Special GP-Wiz49 version for DRS Mode selection via a rotary switch , etc...

[RandyT]

I had some requests to make the DRS mode-switching on the GP-Wiz49 compatible with "constant on" switches, such as rotaries.  This version is now available by request at order time and will be standard on the product very shortly.

*EDIT*

This mode is now standard on the GP-Wiz49, along with Manual and software switching via the USB connection.  This thread is outdated.


The new firmware provides the same functionality as before, but with an additional configuration option as follows:

When the "JoyMode" input is tied to "Ground" at power up, the GP-Wiz49 will modify its workings internally to dedicate the first 8 inputs solely to switching the DRS modes.  Grounding any one of the 8 inputs, either momentarily or constantly will change the restriction mode of the stick.

It is also possible using this configuration to permanently "jumper" the 49-way stick to a specific DRS mode if so desired.

Considerations:
Use of this configuration disables the 5 "shifted" buttons feature and reduces the number of usable buttons to 15 per interface as 8 are used exclusively for DRS switching.

I want to stress again that this second configuration is only an option.  If the "JoyMode" input is not grounded at power up, the unit will behave exactly as it was originally designed.

Please let me know if there are any questions about this one.
RandyT

[Toonces]

Randy, That's really cool. If someone wanted to wire up the new version to the parallel port and have all 8 modes switchable. All they would have to do is ground the Mode Select input and run the 8 data wires from the parallel port to the 8 mode selections. Same with using a relay board. You would get use of all 8 modes.

Can I unsolder mine and send it back? Only been used heavily for a few days 

That's very nice.

Toonces

[Tiger-Heli]

Cool option, thanks Randy!!!

[Lilwolf]

I REALLY like this feature!  One controller per joystick anyway.. And I don't think you really need more then 8 buttons in most cases.  But to be able to create one control panel with an easy switch between the settings is GREAT!

[Troz]

Has anyone found a suitable rotary switch for using this?  Sounds like the ideal solution for my setup.

[crsdawg]

kudos randy, this is great news.

[mahuti]

Rotary switches aren't hard to find... at least if you have a decent electronics shop nearby. Radioshack has them... only with 6 switches at the one near my house, though. I went to a "real" electronics shop and they had them with 8 positions.

[Tiger-Heli]

Question - With this mode enabled, how does Windows see the device - i.e. if I ground JoyMode, then Buttons 1 through 8 are used for mode switching, not for gaming.  Does Windows now identify Button 9 as Button 1 on the joystick, or is it still button 9?

[nostrebor]

Randy,

This is a bit off topic but... do you offer or will you be offering any ball top solutions for the 49 way sticks you carry, or for Happs version? (assuming they are different.)

Thanks,
Dave.

[RandyT]

Randy,

This is a bit off topic but... do you offer or will you be offering any ball top solutions for the 49 way sticks you carry, or for Happs version? (assuming they are different.)

They are coming.....slowly but almost certainly.....

RandyT

[Flinkly]

his version is the happs version, the midway is almost the same, but the shaft is a little smaller at the bottom...or bigger, i forget which.

[RandyT]

his version is the happs version, the midway is almost the same, but the shaft is a little smaller at the bottom...or bigger, i forget which.

Smaller.


RandyT

[Tiger-Heli]

Randy,

Did my question above get lost in the noise other thread traffic?

[RandyT]

Randy,

Did my question above get lost in the noise other thread traffic?

As this firmware won't be released until the support for software switching is in place (recent decision) there isn't a real answer for the question yet. 

Originally, I decided that shifting the buttons around would be too confusing for people to keep straight.  But it's open for debate at the moment.

RandyT

[NoOne=NBA=]

Would it be feasible to reprogram the chip to use the highest 8 buttons for modeswitching?

That would eliminate the button numbering confusion between "normal" and "constant programming" modes, for the lower numbered buttons.

[dema]

Randy, I ordered and received two of the GP-Wiz49s but I haven't done anything with them yet. In fact, they're still in the packaging and the box they were shipped in. If I were to send them back could I have them swapped out to the new version?

[Tiger-Heli]

Would it be feasible to reprogram the chip to use the highest 8 buttons for modeswitching?

That would eliminate the button numbering confusion between "normal" and "constant programming" modes, for the lower numbered buttons.

My 25 cents -

Quick point - be aware that this new mod means that if someone somehow holds down the mode switch when they turn on the cabinet, buttons 1 through 8 won't work until they re-boot, and RandyT will probably get a lot of "What Happened" questions.

I think it would be nice to have the GP-Wiz set up so that CP Button 1 was seen by Windows as Gamepad Button 1.  This wouldn't matter at all for MAME, but I think other applications might be picky about having Joystick Button 14 do an action and Joystick button 1 unused.  I'm sure RandyT has a lot of experience with this from the GP-Wiz (pre-49) testing and can probably confirm or disprove this.

Also, note that my comments below on software switching also would apply to using a rotary switch as far as the GP-Wiz49 is concerned.

I think RandyT's solution of a mode button combined with the arcade buttons is excellent for those who DON'T want to bother with software to switch the sticks, and I think Randy knows from the KeyWiz support questions that there will probably be a lot of those.  I also think a lot of people want the software switching (or rotary switch) option.  I don't know which group is more prevalent, but I think most users will fall into one of the two camps and will know which one they belong in.  I.e., it is unlikely that someone will set their panel up for manual switching and then decide that they really would rather use software, or plan to set their panel up for software switching and then decide they would rather use manual switching.  Of course, some of this depends on how soon the FE developer's add support for this, and how easy they make it to implement.

So I see three possible solutions (Note that Pin below refers to the functional not the physical input, as I don't have a GP-Wiz49 pinout, and it would probably just confuse things if I did):

Option 1 - Pins 1 through 8 correspond to buttons 1 through 8 in manual mode.  In software mode (or with the joymode grounded), Pins 9 through 23 shift down and are seen as Buttons 1 through 15.  I like this idea, but I tend to have less problems with complex solutions.  Advantage is that this works optimally for all users.

Option 2 - Pins 1 though 23 stay as buttons 1 through 23 regardless of the mode selected.  This is easier to wire up and great for manual switching, however, for software switching (or with a mode switch), it means that you have to use Button 9 as your button 1 in a game.  (Kinda awkward for MAME and maybe bad for other games).

Option 3 - Pins 1 through 23 stay as buttons 1 through 23 regardless of the mode selected, but buttons 16-23 are used to switch modes (NoOne's suggestion).  This is basically the reverse of option 2 above, works great for software or rotary switch switching, but for manual switching, it means that you have to use Button 16 as Button 1 in your game (or have unused game buttons dedicated for mode switching).  (Kinda awkware for MAME and maybe bad for other games).

Thoughts, comments?

[Lilwolf]

I don't think anyone would connect the hold down at powerup to a button.  You just ground it out if your using that functionality. 

[Tiger-Heli]

I don't think anyone would connect the hold down at powerup to a button.  You just ground it out if your using that functionality. 

Correct, but if you AREN'T using that functionality, then you have a button for it, and if that button happens to be depressed when the computer is started . . .  (I know it's unlikely, but )

[RandyT]

I don't think anyone would connect the hold down at powerup to a button.  You just ground it out if your using that functionality. 

Correct, but if you AREN'T using that functionality, then you have a button for it, and if that button happens to be depressed when the computer is started . . .  (I know it's unlikely, but )

The plan is, and it's pretty much working now, for the software to temporarily negate any of the "hardware" modes when it is run.  There will also be an option in the software to restore these modes, without power cycling, afterwards.

But folks running these on a system not suported by the software will have to be aware that it could occur, even as unlikely as it sounds.  My guess is, unless you are the type that stacks junk on your CP when you aren't using it, and you forget to take it off before plugging it in, this won't be a big deal. 

RandyT