Microsoft Scene-it Controllers

[Derrick Renaud]

Has anyone tried the new Microsoft Scene-it Controllers?

They look like they would be good for the trivia games.  And of course for You Don't Know Jack.

It would be nice to know if they can be hooked up to the PC so that all 4 controllers are recognized.

Might be cheaper to just use Sony PS2 Buzz controllers, but they are wired.

D.

[shardian]

Make your own YDKJ controllers.

http://www.arcadeparadise.org/console/ydkj2/

[javeryh]

I'm planning to add THESE to my next cab!

[shardian]

I made the pvc pipe ones, but never finished the project. I should really get back on that and finish it now.

[Derrick Renaud]

Well, I'm too lazy to make my own.   

Really though, it is a price issue.  These are cheap enough that they are not worth making.

These controllers each have 1 large buzz in button + 4 selection buttons.  So they are better IMHO then a single button homemade controller.

I could probably use them as a basic Meedio remote too.  The large button is also a 4-way control IIRC.   Either the Buzz or Scene-it control or both has the 4-way feature.

D.

[DaveMMR]

Well you gotta remember two things:

1) You can't remap the buttons in YDKJ (unless you use a 3rd party program to remap keystrokes to something else in the background).

2) YDKJ requires occasional keyboard input - most importantly, the "Screw" key (S). 

So even with these things you still have to hang around a keyboard.

[Derrick Renaud]

1) You can't remap the buttons in YDKJ (unless you use a 3rd party program to remap keystrokes to something else in the background).

I'm hoping Joy2Key will work.  I just need to find out how the scene-it controllers hook up to the X-Box 360.  And if the PC will read all 4 controls as a joystick.  I don't have a 360, so it would be $80 (including tax) + whatever if an adapter is needed, wasted if it does not work.

2) YDKJ requires occasional keyboard input - most importantly, the "Screw" key (S). 

So even with these things you still have to hang around a keyboard.

Well it comes with 4 controls and only 3 are needed.  So you can leave the 4th one lying on the table as the screw button.

You will always need a keyboard no matter which route you go.  It is needed for Anagram and Gibberish questions and name entry etc.  But my Gyrovision wireless keyboard is small and portable.  And it is what we currently use for Jack.

What I like about the Scene-it controller is that it is wireless (IR).  I could buy the Sony Buzz controllers for $46 and just use it with my current PS2-PC adapter.  But it is wired.

D.

[Derrick Renaud]

Make your own YDKJ controllers.

http://www.arcadeparadise.org/console/ydkj2/

That is definitely a fine job.  Quite professional looking.

D.

[Derrick Renaud]

I'm planning to add THESE to my next cab!

Makes me wonder if the same concept could not be done with the Sony Buzz controllers.

They would not have the coilly cord, and would be more soldering, but it could be done.  A 5-pin DIN connector could be used as the hookup.  Just cut each control free and solder up to a 5-pin DIN plug.  Then have 3 chassis mount DIN sockets on the cabinet.

This way each player has the buzzer and answer keys in his hand.  Most MAME trivia games have 4 answer buttons.  So this would work out great.

But then again it might be easier to just use the wireless scene-it controllers if they will work with joy2key on the PC.

Just food for thought for anyone making their own buzzers.

D.