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Keyboard Encoder, I-Pac, KB16, other?
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mattp:
TOKN KB16
Q? Keycode propagation from one encoder to encoder is nominal 1ms. Guaranteed < 1.2ms.
How? TOKN KB16 runs a 16Mhz while the other encoders run 4 times slower at 4Mhz.

Why bother?
TOKN KB16 is the only encoder under $30 that supports persistent keycode storage
in EEPROM which means its hot pluggable and does not need a support program on the PC.

It has a diagnostic LED which is very handy in verifying your crimp connections are good.
This is a great visual aid during assembly and in the field.

TOKN KB16 is also the only encoder under $30 that supports true keyboard passthrough.
This means you can simultaneously use a keyboard during gaming for configuration.
This also means that you and friends can build individual desktop consoles and connect them in series with DIN cables. If you don't support passthrough, you can't do this.
A toggle switch does not satisfy true passthrough.

Comes with a pin header which is easier to install and service than screw terminals.
No soldering required.

Inexpensive bundled shipping. Available in eBay free bid promotion starting at a $0.25

Unfiltered feedback from eBay customers.
Lilwolf:
KeyWiz Ecos - 21 bucks each


--- Quote from: mattp on April 08, 2005, 09:55:48 am ---TOKN KB16
Why bother?
TOKN KB16 is the only encoder under $30 that supports persistent keycode storage
in EEPROM which means its hot pluggable and does not need a support program on the PC.

--- End quote ---
JoyMonkey:
I don't see custom keycodes (persistent or not) being a huge selling point.  The KeyWiz (and IPac as far as I can tell) comes with the standard Mame keys programmed by default. Rather than reprogram the encoder, it's easier to just remap your softwares controls to match Mame's standard keys.
RandyT:

--- Quote from: mattp on April 08, 2005, 09:55:48 am ---TOKN KB16
Q? Keycode propagation from one encoder to encoder is nominal 1ms. Guaranteed < 1.2ms.
How? TOKN KB16 runs a 16Mhz while the other encoders run 4 times slower at 4Mhz.

--- End quote ---

I'm not aware of any encoders that run as slow as 4mhz, but the speed of the processor has little to do with the speed of the PS/2 port or it's protocol.

How are you prioritizing activity on the bus?  Does the input processing get held off while the microcontroller transforms itself into a PS/2 host for receiving data or vice-versa?  It can't do both at the same time.


--- Quote ---Why bother?
TOKN KB16 is the only encoder under $30 that supports persistent keycode storage
in EEPROM which means its hot pluggable and does not need a support program on the PC.

--- End quote ---

It's also the only encoder over $20 that:

- Has no means of storing and uploading keycode sets via the PC
- Uses a matrix, so it requires twice the number of wires from the encoder to the controls.
- Has no "shift" feature
- Has at least a dozen less inputs

BTW, there are no encoders that need a support program on the PC.  There's a difference between needing something and having the ability to use it.


--- Quote ---It has a diagnostic LED which is very handy in verifying your crimp connections are good.
This is a great visual aid during assembly and in the field.

--- End quote ---

This is probably useful in some circumstances, but can't take the place of a good piece of diagnostic software like GhostKey, which is far more useful for this kind of thing.


--- Quote ---TOKN KB16 is also the only encoder under $30 that supports true keyboard passthrough.
This means you can simultaneously use a keyboard during gaming for configuration.
A toggle switch does not satisfy true passthrough.

--- End quote ---

With the cost savings through other options, one could buy a USB keyboard and use it simultaneously as well (if it was actually important to do so in a gaming cabinet), and this approach places no demands whatsoever on the device responsible for the gaming controls.   But as this true passthrough is a necessity for programming your unit, it's more important for it to exist on your unit than on other varieties.


--- Quote ---This also means that you and friends can build individual desktop consoles and connect them in series with DIN cables. If you don't support passthrough, you can't do this.

--- End quote ---

There are many ways to skin that proverbial cat.  And whether yours is the best one is a matter of opinion.  My opinion is that it is not.


--- Quote ---Comes with a pin header which is easier to install and service than screw terminals.

--- End quote ---

This crowd is too savvy to buy this statement.  The only way a pin header is easier to install is if you have pre-made harnesses (meaning you already paid someone else to do the work for you...can't get easier than that :) ) and are cranking out panels in a production environment.  Then again, considering that your product requires twice as many wires to be run from encoder to controls, there may be an advantage in doing this for your setup.

Pin headers are cost saving measures, not superior options.

RandyT
Lilwolf:
YEAH WHAT HE SAID!

but really... the ability to change the keys was very important for me when I was using IDE cables.  because they where such a pain to cable.  You cable everything.  Find what each is connected to later... Then configure.

But I still prefer to change the mame defaults to Z, X, C, A, S, D... mainly because then I can use them on the keyboard when I don't have a control panel plugged in.

So usefull... but not needed nearly as much as it did on my MK64
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