Encoder/ hotrod broken, options

[gurnie]

Hello All.
About a year ago I had my arcade machine all hooked up, and I had it working fine, until my Hotrod joystick broke (nothing seems to imput.  We can thank my roomate for knocking it over).  Hotrod wanted to charge me 50-60 bucks, plus shipping to fix it. I said no way, it seems alittle much at the time (college student.) I'm looking for an NEW encoder thats customizable and affordable because I would still like to use my hotrod unit, just with a new encoder.  I also have a budget I would like to keep it under $75 for a two player 6 button set-up). Is it possible wire the new encoder to the hotrod keys/joysticks? IS the I-pac an option?  What other encoders are there out there?

[Q*Bert_OP]

I-Pac Ve is great, and you get free shipping

[gurnie]

I just went to their website, which one is the V.E.?

[pointdablame]

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipacve.html

[gurnie]

If memory serves me correct, hotrod se has 32 inputs, is this right?  So the V.E. does make a great option.  Do I have to rewire alot of the buttons?

[Tiger-Heli]

If memory serves me correct, hotrod se has 32 inputs, is this right?  So the V.E. does make a great option.  Do I have to rewire alot of the buttons?

Memory serves you incorrect - kinda - The Hotrod SE uses 28 inputs, but the encoder supported 32, so you could have added four buttons to your existing HotRod with the standard encoder, not that that's an option now.

Basically, you have 4 real options depending on how you use the HotRod -

The KeyWiz Eco ($23) (www.groovygamegear.com) supports 32 inputs using an IDE HD cable, but does not have a pass-thru, and is PS/2 only, so you would have to hot-swap the keyboard, or use a wireless or USB keyboard.

The KeyWiz MAX ($35) (www.groovygamegear.com) supports 32 inputs with screw terminals, is PS/2 only, and has a pass-thru, but you need to flip a switch to select between the keyboard or the HotRod.

The I-PAC/2 (www.ultimarc.com) is 28 inputs (so all the standard ones) ($39 or $43) and can be either USB or PS/2 and includes an active pass-thru like your current HotRod.

The I-PAC VE (link above) is 32 inputs ($35) and USB only, so you would be converting the HotRod from PS/2 to USB.

Worth noting - The default HotRod layout is non-standard (does not use the arrow keys for joystick movement), and all encoders above except the I-PAC/2 use SDRAM so do not save settings on power-off.

In other words, with the I-PAC/2, you simply wire and program the encoder to match the old HotRod defaults, save the settings and you are golden.

With the KeyWiz (Eco or Max), you can either use the encoder with the MAME standard default settings (but then you need to redefine all your software to use MAME rather than HotRod defaults), or you can create a .kwz configuration to match your HotRod defaults and click an icon to launch this prior to using the HotRod (takes about 8 seconds for programming under Win98 and 16 seconds under XP)

Basically, the same applies with the I-PAC VE, except one default input is repeated - so you HAVE to re-program if you want to use all 32 inputs - and programming is probably faster. 

[gurnie]

I don't really want to keep the settings hotrod had for key imput.  They were really lousy because sticky keys would pop-up (even if that was disabled) and I just found the settings to be annoying.

So if i get one of these encoders w/ the USB and I take out my hotrod ps/2 encoder, cut all the wires (since they are connected to a female plug end) and  use a encoder with screw terminals to fit my wires into, it should all work and now I should have USB (if i got an encoder w/ usb.)   

The I-pac VE i assume is one of the screw terminal options.

Now forgive me for this silly question, but it's been about a year since I have used mame.  Mame doesn't allow you to program your keys, correct (in the options menu where you can select hotrod/x-arcade/ect).  You have to go in by each game and change the settings, correct?

[Tiger-Heli]

I don't really want to keep the settings hotrod had for key imput.

Okay.

So if i get one of these encoders w/ the USB and I take out my hotrod ps/2 encoder, cut all the wires (since they are connected to a female plug end) and  use a encoder with screw terminals to fit my wires into, it should all work and now I should have USB (if i got an encoder w/ usb.)

Correct, if you go USB, your options are the I-PAC or the I-PAC VE.  Between the two - if you are just going to use the buttons that are currently on the HotRod, I would choose the I-PAC/2 over the I-PAC VE, because of the programming settings being saved.  I've never had a problem with MAME's Alt Ctrl, and Shift key assignments, but others claim to, and the I-PAC/2 would let you avoid these without re-programming the unit each time you plug it in.  Of course if you want to add two or three or four additional buttons, get the I-PAC VE.   

The I-pac VE i assume is one of the screw terminal options.

Correct, both the I-PAC VE and I-PAC/2 use screw terminals.

Now forgive me for this silly question, but it's been about a year since I have used mame.  Mame doesn't allow you to program your keys, correct (in the options menu where you can select hotrod/x-arcade/ect).  You have to go in by each game and change the settings, correct?

Nope - Tab Menu - Inputs - All Games.  (You can do it through ctrlr.cfg files also, but that's the easiest way.

[gurnie]

I like the option of having 4 other buttons available, is that enough for a trackball configuration?

You talk about having to reprogram the settings after i shut-down, and ultimarc mentions it but says "this does not apply if you always use the built-in default MAME code set of course, the settings revert to MAME on power-down"

So basically if i select default set-up to mame i won't have to reprogram everytime as long as the keys are coded for mame settings (which means when i wire my encoder I have to wire it to mame setting.)  And i also read that you can set it up so it accesses a file and gets the key assignments from that file,  but I am not sure how to do that.

[Tiger-Heli]

You keep jumping all over the map on me, so I'm having a hard time keeping up. 

I like the option of having 4 other buttons available, is that enough for a trackball configuration?

Not sure what you mean.  Most people that add buttons for a trackball use it for the mouse left, center, and right buttons.  But you can't assign those buttons to the I-PAC, nor will you have space on the HotRod for a trackball.  If you want a trackball and keyboard encoder, your best bet is the mini-pac - http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html - the $29 board includes the I-PAC inputs plus a spinner and trackball, and two mouse buttons, and is USB or PS/2 (USB if you want to use the trackball).  But now you went away from screw terminals.

You talk about having to reprogram the settings after i shut-down, and ultimarc mentions it but says "this does not apply if you always use the built-in default MAME code set of course, the settings revert to MAME on power-down"

True, but there is one catch here - Input 1D is defaulted to "X" which is the same as Input 1SW6, so you end up with 31 inputs unless you reprogram it.

So basically if i select default set-up to mame i won't have to reprogram everytime as long as the keys are coded for mame settings (which means when i wire my encoder I have to wire it to mame setting.)

Correct!

And i also read that you can set it up so it accesses a file and gets the key assignments from that file,  but I am not sure how to do that.

Right, basically, you use the software to create a mame.ipc file, and then run "WinIpac.exe mame.ipc" from a desktop shortcut or a shortcut in your startup file.  The startup file option works great if the HotRod is always connected, but if it's plug-and-pray, you have to remember to click the shortcut (if you don't want to use the default codeset).

[gurnie]

Sorry I have been jumping around.  I appreciate you going the long haul.

Alright so trackball is not of the option, I was just curiouse.

So if i wire the I-pac ve up,  what software will i have to use to make the mame.ipc file? 

[DreamArcades]

I'll buy your Hanna Ho games CD for $15, plus $2 for shipping if you want to sell it.
-Mike

[Tiger-Heli]

Sorry I have been jumping around.  I appreciate you going the long haul.

Alright so trackball is not of the option, I was just curiouse.

So if i wire the I-pac ve up,  what software will i have to use to make the mame.ipc file? 

Again, if you configure MAME to use the I-PAC VE defaults, and limit yourself to 31 inputs rather than 32, you don't need ANY software.  To program it, you need the WiniPAC IPD available from www.ultimarc.com (or I think it comes with it).

Also you will need a USB A-B cable from the computer store for the VE, but they're inexpensive.

[gurnie]

I think you're right, I think the i-pac ve will be a great choice since i don't plan on adding an buttons and I can use the default settings as long as there aren't any issues with my shift/control keys.  I thank you for your help, you have been extremely helpful

Infact of all the arcade boards I have been on this is the one that has been super friendly and responsive.  It's nice to have a place to go for my arcade questions.

As  for the Capcom/coin-op classics CD (series 1) I would be willing to sell.  Do you have a paypal account?

[DreamArcades]

Sounds good, just PM me with your paypal account.
-Mike