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Encoders
cholin:
--- Quote ---Okay, they work a little differently but nothing that would make a whole lot of difference to you, from the sounds of it. Biggest difference - The I-PAC has a button which ALSO acts as the shift function. The KeyWiz has a totally separate button for accessing the shift function (less chance of accidental activation, one additional button on your panel), although you CAN wire the KeyWiz shift function to work SIMILAR to the I-PAC.
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Well you can use the iPac's additional buttons (such as 7 and 8) for each player to act as a shift button also, with some programming, which should be simple because I've already set up all the keys.
--- Quote ---Cool feature, Gets ZERO usage in MAME. Biggest usage for it is Emulators that want Alt-F4 to exit (but there are alternative or hacked version of most of these anyway). Also, note that you are limited to 4 macros per codeset, so this can't be used for PC games with 20 some Alt and 20 some Ctrl combinations - (not that you'd have that many buttons anyway).
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I realize it gets ZERO usage in MAME, but its more or less for control. I want to macro certain buttons to bring up like CTRL+ALT+DEL to show processor usage for example. I want another one to display the temperatures on a small bar in the top of the screen. It's more of a personal TESTING idea to make sure the cab is safe.
As for expandable and reliable, I go by how many people say good things and how many people say negative things about products. As for the GGG Eco 2, I'll need to look into that because of shipping and other factors.
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: cholin on February 12, 2005, 11:08:28 am ---Well you can use the iPac's additional buttons (such as 7 and 8) for each player to act as a shift button also, with some programming, which should be simple because I've already set up all the keys.
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I see what you mean, but it's not a shift function in that case. (The I-PAC/2 can only have one dedicated shift function.)
--- Quote ---I realize it gets ZERO usage in MAME, but its more or less for control. I want to macro certain buttons to bring up like CTRL+ALT+DEL to show processor usage for example. I want another one to display the temperatures on a small bar in the top of the screen. It's more of a personal TESTING idea to make sure the cab is safe.
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I wouldn't base my encoder decision solely on this, then. If it's only for occasional TESTING, buy or borrow a USB or wireless keyboard until you are sure it is working properly, then just remove the keyboard.
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As for expandable and reliable, I go by how many people say good things and how many people say negative things about products.
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Something to keep in mind -
When you see a negative post about the I-PAC, note how many times a replacement board fixes the problem. Great customer service, but it says that it wasn't a PC or software or user config error and makes you wonder about quality control.
When you see a negative post about the KeyWiz, (I've only seen one where it wouldn't work from a hardware standpoint, with a very old mobo), consider whether the person making the post could have solved the problem with a little more patience or understanding of functionality or software.
IMMark:
--- Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on February 11, 2005, 10:16:56 pm ---To run down the most glaring differences between the two:
1) KeyWiz is PS/2 only.
I-pac is PS/2 or USB.
2) KeyWiz has a few more inputs.
3) Shift functions on the I-pac are handled by Shift+Button presses.
KeyWiz can be wired so that buttons will do Shazaam+Button, if you use Randy's diode connectors (or make your own).
4) I-pac holds the programming in the chip at shutdown.
KeyWiz programs the chip each time at startup.
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That said, BOTH function well, and you probably wouldn't ever tell the difference between them--except in extreme applications.
BOTH are well supported by their makers.
BOTH are durable, and reliable.
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It was already mentioned, but I think this is an important factor, you said that you are going to do some programing....the Ipac holds the information after shut down...I don't think this is true for the Keywiz (I say I think, because I have never used one, but I am sure that if I am mistaken, I will be corrected shortly ;)
NoOne=NBA=:
Look in the quote above your last post. ;D
I'd already mentioned that the KeyWiz programs the chip each time, at startup.
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: IMMark on February 12, 2005, 06:15:10 pm ---It was already mentioned, but I think this is an important factor, you said that you are going to do some programing....the Ipac holds the information after shut down...I don't think this is true for the Keywiz (I say I think, because I have never used one, but I am sure that if I am mistaken, I will be corrected shortly ;)
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It's a consideration, but not really an important factor. The I-PAC will retain the last programmed codeset until it is programmed again. The KeyWiz will start with a very good default codeset for MAME, but can be programmed to use an alternate set-up at boot-up or at program launch.
The only time this give a real advantage to the I-PAC would be if for example you were primarily using the device with PC games that can re-assign keys (or can't program the modifier (shift, Alt, etc.) keys AND you were wanting the device hot-swappable, like on a desktop controller.
Otherwise, either one works well and is very programmable.