Strange control panel idea... thoughts??

[megashock5]

Okay, I had a weird idea about my control panel (haven't even started yet).

The idea is to put USB extension cords from the USB ports on the computer to the front of the control panel box - so that USB gamepads could be plugged into the front in case you felt like playing old SNES games with the type of pad they used to use.

Any thoughts on this?

[Onji]

Thats great! I have been thinking and thinking of a way to make it where i can use all of the original controls for nes, snes, gen etc without a big wire mess, plugging the controllers in when you want wouldnt be that big of a deal!

Now the main question is, when you unplug one controller and plug in another, will you loose all of your button configuration in windows? Or will it 'remember' it for next time?

[patrickl]

I have seen several examples of people who actually did that.

[Onji]

I need to go through all of the examples again. Although this method wouldnt be as convienent as just picking up a controler and playing, but i really cant think of a 'clean' way to do it. I was thinking, maybe some kind of retractable cord system, where the controller would be mounted on the bottom or your CP, or on the side of your cab, grab the controller, pull your desired length of cable, and it would lock in place, then when your finished playing, flip the locking mechanism and it would retract the cable and controller back to its resting place. Thats ALL i could some up with, sounds like a nightmare to get going though.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has done anything similar for their cabs just to get some ideas. That would be great.

Thanks

[megashock5]

Good questions - I don't even know if this would work, just a thought I had. I haven't started my cab, and I've never done any more with emulation than messing around with a few games using the keyboard.

So I don't know if this would somehow conflict with the arcade controls or mess up any settings in the emulators.

[IG-88]

I like the retractable idea. What I had thought of doing was using one of those "multifuntion panels" that mount into your cd/dvd rom bay. They extend usb ports, game ports, headphone jacks, firewire or whatever from the back and insides of the computer to the front of the computer. You could easily put it anywhere you wanted. Here is a pic:

http://www.akida.net/.sc/ms/bdd/1092411472191544/9/nc/ee/20/Accessories%20Multifunction%20Transfer%20Panel%20%28%20for%205%2E25%20bay%29

And I just thought of these guys,

www.cyberguys.com

They might carry some retractable stuff, they have everthing else. They have a free catalog request at the bottom of the page. For those of us who love free catalogs!  

[boesiii]

Here is what I was planning

I am going to mount 2 rj-45 input plugs (probably on the underside of the control panel), they will be connected to my ipac.

I am going to rewire nes, snes, and sega game pads so that the ends are of the rj-45 type.

The pads will work with an ipac, but you need to gut the insides out and rewire.  check the consoles forum and search for my user name.  I had the same question.

[chrisinauz]

Use a Playstation USB Adapter so you can plug 2 PS Controllers at 1 time into a USB Slot, its totally plug and play meaning no reboot need just plug the controllers in whenever and all buttons work, even rumble function AND Analog Sticks! Works great!

[Zathras]

I've got a hinged CP and I just put a small usb hub inside and have channels in the side of the CP box (where the top closes to it) for the wires to run out.  So whenever I want to use USB nes/snes/genesis controllers (I got mine from: http://www.sealiecomputing.com/retrozone/retropad.html ) I just flip open the top and plug them in.
If memory serves me correctly the NES emulator likes it to stay a joystick if you configure it for one but the rest don't have a problem switching back and forth.

[simplygriff]

Happ has some usb extension cords that have mounting holes for screws on the sides expressly for mounting in wood panels.  It's in the section with the trackballs.  I was going to use these in combination with PS2 to USB adapters for my players 3 & 4.
-G