Wanted: cheap keyboard encoder or hacked keyboard, Din 5

[IceCold]

Okay, basically I do not want to go through the trouble of mapping out the matrix of a keyboard.  I am looking for just a basic encoder(will need at least enough for 2 joysticks, 3 buttons each, start and coin buttons).  Or if you have a hacked keyboard laying around, that would work too.  I would really preffer if it's Din 5(not ps/2, looks kind of like it but is bigger), but if the price is right I'll just get an adapter.  I do not want to buy an Ipac, and not be using many of the inputs.

I have stuff to trade(video game systems, computer monitors, computer hardware, small amount of arcade stuff, etc.) or can pay cash.

[paigeoliver]

I'll do one for you, BUT, I will charge you as much as an encoder costs, as it takes a LONG time to hack them.

[IceCold]

I'll do one for you, BUT, I will charge you as much as an encoder costs, as it takes a LONG time to hack them.

Yeah, I figured that would be true  

I'm hoping somebody has an old ke18 or something they're not using.

[paigeoliver]

I would just buy the cheapest encoder out there and be done with it. I have used real encoders on projects with far less inputs than that. You need 18. I have a real I-Pac in a machine that uses 14.

[Grasshopper]

I wouldn't recommend using a keyboard hack for a 2 player panel. It's too difficult avoiding ghosting/blocking.

It's ok hacking a keyboard yourself for the challenge. But as Paige says paying someone else to hack a keyboard and then ship it to you is going to cost as much as an encoder.

If you want to avoid the hassle of mapping out the whole matrix then I have a tip. Pick one of the rows or columns (doesn't matter which one) and use it as a common ground for all the buttons. This will give you an absolute guarantee of no ghosting/blocking. The main downside of this approach is that you won't be able to be fussy over what keys you use. It's also unlikely you'll get the 18 inputs you need.

[whammoed]

If I have an old keyboard in that style at work (I think I do) I would hack it for you for $24 plus shipping.  This would include a set of Euro style terminal blocks for easy wiring.  I really don't think it is worth it over paying a few more bucks for a real encoder.  SO...I would do it but I recommend against it.

[MrArcade]

the minipac from ultimarc is only $29

[tep0583]

The Keywiz eco is $26.95 (+6.50 shipping)  That's about as good as it gets.

That or the minipac would probably cost you close to what someone's going to charge to to hack a KB and you get better performance out of these two devices. They'd be easier to maintain, too.

[IceCold]

I guess I'll either try to hack a keyboard(I have hacked multiple gamepads, how much harder can a keyboard be   ) or just buy an encoder, and a converter to turn it into din 5.

I'll probably hack a keyboard, becuase I'm trying to do this project for as cheap as I can(already had the 14" monitor, already had the 100mhz machine, already have extra keyboards, already had the joysticks I'm using, already had a hard drive big enough for vantage and the roms, etc.)

It's not even that I don't have the money, it's just the accomplishment knowing that you turned a bunch of stuff you weren't using into a sweet classic arcade machine.

[tep0583]

Ah, gotcha.....

Its really not that bad. I've done a couple and they weren't that hard, just time-consuming. There is a program out there that will show you what scan code and key is being pressed. I can't remember what its called right at the moment, but I found it very useful. I'll see if I can find it and I'll post a link.

[paigeoliver]

100 mhz? What kind of 2 player simulatneous games will run on that? Why don't you just do a single player panel?

[IceCold]

100 mhz? What kind of 2 player simulatneous games will run on that? Why don't you just do a single player panel?

I was thinking Gunsmoke was 2 player simultaneous, but a quick check of KLOV shows it's not.  I'll have to check if there is a need for a 2 player cabinet.  Thank you for pointing that out.

Maybe this will end up being simpler(and cheaper, less joysticks and buttons) than I thought.

[SirPeale]

Are you going to use VAntAGE?

[IceCold]

Are you going to use VAntAGE?

Heck yeah!  I've got it configured and it runs all the games in it plenty fast.

I've been trying to see what I can do to help the Vantage project, i've been following it closely.  I think I might offer a reward to the first person that gets something big working(maybe like spinner support or something) I haven't decided yet though.  Just to provide some incentive.

[SirPeale]

Spinner support is coming.  How about a reward for a game that is NOT a Z80?  Like Centipede?

[IceCold]

Spinner support is coming.  How about a reward for a game that is NOT a Z80?  Like Centipede?

Good idea, I'll see what kind of reward I can offer