I-PAC shift function vs. KeyWiz Shazaam Function for Howard C.

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eightbit:

--- Quote from: Howard_Casto on February 19, 2003, 06:15:09 pm ---Exactly! Your not getting it... one single extra key is too many. There isn't a "function" key on a real arcade machine and thus there isn't a function key on my control panel. I'm guessing that this adaptor costs something, in which case the keywiz doesn't have the cost advantage anymore.

As I said, it's worse......

--- End quote ---
Diffferent is a fact, worse is a matter of opinion. Another fact, there are function keys on arcade machines, just not on the control panel.

With Randys adapter you don't even need a dedicated function key. So it becomes a mute point. If the adapter is additional $'s to avoid the dedicated key the keywiz still retains the significant savings advantage. Even with enough "adapters" to do a 4 player panel the keywiz is still likely to be cheaper than a 2p Ipac, but we'll have to wait to confirm that till they are actually available to be ordered.

u_rebelscum:
Sounds to me like the adapter is just a simple, pre-built Y-adapter to plug the button into two of keywiz's ports: a "normal" button port and the "shazzam" button port. Just like hard wiring a button to player1 coin & p1 start on the ipac. Is this right?

my $0.02:
I don't mean this as flamebait but...
IMO, the shift and shazaam keys are almost useless in mame, since they're just doing something in hardware that mame can do in software. Others have already posted in this thread that you can remap the keys in mame to do the same thing. The hotrodse and it's ctrlr ini is a example of mame doing almost the same thing as those special keys do, without a special key, and with more flexabilty. It defulats to P1 coin + P1 start equivelent to TAB, and P2 coin + P2 start equiv ESC.
UI_CONFIGURE "KEYCODE_TAB | KEYCODE_1 KEYCODE_3"
UI_CANCEL "KEYCODE_ESC | KEYCODE_2 KEYCODE_4"

Now, inside FE's and outside of mame in general, shift/shazaam can be very useful. For example, you can get alt-F4 output, with the special keys to exit programs & windows without having to wire a special key for F4. In these cases, I like the idea of a key that only shifts/shazaams, small and hidden out of the way. *shrug*

creepfactory:
Sooooooooooo How much is the Keywiz, and are they READY, tested and working. I am sorry but the Ipac WORKS, Andy is GREAT on getting stuff out, and man it is just plain proven. Maybe Keywiz will be the next ultimarc, but maybe they will be the next T-stick or other companies that can't deliver. I am not saying Keywiz can't deliver, just has not yet, and you can get an Ipac TODAY ordered and in your hands in a few days. Not trying to be a spoil sport and I encourage competition, but the site isnt near finished either, Andys is up and running for a long time, I personally wouldn't put up a site untill all of it is up, but I am willing to try the Keywiz, but can't find if its for sale yet or where to buy. But keeping optimistic!

SirPoonga:

--- Quote from: creepfactory on February 19, 2003, 09:40:41 pm ---Sooooooooooo How much is the Keywiz, and are they READY, tested and working. I am sorry but the Ipac WORKS, Andy is GREAT on getting stuff out, and man it is just plain proven. Maybe Keywiz will be the next ultimarc, but maybe they will be the next T-stick or other companies that can't deliver. I am not saying Keywiz can't deliver, just has not yet, and you can get an Ipac TODAY ordered and in your hands in a few days. Not trying to be a spoil sport and I encourage competition, but the site isnt near finished either, Andys is up and running for a long time, I personally wouldn't put up a site untill all of it is up, but I am willing to try the Keywiz, but can't find if its for sale yet or where to buy. But keeping optimistic!

--- End quote ---

SMACK!

Keywiz is brand new, released, what, 1-2 weeks ago. It's in the US, you will get it in your hands faster than an IPAC if you live in the US.

Did you not see the annoucement on the main page that the keywiz is ready? Click on the www link on RandyT's profile.

SirPoonga:

--- Quote from: u_rebelscum on February 19, 2003, 09:03:41 pm ---Now, inside FE's and outside of mame in general, shift/shazaam can be very useful. For example, you can get alt-F4 output, with the special keys to exit programs & windows without having to wire a special key for F4. In these cases, I like the idea of a key that only shifts/shazaams, small and hidden out of the way. *shrug*

--- End quote ---

Or map to keys you normally don't use in mame but in other arcade or pc software.

I have P1B1 mapped to Enter (very useful) and the shift to tab which is also very useful outside of mame.

When does mame recognize the input, on the keypress?
so in mame say, like me, you have pause as your shift function on the ipac. In mame to do tab on my cp I just use shift p1b1 on the ipac. if it was mapped in mame to do the same thing but in software it would pause the game first. Soemthing I don't want as we know the issues with pausing a game and configing controls.

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