Questions about making controller adapter modules and generic-mod controllers..

[o-o]

I need to find out some things related to making controller adapter modules and generic-modding controllers (and what controllers exist to best use for the module-making purpose..)  If there are faqs for any of these Id like to check them out but I havent been able to find sufficient information..

Thanks



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cable types

What options are there of cable types that could be used?

(basic '25pin D-plug')
but those dont seem like they would stay plugged in very well/sturdy/solidly without screw-tightening them, which would be kindof a huge hassle doing over and over.. wouldnt it?

Im also wary of the cables (types) being too stiff/bulky
(effecting the authentic feel effect of an NES/SNES etc.. controllers)

Are there more/other practical options? (or is there basically one type/thickness of the 25pin d-plug/whatever cable that Ive heard is commonly used?)



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boxes to use

what is a good type/source of small black boxes to used for controller modules..?



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How can (controller encoder IC) chips best be removed without damaging the chip (or PCB)?
[is using-up desoldering wick the best way]


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How can analog direction pad(signal) be converted to (send) digital..?
And would it be simple to add 'sensitivity' control? (using a dual-head potentiometer perhaps??)



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What is the common/best cable pinout arrangement to use? (is there a standard info page about this?)
[might as well be compatible with other peoples configurations..]



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I need to find cheap PSX (and Saturn) controllers having selectable rapidfire which functions like a Mad Catz Saturn pad I have: press rapidfire-assign button, then press button(s) to assign rapidfire to, then press the rapidfire-assign button again. This allows for some buttons to be rapidfire and the rest to not be rapidfire, and it only takes one assign button to do rather than a bunch of individual switches... works really great (it would be *perfect*/even-better if there was a controller/pcb that can do the above AND button re-assign function also like the Dreamcast Madcatz Dreampad does..)

Does anyone know of any like that or know about these (or have one for trade :-)?)?:
"Universal Game Controller"  for Xbox+PS2+GC
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8172614315&category=21188



If anyone (has or) is interested in doing any related mod work (or supplying the materials needed) for trade, here is my trade/want list:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=41710.0

[Pik4chu]

Currently have this
http://www.electricquarter.com/psusb.htm for N64/PSX to USB(PC) adapter and it works fine.

And with a cable hack + these drivers http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html#download you can get an Xbox controller onto your PC. Which I also use with great success.

Thats about all I have to offer

there is also the hack for NES -> 25-pin but dunno how I found it atm.

[forbiddenlyrics]

Here is a site that shows a diagram for connecting an NES controller to parallel port (25 pin)

http://www.heggeseth.com/controller.asp

I have a SNES controller hooked up right now, I used an extension cable so I didn't have to hack into the actual controller, it also keeps the original feel of the controller.

You might want to check out this site

http://www.sealiecomputing.com/retrozone/

They offer USB adapters for a few systems.

[o-o]

I dont need to go to parallel or usb..
I just got an Xbox-to-USB adapter cable (which I plan/hope to use with an Xbox "Magic Box 3in1" adapter to use other controllers [saturn, ps..] through also..)

I basically want to have some Saturn and PS adapter modules (with rapidfire), to connect to all systems (through various other adapters)

and then some straight/'blank'-modded controllers (no encoder,and some basic standard cable connector) to connect through those modules

I mentioned the 25pin because thats about the only type I read of being used, and it seems that-many _wires_ would be needed to accomodate every/any type of controller Id want to use (but I dont need to go to parallel/PC at all).  Im wondering what other types of suitable cables could work..

[Pik4chu]

maybe we didnt understand you at first.. Are you saying you want to build some sort of box that will allow you to connect any controller to any console/pc?  And if so then yes that would require a lot of wires.

Also going USB requires some knowledge of EEPROM programming,  The link I came across was for connecting an SNES controller to PC USB. And the site to buy the pre-rogrammed chips from was down. with some message about illegal activity

Now there is this http://www.ztnetstore.com/product_info.php/products_id/52 which I assume is what you have.  My guess would be that + XBOX->USB adapter+xbox drivers would give you what you need for all those.  And then http://www.ztnetstore.com/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/38 for n64->USB.. Which may let you use the n64 on the xbox as well but I have my doubts.

Sooo, what exactly are you trying to get here?

[Grasshopper]

I housed my Ipac in a printer switchbox and it connects to my control panel using a Centronics cable.

(Centronics connectors are much sturdier that D-plugs IMHO)

[Pik4chu]

what do you use those 3 switches for on the front?

And I agree, centronics are very sturdy connectors.

[o-o]

I thought my questions were clear, and I thought these things had been done a lot here...

What I mean by "adapter-modules" is where you just take a console controller PCB and put in in a box, with an extra generic input cable/jack for connecting generic (direct buttoncontact out) controllers/sticks..  [as people also do by putting a (usually PSX) controller PCB directly inside arcade sticks.., but having the PCB in a separate box/module allows more flexibility]

The questions asked above are because I need to know the specifics/materials on how to do that, or to find people who would do or have such for trade

I need to be able to use 'generic' modded controllers/arcadesticks on Saturn, Playstation systems etc.. (the other mentioned premade adapters would allow me to then easily connect those to PC and Xbox also, so that part is already taken care of)

I dont think I really need any info on to>USB or to>PC adaptation.. (nor programming with this method), mainly just what I asked


>
maybe we didnt understand you at first.. Are you saying you want to build some sort of box that will allow you to connect any controller to any console/pc?  And if so then yes that would require a lot of wires.
>

A long time ago I wished for an 'anything-to-anything' single adapter box (ins and outs for all systems) before knowing as much about it.  Since then it has seemed more feasible/possible/best to go with just having a few adapter module boxes and generic-modded controllers.. (used in conjunction together with the other existing store-made adapters to adapt to most everything/anything needed)

Thanks

[o-o]

This is what Im referring to about controller adapter modules..

(Except I was thinking of cutting 25pin extension cables in half, using one half for the generic-modded controllers, and the other half for the controller module instead of a jack, so there would hopefully be much less wiring..)

[Pik4chu]

This is what Im referring to about controller adapter modules..

(Except I was thinking of cutting 25pin extension cables in half, using one half for the generic-modded controllers, and the other half for the controller module instead of a jack, so there would hopefully be much less wiring..)

ohhhh.  So based on that pic. the person has made a Generic control panel. Then made small boxes containing actual game controllers that he can connect to them when using a different console system but still keep the same control panel?
And by 'generic' would I assume you mean basic controller? rather than aftermarket fancy-pants ones?
If thats what you mean then I think we understand each other

The difficulty comes with the Analog sticks on PSX controllers.  I'm aware of the adaptations made for keyboard encoders and such.  But not of how to hack one onto a controller. (Still looking around for that myself)

[o-o]

By "generic" I mean (modding) controllers to be like that arcade stick in the picture: (removing the encoder/cable and) just connecting a (non- system specific) "generic"/25pin cable to the button contacts.  So the controller can then be used/mixed-and-matched with any module..  [is there a better word for that?]


I thought this was the right forum for these questions,
maybe GameSX forum? (though that forum seems kindof small / not as frequented)

[Pik4chu]

By "generic" I mean (modding) controllers to be like that arcade stick in the picture: (removing the encoder/cable and) just connecting a (non- system specific) "generic"/25pin cable to the button contacts.

[o-o]

>is this what you are trying to get then?

Yes, thats whats shown in the pic I posted also

Instead of a "control panel" (which has a "generic"/25pin connector out..)
I will want to be using some stand-alone custom arcade sticks and some console control pads modded the same way: modded to have "generic"25pin cables [instead of their consoles' regular cables], to connect to those modules same as a "control panel" would

I thought this was much more commonly done (here)..
someone who has done this before (as in the picture) would know exactly what Im talking about, I thought

Im mainly trying to find out the specific/optional materials involved




this question is a little different:

>
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How can analog direction pad(signal) be converted to (send) digital..?
And would it be simple to add 'sensitivity' control? (using a dual-head potentiometer perhaps??)
>


On these forums Ive heard it mentioned that analog thumbsticks (signal) can be converted/made to send as digital (emulate a digital direction pad)..
Im looking for the info about that.. (how complex/simple is that?)


 

[Ninja Supremacist]

Sooo, what exactly are you trying to get here?

Sounds like product/market research to me.