is
included inside "Carttly". While this is not a match when the
Match word is not enabled because of the word "Car" doesn't
match "Carttly".
Another example is searching "car" inside "my car is
nice", in this case Match word option has no effect and always match!
- Text search type: The most important option too, effect the search
result slightly. You should choose the text search
type carefully depending on entries and snapshot files (here will assume the search mode is Entry in file, see step 10):
Start with: this means the searched file
name should be started with the entry name. Example: "Super Mario
Bros" is started with "Super Mario" thus this is a match
while "Mario Bros" will considered as not match.
Contains: this means the searched file
name should contains the entry name. Example: "Super Mario
Bros" contain "Super Mario" and "Mario
Bros" thus both words considered as a match.
Ends with: this means the searched file
name should be ended with the entry name. Example: "Super Mario
Bros" is ended with "Mario Bros" thus this is a match while
"Super Mario" will be considered as not match.
- TURBO
SPEED: indicates if the engine should speed the operation by deleting each
matched entry from temporary memory, the deleted entry cannot be used to
any other entry in the database later but will increase speed hence the
engine will not have to check it again. This option is not recommended.
- After
choosing the right settings, click Start button. The detect and download
progress may take a long time depending on database entries count and on
internet connection. After that, you can test the result by selecting an
entry. The Info Tabs should show the detected files (snapshots for this
tutorial)
NOTES
- If
an error message appear says something like cannot find
TheGamesDB.net or server is not reachable, please try again later.
- The
detect and download progress may take a long time deepening on database
entries count and on internet connection.
- If
the progress hangs on a point when it says "Downloading"
something from xxxx site.... the problem may be that the file is attempting
to download is too huge or problem with internet connection.