Author Topic: Cheap DDR pad from Kraft (Read 7324 times)

PetitMorte · « **on:** January 19, 2006, 10:17:44 am »

This taken from the MAKE blog

$10 USB DDR Pad

Here's a Dance-Dance-Revolution style USB mat you can get from Kraft (the macaroni and cheese folks) for only $10. This is a pretty good deal and you could likely turn this into all sorts of controllers and as parts for projects. I bet it will even work with the open source version of DDR. So, grab one while you can and they're available.

I hope some folks find this useful. I can't access the link from work (Darn that Websense!), so if it sucks, let me know.

Thanks.

Doc Thirst · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 10:50:14 am »

Thanks for the heads up, I bet my kid would love this.

GGKoul · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2006, 11:11:58 am »

Damm.. no shipping to Canada.

metaHipster · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2006, 01:38:02 pm »

well i gave it a shot - I'll post back if it turns out to be a CC scam

edge · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2006, 02:14:35 pm »

I dug a little deeper on some of the sites. Looks like the site is legit (registered to Kraft), but the pad can't really handle 2 different "keypresses" at the same time.

Check out the comments here, http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/17/kraft-offers-a-ddr-style-game-and-10-pad/.

Just something to be aware of.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2006, 02:24:50 pm »

Guess I posted about it in the wrong forum yesterday, but I ordered one too, so we'll see how useable these things are.

GadgetGeek · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2006, 05:03:20 pm »

Mrs. said that mine showed up today. I'll get it set up for the kids tonite...maybe.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2006, 05:11:08 pm »

Awesome, I'll keep an eye out for mine and post a report.

Hoopz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2006, 05:34:26 pm »

Got mine also today. Their website had two programs to download for use. Kids liked it and had fun. Can't beat the turnaround time and the price.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2006, 05:42:00 pm »

Windows XP seems to recognize it as a USB Joystick. Odd part is that the four main directional "buttons" (up, down, left, and right) seem to be mapped to the Hat switch. Like it was said above, the pad can't handle two different keypresses in opposite directions: UP+DOWN or LEFT+RIGHT.. if you press LEFT+DOWN you get a diagonal.

I'll play around with it a bit, but it would be great to be able to use this in something like Stepmania... free + free = awesome.

GadgetGeek · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2006, 06:57:10 pm »

Quote from: thebrownshow on January 27, 2006, 05:42:00 pm

I'll play around with it a bit, but it would be great to be able to use this in something like Stepmania... free + free = awesome.

The Kraft pad is one the list of supported pads on the stepmania website. At least that is what it looked like earlier today when I looked.

Necro · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2006, 07:35:13 pm »

I was reading the Stepmania website last nite (or one of the 'DDR/etc' fan site places) and it seems that no one has found a way around the inherent issue with it being recognized as joystick axes...

Just assuming that if those guys couldn't get it working...there's no hope

. (Hell, they build their own dance setups).

thebrownshow · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2006, 08:41:18 pm »

Yeah, I just tried it in Stepmania, it would be fine if it weren't for the whole "two feet at once" thing. Wonder if I should crack it open and see what the interface looks like...

DjinniMan · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:03:51 pm »

I got a pad myself, having visions of Stepmania in my head. Got DDR Mario Mix for Christmas and have enjoyed it immensely. The thought of having more sonsg to do on my PC sounded great, so I ordered one. Anyway, it looks like this pad won't work because of the issue previously mentioned. There must be some way to hack it, whether via software or hardware. Ah well, keep us posted.

Jess-- · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2006, 09:21:52 am »

just a quick thought..... the main problem with this pad is it wont handle more than one action at a time (like most hat switches) would it hook up to an Ipac / minipac or similar encoder, that way there would be no issue with multiple inputs

ironmb · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2006, 09:13:50 pm »

I also got one of these pads from Kraft. Was very surprised how fast it came in. About 2 weeks, maybe a couple days less than that. It seemed to register multiple inputs at the same time. Playing the free games from Kraft, there were multiple times it called for both up and down, or both left and right. It registered the move no problem. On the boat game, it also would not register the combo move without actually stepping on both positions. Not sure about the angle thing though, where someone said down and left would produce an angle move. Overall, it was very cool, and my kids and their freinds loved it. When I unplugged it from my laptop though, there was a LARGE static discharge from the USB connector to my hand. Not sure if this will cause a problem to the PC or not. I suspect not, as the USB connector does carry a ground, so the static might have just been from picking up the pad and folding it.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:05:16 pm »

Just tested it out, and yeah, in the software, they DID do two combinations of UP+DOWN or LEFT+RIGHT... I wonder why it works in their software and not in Stepmania.

albybum · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2006, 12:11:12 am »

Since this device is seen in windows as a joystick, has anyone tried it in combination with the JoyToKey program and successfully mapped the controls to keyboard actions?

http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm

I ordered one, but I haven't received it yet.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2006, 08:30:59 am »

Never heard of JoyToKey, so I'll try it right now. Thanks!

thebrownshow · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2006, 08:45:33 am »

It remaps the inputs, but the remapped inputs suffer the same problem... whatever I remap UP and DOWN to can't be pressed at the same time.

seanp · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2006, 09:36:47 am »

When using joy2key, and you press up+left at the same time, does it show up as a single keypress? I'm wondering if up+left really registers as the diagonal button, so that you have eight discreet entries, and not any combinations. I got mine yesterday, but haven't had time to mess with it - I'll try and check it out tonight.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2006, 11:35:11 am »

I didn't even bother checking the diagonals, since simultaneous opposites didn't work, but I'll try and check it out tonight.

rfryar · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:18:15 am »

I have this pad and two inputs work just fine in step mainia 3.9. At times the buttons can be a bit tough to hit like my down button is hard to hit but all the combs work for me with my kraft pad.

Rick

thebrownshow · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:51:56 am »

That's odd, maybe I should try actually playing the game, until now, I had just been using the "Test Input" mode under the options screen. While testing, Stepmania only indicates that one direction is being pressed, not both.

Can you confirm that you get the same behavior as I do? I had just about given up on using the pad for now.

rfryar · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:44:11 am »

I will try the test mode tonight and report back.

Although I am beginning to think that there are multiple versions of the Kraft DDR pad since so many people have stated they can not get two buttons to work with their pad and I have not had any problems.

Regards,

Rick

Necro · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2006, 11:09:53 am »

From what I've read, the pad uses axis and not 'buttons' for input. So, pressing left throws the one axis all the way left. So pressing right is impossible. In the kraft games it recognizes it fine (basically, hitting one button of the two combo will give you the same result as hitting two at once).

The stepmania pages on mats might be a good place for more info.

thebrownshow · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2006, 11:45:23 am »

I actually updated Stepmania's wiki (http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Dance_Pads) regarding the Kraft Pad having the axis problem earlier this week. Since then, someone posted that "it can be easily opened up to cross the wires and make the arrows map to buttons instead."

Not a whole lot of info there, and I asked about it on the discussion page there, after searching the web like crazy and finding nothing. Anyone want to give it a shot?

_Iz- · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2006, 12:54:56 pm »

I already have a dance pad from a different manufacturer. Anyone know if the Kraft Rockin the boat game will work with a pad that isn't Kraft's? It looks like it would be fun for my 4 and 5 year old... (I'm at work right now, if I get no response then I'll just try it myself when I get home)

Necro · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2006, 02:04:31 pm »

Ok, I dont TOTALLY get it, but what I think is (as talked about here: http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Joystick_Axes_Problem) is that you can open and hack the pad so that the diagonals become the x/y axis and the u/d/l/r arrows become buttons so...it would work.

I think thats what it means. Basically wire rerouting.

rfryar · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2006, 06:09:32 pm »

Ok, I have completely tested my pad and here is what I found...

1) Everyone is correct that since this pad uses the "Hat" switch from the joystick you can not have both key presses at once.
2) The test mode correctly shows this behavior
3) That being said it is possible to get comb moves to work right and stepmania does recognize them on this pad under certain conditions.

So as a novice player in lower bpm games combo moves seem to work fine. This is due to the fact that if you do not land on the pad at the same time the pad will register left and then a split second later register right and it will count as a combo. But as the BBM increases this does not register as a combo anymore.

So if you are a novice player combos work, but an moderate to advanced player they do not work anymore. I think I will either mod the pad or just use it as a platform for constructing my own pad with the diags.

Rick

Necro · « **Reply #30 on:** February 04, 2006, 11:59:34 am »

LEt us know if you get it working right and all, I def. want a pad and my wife would love one (If anyone can suggest a decent cheap pad that works well...would appreciate a suggestion

)

lustreking · « **Reply #31 on:** February 04, 2006, 01:56:20 pm »

It looks like the deal on this pad ended Jan 30.

-S

ChodTheWacko · « **Reply #32 on:** February 04, 2006, 02:18:20 pm »

Quote from: Necro on February 04, 2006, 11:59:34 am

LEt us know if you get it working right and all, I def. want a pad and my wife would love one (If anyone can suggest a decent cheap pad that works well...would appreciate a suggestion )

An excellent pad at a reasonable price is this one:
http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/44/VG-DDR-ULTDX/

A thick pad is a hundred times better than thin one, especially if you start playing any doubles (one person, two pads).

Necro · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2006, 10:22:10 am »

Thanks CTW, I'll look into that one. $50 seems reasonable for a well built pad. The wife would love one.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #34 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:00:35 pm »

For anyone that might wish to, some info on modding these pads can be found here: http://www.bemanistyle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24053&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

PetitMorte · « **Reply #35 on:** February 09, 2006, 10:45:15 am »

Also, there's a discussion and a how-to on moving the contacts from hat-switch to unused button contacts.

http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=108

thebrownshow · « **Reply #36 on:** February 09, 2006, 10:53:51 am »

Thanks for the info, guys. Maybe this weekend I'll crack mine open again and take a second look. Seems like it shouldn't be that hard...

lustreking · « **Reply #37 on:** February 14, 2006, 05:14:24 pm »

Anybody here have any luck hacking this thing yet?

-S

thebrownshow · « **Reply #38 on:** February 14, 2006, 05:59:36 pm »

I've had it cracked open a few times to look at the connections, and posted a few times over on the MAKE blog, but I'm waiting for a bit more info before I start slicing.

Anybody know anything about the four wires coming off of the PCB? Here's the wiring diagram for the pad-side (courtesy of the stepmania site).. but I'd like to know about the USB side.

lustreking · « **Reply #39 on:** February 14, 2006, 09:39:01 pm »

Ouch! I just cracked mine open and it doesn't look easy to work with. It looks like we'll need to cut and solder to the traces on the pcb since there are no 'wires' leading from the pad to the pcb.

-S

thebrownshow · « **Reply #40 on:** February 18, 2006, 01:14:21 pm »

From the Make forum:
http://kraftpad.tripod.com/

Necro · « **Reply #41 on:** February 18, 2006, 02:20:44 pm »

Damn...figures this comes out after the offers over

TheCaptain · « **Reply #42 on:** February 18, 2006, 02:53:10 pm »

Someone please play Robotron with it. So cool.

meltman · « **Reply #43 on:** January 10, 2007, 11:20:07 am »

The offer is good again, but only costs $6 now!

Just stumbled upon this and thought I'd let everyone know.

nostrebor · « **Reply #44 on:** January 10, 2007, 12:05:29 pm »

THANKS!

Ordered one for my little girl. she will be all smiles.

Zeppo · « **Reply #45 on:** January 11, 2007, 09:39:53 am »

Does it still suffer from the same problems, or do we need to hack it to make it work?

Chris · « **Reply #46 on:** January 11, 2007, 10:49:42 am »

Thanks for the heads up! My daughter will love this!

meltman · « **Reply #47 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:38:05 pm »

Quote from: Zeppo on January 11, 2007, 09:39:53 am

Does it still suffer from the same problems, or do we need to hack it to make it work?

Probably have to hack. I'll let everyone know when I get it.

Chris · « **Reply #48 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:45:17 pm »

I doubt they would go to the expense of redesigning it and re-programming their games just so we could use them for other projects...

mvolke1 · « **Reply #49 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:51:50 pm »

I got one of these for my girlfriend for her birthday. The game play sucks, but do you think there's any hacking it?:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130053018111&rd=1&rd=1

meltman · « **Reply #50 on:** January 25, 2007, 12:37:11 pm »

I just got mine yesterday.

Yep, still have to hack it.

Not too bad for $6 total expense though.


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