Ultimarc Easter closure and I-PAC new features!

[Andy Warne]

Hi All,

Just advance notice we will be closed from 1-15th April.
Still in contact by email though.

Then we re-open with these goodies:

56-input Ipac.
New I-PAC features: An interactive programming mode which needs no host software. The I-PAC communicates using "virtual typing" to the PC, running Notepad or DOS. Keys can be re-assigned using the control panel buttons and the keyboard.
New test mode: Displays any pressed or stuck keys and the codes to which they are assigned. No host software needed.
Code listing: Displays all inputs and the codes assigned.
These features will be on the 28 input version (no price increase!) and the new 56-input version ($65)
The new 56-input board has 2 CPUs with all inputs interrupt-driven with independent de-bounce counters. 2 separately programmable shift buttons.
Also a range of joysticks and buttons and a wiring kit with various coloured wire and terminals plus a crimp tool included.
All launching April 16th.

[aramis]

So how about an "upgrade" package to those of us with the current 28 input version?  

I know that's not really a fair question, but I had to be the first to ask.  

(I would be happy staying w/ 28 inputs, but would like the new soft since I run XP)

Oh, one other thing...you said "The new 56-input board has 2 CPUs with all inputs interrupt-driven with independent de-bounce counters."...is this a different architecture (i.e. improvement) over the current 28-input IPAC? Or just something that was necessary when upping to 56?

[joe]

yeah some sort of upgrade package sounds nice. i understand if its not possible.

[JustMichael]

Any particular reason for April 16th?  Over here, that is the day after our national income tax is due by.

[Andy Warne]

This is not really possible unfortunately as the economics just don't work out! It's not really an upgrade, just a different product. I envisage most people continuing to order the 28-input version.

yeah some sort of upgrade package sounds nice. i understand if its not possible.

[RingDawg]

Great, I can not wait to get the 56 input I-Pac in my hands.  So please do tell, for all of us crazy freaks that like to Connect Lots & Lots of buttons and controls, sould you still connect 2 of the 56 input I-Pacs together?  As easy a daisy chain as the old ones?

[darkmanx]

doesnt it just figure that like a week after i get mine there is a newer better version out.  :-/

[Frobozz]

Hey, I simpathize.  I just got mine Saturday  

[ArcadEd]

Hey Andy, I assume this means no orders from the 1st to the 15.  Damn, just when I get back from the expo and predict I am going to need a few.

Oh well, I will order 3 or 4 now and play it by day after that.  Thanks for the warning.

[TheManuel]

Will you still be working on a software update for those of us who still have the now old IPAC?

By update I mean a fix for the software to run in XP.

I am only curious, I will understand if this does not happen.

[Lilwolf]

I love the new configuration!  Sounds GREAT!

I do have a question.  Will you be able to save the current settings (ie, get everythign perfect for zinc and then save it... then later you can just run a setup_for_zinc.bat taht you created and it's configured?)

[joe]

quote:
This is not really possible unfortunately as the economics just don't work out! It's not really an upgrade, just a different product. I envisage most people continuing to order the 28-input version.


its cool, i understand. thanks for such a great product.

[Andy Warne]

To answer some questions: Daisy-chaining 2 56 input boards, wow I cannot imagine why but there is no reason why not, except finding enough different key-codes to use might be a problem!

The interactive programming mode does not replace the existing programming utility, because it does not allow codes to be saved and downloaded on-the-fly. It does make it easy though to re-configure the board permanently, especially when only a few keys have to be changed.
We are still committed to the programming utility and getting a version which works in XP but this is proving technically very difficult as Microsoft not only bar direct I/O port access but also any writes to system devices such as keyboard and mouse, from a user program. The solution is being designed at the moment, by one of the world's top experts in the driver field (he has even written books about Windows drivers) so we'll get there! Once this problem is overcome, the actual win32 application needs to be written but this is probably the easy part!

[1UP]

Good thing I keep an extra boot of Win98 installed (more than a few of my devices and programs don't like XP   ) so I can still switch over for Ipac programming!  

56 inputs, eh?  Don't know what I'd do with all those!  28 with a bunch of redundant buttons (pinball flippers, trigger sticks, 4way sticks etc) is more than enough for me!  Would sure like the built-in keystroke programming though...  :-/ sigh, just 4 months too early...

[Elkor]

Hey Andy!  

those japanese joysticks might be just what I am looking for! (see joysticks thread here in the main forum)

do you have any specs on them yet?!  (mount depth, 4way, 8way, (different color balls!))  let me know, as I was just about to put in a jpac order so as to beat the closure date but I may put it off in order to get the joysticks (and buttons and stuff).  Hope you are getting a big stock too, because if these fit the bill they are probably going to go fast (and I may want first shot!)

-C