Icade Controls

[Darren01274]

Hi I am wanting to build something similar to the Icade for a 7inch tablet using mame, I like the look of the Icade but want better controls and button placement. My question is the Icade uses bluetooth and wanted to know the best way to wire the new controls to work with the android tablet.

What would be my best option, could I use something like the i-pac and a usb adapter to go to the tablet, or use something like the Kade? Or is it even possible to make use of the existing controls and the bluetooth?

[Generic Eric]

In essence, I think this may be similar to what you are after. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909


If you are asking about the inside of an iCade, I found this:


It seems unlikely that is what the inside of an 8 bitty (NES styled iCade controller) looks like though so if you were going to hack a controller, that might be one you are interested in.  I am not aware of a bluetooth keyboard encoder available, though I am sure there could be a market for one.

Pardon the huge pics, they aren't mine.

There are many bartop projects here, but not too many based on iCade or android tablets.

Here is the 4 I know of:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131852.0.html
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909 (previously mentioned)
An iphone:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,115725.0/topicseen.html
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132291.0/topicseen.html
edited to add another tablet cade.

[Drnick]

It depends on your Tablet,  If it has bluetooth you could hack a wii remote,  If the tablet recognises UHID devices (using usb convertor) then the world is your oyster as pretty much any interface that works on a PC (Without requiring special drivers) will most likely work on your tablet. YMMV

I just picked up an Icade for £3  & I'm so glad I downloaded Imame4all when it was available    Admittedly it has flaws, lag etc but it's fun for a quick pick up and play. 




 

[Darren01274]

I have the Nexus 7 and thought about the Icade, would they be a way to do away with the bluetooth and wire the controls to use USB? Also wouldnt that get rid of the lag.

Ages ago I built a cocktail table running mame and used an I-pac to USB, could this be a possibility and then get a converter to micro usb and plug it in to the nexus?

[05SRT4]

I haven't tried this on a tablet but on my Wife's Samsung S3 smart phone I connected a usb to micro usb adapter and was able to connect Dual Strike encoder to it. It acts like a keyboard.

[Drnick]

nexus 7 will have no problems with a convertor and normal encoder.  And indeed you are correct you will not have much if any lag using that method instead of over BT.

http://www.expansys.com/expansys-micro-usb-to-usb-otg-adapter-cable-for-nexus-7-10-240546/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base&ito=1701&mkwid=svHjLhmZB&kword=adwords_productfeed&gclid=CI7fjI2HjLcCFYXMtAodwW8AXw

[ark_ader]

You can hack a Zeemote.