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New Product: 49-Way USB Interface - The GP-Wiz49 with DRS Technology (TM)

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mahuti:

I don't really think there's any value trying to talk someone (me) out of the rotary switch idea... just as I don't think there's any reason to talk the rest out of using buttons.

See, the thing is, I don't know exactly how I'm going mount the rotary and how it will look, I just know that I want to do it. It's not like it's hard, so I don't see where the back and forth controversy lies. The fact is, I don't have, want, or need 9 buttons (8+1) on my panel. I usually only play games that require 1 or 2 buttons. I don't have a bunch of admin buttons, don't want to add new ones either. I'm a designer. I design really good stuff. If I put it on my panel, it's going to look cool & right. I've seen some overwrought & obnoxious garbage on some panels, but that's not what I do, so don't critique something I haven't even created yet ;D

FWIW I think Randy made the right choice for the market. I'm not debating that. Buttons; they're simple.. I get that. The simplest route doesn't always work, however.... mister rotating 3-panel... you should be the first to accept that fact. ;) That's where I'm at. Arguing the pros & cons is fruitless.... this seems to be a non-issue.

1UP:

Well, FWIW, I've already figured out the basic design of a circuit that would trigger a set of switches (transistors) when a simple command line is run.  It'll be available when I have time to build a test model.  Very simple, and would be a totally seamless solution.

If your guests have to do anything to select the correct controls, it's already more complicated than you'd want it to be.  I admit that even the two button presses required to switch modes require you to either have extra markings on your CP, an instruction card, or a very good memory.

My cabinet is a little more complicated than your average dedicated/frankenpanel cab, that's true.  But that is the very reason I've been working with Peter Vogels on a custom FE skin for my cabs, so that when a game is selected, it shows you which control panel to use.  It's not perfect, but it's the most user-friendly solution possible without adding several hundred $$ to the cost, and many additional months of development for some type of mechanized system.

I also don't think that there is anything on any of my panels that would not be found on an arcade game.  They are all authentic arcade parts, save for the PC steering wheel.  The combination of controls may not be completely authentic, but less so than your average frankenpanel.  The idea was to offer flexibility, without presenting more controls at one time than are needed for the typical range of games.

Anyway, while many people may value function over arcade authenticity, there are many ways to get both.  I usually try my best to find those ways.  In this case, I think the best method would be to select the modes either with the 49-way itself, or automatically (having the option to manually select if desired).

Randy, there are basically 8 modes now.  Wouldn't it be possible with a little different programming, to have the stick temporarily revert to 8-way mode when the Joymode button is held down, and then assign the 8 modes to those 8 directions, clockwise around the stick?  Starting from Raw49 at top, all the way around to 16 way at UP/LEFT?  That way you'd only need the stick itself, and one button.  A ring of markings around the stick would be all the instruction you'd need.

Percipio:


--- Quote from: RandyT on March 20, 2005, 03:25:46 pm ---
mahuti:

If you want, I'll look into making some firmware mods for you.  I'm thinking a special version that allows the inputs to be dedicated only to switching, which would be specifically suited to a rotary switch setup.  No need for momentary connections.


--- End quote ---

RandyT,

Based on this comment, will the GP-Wiz49 be able to have a firmware upgrade performed at the user's location?  i.e. If I buy one, and you come out with a great fix or feature in firmware I think I would like to have (or need to have), could I flash the firmware at my location?  If not, what are the options?

Thanks!

RandyT:


--- Quote from: Percipio on March 23, 2005, 03:50:13 pm ---
--- Quote from: RandyT on March 20, 2005, 03:25:46 pm ---
mahuti:

If you want, I'll look into making some firmware mods for you.  I'm thinking a special version that allows the inputs to be dedicated only to switching, which would be specifically suited to a rotary switch setup.  No need for momentary connections.


--- End quote ---

Based on this comment, will the GP-Wiz49 be able to have a firmware upgrade performed at the user's location?  i.e. If I buy one, and you come out with a great fix or feature in firmware I think I would like to have (or need to have), could I flash the firmware at my location?  If not, what are the options?

--- End quote ---

Only the MAX versions are upgradable and would just need a chip swap.  I don't see anything huge for changes in the near term, but if you would be interested in something like mahuti discussed, you can contact me to make sure you get the functionality you are looking for. 

If there ever is a firmware upgrade (again, MAX only), it would be at a relatively low cost...most likely 4 or 5 dollars delivered.


RandyT

Percipio:


--- Quote from: RandyT on March 23, 2005, 04:04:54 pm ---
Only the MAX versions are upgradable and would just need a chip swap.  I don't see anything huge for changes in the near term, but if you would be interested in something like mahuti discussed, you can contact me to make sure you get the functionality you are looking for. 

If there ever is a firmware upgrade (again, MAX only), it would be at a relatively low cost...most likely 4 or 5 dollars delivered.


--- End quote ---

Great!  The MAX is what I was looking at anyway.  I'm not looking for any particular functionality at this time, just curious about the future.

This will quite easily replace the modular control panel I've been designing.  Thanks for your innovations!




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