Author Topic: Building Ohio State Cab, need help with controls (Read 2688 times)

mccoy178 · « **on:** August 31, 2004, 02:41:15 pm »

Hello,
I am a Buckeye faithful and I am building a shrine to them(I'll also be able to play all my favorite games, tough sacrifice). Anyways, I have my control panel layed out for two players with eight way sticks and six buttons each. I have a 3" happ track ball, and six extra buttons. Nothing is wired yet, so I am wondering if I need a spinner, would I need both an Ipac and an Omnipac, or if I decided to try a keyboard hack, would the results be of the same quality if I did it right? Also, I am interested to have two additional controllers for four player action. Are there any suggestions on the best way to do this? I am a newbie, but I'm tryin'!

mccoy178 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2004, 02:42:03 pm »

I also have a four way stick at the top of the control area.

Bill Mote · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2004, 02:49:58 pm »

I've nearly spent blood, sweat, and tears trying to figure this out. There is an awesome site that covers *exactly* what you need depending on what games you're hoping to play. The gist is this:

32 inputs will support 95% of all games. 68 inputs is the magic number to support *everything*! The KeyWiz MAX supports 32 inputs and from everything I've read will work perfectly. The MiniPAC is pretty awesome as it has a built-in interface for the trackball, but it only has 28 inputs. Finally, I've settled on the I-PAC/4 which has 56 inputs and am going to use the HAPP trackball that comes with a USB interface.

The holy grail is the Hangstrong somtin-somtin 72. It has 72 inputs and will support anything you throw at it.

dot

mccoy178 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2004, 02:53:35 pm »

Thanks for the tips. I am just getting into the electronic end of things, so this could take a while. Do you think a keyboard hack and mouse hack is worthy of the efforts?

Tilzs · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:05:26 pm »

Since I'm from Minnesota, I can't help you.

RacerX · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:09:14 pm »

Be sure that none of your controls *interfere* with each other.

Bill Mote · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:10:12 pm »

Quote from: Tilzs on August 31, 2004, 03:05:26 pm

Since I'm from Minnesota, I can't help you.

BEHOLD! The power of cheese ...

iwillfearnoevil · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:12:41 pm »

Quote from: RacerX on August 31, 2004, 03:09:14 pm

Be sure that none of your controls *interfere* with each other.

and that your pc has a *suspend* mode

Bill Mote · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:13:40 pm »

I took the interface out of an old Compaq keyboard and spent a little time mapping the matrix out with 2 paper clips. It's time consuming and frustrating. I abandoned the effort when I realized the IBM laptop I'm planning on using allows *only* a mouse to be connected through it's PS/2 port. Tards.

There's some coolness to the keyboard hack if you're the DIY type. If you're the "I gotta do this to save money" type then you'll likely hit the same frustration I did ;-) Just buy a low end keyboard encoder and be done with it.

dot

pointdablame · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:46:54 pm »

I don't think keyboard hacks are worth it IMO. I have never done one myself, so this is all speculative on my part, but from what I read, it's just not worth the hassle. Many people will also wind up getting terminal blocks and other odds and ends to get the hack working and by the end, they have spent $10-20 on the hack. The keywiz eco is something like $30 IIRC, so I don't see the argument for saving money in all honesty.

Yander · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:47:30 pm »

GoU of M

monkeybomb · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2004, 04:17:44 pm »

If you're really stuck, you can always punt.

Raleigh · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2004, 04:38:36 pm »

Quote from: mccoy178 on August 31, 2004, 02:53:35 pm

Do you think a keyboard hack and mouse hack is worthy of the efforts?

I say no on the keyboard hack, but if you can solder, I say yes on the mouse hack.

You picked a good time to start your cabinet, I suggest you dedicate your saturdays to working on your cabinet. This saturday at noon would be a prime time to go out in the garage or down in the basement and work on that cab.

Tilzs · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:38:56 pm »

Quote from: dot on August 31, 2004, 03:10:12 pm

Quote from: Tilzs on August 31, 2004, 03:05:26 pm
Since I'm from Minnesota, I can't help you.

BEHOLD! The power of cheese ...

He's not from Wisconsin.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:33:49 pm »

Thanks for the advice everyone. Man, you guys are harsh on the Bucks. Can I get any support out there? If there are any Buckeye fans out there, I will give you some preview pics of the project from requests.

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:35:01 pm »

The I-pacs are worth every penny vs. a keyboard hack--both in terms of performance and time savings.
My time is worth way too much to me to worry about tracking down what does what, and will these work OK together on a keyboard hack.
That's not even mentioning all the money you'll spend on therapy to get sane again.
(Well at least as sane as you CAN be, given that this is your chosen hobby).

With regard to the mouse hack, the same thing applies.
I will spend the $20 or so for an Oscar Optic Card and USB Mouse Hack for a spinner any day.
It's just not worth the hassle to me to "try" to get this working with that, and HOPE that it does.
All the optics are positioned properly on his optic cards.
All you have to do is position them so that the encoder wheel clears the optics, and they work.
The mouse hacks are the same way.
You make sure all the wires go to the right places, based on Oscar's wiring diagrams, and they WORK.

spocktwin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2004, 07:35:44 pm »

Yander said it best U of M ( or as the buckeye fans say that school up north!!) GO BLUE. Maybe you would have and easier time if you painted it maize and blue!!!! see ya in November!!
ps good luck with the shrine, you have started my thoughts to fly about the upcoming season!!! The only good football is BIG TEN football!!!!!

tshizzle.com · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2004, 12:15:32 am »

<--- OSU / BROWNS fan =)

You dont happen to post on BerniesInsiders Browns board do ya? A guy there has the same avatar

Generic Eric · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2004, 12:25:39 am »

GO BLUE!!!

<-- From Ypsi-Arbor

DarkKobold · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2004, 12:55:31 am »

You can all bite my green and white spartan butt!

Go MSU!!!!

mccoy178 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 01, 2004, 02:32:47 am »

No, I have not been to the Browns site, but I probably will check it out. It is good to see that even in this forum, the BigTen rivalry is here. Make's me feel at home with all this OSU bashing. Anyways, thanks again for the tips.

sirwoogie · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2004, 04:26:25 pm »

Buckeye fans... shesh.

In fact, my first project is a U of Mich cab. Colors and all. I'm looking for someone to possibly design the top shell as a helmet, but nothing yet.

All the pieces are here, just have to build the cab.

megashock5 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:39:07 am »

mccoy,

Please post some pics when you get the cabinet under way. My brother-in-law is a huge OSU fan (it's the theme of his basement) and I've been trying to convince him to build a cab that looks like the helmet.

I'm planning on doing my basement in BlueJackets - and I'm not doing a cab with that theme, but I am making sure the colors of it will match all the jackets stuff I'll have hanging up!

Good luck!

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #23 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:44:57 am »

go blue

mccoy178 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:46:28 am »

These are pics of the cab in its initial stages. The camera doesn't do the thing justice. I'm letting the cat out of the bag.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:47:14 am »

mccoy178 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:48:17 am »

here is the CP

mccoy178 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:48:57 am »

Another

mccoy178 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2005, 04:42:01 am »

I'm back. My wife made me build a book case and mowing the yard and other such important marriage duties that took me off task. But I have almost finished painting the cab and I am researching to finish the rest. I have a 27" t.v., and a computer ready. I just have to dive into the electronics part. I can see that it is gonna be a long process since It's my first time. I have a general question that I wasn't able to find in the boards. I am interested in using other machines control pads with the machine. I have seen USB's in the side of the control panels and I am actually looking to see if anyone knows where a thread may be or a tutorial that can explain how this works and where to find the parts. Thanks so much for the help.

By the way, I want to let all of the Wichagin fans know that I feel your pain.(SirWoogie). November was tough, but we all knew that was going to happen. What was tough was the Rose Bowl. I want all the Big Ten teams to win in nonconference, but I have to say, there was no better way for them to lose. Sweet sweet misery. Are you guys sure John Cooper is not on the payroll? Anyways, I know the Bucks had a tough season, but you have to give them credit for getting the big games done. Later all and thanks again.

cyberspace · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2005, 07:11:24 pm »

Here's an incomplete theme cabinet I built for a friend.

http://www.defyance.com/arcade/127-2720_IMG.JPG

mccoy178 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 07, 2005, 12:05:27 pm »

Nice cab. I dig the theme. Does anyone have a link about adding usb inputs to the cab?
Thanks,
Ben

tshizzle.com · « **Reply #31 on:** January 07, 2005, 01:37:13 pm »

any pics of the OSU cab painted/colored?

IMMark · « **Reply #32 on:** January 08, 2005, 01:58:43 pm »

Hi Buckeye fan,
I am local also, (Columbus..Worthington actually), and really a Notre Dame fan....that should get some responses going

Anyway like I said I am local, so if you have any questions would be happy to share.
Mark


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