Wireless keyboard transceiver through IPAC?

[Ummon]

I'm wondering if the IPAC  can provide enough via the pass-thru to power the transceiver for my wireless keyboard?  I also have two P360s connected to the 5v.

[Turnarcades]

I'm a bit confused by this question- any chance of a quick sketch of your current/proposed control setup?

[Octo]

I'm a bit confused by this question- any chance of a quick sketch of your current/proposed control setup?

I think he's asking if he plugs the wireless transmitter from his keyboard into the PS2 slot on the IPAC, will it transmit well enough to get a signal. I'm planning on getting a wireless keyboard for my cab as well, so I'm interested in this.

Ultimarc's site doesn't say anything specifically, but since it lets a keyboard pass through, I would think it should work. Only way to be sure is to try it out, but I don't have a wireless keyboard....

[AndyWarne]

Yes this should work, or you could use a USB wireless keyboard.

Andy

[Turnarcades]

I'm still lost by this - my wireless keyboard and mouse (and most I've seen) have the transmitter built into the mouse and keyboard itself, with only the receiver having a cable and USB/PS/2 plug on the end. Are you saying your keyboard has a dongle or something that plugs into it, then a receiver that plugs into the PC? If this is the case, how would you power the ipac? See I'm picturing this:



I would love to have a wireless panel with an i-pac but this is the only way I can picture what you are proposing.

[TheShanMan]

No, they're talking about the keyboard being wireless, not the CP. They're asking if the IPAC can provide enough power to power the receiver.

[Turnarcades]

Oh I see. Shame, as I love a way to make a panel like this using an i-pac (instead of having to hack a wireless console joypad) as I'm sure the i-pac could be powered by batteries successfully. Andy, ever thought of making a wireless interface?

[Ummon]

Oh, I'm sure he has. I've pestered him about it at least once.

Thanks Andy. I want to keep the IPAC connected to the PC so that both keyboard and panel rouse Windows from screensaver mode/put out pure keycodes, as well as save on USB ports.

[AndyWarne]

It would be difficult to produce a wireless version of the I-PAC. The main problem is all other considerations (cost, performance etc) have to be put aside to focus on battery consumption. This means a complete redesign using low-power and possibly low-performance chips.
The cost is much higher as the device is split into two halves, the dongle, which ideally would need to be in a housing, and the remote side. Then there is the physical issue of providing some kind of battery housing on the remote end.

I am not clear where the demand lies either? By their nature, arcade controls tend to either be in cabinets or in a large controller which is located near to the PC. I am not sure if having to mess around with battery replacement and possible performance issues etc is worth the small advantage, if any, of not having a cable.

Personally on a normal desktop PC whenever I have used wireless keyboard/mice I have always ended up binning them in the end and going back to wired. I only use a wireless keyboard for setting up cabinets, but thats a different issue where there is a clear advantage.

But maybe I am missing some benefit so comments welcome.