Wireless Arcade Controls

[ackbar]

Hi all,

Planning on doing a living room TV arcade set-up with wireless controls.

The idea is that I have a little cart on wheels with the array of arcade controls on top.  So you just roll the cart in front of you and play games, etc.  Below this will be a slide-out keyboard and mouse.  I plan on using an I-PAC to hook up the controls via USB (done this before and happy with result).

So the idea is, get a wireless keyboard, and hook the I-PAC and mouse up to it via the extra USB ports on the keyboard.  Problem is, I can't find a wireless keyboard with extra ports!

Anyone know of one?  A rechargeable one would be ideal.

Failing that, does anyone know of just a wireless USB transmitter, that you could hook any device into (so I'd just hook a regular keyboard with extra ports up to it)?

Thanks in advance!  Been a while since my last cabinet, excited about new one!

[ackbar]

Of course right after I post this, I come up with the correct thing to search for-- "wireless usb hub"

Sorry to bother everyone, I searched for a couple hours last night with no luck.  Seems like the only way to get that epiphany is to make a post and then answer it for yourself!

[saint]

I'd be very curious to see how that works out, concerned with potential wireless lag.

[SavannahLion]

I wasn't aware there were any products that implemented the WUSB protocol yet.

[vrf]

Another (better?) way of going about this would be to hack a couple of wireless Xbox 360 gamepads. They work well under Windows XP. There have been a few such hacks in the PA forum, although I think most of them were the cheaper wired kind.

[NickG]

Belkin was working on a wireless usb hub they were supposed to release early last year but it never took off.  It would probably be to laggy for this anyway it was for port replicator/ printer type stuff.  I had been searching for this type of solution for home theater gaming for a long time.  I second that wireless joysticks hacks may be easier and more reliable than a keyboard hack.  Though, with some older rf wireless keyboard sets you can buy a pair of them and hack only one set, giving you the discrete and analog inputs for your controls and you stilll have a separate wireless keyboard and mouse that uses the same usb receiver as the controls.  Also you have an extra receiver to connect to a cab or a system in another room.

[ackbar]

Thanks, all.  I'll let you know what I end up going with.

[vintagegamer]

Great 'handle' btw..  (I go by FETT on most every other Forum...)   

VINTAGEGAMER

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
I am interested in this too..hacking a wireless control or gamepad to have wireless arcade sticks....anyone tried hacking wireless board? do some wireless have inputs where u could attach an IPAC directly??

thx
Jim

[Lilwolf]

btw, I hacked a wireless xbox -> usb... and it works great... was an easy hack also.

I would do that twice before trying to get a ipac through a wireless usb (unless I already had the parts)

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Wondering if you could post directions etc?? do the xbox ones work with the pc?

I really need images/directions to do this..if you can help I would greatly appreciated it.

thx
JIm

[cowguy]

Couldn't you just buy a wireless keyboard and do a keyboard hack? It would be considerably cheaper than a 360 wireless controller.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Yea I have considered this...but I have not heard how well it works or does not work... I have been told that most of the wireless keyboards suck ass....have leg and have to be reset constantly.. I honestly do not know..I have never used a wireless one.  If the wireless keyboard would work I would be interested in learning how to hack it..OR would be interested in buying one pre hacked.  Bottom line is I want to make a wireless arcade panel for 2 players that will work 100% with my pc /emulators....any suggestions or links on how to make or purchase would greatly help.. thanks for the suggestion on th keyboard.......   I have seen wireless gamepads for the pc.. this would likely work but without a tutorial on what spots I can solder and how too I dont think I can tackle it. Maybe members on there have suggestions/tutorials or referrals..

thx
Jim

[Malenko]

I think his best bet is the XBOX360 controller, the price on the old white ones is dropping like flies , since everyone is dumping them to get the new black controllers.  try buying some on www.xbox-scene.com    other then the controller he'd hafta buy the wireless reciever from best buy , wal mart, etc

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
I have read that the 360 wireless ones do not work well with emulators.......many ppl have tried it an apparently it is terrible to use in menus as the controls are not percise..that is what i have read ...

Jim

[Tahnok]

indeed, wireless keyboards are not a good candidate for hacking. Maybe the more expensive ones are better, but I had to stop using the one that came with my PC because the lag was throwing off my typing. I couldn't imagine how noticeable it would be in a game if it was noticeable during typing.

BTW, another good way to build a wireless CP (though compromised) is to hack one of those wireless Jaxx 5-in-1 TV game controllers (assuming you only want a few games). I built a CP from one a while ago and it works great.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Ok so the keyboard is out.  Thanks for the info. How about hacking a xbox 360, xbox wireless? or what about a PC wireless control?

I will be using it for pc/mame/emulators..although i appreciate the advice on the 5 in1.