Question about PSX to USB adapters...

[oldskoolcade]

This might be a little off topic, but I'm throwin this question out to the masses.   I just got one of those PS2 -> USB adapters and a couple of no-name brand dual shock controllers.  Everything seems to work fine, except that I'm finding the actual sensitivity on the analog stick is terrible.   I'm just wondering if it's the quality of the actual controller, and maybe I'd have better results with an authentic Sony DS controller...

If anyone out there is using the same setup on their PC with good results, I'd love some feedback...

Cheers!
Mike

[RayB]

I'm using one of these adapters with an actual Sony Dualshock controller.

What exactly is the sensitivity issue? What I'm finding is that there is no ability in the controller driver to set a "dead zone". That's most likely what your issue is. The analog sticks are impossible to perfectly center, which means there will always be a little bit of a direction being detected. In PC games this gets translated into movement, unless you specify a dead zone in the game options. Unfortunately, not all games have options for this, since usually the joystick driver lets you set the dead zone...

[1UP]

The problem with using these adapters is that it basically presents itself to the PC as a generic gamepad, with no real settings possible.

I would recommend getting a good PC gamepad.  There are several on the market that have the same functions as a PS pad (dual analog, rumble feedback).  The bonus is that they usually come with their own configuration software, which lets you do everything from remapping keys, to making custom setups that load in different games, to setting dead zones and sensitivity.

[oldskoolcade]

Thanks for the replies! (both of ya)

As for the sensitivity issue, it seems like going from center to a direction, is really dramatic.  For example, I'm playing MVP 2004 for the PC, and moving the pitch cursor is next to impossible because there's no 'touch' to it....it's like driving some cars where if you step on the gas pedal, there's a lot of give, and then all of a sudden it's ZOOOOOOOOOM....that's why I was wondering if maybe the controllers that I have are just crappy and maybe an actual sony dual shock might work better.

With regards to a regular PC gamepad, that's the reason why I made the switch to this method.  I have a logitech dual action pad (the one that looks exactly like the PS2), and I've had more problems with it from a driver/calibration point of view that even with the lackluster performance I'm getting with this USB adapter, it's still more reliable.   I'd be open to another suggestion for a PS2-like controller, that isn't made by logitech...

Cheers!
Mike

[Trenchbroom]

Before I bought my PSX/N64 to USB converters a few years ago (I bought them to play this really cool Blaze dual stick controller that was designed for two player fighting games that I bought cheap on Ebay...which I loved for about 2 hours and then found the notion of playing on the coffee table to be really lacking...which made me pine for real standup arcade machine gaming...which lead me to find this site and start a new addiction...) I do remember reading that people using 3rd party controllers were having sensitivity problems.  I've used a PSX dual shock, a PS2 dual shock (both genuine Sony) and a Mad Catz Microcon for the kiddies and have never had a problem.

Make sure that you do calibrate the sticks though--when I switch between the N64 and PSX controllers I have to recalibrate or the sensitivity is completely screwed up.

[oldskoolcade]

That's kinda what I suspected...it's probably these crappy knock off controllers that are the problem.  I'm gonna see if I can borrow a friends PS2 controller and test it out.   I really like the idea of using the PS2 controller to play Tony Hawk Underground 2, because using the older logitech wingman rumble pad, just doesn't cut it...

Thanks!

Mike