IPAC 4 and Admin Buttons

[Phunk96]

Hello!

First post and BYOAC Newbie but taking on the adventure!

My question is what about using this to setup admin buttons with the IPAC4:

http://www.groovygamegear.com/cgi/surfshop/shop.cgi?ud=MkhKMUo3U0VVWSUlJSUlJTExMjA3ODQ1NzYA&storeid=1&cols=1&categories=0035&&c=detail.htm&itemid=KSHZADAP

I know that it is SUPPOSED to be for the keywiz, but why wouldn't it work to press the p1 button and then the button for the enter, pause, esc, etc...

[mark shaker]

If I get what you are asking: The I-PAC 4 has a built-in "shift" feature.  No additional cables are necessary.

Just use the included WinIPAC software to program the I-PAC. You can select your "shift" button, and assign a second keystroke to every other button.

   - Mark

[Tiger-Heli]

Won't work because the I-PAC sends shift codes on key release, not key down like the KeyWiz.

You can do what you want with a resistor and capacitor (per button).

See http://www.ultimarc.com/extra_shift.html and the section labelled "I-PAC STEALTH MODE" on this page http://www.mameworld.net/tigerheli/encoder/shiftkeys.htm

[Tiger-Heli]

Bigger question is why would you need it.

That circuit is designed for the KeyWiz so you can send a shifted input with a single button press.

This is useful if you are using all your 32 inputs and need additional shifted inputs for coin and start.

It would make sense for an I-PAC/2.

Do you really have 56 action inputs and not enough remaining inputs for admin functions that you need one-press shifted admin buttons on your CP?

[Phunk96]

Thank you for the information.

It isn't that I have that many buttons, but I was just thinking of future expansion to 8 buttons per player instead of just 6.  To which I could leave those inputs open.

I think I am just going to use some of the extra locations for the admin buttons.  I do appreciate your help though.

[Tiger-Heli]

Thank you for the information.

It isn't that I have that many buttons, but I was just thinking of future expansion to 8 buttons per player instead of just 6.  To which I could leave those inputs open.

I think I am just going to use some of the extra locations for the admin buttons.  I do appreciate your help though.

You do realize that for arcade games you don't even need six, D&D are the only games that use 4 buttons for Players 3 and 4.  All others use 3 or less.

For console emulation (Nintendo 64, Dreamcast), you may well want 8 buttons per player, but IMHO, you would be better adding concealed front USB ports and plugging in gamepads for these games.

[Phunk96]

Yeah I know that most arcade games don't use that many buttons.

I was just thinking of possibly doing some console emulation possibly in the future.