Main > Main Forum
Building machine, question about controls
JDFan:
--- Quote from: jonathanlundstrom on May 08, 2013, 09:38:57 am ---Also, another question. The iPac VE controller has inputs for A and B-buttons for each player.
Are these used by any emulator, and should I include them? If so, I've included an image showing a possible position.
What do you guys think?
--- End quote ---
The A and B buttons for the 2 players are just like any other button - they probably just didn't want to label them SW9 and SW10 (since most games would never use a ninth and tenth button !!) --- By default they are programmed to be the ADMIN keys in MAME ( Pause, Enter, Tab, Escape) - So if you plan on having those admin buttons in use you might as well wire them up to those inputs to save yourself a couple of steps in setting up the buttons (But as others have mentioned you can change any input to be whatever key press you want fairly simply !!) - SO doesn't really matter how you wire it up you can always go in and reset the presses to emulate whatever keypress you want in the setup program (It just makes it easier if you follow the default settings where possible so you do not have to manually enter each one since any that are wired to the default settings will just work without you having to reset the configuration. )
PL1:
As specified on the the IPac keycode table, the 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B input defaults are admin functions pause, enter, menu, and exit.
You might not want the exit key where you can overshoot the top row while playing a fighter and accidently dump your game. :angry:
Some people prefer using shifted functions (right column of the chart linked above) for the admin functions, but that has some potential downsides as well.
If you choose to do dedicated buttons, clear the shifted functions or you'll have the potential of P2 hitting start at the same time as P1 is hitting start, causing MAME to exit the game.
Scott
michelevit:
Just use a wireless keyboard for admin functions (pause, esc, enter, reset)
Wireless keyboards are a godsend for mame cabinets.
No need for dedicated admin buttons.
mgb:
--- Quote from: michelevit on May 09, 2013, 02:50:34 pm ---Just use a wireless keyboard for admin functions (pause, esc, enter, reset)
Wireless keyboards are a godsend for mame cabinets.
No need for dedicated admin buttons.
--- End quote ---
While that can be done, it's not always desirable.
I don't mind using a wireless keyboard when playing console game emus on my tv but i prefer to not have to pull out my wireless keyboard for simply playing some games on the arcade cabinet.
But I guess if there is some reason that would keep you from being able to have dedicated pause and exit buttons, it would work.
jonathanlundstrom:
Thanks for all the input, my build is going forward in a rapid pace now that all the questions have been answered. I'm waiting for the iPac controller, but started putting up a gallery.
Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanlundstrom/sets/72157633455245463/
Thanks!