Keyboard Emulator Question

[mrserv0n]

I bought an I-PAQ4 this is my first cab ever,  I am in the process of ordering the CP components.

I just need some help. the Ipaq4 has 56 inputs.

Joystick x4 =16

1-4 player buttons 7 each = 28

Coin and Start 4 player = 8

Pause = 1
Exit/Back =1

Which Equals 54 . 2 left

Now I am curious to know how the SHIFT command works for this. Does this button need to be HELD down to activate the secondary keys on the CP or can I put a shift key in my remaining open port, Hit that button and have 56 different keys without holding the button down?

Also. I would Ideally like 2 buttons on each side of the CP as well as one in the front for Pinball games. How would this work into my configuration?

Thank you.


Update: I answered my own question for the I-paq4 Shift thing, you have to hold down 1p start key.,. Which screws up my plans.. Looks like my only way out in order to get all the buttons I want is to link it with an I-paq2... Kinda expensive way out...

[BobA]

I think the standard reply is that there are very few if any 4 player games that need 7 buttons so go for 4 buttons for players 3 and 4 to free up some buttons.

[xmenxmen]

I for one debated over and over about the 7 button layout, thinking mostly about neogeo.  I am mainly a fighting game type of guys and after reading tons of post here and there, finally settle with the 6 button layout.  And after putting tons of hours in, I don't miss the 7th button. 

[unclet]

I have 6 buttons for player3 and 6 buttons for player4 and I use them alot for other emulators I have on my cabinet to allow for multiple players (ex: Nintendo64, Sony Playstation, etc..)  as well as some PC Games which need a lot of buttons (ex: Twinsen games).

I think a lot of people are just thinking about how they will be playing "Mame" on the cabinet and not considering that since they spent a lot of time creating a cabinet that it can actually play many many many other emulated games.  I currently have about 40 emulators on my cabinet as well as some PC Games as well.   I know this is crazy, but it is a one time setup for me so now all emulators are available.

Of course I will add more once the Sega Saturn emulation progresses a lot more  ....

[diverdown]

I just need some help. the Ipaq4 has 56 inputs.

Joystick x4 =16

1-4 player buttons 7 each = 28

Coin and Start 4 player = 8

Pause = 1
Exit/Back =1

Which Equals 54 . 2 left

Don't take my reply as gospel because I'm too much of a noob to be right.

But the P1 start = shift key and so the Shift+P2Start= ESC  so that would be 1 button up your sleeve as you dint need a dedicated esc key. (you can actually shift + any other key = pause or esc ) So there would be 2 spare keys.

Now You could also make the shift key a dedicated button , which would use up one of your spares BUT then if you made shift + P1start = coin 1 , Shift + P2 start = coin 2, and same for P3 and P4 start/coin then you will have freed up 3 or 4 buttons.

Or you could  edit mame to make p1 coin = p1 AND p2 coin and P3 coin = P3 AND P4 coin


Now -- rather than buy a ipac2 why not put that same money towards a spinner (i like the GGG one "it's nice"). Because that comes with an optiwiz that gives you three more buttons (i think mouse 1,2 and 3)

Then you would have more buttons than you need.


There are many ways to get more from your IPAC4...... I have one and Ive got more than enough inputs for my setup (my setup is however a WIP so I cant be sure)

[um3k]

But the P1 start = shift key and so the Shift+P2Start= ESC  so that would be 1 button up your sleeve as you dint need a dedicated esc key. (you can actually shift + any other key = pause or esc ) So there would be 2 spare keys.

This is the way the IPAC4 ships (default), and I had to change it.   I don't know how many times we were playing a two player game and both of us went to hit our "start" at the same time - exiting the game!   I'm all for using shifted buttons, but you have to think carefully about using two that would never be pressed at the same time under normal conditions - or using a dedicated shift button.

[diverdown]

I agree.  I personally think a good option is P1 Start + P1 Button4 = Esc  as that way 1 person controlls the ESC feature and you would have to be stupid to press that combination accidental

[richms]

Since you dont need the pinball buttons at the same time as the player 2/3/4 controls, just parallel the buttons up with those and set your emulators up accordingly.