Analog joysticks-PS2 controller hack information

[jukingeo]

Hello all,

I have a question in regards to using analog sticks in general and how they pertain to hacking a Playstation 2 controller for a Mame control panel.

First things first:  There is usually a big issue floating around between the use of 8 way joysticks for games that normally use a 4 way joystick.   I have experienced this first hand as well.  Naturally the solution would be to use a selectable stick as "electronically" selected sticks usually don't fit the bill.  However something I never considered up to now is the use of an analog stick for four way games.  How would an analog joystick fair.   If it works well, then there wouldn't be a need for a selectable stick on my control panel.

The reason for the analog consideration is my intention to use Playstation 2 controllers for hacking purposes.

In the digital mode, the PS2 controller has an X/Y D-Pad and 10 mappable buttons.   So using one controller this is more than enough for single player, single joystick games....but if you add a second joystick for a second player you now drop down to 2 joysticks and 6 buttons.  Given the fact you need buttons for coining up, player start, and service, this is clearly not enough.   So you would have to resort to using a second controller for the second player and still get enough buttons for service functions.   The trouble is that unless you have more than two USB ports on a computer, you will never be able to add accessories such as Blinky LEDs or other options.   Sure you can use a USB splitter, but many times they do not work right.  Concern for the introduction of latency is high as well.

Now when you engage the PS-2 controller in Analog mode you now have 24 mappable points.  This will allow you to set up 2 joysticks with 16 mappable buttons.  All on one USB connection!

However this mode does have a couple of caveats.

1) You need to use analog sticks as you cannot hook up digital type buttons to input of the playstation controller's PCB.  I have heard of those that attempted hacks of the PS-2 controller in the past that they removed the analog sticks and then the pad wouldn't work.  So my guess is that some kind of analog stick MUST be present in order for the analog mode to work.

2) This mode isn't engaged by default, you have to push a button to engage it.

So what I need to know is if there is a way to get around this last caveat and somehow set up the PS-2 controller to automatically come up in the analog mode.  Also if it is possible to use analog controls with 4 way games.

I have tested out the mapping functions of the analog controls within Mame's setup menu.  The analog controls ARE mappable.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanx,

Geo

[arzoo]

The trouble is that unless you have more than two USB ports on a computer, you will never be able to add accessories such as Blinky LEDs or other options.   Sure you can use a USB splitter, but many times they do not work right.  Concern for the introduction of latency is high as well.

Adding a USB hub should not introduce any latency issues. You can also add internal USB cards. I've added two USB cards and I'm running 3 LED-Wiz controllers, 2 u360 sticks, a trackball, and a spinner - all USB. One word of caution, early on the LED-Wiz had problems with some USB chipsets - I'm not sure if that's been resolved.

[jukingeo]

Adding a USB hub should not introduce any latency issues. You can also add internal USB cards. I've added two USB cards and I'm running 3 LED-Wiz controllers, 2 u360 sticks, a trackball, and a spinner - all USB. One word of caution, early on the LED-Wiz had problems with some USB chipsets - I'm not sure if that's been resolved.

I had purchased two different USB hubs, of which plug into one USB port on the computer and you get four.  BOTH have given me problems.  One will not work in Windows 98 at all, and the other DOES have a latency issue.  I tried to use it for computer based recording (DAW) work, and it doesn't work right.  For standard stuff like hooking up a printer or to download your digital camera, both hubs worked fine (in Win XP).

I immediately ruled them (or any other hub) out for Mame.

However, you mentioned a card.  I do vaguely remember seeing a USB PCI card when I was looking for a firewire card for my computer.   I believe that WILL work.  With a 4 port PCI card that would give me 6 ports total and I could be content with using two Gravis GamePad hacks.  Hopefully they make card that have Windows 98SE support (probably though).

Ahh, Yes, here is a nice one with 6 ports (one is internal):
http://www.amazon.com/USB2CONNECT-High-Speed-6-Port-Card/dp/B000FOV1W2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228586153&sr=8-5

So thanx for refreshing my memory, you saved me from doing a lot of this: 

Geo

P.S.  I would still like to know how an analog stick would behave for 4 way purposes though.

[Popcorrin]

I doubt the hub is causing the latency issues.  Sounds more like a win98 issue.   Also, do you know if the port you are plugging into is USB 2.0 or 1.1?  What about the hub?

[jukingeo]

I doubt the hub is causing the latency issues.  Sounds more like a win98 issue.   Also, do you know if the port you are plugging into is USB 2.0 or 1.1?  What about the hub?

I have the hubs stored away right now.  Most of the new boxes I am setting up are now Windows 98SE.  I like this OS over XP because of it's much smaller size and it offers full USB support.

Since the USB PCI expansion cards are pretty cheap, that seems like the best way to go.  I priced one card with 6 ports (5 external and one internal) at less than $20.

Geo