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Adding a matrix to a keyboard encoder?

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Tiger-Heli:


--- Quote from: RandyT on June 05, 2005, 06:42:27 pm ---Here's another option for you:
Use a KeyWiz Eco and wire up 4 more (or however many you need) dual-diode "one-click Shazaaam" buttons.

--- End quote ---
This will work except Lilwolf didn't even want to pay the initial $20 for the Eco.

I have a very detailed page on the theory and how-to (more than you need to know) at http://www.mameworld.net/emuadvice/keyhack2.html, and IMHO, Spystyle has the best "short and sweet" tutorial at http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index79.htm

RandyT:


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on June 06, 2005, 06:37:01 am ---This will work except Lilwolf didn't even want to pay the initial $20 for the Eco.

--- End quote ---

Actually he said:


--- Quote from: Lilwolf on June 05, 2005, 02:57:37 pm ---I don't think it would be worth my time for 20 bucks and a keywizeco.... unless I had to buy two.

--- End quote ---

Which I took as, paraphrased, unless he needed to buy two, the effort of hacking the keyboard wouldn't be worth it.  I was just saying that it could be accomplished without buying 2 units by just wiring a few buttons with some diodes. ;)

But hacking a keyboard is still a viable option for a jukebox, and those links will certainly help get the job done!

RandyT


Tiger-Heli:

Re-read the original post and now agree with Randy.

It now sounds like Lilwolf is saying the time to hack the keyboard would be worth more than the $20 for the Eco, unless he had to buy two.

A third option would be to use an Eco and hack a gamepad for the additional 3-4 inputs, but if you're going to hack something regardless, IMHO, you might as well just do it once with the keyboard.

SirPeale:

Re-read the original post myself, and I definitely stand by my original advice: a keyboard hack would be the best way to get the input.  It wouldn't take much time to map the matrix, AND there would be a vast amount of keys to use.

Lilwolf:

Time seems to be harder to find then 20 bucks these days.  I'm now steering towards the shazam + diodes method. 

1/2 because I haven't bought anything from Randy yet.   And figuring no matter how good I am.. it will take more then an hour and not look as good.

One other option might be to wire up one of the printer port adapters also.  But I think I am going to put that one off for the same reasons.

But I will pull apart a few of my really old  keyboards and see if it will be trivial (no soldering)... otherwise I'll probably get an Eco board. 

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