IPAC / KeyWiz

[SavannahLion]

I'm agonizing over the differences between the IPAC and KeyWiz.

Here's what I've targeting so far.

I'm aiming for a modular panel design. Possibly based on Docs design, but more research is required.
It'll be for a four players CP (big family).
I would like to minimize or entirely leave off aditional admin controls.
I haven't decided on the Motherboard yet so there's no guarantee I'll actually buy one with legacy ports ie PS/2.

I'm trying to keep design options open as long as possible when building. I've got the information for the IPAC4 but I don't have much for the Keywiz. I'm betting this information is staring me right in the face and I'll look like an ass after this posting.

How, exactly is the Shift / Shazaam button for both controllers actually wired?

I understand the IPAC Shift button is actually the Player 1 button in order to keep the button count down.

Is the KeyWiz Shazaam configured the same way? I read about people who have a dedicated admin button and others that don't. I'm thinking this is the difference between the two controllers, but I want to be certain.

Basically, what I'm asking is, if I wire a CP harnass up, is it going to be compatible with either IPAC or KeyWiz?

I'm leaning towards the Keywiz because I figure the extra inputs would come in handy if I purchase two (for a four player panel) over a single Ipac4.

[Kaytrim]

One thing to keep in mind.  The KeyWiz is a PS2 keyboard connection.  You only have one PS2 keyboard connection on a computer.  What is recommended in the situation of a 4-player config is to get one KeyWiz and one GPWiz.  The GPWiz is USB and can be used for players 3 and 4 while the KeyWiz could be used for players 1 and 2.

I would highly recommend at least 2 admin buttons.  One to escape out of a game and the other dedicated to the Shazam function.  Personally I have more admin buttons but this is to make it easier to use for my kids and guests.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[SavannahLion]

Oops, sorry. I really meant KeyWiz/GP-Wiz inclusive. I wrote that pretty late at night and I had a bit of a party going on all day.

I haven't settled on a final configuration for the PC and I don't really intend to select my PC components until I get near the end of the build. The test PC I'm testing against is essentially legacy free, no PS/2, Serial or Parallel. (in a minute, you'll see why that sucks in a way)

There's a shop here that sells smallish bare touch pads and touch screen LCD's for $30 or lower. I'm researching the feasibility of using them as admin interfaces. They're about the right size for those instruction placards on arcades so I figure it'd be pretty cool to utilize them for instructions that change on the fly between games. If the LCD's are a no go, the shop has smallish ~3x5" sheets of touchpad with (I think) a controller so I can print up instructions and hide the admin controls behind them. It depends if I can understand circuitry design enough to hack them with a PC's USB port.

[Kaytrim]

You'll need more that just knowledge or circuitry.  You will also need to know device level programming and driver programming to get the LCD touchscreen to talk to the PC as if it were a keyboard.  Good luck with that because it sounds like a real cool device that we all could use. 

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[shorthair]

I was just going to say - that's a cool idea.  If you get it worked out, could you give the name of the company?

[SavannahLion]

Good luck with that because it sounds like a real cool device that we all could use. 

And of course I opened by big fat mouth and someone with more skillz like RandyT will come along, build a much better version and slam it out to market before I could even get it past prototyping. 

[SavannahLion]

Note: Nothing personally against RandyT. He's the only name I can remember offhand.

[Kaytrim]

And this would be right up his alley.  However now that you have said it maybe he'll let you work on it because he has enough irons in the fire already.