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Which is better - I-pac or KeyWiz keyboard encoder?

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Tiger-Heli:


--- Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on January 30, 2008, 01:24:27 pm ---That said, Keywiz includes the uploader software that will re-program it on the fly when you start a particular emulator, or re-program it at boot up for your custom configuration. So it doesn't need to store the information in hardware. It's horses for courses really.  Nuf Said!! They both work fine.

--- End quote ---
I should have clarified - I use a removable desktop CP with the KeyWiz and hotswap it in and out.  The software does not work if I don't have the KeyWiz plugged in when I launch it, and it takes about 10 seconds under WinXP (faster under Win98).  I like the KeyWiz default codeset better than the I-Pac default and use it and go out of my way to avoid re-programming it, but for a true arcade cab most of these "problems" would disappear.

DeLuSioNal29:

It also depends on how many players you want on your panel.  I would have bought a Keywiz, since I ordered a TON of stuff from GroovyGameGear.com and it would have been easier and I could have saved on shipping, but the Keywiz encoders did not have as many inputs in one single encoder.  I'm sure you could daisy chain more than one, but I was new at this stuff and didn't want to have to deal with that.  The ipac4 was the answer for me.  Again, it depends how many inputs you need.

For calculating the number of inputs:  (this was confusing for me when I was a newbie so I figured I'd include it)
-  Keep in mind that the 8 way joys only take up 4 inputs per joystick.  The diagonals are actually pressing two at the same time.
-  You can "double-up" inputs.  This is good for things like 4 ways sharing the same inputs at 8 ways for player 1.

Example for calculating inputs on a typical 2 player panel with 6 buttons per player:
2 - joysticks (1 for each player) = 8 inputs
1 - 4 way joystick = 0 inputs ("doubles-up" on player one 8 way inputs which does not need any additional inputs)
6 - buttons for each player = 12 inputs
2 - credit buttons (1 for each player) = 2 inputs
2 - start buttons (1 for each player) = 2 inputs
4 - pinball buttons (2 on the left side of panel (on the side) and 2 on the right) = 0 inputs ("doubles-up" on player one buttons 1 & 2)
24 inputs total in this example
Or you can have less if you use the shift/Shazam button.

The KeyWiz-ST can handle up to 32 inputs so is ideal for a 2 player setup.
The Ipac4 can handle up to 56 inputs so is ideal for a 4 player setup.

Note:  Spinners and/or trackball use separate encoders from the joysticks and buttons.  The Groovy Game Gear Spinner (Turbo Twist 2) comes with it's own USB interface built in as does the Electric Ice-T Trackball (USB) so no encoders are needed for those.  Other brands will need additional encoders that do not come with the trackball/spinner.  (i.e. - Ultimarc's optipac encoder for spinners/trackballs).

Hope this helped!

~ DeLuSioNaL



DeLuSioNal29:


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on January 30, 2008, 01:48:36 pm ---
--- Quote from: unclet on January 30, 2008, 01:39:28 pm ---Does the KeyWiz connect to the PS2 keyboard port of the computer?
--- End quote ---
Yes

--- Quote ---If so, then does the KeyWiz allow for a normal keyboard to be connected with a pass-thru connector?

--- End quote ---
The Max does but you have to flip a switch on the KeyWiz for the pass-thru to be active.  The better solution is to use a wireless or USB keyboard to configure MAME.


--- End quote ---
On the flip side, The Ultimarc ipacs have a pass through for keyboards directly on the encoder as well that is always active.

So to clarify further:  The ipac has two PS2 ports on it.  One plugs in to the computer with the included PS2 wire and the other port (pass thru) on the encoder is where you would plug in your PS2 keyboard.

Avrus:

Mini-Pac because it comes with wiring harness.   ;D

MazzMn:


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on January 30, 2008, 11:44:17 am ---Fozzy pretty well nailed it.

I use the KeyWiz.

KeyWiz has more inputs.  I-Pac supports USB.  I-Pac remembers programming settings and is likely faster to re-program, but I rarely re-program mine.

--- End quote ---

I wanted to have USB support and save a little money, so I tried the GPWiz Eco 32
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=234

This confused me at first as it created Joystick output and not Keyboard output. Randy from GGG pointed me to JoytoKey which converts joystick output to keyboard output (free windows pgm). Once I got this things were much easier. Only slight problem is it can't differentiate between ctl left and ctl right, shift left and shift right...no big deal

http://www.groovygamegear.com/jtk379en.zip

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