trackball and buttons w/out keyboard encoder for mame

[popsicle]

Is it possible to use a usb trackball that comes with 3 button support and use this exclusively to operate mame only trackball games?

I'm trying to save $ on a keyboard encoder.  I'm thinking use button 3 as a shift/coin key (button 3 + button 1 = player 1 start, button 3 + button 2 = player 2 start, all three buttons = exit). 

Too messy? Too cheap---I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--?

[degenatrons]

The Sparkfun PS/2 trackball is worth a look - if you have an available PS/2 mouse port.  It comes with wiring for 3 buttons and spade connectors are included. 
They work well IMO and are good value at $15.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10758

[Bambam1963]

You could hack a keyboard, but it really is not worth the effort.  You will need one eventually if you want to try other games.  An i-Pac 2 is pretty cheap and easy to set up.

John

[chopperthedog]

For golden tee and world class bowling holding all 3 buttons are already functions within a game. For my GT cab I went with a keyboard hack for the 5 buttons needed (left, right, start, coin and exit) which allow the mouse buttons to remain untouched for admin purposes. Also I have found that none of the trackball games in my playing rotation use specific player 1&2 start buttons.


good day.

[DarthMarino]

You could always do something wacky like make coin trackball up and one of the buttons at the same time.  Just create combinations you know you will never do by accident during the actual game. It can't hurt to put the games on free play and eliminate coin altogether.

[popsicle]

You could always do something wacky like make coin trackball up and one of the buttons at the same time.  Just create combinations you know you will never do by accident during the actual game. It can't hurt to put the games on free play and eliminate coin altogether.

Ahh, the ol' free play.  I hadn't even thought of that, thanks!

[popsicle]

The Sparkfun PS/2 trackball is worth a look - if you have an available PS/2 mouse port.  It comes with wiring for 3 buttons and spade connectors are included. 
They work well IMO and are good value at $15.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10758

You could hack a keyboard, but it really is not worth the effort.  You will need one eventually if you want to try other games.  An i-Pac 2 is pretty cheap and easy to set up.

Yea, I didn't want to hack up a keyboard if I could help it.  I do have other cabinets with ipacs/keywiz, so I know exactly what I'm missing by not having a joystick and lots of buttons.  This is to be a dedicated trackball cab, and the pc I have to use does not have ps/2 port, so I'm trying to find ways for a usb trackball w/3 button support to work out for both game play and simple admin needs.

[PL1]

Several of the KADE firmwares support PS/2 trackballs like the Sparkfun trackball -- see this thread for details.



That leaves you lots of AVR inputs for whatever you want.

If you're handy with a soldering iron, you can also buy an AVR from another vendor and use KADE Loader program and firmwares.


Scott

[paigeoliver]

If you are doing a whole cabinet then I wouldn't hobble the project down to 3 inputs just to save $25 on an encoder.

[popsicle]

If you are doing a whole cabinet then I wouldn't hobble the project down to 3 inputs just to save $25 on an encoder.

No, you're right, and it looks like just getting the encoder will save some headache.  This is to be the next project for the 'Arcade Fired-Up' course I'm teaching, and we are on a fixed $300 budget.  The pc and monitor are already secured, and I have a bit of scrap wood (not enough for full sides of even a lowboy/cabaret), but trackball setups (esp. the usb ones that don't need mounting plates) are not cheap and when you throw in buttons, switches, wiring, t-molding, paint/stain, screws, marquee retainers, and especially plexi, glass, and printed artwork that $300 goes fast. 

Can anyone else comment on PL1's post?  I need to do some research there.

[PL1]

trackball setups (esp. the usb ones that don't need mounting plates) are not cheap

If you use 12mm (1/2") wood for your CP, you can mount the Sparkfun trackball like Degenatrons shows in this thread.

You can get an AVR to solder your own here, here, or here for under $15 plus shipping.

This is the lowest price trackball/mount/encoder combination that I have seen.

Can anyone else comment on PL1's post?  I need to do some research there.

The video and previously linked thread are pretty straight forward on how to wire the trackball.

The other AVR inputs can be assigned as HID buttons using the free KADE Loader software.

What other questions do you have?


Scott
EDIT: Updated KADE forum URLs.

[rhys]

My TI Launchpad based encoder will do 30 digital inputs plus a trackball or two spinners, and the Launchpad is all of about $15 shipped from TI.  No fancy interface yet like the KADE software, and the current firmware has it presenting as two gamepads and a mouse rather than a keyboard/mouse.  Shoot me a PM if you would like more info.  I've also done a custom 8 button keyboard/mouse version for another forum member which might work well for your needs too.