On the software end of the LEDWiz, I have been less than impressed with the functionality of the program Randy has provided. With the two machines I have installed it on, it has had gliches that will sometimes keep the sawing motion from working or from all the lights turning off or on and so on and so forth. My main point is that there appears to be a lot of confusion about the utility and the only reasonable solution is a hybrid version of mame to get it to work properly. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that the hardware is even available. What I don't like is that I have spent $150 for three of these and not having a solid program to use with it. I know the Nvidia chipset is an issue, and that may be my entire problem, but this product isn't exactly new and neither are the issues. I hear rumblings about getting Randy involved in a solution, but I'm not certain the issue is being addressed.
I understand what you are saying, but I think these things require some comments on my part to better put things into perspective.
Flakey operation:There is a known issue with some USB 2.0 cards that use the OHCI. These problems can be avoided currently by:
A) Using an inexpensive 1.0 hub or 1.0 card.
B) Using a USB 2.0 card that uses the UHCI (VIA and others)
C) Using software that talks to the LED-Wiz via MikeQ's excellent LED-Wiz DLL (like PowerMAME)
*edit*
D) Using the GGG OCX or Youki's DLL which has added compatibility features.
Multiple LED-Wiz operation:No LED-Wiz was ever sold promising multi-unit functionality with current GGG software. It is expected to be implemented, but no time tables were ever set. That being said, MikeQ's DLL supports up to 16 units, and that is the only current reason multiple devices are offered. *edit* The GGG OCX is also multi-unit compatible, as is Youki's DLL.
I feel as though the software end of things is oft over looked by Randy.
I'm sorry you feel that way, but I really don't understand it. The software for the LED-Wiz has the following fully functional features:
1) Caps-lock, Num-lock and Scroll-lock Keyboard LED emulation, each of which can be assigned to any output.
2) An editor which allows one to easily create and save animations using any of the LED-Wiz features, and gives real-time control of the outputs. Loading and editing of previously made animation files is not yet supported.
3) The ability to play back animation files with an included command line utility.
4) The ability to control the LED-Wiz from any application or programming language which can talk to the clipboard (even notepad)
5) An OCX to bypass the clipboard and talk directly to the LED-Wiz from VB6 and other ActiveX compatible languages.
And if that weren't enough, there are third party programming tools and software support.
So I guess I'm a little foggy on what is being "over looked".
Like with the GPWiz 49, Sirp's program is the life saver of that product IMHO. Once the automation was introduced, it appeared as though many people in the community jumped on the bandwagon. As I continue the building of my last cabinet, it is these types of issues that give me premature grey hair.
While automation specifically aimed at MAME is a nice feature, it is not required to get the full benefit of the product.
Many people, including myself, were fully enjoying every feature of the GP-Wiz49 long before any of these other programs were made available. With the exception of PowerMAME, any utility to provide "automation" needs to use the software I supply for it to even work. And a number of these other solutions wouldn't even exist if I did not take the time to provide the appropriate information to other developers and work with them when they have questions. Many times, the needs of third parties who make these types of programs are precisely what my design decisions are based on.
I understand that it's easy to perceive something as being overlooked when one expects it to do something it doesn't. But that isn't necessarily the case. Every piece of creative work that has come from GGG thus far came from a single person. From the placement of every single trace on each of the board designs to the logos for the products. So things have to be prioritized for the health of GGG, the demands of the market and for my own sanity
I want to stress, that I have bought hundreds of dollars of equipment off of Randy and I prefer him to most any other vendor. Although this thread is criticizing the software of a couple of his products, I would and will still continue to do business with him and highly recommend his products to anyone in the hobby.
I really appreciate the support. I understand that without customers there would be no GGG, and I try my best to keep them happy. But sometimes I need to make things happen in a little different order than they would like. Eventually though, all reasonable needs will get taken care of if they are within the scope of the product design.
RandyT