How to use PC and Playstation in one cab?

[1UP]

I am currently exploring options for allowing one to switch over from PC to Playstation 2 (or other console) without powering either one off, and using the same set of controls.

My current theory is to get a KVM switch with USB support.  That would at least allow me to switch monitor, audio, and USB Playstation controls with one button.  Since Windows XP can identify many PS controls, they would work on both console and PC pretty seamlessly.

The trouble comes when you want to hook up some good-ol Happ controls.  The only way would be to do a gamepad hack.

Am I wrong?  Are there solutions out there that I just can't find on Google?  Does anyone make a converter for connecting PC keyboards/mice/etc to a Playstation 2?  If anyone is using this type of setup, I'd be interested to know what you're using!

Thanks,

1UP

P.S. I'd like to plug the awesome Logitech Driving Force Pro, probably the nicest looking Playstation 2 steeering wheel set out there, and the best functionality too!  I picked one up last night, along with a cheaper vibration-only wheel, and it was no contest.  It looks like a real racing wheel, the force feedback is very realistic and really helps you to feel what the car is doing.  It returns to center in a very realistic way, and it switches from 200^o to 900^o steering automatically for games that support it!  To top it off, it's USB so it works perfectly in Windows XP as well as on the PS2!  Niiiiice...  

[shmokes]

I think the X-Arcade keyboard encoder will handle this.  Their sticks can be hooked up to Playstation 2, I believe.  Andy was working on an encoder to hook Happ controlls to the Xbox once upon a time, but I haven't heard anything about that in ages.

I think if you hack a controller you need to use diodes if you want to be able to have the controls hooked up to both the PC and the Playstation simultaneously.  Do a forum search on diodes and you'll find usefull info.

[1UP]

Well, I believe the X-arcade works with adapters, which means you'd have to disconnect the PC adapter to use the Playstation adapter.

But let me explain a little more clearly:  You would hack a PS2 gamepad so that it IS the encoder for the control panel, for both the PS2 and the PC.  A KVM switch would switch the gamepad, video, and audio to either the PS2 or the PC.  Sounds great, but a gamepad hack would be the only way to do this...  Not practical for mass-production.  

[Bgnome]

afaik there arent any usb gamepads for ps2.  but there is a peripheral that will allow you to connect a ps/2 kb/mouse to the controler port:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=160&products_id=5439&

[CthulhuLuke]

I'm sure there are a million ways to go cleaner for this, but here's how I did the controls on my arcade for psx and pc.  I also have some psx to dreamcast adapter, but if I have those plugged in, the ipac will not work, even if the psx to dreamcast convertors are not plugged into anything.  With just the psx controllers dangling, the ipac works fine, I usually unplug the ipac when using the dreamcast too just for safety concerns on the ipac.

[1UP]

afaik there arent any usb gamepads for ps2.  but there is a peripheral that will allow you to connect a ps/2 kb/mouse to the controler port:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=160&products_id=5439&

That looks like the ticket...gotta love lik-sang!  Next time I have a question like this, I'll just try them first.

[Gunstar Hero]

For PSX, the way to do it is use a PSX emulator, like ePSXe.

As far as actually installing consoles in your machine, you could just controller hack a console controller and have it wired into your CP at the same time as your encoder, couldn't you? I don't think it would hurt anything, but at the same time, I'm far from an expert on the subject!!

[Bgnome]

if you were not trying to be careful about what units are turned on at any given time, it would be safer to wire diodes and/or relays inline with your controls so you dont get feedback between systems..

[1UP]

For PSX, the way to do it is use a PSX emulator, like ePSXe.

As far as actually installing consoles in your machine, you could just controller hack a console controller and have it wired into your CP at the same time as your encoder, couldn't you? I don't think it would hurt anything, but at the same time, I'm far from an expert on the subject!!

I'm not interested in PSX, so emulators won't do any good.  Playstation 2 and other current consoles is what I'm after.  Also, hacking a controller is not an option.

I'm going to try the Lik-Sang adapter.  They have one for X-Box as well, so you could even put in a 4-channel KVM and have multiple consoles.

[Bgnome]

let us know how they turn out.  im sure many of us would appreciate a thorough review on these.

[MiahXGaming]

You can use the X-Arcade with an extra serial cable and a standard serial switchbox.