turbotwist 2 choice - USB vs PS/2

[Chris G]

I would like to do at least one of them as PS/2.  Doesn't matter to me which.  If I can only do one, any recommendations (trackball vs spinner)?

[I'm single-handledly going to cause Randy to rethink this high level of customer service he provides. ]

[u_rebelscum]

I still would appreciate input about different mouse speeds not effecting mame, though...

I have to admit, I don't yet fully understand the dynamic between XP and MAME.  It's possible that the mouse input code on newer versions of MAME aren't affected by the desktop settings, or it may be an XP thing. 

But if you are seeing no differences in MAME with higher pointer speeds under XP,  apparently there is something very different as opposed to how it works with 98SE and 2K.  I just did a quick test under 98SE and 2K...

I will conduct the same tests under XP (with the same MAME version) to see if the desktop settings are used or ignored.  But they do make a big difference under 2K and 98SE.

Thanks for testing, Randy!


One funny thing is that different parts in MS documentation of directInput say that it should not make a difference.  IIRC, most mice I tested on my Win9x systems years ago agreed, however, with your test results.  But one or two mice didn't, and instead matched MS's documents.  I thought it was dependent on the driver used, not the physical mouse, but I couldn't prove it.

Other thing to note is mame (now) uses RawInput in XP, which might be where the differences are, not the OS exactly.  IOW, if mame went back to directInput, XP might behave the same as 98 in spinner speeds; I though it did before the switch.

[rockin_rick]

Other thing to note is mame (now) uses RawInput in XP, which might be where the differences are, not the OS exactly.  IOW, if mame went back to directInput, XP might behave the same as 98 in spinner speeds; I though it did before the switch.

Do you know what version of MAME made the transition from DirectInput to RawInput?

Does MAME fallback to DirectInput if the OS is not XP (and thus RawInput is not available)?

Rick

[Silver]

  I have written my findings on this in the past and have mentioned that it should be put in a faq somewhere, but never has as far as I can tell. 

Paraphrased and shoved on a page in the wiki. Hope thats cool.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Info_on_Serial/PS2/USB_Mouse_%27Polling%27

Incidentally you have a page on setting up analog conrtols/multiple mice in mame somewhere? I'm sure I saw one designed for the recent anaolg changes to mame, but I may have imagined it. That could be good on the wiki....

[u_rebelscum]

Do you know what version of MAME made the transition from DirectInput to RawInput?

Does MAME fallback to DirectInput if the OS is not XP (and thus RawInput is not available)?

#1  0.104u5 was the first, but there were fixes in later versions.

#2  Yes.  In fact, it's coded so that if there's only one mouse, it falls back to DI.  For example, w2k can use RI but since w2k is limited to only one mouse, it always falls back to DI.

[Tiger-Heli]

Incidentally you have a page on setting up analog conrtols/multiple mice in mame somewhere? I'm sure I saw one designed for the recent anaolg changes to mame, but I may have imagined it. That could be good on the wiki....

Actually, setting up multiple USB mice in the latest MAME is dead simple.

Set

mouse  1
paddle_device            mouse
dial_device               mouse
trackball_device          mouse
lightgun_device           mouse

in MAME ini.

Plug in both mice.

Start MAME (any game)

Tab - Inputs (all Games).

Player 1 Controls - Trackball X - Press enter and spin Mouse 1 horizontally
Player 1 Controls - Trackball Y - Press enter and spin Mouse 1 vertically
Player 2 Controls - Trackball X - Press enter and spin Mouse 2 horizontally
Player 2 Controls - Trackball Y - Press enter and spin Mouse 2 vertically

Similar for dial, paddle, and lightgun if desired.

Thanks Derrick for implementing this!!!!

[langdoguk]

This is all a bit technical for me  , but would the TURBO TWIST 2 work with the MINIPAC and how hard would it be to wire up ?
Also should I buy it with the Energy Storage Cylinder , I plan on getting the steering wheel also the big blue , and maybe the Token Top.
I've never used a spinner (well not for about 15 years ) but plan on adding one to my new CP.
Any help would be great , but pleeeze keep it simple 

[Derrick Renaud]

Another interesting piece to the polling rate puzzle.

While looking into why the Tempest spinner control broke in 113u2, I found out the game polls the controls 246 times a second.  Being a vector game, there is no vblank to poll at so it sets its own poll timer.

So that means you really do need to use a USB interface with the XP poll rate switching program I mentioned earlier to set the rate to 250 - 500.  500 would be best.  But 250 is still OK.  Only 4 of the 246 game polls would contain 2 windows polls, the rest would be 1:1.

Using a PS2 at 200Hz polling, then 46 of the games 246 polls would be 0 or unchanged from the last poll.

Some people may not notice the difference, just like some people can't hear the distortion when their stereo is turned up too loud.  But for the ultimate in smooth emulated behaviour, you need 250+ poll rate, so the data is available when the game requests it.

And yes, Tempest should be fixed for 113u3.

Silver...
You might want to mention some of this on the Wiki page too.  And change "gbe" in the 3rd paragraph to "be".   Thanks.

D.

[Kremmit]

Randy - What is the chance of you putting together a list of popular spinner games with the correct sensitivity setting so us TT2 customers can set our cabinets up as close to arcade authentic as possible??!?

There are a couple of problems with this.  The first one is that this info barely exists.  Derrick Renaud asked for some help in compiling this info a while back, but I think he only came up with a couple of games worth.

Ughh.  I think I came up with the "couple games worth", but I also think I promised to get some more, and then forgot about it entirely.  That was around Christmastime, work kicks my butt that time of year.  It's kicking my butt now too, but I'll try to get on this project again soon.

[Encryptor]

Randy, Anyone?

I've looked at several threads on the tt2 looking for different sensitivity settings and have found several. Thanks to those that posted them.

My question is what should the Digital Speed setting be on that same analog controls menu where you set the sensitivity?

Encryptor

[ahofle]

My question is what should the Digital Speed setting be on that same analog controls menu where you set the sensitivity?

Encryptor

That setting is irrelevant if you have a spinner.  It is only for using a digital device like a joystick in lieu of a spinner.  It basically tells MAME how fast to 'spin' when you press 'right' on the joystick for example.

[Encryptor]

Ok that's good. Thanks for the info.

Encryptor