x-arcade encoder for 4 players?

[unix4hire]

Greetings, my first post.

I am beginning planning a 4 player CP but was intrigued when my buddy built a 2 player using the xarcade encoder.  However, since I'm building a 4-player I'd want to enable all 4 players to play the PS2, gamecube, etc. on the CP; so I'd need 2 xarcade encoders.  Anyone have any experience setting up a 4 player CP using xarcade encoders?  The xarcade site says it's doable but no examples.  thx!

[Tokey]

Well you can use 2 xarcades and with them both in mode 1 they will work flawlessly with your console systems.

If you use 2 xarcades you need to keep 1 in mode 1, and you will have to switch the other one to a programmed mode and plug it in the USB, but it should work just fine.

I just built a 2-player CP using my x-arcade encoder.  When I want to have 4 people play, they just use the wireless xbox controllers.

[unix4hire]

I want all players to be able to use the control panel, or else it's not worth building it with the xarcade (rather use ipac-4 anyway).  I should note the main reason for the build is for MAME and to be able to connect console systems up would be a great bonus.  I wondered if anyone had done such a thing and if they had examples of using 2 xarcade encoders on the same CP.

[Tokey]

You said in your main post that you want them to all be able to play PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, etc...  How are you going to easily do that with an I-PAC4?

Just do like I said and you'll be fine.  Run 1 x-arcade in mode 1 on the ps2 port for mame and console games.  Run the second on the usb port in mode 1 for console gaming and in a programmed mode for mame.  Should be a piece of cake to set up.

[unix4hire]

thanks for your advice, I'll give it a try!

I was hoping to run into someone who had done this and if they did in fact have any trouble with the additional 2nd encoder set up for MAME.  Also, since the xarcade has only 28 inputs I don't know if I'd be able to have it use 8 buttons per joystick as well has have an additional designated 4-way. (plus coin + 1up/2up/3/4 buttons).