Keywiz vs. Ultimarc

[cceleung]

What I need is something that can plug into USB because I don't have a ps/2 port on my laptop.  Keywiz seems to only have ps2 compatibility but I was wondering if anybody knew how to get around this.  I would prefer the keywiz because it is cheaper.

Thanks

[ecrespol2]

I could be wrong, but I would think that even if you can find a ps2 to usb adapter there are limitations to usb keyboard input (ipac uses something special to avoid this) which limit simultainious keypresses (this is why nobody does a usb kb hack). I think it would probably be easier to just go with the ipac...

Also depending on the type of laptop you could try wiring in a ps2 port off of the input for the trackpad/ball/eraser/etc... however this probably won't work on most laptops.

[Lilwolf]

It will probably work....  You are just asking for trouble...

But anyone who has one out there with a ps2/usb converter??  It would be nice to know

IPac is what you want... If you want to be sure that it will work...


btw, the reason you might be in trouble is that the usb keyboard spec specifies only a few buttons at once should be used...

...but...

The ps2-usb ocnverters are probably straight through.  They probably don't have any logic to them.. so input in will be input out...  

Crap shoot..  And probably not worth spending the money on if we are wrong.

[eightbit]

Email RandyT he'll answer right off the bat. I think there are performance issues or possibility of performance issues when using USB which is why he chose not to support it.

Why not just use the Keywiz and get a usb keyboard? You can get them for like $4.

[ecrespol2]

Why not just use the Keywiz and get a usb keyboard? You can get them for like $4.

My read was that his laptop was lacking a ps2 port. If it is he could try looking for a docking bar/station or something that would add the port.

[eightbit]

My read was that his laptop was lacking a ps2 port. If it is he could try looking for a docking bar/station or something that would add the port.

My bad, I guess I should have been paying more attention.

How can a laptop not have at least one ps/2 port? If he's already got a mouse plugged in then he could switch that to usb or get a laptop ps/2 splitter to plug the mouse and keyboard into 1 ps/2 port. If he really doesn't have any ps/2 port then the ipac is probably the solution.

They are both really good products so he can't go wrong either way.

[ecrespol2]

It's probably a slim laptop of somesort, my dell latitude C400 doesn't have one, which is kinda irritating.

[mmmPeanutButter]

I was reading the post and I was thinking "oh, sucks that you don't have a PS/2 port" and then I thought "hey, I just ordered a keywiz" and then I thought, "I have a Dell laptop too" and then it hit me.  I don't have a PS/2 port either...  looks like I'll be digging up the old desktop afterall...

[tmasman]

The Dell laptops I've got (well... My work place has...)
all have 1 PS\2 port... good for a mouse or a keyboard...

Hm...
Bummer...

[ecrespol2]

I was reading the post and I was thinking "oh, sucks that you don't have a PS/2 port" and then I thought "hey, I just ordered a keywiz" and then I thought, "I have a Dell laptop too" and then it hit me.  I don't have a PS/2 port either...  looks like I'll be digging up the old desktop afterall...

You want to know what's even funnier, my company tried to take my (their) laptop, brand new came loaded with XP pro and load nt on it. I had to say hell no, I mean with no ps2 all there is is usb and with nt that goes away.

[RandyT]

Umm...no offense to those using laptops in their cabinets, but an arcade machine seems like a waste of a good laptop.

Even if you have one kicking around collecting dust...SELL IT!  Laptops can still bring enough on the used market to buy a regular system with twice the laptop's capabilities and more!  

Of course if it's your only computer, your options are a bit more limited .

RandyT

[eightbit]

The Dell laptops I've got (well... My work place has...)
all have 1 PS\2 port... good for a mouse or a keyboard...

Most laptops will work with a ps/2 splitter. Basically its a y cable for your ps/2 port. I would bet if you had a desktop with only 1 ps/2 port that this would also work. These splitters don't work on a desktop for those of you thinking you can get a third ps/2 port.

[mmmPeanutButter]

Most laptops will work with a ps/2 splitter. Basically its a y cable for your ps/2 port. I would bet if you had a desktop with only 1 ps/2 port that this would also work. These splitters don't work on a desktop for those of you thinking you can get a third ps/2 port.

I imagine that the splitters that are all over ebay will work, my only question is how well?

[wboy]

Why don't pickup a female ps/2 > male USB converter for a few dollars at a local electronics store.

When Ultimarc/Andy shipped me my JPAC, I payed a few dollars extra and he shipped that exact cable to optionally connect it via USB rather than PS/2.

[ecrespol2]

Most laptops will work with a ps/2 splitter. Basically its a y cable for your ps/2 port. I would bet if you had a desktop with only 1 ps/2 port that this would also work. These splitters don't work on a desktop for those of you thinking you can get a third ps/2 port.

I imagine that the splitters that are all over ebay will work, my only question is how well?

Since the OP doesn't appear to even have one ps2 port I think the issue of a "Y" splitter is moot. However I can vouch that on most laptop ps2 ports I have noticed no adverse effects from using one with a Kb and mouse. use with a keywiz/ipac/etc is another story.

[RandyT]

Why don't pickup a female ps/2 > male USB converter for a few dollars at a local electronics store.

When Ultimarc/Andy shipped me my JPAC, I payed a few dollars extra and he shipped that exact cable to optionally connect it via USB rather than PS/2.

These are usually passive devices, meaning they just route wires and mate up connections.  They don't do any actual conversion, so thay cannot be used with just any PS/2 device.  The firmware inside the device must be written to accomodate the 2 different interfaces.

However I can vouch that on most laptop ps2 ports I have noticed no adverse effects from using one with a Kb and mouse. use with a keywiz/ipac/etc is another story.

If you hook up a standard keyboard to the splitter in the case of a laptop and it works well, then a KeyWiz should also.  While I cannot speak for the other encoder products, I supspect the same can be said for them.

RandyT