iPac2 - how does the USB work?

[benarcade]

I want to build a controller, and it looks like the iPac2 is the way to go.  I'm wondering though - how does it plug into the USB port? I see ps/2 outputs only. And is it like the x-Arcade, where it's REQUIRED that I plug in a keyboard - or can I get a standard ps/2 to USB converter and plug it straight in?

[patrickl]

When you order it make sure to chooose the USB cable. This cable has a PS/2 plug on one end and a USB on the other.

[Flip_Willie]

Ditto on what Patrickl said.  Also, You don't need to have a keyboard pluged in because the computer recognizes the Ipac 2 as a keyboard type device.  Here is picture if you are still unclear.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[benarcade]

Why would anyone get it without the USB?

[Scumgriever]

Why would anyone get it without the USB?

I'm not sure that the cable is anything different from a standard USB to PS2 converter is it? If thats the case then lots of people have boxfulls of cables and converters lying around and may not want another.

[Flip_Willie]

    Some computers don't have many USB ports, and since the ipac has a ps/2 keyboard passthrough, it doesn't take up any extra slots at all.  The USB cable is like $2 extra dollars, too.

    Plus, the PS/2 cable is a lot longer than the USB cable.  (Atleast when I bought them).

    One big down side to getting the PS/2 cable is that a computer can only detect the Ipac (a PS/2 device) on boot up.  So if you have it unplugged and your computer is on, you would have to reboot to get it to work.  Kinda sucks actually.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[patrickl]

Why would anyone get it without the USB?

I'm not sure that the cable is anything different from a standard USB to PS2 converter is it? If thats the case then lots of people have boxfulls of cables and converters lying around and may not want another.

It is not a USB to PS2 converter cable. The ipac switches between USB and PS/2. The cable just connects it to the right connector.

Besides a PS/2 to USB keyboard convertor is not something many people will have laying around. Maybe you are confusing this with the ones for mice?

[benarcade]

Is there any downside to going with the iPac2? I've heard of people frying their controller by plugging in at the wrong time. Does the iPac2 have that problem?

[Flip_Willie]

   I have had my I-Pac 2 for a quite a long time, and I have never had trouble with it at all.   Provided you wire up the buttons and joysticks correctly, you shouldn't have any problems with it.

   Basically, the only downside to the I-Pac 2 is the price  (In my opinion anyway).  Randy T at www.GroovyGameGear.com sells the keywiz Eco, which is basically the same, just a lot cheaper.  ( I have never tried it myself though).

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[penjuin]

Is there any downside to going with the iPac2? I've heard of people frying their controller by plugging in at the wrong time. Does the iPac2 have that problem?

The frying you have heard of is actually the frying of the keyboard controller on the motherboard of the computer. This can happen if you keep plugging and unplugging a ps/2 keyboard or mouse. Thus anything that uses a ps/2 port has this problem.

I have an ipac4, and have never had a problem with it; it is a great piece of hardware.

Also, you mentioned using a ps/2 -> usb converter. That is not a good idea. The ipac has been designed so that it can have as many keystrokes as possible at once and thus needs to use its own usb configuration. If you use that converter, you will inhibit your encoder to only 6 keys at one time. That may be ok for small games, but a street fighter like game with two players might get hectic. You need to use the patch cable for maximum performance. As a point of comparison, the ps/2 port can take 20 keystrokes at once iirc.

Hope I helped!

-penjuin

[RandyT]

The frying you have heard of is actually the frying of the keyboard controller on the motherboard of the computer. This can happen if you keep plugging and unplugging a ps/2 keyboard or mouse. Thus anything that uses a ps/2 port has this problem.

Well, not really.  This, for the most part, hasn't been an issue for motherboards made in the last 8-10 years.  My test system, for example, is an extreme case,  having been hotplugged on the PS/2 port many thousands of times and never had a problem.

Also, you mentioned using a ps/2 -> usb converter. That is not a good idea. The ipac has been designed so that it can have as many keystrokes as possible at once and thus needs to use its own usb configuration. If you use that converter, you will inhibit your encoder to only 6 keys at one time. That may be ok for small games, but a street fighter like game with two players might get hectic.

This is correct.  PS/2 to USB converters are generally a bad idea for most games.  They aren't designed for the task.

As a point of comparison, the ps/2 port can take 20 keystrokes at once iirc.

This is absolutely incorrect.  The PS/2 port has no limitation on simultaneous keystrokes.  USB, however, does.

RandyT

[Scumgriever]

Why would anyone get it without the USB?

I'm not sure that the cable is anything different from a standard USB to PS2 converter is it? If thats the case then lots of people have boxfulls of cables and converters lying around and may not want another.

It is not a USB to PS2 converter cable. The ipac switches between USB and PS/2. The cable just connects it to the right connector.

Besides a PS/2 to USB keyboard convertor is not something many people will have laying around. Maybe you are confusing this with the ones for mice?

Wait, so does that mean that the converter that I have, (similar to this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=776087&CatId=469 ), that came with a keyboard will not work with the IPAC? What is the diferent about the cord that I got with the IPAC?

[rdowdy95]

I plan on buying the IPAC2 PS/2 version.  How long is the PS/2 cable that comes with this thing?

[penjuin]

@RandyT, thanks for correcting me.

Unless the ipac uses a specific kind of wiring in the adapter, you should be able to use the one linked.

The cable my ipac came with was about 1m.

[shardian]

I plan on buying the IPAC2 PS/2 version.  How long is the PS/2 cable that comes with this thing?

6' , I believe.

[patrickl]

Why would anyone get it without the USB?

I'm not sure that the cable is anything different from a standard USB to PS2 converter is it? If thats the case then lots of people have boxfulls of cables and converters lying around and may not want another.

It is not a USB to PS2 converter cable. The ipac switches between USB and PS/2. The cable just connects it to the right connector.

Besides a PS/2 to USB keyboard convertor is not something many people will have laying around. Maybe you are confusing this with the ones for mice?

Wait, so does that mean that the converter that I have, (similar to this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=776087&CatId=469 ), that came with a keyboard will not work with the IPAC? What is the diferent about the cord that I got with the IPAC?

I don't know if that will work. I never tried them. Would be good to know if it will work though. It seems to be based on the same principle (wiring either the USB or PS/2 controller from a device). It only works for devices wich support both USB and PS/2 so perhaps it is wired the same way.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about an actual convertor with a processor inside. There are convertors that will connect a PS/2 keyboard to a USB port.

I simply bought both cables

[AndyWarne]

Just to clear this up: The converter linked will work. These converters are supplied with dual-interface mice and keyboards which, like the I-PAC, detect the type of interface which is in use and switch accordingly. These are simply plug adaptors.
The type of converter to avoid are the ones which have active circuitry which converts a PS/2 signal into USB. There are two problems with these, firstly they are limited in terms of keypresses and also they cancel any held-down keys after a couple of seconds, in order to avoid stuck keys on the USB interface which would cause an infinite repeating key on the PC. This is not good at all for gameplay!
Andy

[Fozzy The Bear]

The type of converter to avoid are the ones which have active circuitry which converts a PS/2 signal into USB. There are two problems with these, firstly they are limited in terms of keypresses......

Sorry Andy.... I know you're trying to clear this up but you just confused me even more.

Are you saying that a non "active" converter allows the same pottentially infinite keypresses to be registered  over a USB port, that you get when it's pluged into a PS2 Port?

If you are, then something doesn't quite add up. I always thought that a USB port could only handle 6 simultanious keypresses no matter what you're feeding it.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[patrickl]

How do you read that? He says that it (active converter) has the problem that they are "limited in terms of keypresses".

[Scumgriever]

Just a quick update, I just tested my IPAC 4 with the 'converter' similar to the one I linked above and like Andy said, it works perfectly, exactly as it does with the cable supplied with the IPAC. 

Could be handy for someone.