I-PAC encoders and key repeating

[krick]

I was reading something where someone was complaining about the MiniPAC and issues with keys repeating/not repeating.

Then I read the Ultimarc I-PAC FAQ and found this...

What about key-repeat (Typematic)?
In USB mode key repeat is supported as on a normal keyboard and is handled by the PC. In PS/2 mode key repeat is not generally desirable for gaming because sending unnecessary strings of key-presses to the PC can cause unwanted clutter on the PS/2 interface and steal CPU cycles. It is useful though to have key repeat outside of gaming, for example for scrolling up and down game lists in a front end. The I-PAC solves this problem by implementing a selective repeat on up/down only, for scrolling through lists. If you have a need for repeat on all inputs, this can be supplied on request.

So it would seem to me that you would NEVER want keys to repeat.  I mean, while it is a keyboard encoder, its primary use is playing games in MAME and other emulators.  Wouldn't repeating keys be BAD while playing a game?  Like what happens when I hold down in Mortal Kombat 3 while doing a "charge" move?

I thought I read somewhere that MAMEWAH front end doesn't require key repeat to move through the lists, though MAME32 (which I don't use) being a Windows GUI application, does require it.

I have a J-PAC and an I-PAC2 (to handle players 3 & 4)  I don't want any inputs to repeat.  Including up/down.  Can this be turned off on all inputs?

[Gunstar Hero]

I didn't ever change any settings and I don't have any issues with charge moves.

I imagine you're good to go.

[Tiger-Heli]

I have a J-PAC and an I-PAC2 (to handle players 3 & 4)  I don't want any inputs to repeat.  Including up/down.  Can this be turned off on all inputs?

Key Repeat is a non-issue for MAME at least.  Try this - use a regular keyboard and open Notepad and verify key-repeat is turned on.  Now start Tiger-Heli (maybe with an invincibility cheat).  Hold down FIRE - the game will shoot at about one shot every 1.5 seconds, continuously.

I would expect other emulators to be the same.  For that matter, I would expect other PC gaming apps to be the same.  I.e. if a developer writes a program where a key is likely to be held down, he probably includes code to disable typematic repeat.

It could be a big deal in front ends where you can't hold the joystick up to scroll the list.

I don't know of a way to disable it on the I-PAC.  If you use it in PS/2 mode, it will only be enabled on Up and Down, and you could disable it in Windows (Control Panel - Settings - Keyboard (I think)), but I don't see it as a big deal.