USB Gamepad

[EASports]

I've read that there's a max number of key inputs from a USB keyboard, but what about USB gamepads?

What I'm thinking about is picking up three cheap USB gamepads, wiring two of them to player controls, and one for menu buttons (and use one of the joystick to keystroke programs). Then plug them all into a USB hub inside the control panel, and have only the one USB cable coming out.

Is this at all realistic, or am I way off here?
Thanks!

[IceCold]

I've read that there's a max number of key inputs from a USB keyboard, but what about USB gamepads?

What I'm thinking about is picking up three cheap USB gamepads, wiring two of them to player controls, and one for menu buttons (and use one of the joystick to keystroke programs). Then plug them all into a USB hub inside the control panel, and have only the one USB cable coming out.

Is this at all realistic, or am I way off here?
Thanks!

This is realistic and should work fine(as long as you're not running dos, and I don't think windows 95 likes USB gamepads either).  I also strongly suggest you don't use gravis gamepad pro's.  Not only are they expensive, but people have run into problems when hacking them.

[u_rebelscum]

I've read that there's a max number of key inputs from a USB keyboard, but what about USB gamepads?

To add a little meat to this question, USB gamepads might be able to do 128 buttons at the same time.  If hardware is set up for it, the driver is set up for it, and the comunication signal (data pack) is up for it.  

You see, the USB keyboard limitation is due to the "standard" USB keyboard comunication data packs sent between the computer and the keybaord, as well as the keyboards' hardware.  USB ipac, a "keyboard", doesn't use the "standard" keyboard USB data packs, nor have the same keyboard hardware, so it does not have the same limitation other "normal" USB keyboards have.

On the same line, USB joysticks are much less standardized in their data packs (well, there are different "standard" sets).  So the same-time button limit depends on the manufacturer's hardware and which driver it uses.  I haven't noticed any limits on number buttons can be pressed same-time on my 8 button, 4 analog axis, 2 digital axis, & one hat button gamepad.


You idea sounds fine for most gamepads, AFAIK.

[EASports]

Sweet, dude. Thanks for the info, good stuff to know! I think that this is how I'll go for my proto-project.

Thanks!