Getting started with CP for Xbox & PC

[milhouse]

Ok, I've been lurking and reading for a while now an I am ready to start building.  Due to living space constraints, I am only going to build a control panel, unfortunately.  I would purchase a prebuilt one, but a. I want to learn how to do this, and b. I haven't seen any prebuilts that have a spinner and trackball, and c. I really, really want it to be swappable between a Mac, PC, and Xbox.

I've read the faq and have a good grasp of what I need and want.  But the FAQ seems a bit out of date - it says getting leaf switches might be had, but it seems like most people here find them. Also, I would think the USB is my best option for building a swappable system since macs don't have mouse or PS/2 ports, but the faq is pretty slim when dealing with USB. So if anyone can give me some pointers, it would be most appreciated.

Buttons
Ideally, I'd have translucent buttons with leaf switches. Leaf is more important than translucent.  I think Bob Roberts has leaf switches for sale on his site, but since the faq says they are hard to come by, I'm not sure I am looking at the right thing.  Are there any other dealers anyone here wants to recommend? Or are they the right buttons and switches (I think they are).  I don't need that many buttons - probably a 6 (but I cold drop to 4) for each joystick.  Plus 1p and 2p start buttons. If possible, i'd like 2 separate buttons for the trackball as well.

Joystick
I want a 4-way and 8-way, or perhaps 2 4/8 switchables.  The kind you can switch above the console.  I like the Ultimarc T-Stick, or the Happ Universal. I don't think I have any issues here - but does anyone have any opinions on which is better?

Spinner
The new V2 spinner that just got released by Oscar looks good.

Trackball
Happ and Ultimarc each sell them. Anyone better than they other, or any others I should look at?

Keyboard Encoder
I think this is where it gets tricky.  I think PS/2 encoders are out because of the USB and Xbox requirements.  I think I can use a USB encoder and a USB adaptor for the XBox.  But information on them seems pretty thin.  Anyone have any experience doing this?

Optical Encoders
I am a bit fuzzy about how this (or if this interfaces) with the keyboard controller at all, or if it has its own separate connection to the PC/Xbox (which I think it does). So I would think Opti-Pac.

Games
I pretty much play pre-1985 games - fighting games don't do much for me, which is why I don't really need that many buttons and would think going to 4 per joy would be fine.

I know Ultimarc has a new Xbox interface they released, but I am wondering that if I use that, will i lose any chance of connection to PC? That is why I was thinking of a USB solution, and getting a SUB to Xbox adaptor.  Unless anyone has a better idea.
I am more than happy to be pointed towards information that I may have overlooked. And any opinions and suggestions are welcome. 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[AmericanDemon]

Ultimarc has the perfect encoders for your needs.  His Ipac and his Xbox adapter will fit your needs perfectly.  As for the leaf buttons.  The FAQ makes them sound more rare than they are.  The buttons can be picked up easily over EBAY or through Bob.  However its the Leaf Switches that are becoming increasingly difficult to find.  Or so it seems on my searches.

[AndyWarne]

Regarding the encoder, the I-PAC is dial interface USB or PS/2 and we produce an X-Box adaptor which works with this. The X-Box adaptor works in PS/2 mode, so you would plug the I-PAC into this when using the X-Box, and plug it into the USB port on the Mac when using this. It would switch interfaces automatically to suit.
Andy Warne

[1UP]

I think you can even hook the IPAC to a KVM switcher, and map one of your IPAC buttons to the hotkey that causes the switch to trigger.

That way, you switch audio, video, and controls with one double-click!