Rookie needs help

[lvrodri]

All,

I know you have probably answered this question a million times, so if you can either give me an
answer or direct me to the thread that would answer this I would appreciate this.

If I don't have a touch screen, and you don't want to use the mouse to direct choices on the jukebox software.....
how do you instruct the computer to browse around using "buttons".  What do I need to do?  Am I making sense?

[Space Fractal]

Most keyboard driving jukebox software can beeen of course remapped, and can been buildt directly into a mame cab as well. This mean you can use a keyboard encode and wire to these buttons and intruct the software, what you need it to been.

There are comple of keyboard driving software out here, and they may use defficent type of controls. Some use a keypad system, other can just been used with a normal arcade joystick and few buttons.

Since Im not just would promote my own software (wich is keyboard drivin), you can use wiki to see wich software, that can been used without a touch screen:

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Jukebox_Software

Look for the last tab, wich say wich controls they works with.

Some software may work better with touchscreen rather than keyboard, even it say keyboard on that. Some software it just other way, also work better with keybaord (like my own software).

[MPTech]

I'm still new at this as well, but I think the question was about navigating.

If you are not using a touchscreen, I think your options are: arrow keys (buttons), a joystick, or trackball / mouse.
If you go with the buttons (or joystick) you can wire them to an I-Pac which maps to keyboard "keys".

I'm leaning toward the arrow keys (buttons), because I  think that looks more true to the original JukeBox's with their vintage push buttons.


MPTech 

[Barry Barcrest]

I think SK Jukebox, Arcade Jukebox and Dos/Win Cab are the best ones for keyboard mapping (Using Buttons). Obviously just my opinion try them all the majority in the WIKI are free.

[clanggedin]

In order to control your Jukebox with buttons you either need to hack a keyboard or use a keyboard encoder like "KeyWiz" or  an "Ipac".

The encoders hook up to your PC just like a regular keyboard does, but allows you to hook up your own buttons and assign them to certain keypresses.

I hope I answered your question.

[Space Fractal]

Yes it pretty the same as wire an arcade controllers. It trick the software to think this is a keyboard, hince you can navigate as normal way.

Example my own software Arcade Music Box was setup to MAME defaults, so it could use in a arcade cabinet with a FE installed (FE=Frontend).

It only use a joystick and 1 button (best with 2 so you can parent anytime) to navigate, but as Barcrest say, these other software would also been good to test out. They are all good keyboard controlled software.