Author Topic: Multiple Control Panel question. (Read 3046 times)

Gatsu · « **on:** February 18, 2007, 01:06:15 pm »

Whats up guys and gals.

Been a while since I posted last....gonna try to post more often. But anyways.

I've started gathering parts for new arcade project. I'm building small and somewhat portable arcade console.

It'll work something like the Super Nova arcade system since its small, self-contained and hooks to regular tvs through S-video. Except Im gonna use a PC running DOS and Mamewah instead of Jamma system.

I've got the guts figured out and the parts ordered...but I need an idea for the controllers.

I wanna have plugs for up to 4 individual arcade sticks. Since its DOS then USB is out. What plug should I use for the controllers? PS/2 would be out as well wouldn't it? What are my options?

Here's the site Im kinda using to base my design off of. I'll spiffy it up with custom artwork of course.

http://www.massystems.com/SuperNOVA.html

Thanks muchly.

Gatsu · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:21:03 pm »

I've read through the controls portion of the site and couldn't find what I was looking for help-wise.

So here is my basic problem and a possible solution. But I need input as to whether or not it can be done.

I want 4 ports/inputs for 4 joysticks. Is this possible using a card like an iPac and a PS/2 slot? If so, is there a splitter that can take change the single input into 4? And are there any potential problems with that?

thanks.

SavannahLion · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:25:10 pm »

Is switching to Linux an option? Then you can regain the use of the USB ports.

I've read that you can daisy chain one of the controllers, but I can't remember which one since I'm still doing my research on them.

Gatsu · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:26:39 pm »

it would be an option if I knew how to use it...but I have no friggin clue how to use Linux.

shardian · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:29:59 pm »

Why exactly are you wanting to use DOS? Go with windows for sure.
As multiple controllers, you could do gamepad hacks for each controller. However, to simplify connections to the main box you could have one main control panel with an ipac 4 in it, and then have Parallel port breakout connections to plug the other 3 control panels into the 1p control panel. The controls would always be dedicated, and you could plug any panel into an open slot as you need to.

Gatsu · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:32:29 pm »

Runs faster in DOS though doesnt it?

And I didnt want the windows boot screens and whatnot to be viewable. Unless theres a way to display a boot "video" or something instead of the actual windows interface.

shardian · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:39:36 pm »

If you have an old computer, DOS can give you performance increases. However, since you are wanting to play 4p games you will need a decent computer so DOS is unnecessary and would add alot of unneccessary setup work to your project.
Windows 98 is almost completely hideable, xp is mostly hideable. There is a good writeup in the WIKI about how to hide windows.
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Hiding_Windows

Gatsu · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:40:57 pm »

thanks man. I guess I'll just do that then. Run Win98 and just hide it.

USB it is then I guess. Thanks alot.

shardian · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2007, 09:44:05 pm »

Definitely USB if you want plug-and play on the fly.

NoOne=NBA= · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:37:52 pm »

Quote from: shardian on February 18, 2007, 09:44:05 pm

Definitely USB if you want plug-and play on the fly.

You can do a hotswap system using a PS/2 keyboard encoder as long as you keep the encoder connected to the PC, and put the hotswap connectors between the controllers and encoder.

That's the basis of most of the modular systems that you see on here.

Gatsu · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:39:14 pm »

Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on February 19, 2007, 06:37:52 pm

Quote from: shardian on February 18, 2007, 09:44:05 pm
Definitely USB if you want plug-and play on the fly.

You can do a hotswap system using a PS/2 keyboard encoder as long as you keep the encoder connected to the PC, and put the hotswap connectors between the controllers and encoder.

That's the basis of most of the modular systems that you see on here.

Yeah but would I be able to hook up 4 joysticks at one time?

SavannahLion · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2007, 12:49:36 am »

Quote from: DarthGatsu on February 19, 2007, 06:39:14 pm

Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on February 19, 2007, 06:37:52 pm
Quote from: shardian on February 18, 2007, 09:44:05 pm
Definitely USB if you want plug-and play on the fly.

You can do a hotswap system using a PS/2 keyboard encoder as long as you keep the encoder connected to the PC, and put the hotswap connectors between the controllers and encoder.

That's the basis of most of the modular systems that you see on here.

Yeah but would I be able to hook up 4 joysticks at one time?

Heck yeah, The IPAC4 would do the trick right out of the gate or some combination of IPAC2 or GGG hardware would work. I don't remember if GGG offers something like the IPAC4 but you can utilize multpile GP-Wizes for 2< joysticks.

shardian · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:21:00 am »

Ah yes, I totally forgot about the gpwiz controllers. That would be IDEAL. Put a no-solder gpwiz in each controller, get a usb hub and you are good to go. The gpwiz's are assigned a number, so they "know" which controller number they are.

Havok · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:40:14 am »

Also, if you go with the P360 joysticks, get Kowal's P360 actuators - I have a set, and man what a difference: much more accurate and easy diagonals. I hated playing Street Fighter and the like, just because I couldn't reliably hit the diagonals, until I installed a set...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57724.0

Gatsu · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2007, 12:41:18 pm »

havent heard of the gpwiz...how does that work? Or better...is it on the iPac website so I can look up the info myself?

thanks.

Problem is though...I allready have some PSOne controllers I was gonna hack for the joysticks and use USB adapters with those....so thats allready set in stone...spent $20 on a bulk ebay auction for 6 controllers....

doh...

shardian · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2007, 12:47:38 pm »

www.groovygamegear.com

Gatsu · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2007, 12:52:22 pm »

Noooooooooooooooooooo! I wasted my money on those damn PSOne controllers! dammit dammit dammit dammit dammit......

So...does anyone need some PSOne controllers? Still new in box.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2007, 12:55:15 pm »

Post over in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum maybe you'll get a bite or two there. The GPWiz cards are excellent to work with I have one for my CP and I haven't had a speck of trouble.

Gatsu · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:23:40 pm »

I'll probably just stick with the PSOne controllers and adapters for now. The money has allready been spent.

And who knows...I can probably sell those online as custom PS2 fighter sticks or something...who knows. And just build more later.

Its not a full cabinet...so its not like Im stuck once I get everything built.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:25:37 pm »

Stick some kicking artwork on them and you could get a nice return on your money.

Gatsu · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:28:14 pm »

oh hell yeah. And I have 6 controllers to screw around with. So Im sure to make at least one someone would buy. lol.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:31:20 pm »

What sticks are you going to use?

Gatsu · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:41:54 pm »

probably gonna go with the HAPP competition or Ultra joystick. Which would you suggest?

Probably go for the Happ buttons as well just to keep the order in one place.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2007, 01:46:17 pm »

As you are hacking a controler I'd go with the competitions. Your best bet is to purchase your stuff from divemaster over in the buy/sell/trade forums. His thread is stickied at the top. He can save you a ton of money over buying direct from Happ. Here is a link to his thread.

Gatsu · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2007, 02:18:55 pm »

thanks alot man. just shot him a PM for a quote.

Gonna be getting alot of buttons and joysticks from him.


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