Need help on Rotary remapping for DreamAuthentics cab

[Invincer]

To make a long story short, I purchased a cabinet from DreamAuthentics back in February. I finally just got it two weeks ago after delay upon delay, then it was shipped to the west coast accidentally before finally arriving here at my home in Georgia. Many wires evidently had become disconnected. The spinner did not work, 2 of the 3 LEDwizes did not work, and the rotary functions on the two rotary joysticks did not work either. Anyways, after much searching in wires I had no business as a newbie playing around in, I finally got the connections to work. But the rotary controls are completely unplayable because of the mappings it was sent to me with...

The 2nd rotary controller has these key inputs

Rotary Joystick #2:
Up: Kbd K
Down: Kbd /
Left: Kbd L
Right: Kbd W

...But the rotary input is
Clockwise: Kbd \
Counterclockwise: Kbd /

See the problem?

I tried it out on Ikari Warriors and Heavy Barrel and it would be impossible to play like this. Since the counterclockwise spin is exactly the same as the down direction on the joystick, every time I move backwards in the game, the player starts spinning counterclockwise as he moves backwards. To make matters even worse the 1st rotary is mapped as...
Up: Kbd [
Down: Kbd P
Left: Kbd ]
Down Kbd \

...But the rotary input is
Clockwise: Kbd [
Counterclockwise: Kbd ]


Again, UNPLAYABLE.

I requested help in fixing it, and they told me to try this forum. So, without any mapping experience and as a complete noob to the cabinet scene; what is the first place I should try to look and read up on in trying to find out how to remap the keys to the rotaries?

Thanks for any help offered!

[Flake]

Wow, why are they not offering any product support?  They should be able to guide you through troublshooting this issue and to just push you off to this forum seems just plain lazy.  Way back when before I discovered this form, I seriously considered purchasing from them.  I cant even fathom how many hours I spent looking and their site trying to justify the price tag. 

Anyway, my thought on the matter would be that you either have the two wires (for the down and rotate functions) wired into the same IPAC input slot (assuming you have an IPAC).  Either that or you have both inputs mapped to the same inputs for those particular games.  Based on the mappings you have listed, it sounds like your problem is having both inputs wired into the same IPAC slot.

Personally I would bug DreamAuthentics till they help you just to be a PITA.  Sounds like they deserve as much for a $3K purchase (I'm assuming - probably was more after shipping).

[FrizzleFried]

---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---...on their part.  They need to support their over-priced product or you need to send that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- back to them,  get your dough back,  then come in here and get advise on how to make your own at 1/4 the price.  THEN and only THEN would I accept "You can get answers at BYOAC forum" from those guys...

[Invincer]

Trust me when I say "you don't know the half of it" when I speak of the hassles involved with what this whole process has been. I know what I can and can't do and I know my abilities would be way under what was needed to make a cabinet to the degree of what I was looking for. On the plus side, it LOOKS great... But another disappointment was after having it custom designed and loaded to the T with stuff on the control panel just short of a Mahjong keyboard, I look inside after noticing it's sluggishness to see a $300 eMachine. It was like buying a Ferrarri and getting it home and looking under the hood to find a moped engine.

BTW, Flake... 3K? I WISH!... Try more than twice that. I admit it is custom with tons of controls, but for this much, it should be functional "out of the box" (or crate) so to speak i would think without this much resetting up of it after getting it I have been working on it since I have gotten it WAY more than actually playing it.

But back to the questions, It is one input device that has the rotary wires connected to either side of it. Originally the USB was not plugged in is why neither worked (it was hidden slightly behind it). Then I found one did not work because it was plugged in backwards. I get the feeling they are tired of answering my questions is why they are probably sending me here for help. So is there a way to remap the keys without rewiring?

[FrizzleFried]

If you truly paid $6K for that thing you got seriously screwed.  For HALF that many of the people in this forum would have built you a custom cade with a DECENT computer...

If I paid SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS and ended up with anything less than a Core2duo running 4ghz in a cab that was pristine and delivery that was on time,  I'd be pissed.  $6K?  Really?

EDIT: BTW - I'd get on the phone and tell `em "Listen man,  I paid SIX FREAKIN THOUSAND DOLLARS for this thing...SIX...and it's not running right.  Either you SEND A TECH OUT...fly his ass here if you need to...or I am sending this thing back ON YOUR DIME and disputing the entire amount with my credit card company.  Your choice..."

[Invincer]

FYI: A timeline (LONG) I had posted on another forum when I was fed up waiting for delivery:

2/19/09: After having talked with them, and arranged a payment plan with the majority paid before shipment and the rest over the next couple months; they send me an initial invoice

2/20/09: An initial payment made (Total cost to be around $5600). Estimate given to me of a 6 to 7 week timeframe for completion and delivery (Yeah, right!)

2/22/09: After seeing some youtube videos of arcades online, and seeing Headkaze's LED plug-in for GameEx for the lighted buttons etc; I inquired to them if it was possible to add lighted buttons on to the cabinet. They explained it would add about $750, and would require much more work; but I wanted it tricked out, so here we go (Not going to add all emails or payment info to the timeline from here on unless it is pertinent as an event).

2/25/09: They send me a picture of a 3 player Sting layout to ask if it is fine so they can drill it out.

3/4/09: They ask for better high resolution artwork for the Invincer comic character on the cab; so I contracted out for an artist to do a high res image

3:9:09: They ask if I have the artwork yet, I tell them I will have it shortly, and I even asked if the wait on the artwork will be a holdup on completion. They said it would not.

3/13/09: I send them the artwork

3:16:09: They send me back the CP, Marquee, and side artwork with my custom image on it. I likey.

3/18/09: They send me an email saying they will email me when the CP is done to let me know where they are placing everything.

3/20/09: They are starting to drill my CP. They say it could take some time because so much is going on it.

4/2/09: I inquired how things are coming along...

4/3/09: They say everything is going great and they will be putting the artwork on soon. They are hoping to get it out this month to me ( lol , sorry; couldn't resist the urge there)

4/16/09: They say things are going good. I have a lot that is going on my control panel so it is going to take patience. They inquired about whether I wanted multi-color light buttons, or ones that stayed the same lighting color. Of course with the ability to do the LED plug-in add-ons, I want the multi-color. I inquired about a completion date. They said it would be hard to say because of the work involved.

4/24/09: They say the arcade is coming along great. Right now they are working on the control panel, I have a lot of wiring that is needed which takes time. They said they had to order the lighted buttons so those should be coming in. It will definitely be next month sometime. They will let me know when they know. They promise the wait is worth it.

5/8/09: They are still working on the lighted buttons, there are so many on the cp that they had to order more. They should be coming in soon. They thank me for my patience. I am getting a bit impatient and inquire about a timeline. They will get back with me.

5/9/09: They said they are waiting on the RGB lighted buttons to come in from the supplier. The lighted buttons are out of stock with the supplier so they are waiting for him to get some in. They say this can sometimes happen with suppliers and companies like them just have to wait; this is out of their control. They apologize for the delay but there is really nothing to do except wait. They have the same-color lighted buttons in stock if I want to get them instead. I waited this long though, so not wanting to just settle for the cheapo ones. I ask if they have only one supplier. They will check. They don't know when they will be back in stock so we must wait...

5/21/09: They let me know the lighted buttons are now in stock and they have the lighted buttons on order. It shouldn't take to long to get them. They will keep me updated.

5/22/09: They are expecting to get the lighted buttons in next week. Not too much longer now... I am losing patience and getting very frustrated at this point. They say they just need to wire all of them when he gets the buttons in. The lady I was dealing with sent the production manager an e-mail letting him know to make this a top priority as soon as the buttons come in; the owner is aware as well. So hopefully not too long.

Thursday 6/4/09: Great news they say, they are going to get the cabinet out next Thursday. They inquire where to put the rotary sticks and some buttons, which I email back my wants on the placement and asked about the shipping of it. As for shipping, they use NAVL Specialized Transportation. How it works is when it leaves the factory on Thursday, then they will send me an e-mail with the tracking number and shipping information. They will then call me when they are close to my area and set up the delivery time and date to make sure I will be there. I asked for a picture of the CP so I could try to set up my custom one in CPWizard and how long does shipping take usually..

Friday 6/5/09: They said they can get me a pic Tuesday or Wednesday. As for shipping, it depends on the truck and how many arcades they pick up from them. They deliver as they go so it could take up to 7 business days. They will call me.

Thursday 6/11/09: They email me that they are sorry for the delay; just got out of a production meeting. The special lighted ball top optical joystick order that came was missing one of the joysticks so the production manager is not happy. He got on the phone right away and they are overnighting the joystick tomorrow. He should then have the cp all finished and can get me a picture on Monday. They called another shipping company to come get the arcade at the beginning of next week. They said they paid them a little more to get it delivered by the end of next week. If the arcade would of been picked up today by the normal shipping company it would of taken up to 7 business days anyway. They emphasized again that they paid another shipping company (CEVA) which is more expensive to get this to me by the end of the week.

Tuesday 6/16/09: They sent me the pictures today. They wanted to test the control panel and monitor for 48 hours to make sure everything is working good since I have so much wiring on the control panel. The shipping company will be picking the arcade up tomorrow; they are located in IN so it shouldn't take more then 2 or 3 days to get to me in GA. They again thank me for my patience (which is pretty much gone at this point). As soon as they pick the arcade up the production manager will send me an e-mail with the tracking number and shipping info. The shipping company will then reach out to me to set up time and day of delivery.

Wednesday 6/17/09: I asked about the cup holders (for the light guns I have) and the steering wheel which attaches to the spinner for driving games which weren't on the pics

Thursday 6/18/09: They said the cup holders are inside and I can attack with velcro or screws. The wheel is on order and they will send when they get it, but didn't want to hold up the order for it to arrive. Asked about the shipping info and whether it will finally be here Friday or Saturday. Then they send me the shipping website and tracking number. I am NOT a happy camper! It says delivery date estimated as 6/25/09 late next week. I also notice they paid for only 5 day economy... so much for paying more to make sure it arrives quicker I guess! I email them fairly irate at this point.

Friday 6/19/09: They email me back apologizing profusely, and emailed the shipping company to see if it could get here faster. The shipping company emailed back.
Due Date: 6/25/09 THR
Pcs: 1
Wt: 430
Dims: 48x40x78
Destination: Savannah, GA.
The unit was picked up yesterday and arrived back to their dock last evening. It was moved to the packing department and has been packaged for shipping. It will depart on the hub truck tonight. They said that it should be in Atlanta by early Monday morning, and I should expect the delivery Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. The due date is 6/25/09, but they should be way ahead of schedule... Finally, huh?

Monday 6/22/09: I went online to track the shipping info. Should be in Atlanta Monday morning they had said, remember? Well, not exactly. Monday morning it scanned in .... IN SAN DIEGO!!!!!! Good luck getting here from the west coast Tuesday or Wednesday night I would say now! I emailed DreamAuthentics telling them it was about as far from "Atlanta on Monday" morning as is possible. They replied back they hope it is a data error and will get back with me when they find out what has happened. That was around 1PM yesterday, and I have not heard back from them, yet...

Tuesday 6/23/09: Haven't heard anything back from DreamAuthentics yet. I checked the tracking again this morning, I don't think it is a data error. It scanned in this morning in Los Angeles! Well, I was wrong about being as far from Atlanta as it could be because LA is even further than San Diego! I emailed DreamAuthentics again. They said they did talk with Ceva and it was accidentally put on the wrong trailer and subsequently went to California. I have been assured that the cabinet will be back in my area and ready for delivery this Thursday. They should be calling me tomorrow to set up a delivery time. This is also a good time to let them know about any steps or extenuating circumstances out of the normal that they should know about so they can be prepared.

Wednesday 6/24/09: Surprise... no phone calls from CEVA

Thursday 6/25/09 (ALMOST MIDNIGHT): This is unbelievable. After contacting me that they could bring it tonight (The Ceva shipping company that sent it to the wrong coast), I wait up and they are here with it at 11:30PM; but it is 2 guys that it was dropped off to in Atlanta and they can't lift it and they have no dolly, no pallet mover, nothing on the truck to move it with. They don't know anything about taking it apart to get in the door, so it would have to come around the back to get in my sliding glass doors anyway. Doesn't matter though if they can't get it off the truck. One guy thinks he can move it if they can just get it on his back (460 or more pounds with the pallet and this is a short scrawny teenager). It ain't happening... So the driver talks to his boss on the phone, and they are going to take it to some other moving company Atlantic Freight to have them try to deliver it in the morning. They give me a number to call to get it set up. I call the number and they say they are booked solid, don't know when or if they can deliver it tomorrow; and can't tell me a time when they could.

Friday 6/26/09: They called me this morning (evidently somebody got chewed out or something), and it was finally delivered here around 10:00AM this morning.... now it needs an oil change before playing any driving games i guess...

[Flake]

$6K and all you got was a $300 E-machine?  Holy crap thats just awful.  Do you even know what version of Mame your running?  How many games does it have loaded?  

I would really like to see a picture of this beast.

BTW - yea you could have built something yourself.....at least most of it anyway.  My cabinet looks pretty professional IMO and I did everything but build the control panel (which you can purchase customized to the hilt from a couple vendors).....which undoubtedly is the hardest part.  My control panel was purchased from ArcadeRfun for a very fair price.  I basically found a gutted cabinet and fixed it up to look nice (sanding/bondo/paint), dropped in a 27" TV and hooked up the computer the control panel and was set (yes a bit oversimplified).  

Anyway, back to your issues.  Do you know if you are using an IPAC to interface your control panel with the computer?  If so you can download some software from www.Ultimarc.com (maker of the IPAC) that allows you reconfigure the input mappings on the IPAC.  I dont have any experience with a rotary joystick but if you are suggesting it uses USB connections then maybe you arent using an IPAC?

Unfortunately I am clearly not the expert on building a control panel and configuring joysticks (or I might have built my own control panel).  Hopefully others here will here your plea and offer some help rather than to just tell you tough ---Cleveland steamer--- for buying from these ---uvulas---.  Too bad for you that you didnt discover this site earlier on you could have saved yourself at least $3K to get the same thing - or something probably better.

Good luck

BTW - I would also do as FF suggested in his last post.  They should be held accountable for this.  Dont be a pushover.

EDIT - I posted this originally before reading your last post.  HOLY ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- you took a ---smurfing--- of galactic proportions.  I would simply return the ---smurfing--- piece of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- and get a refund.

[Invincer]

Well here are the pics before it was shipped (I will take some myself when I find my lost camera I have been looking for).

I do still have to pay $1500 over the next 3 months; so I have seriously been considering what Frizzle said... At this point though, I just want to be able to play my games... I am putting a better computer (almost any computer would be a BETTER computer) in there this weekend to try. I just have no idea how to remap keys mapped to the rotaries...

[Flake]

Here are pics of mine.  Costs about $2K.  Computer runs every game I can think to throw at it other than the games known to require ridiculous amounts of processing power (NFL Blitz, Guantlet Legends, Tekken 3, etc.). 

Yours looks better no doubt (except for maybe the control panel - 3 players?  Really?  $6K and you dont have a 4 player panel??).  But not $4K better.  Not trying to be an ass but I would really not pay the remaining portion of what you owe in any event.

I just cant get over that control panel layout either.........

[DaOld Man]

Thats a nice looking cab but you should not have been put through the crap you went through.
Shame on Dream Authentics.
I would also do what others suggested, ship the thing back to them, but maybe talk to a lawyer first, just to CYA.

[mj147]

Wow stories like these make my stomach turn. 

Come over to the project announcement section and learn ya a thing or two 

Building is not too bad just take your time and enjoy it.
Here is my project  , looking at total completion in less than 30 days working on weekends. Trying to take alot pics so folks can see what I did and build their own.

Sorry  about your troubles and get it sorted out




mj147

[FrizzleFried]

Isn't DA the company I posted an EBAY link to some time back touting "CRT's are dead - play the better way,  LCD" or some such crap?

[Flake]

Isn't DA the company I posted an EBAY link to some time back touting "CRT's are dead - play the better way,  LCD" or some such crap?

I dont get into those debates as I really dont care one way or the other but yes I believe you are correct if I remember right (I may not participate but that doesnt mean I dont read them...hehe).

[evitagen]

Wow.

I can't imagine paying $6,000 for something and have it not work, and then the company directs you to this forum of all places.

I see this places cabs on ebay all the time and they are usually pretty pricey.  I do think it should have had a much better computer in the cabinet for the price you paid, though.

Now I really don't feel bad about selling my homemade cab for $1200.

I'm really sorry to hear about this, though.

[Invincer]

Hi guys,

Well regardless of how much I got screwed by DA on the price... and the problems... and now the support; I desperately need help with somehow reprogramming the key mappings for the rotary joysticks. The way they are now they are worthless. I downloaded a program called WinIPAC as suggested from Ultimark but can't make heads or tails out of how to reprogram the keys if possible. It feels like a "CPWizard lite" or something for assigning inputs to controls, not remapping keyboard keys to assignments. Can anyone point me in the direction of how to possibly get this working? Thanks

[bkenobi]

What you need to do depends on how the controls are set up in the controller.  It sounds like you have an IPAC controller, so as long as the controlls are not assigned to send the same keyboard output, then you don't really need to remap that.  From the looks of your original post though, it looks like that's what they did.  So, the next question is, did they connect the rotary controls to the same inputs on the controller?  I would assume no, but...

Anyway, assuming it's just the way the controller is set up, you just need to use the WinIPAC application to set things up correctly.  Then, in MAME, hit TAB and adjust the controls for rotary to what you need.  I don't know if this is a mechanical or optical rotary (did you say?).  If it's optical, you need to use the analog control in MAME.  If it's digital, you need to use the Inc/Dec controls.

[Invincer]

They did map controls from the rotary functions the same as the movements. It is a digital, so all MAME key inputs making this impossible to use. If I have to try rewiring I am going to be pissed; they were right here, I should have gotten someone else to make this thing for me. Experience= total nightmare so far...

[Billy_Goatfeet]

If you truly paid $6K for that thing you got seriously screwed.  For HALF that many of the people in this forum would have built you a custom cade with a DECENT computer...

If I paid SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS and ended up with anything less than a Core2duo running 4ghz in a cab that was pristine and delivery that was on time,  I'd be pissed.  $6K?  Really?

EDIT: BTW - I'd get on the phone and tell `em "Listen man,  I paid SIX FREAKIN THOUSAND DOLLARS for this thing...SIX...and it's not running right.  Either you SEND A TECH OUT...fly his ass here if you need to...or I am sending this thing back ON YOUR DIME and disputing the entire amount with my credit card company.  Your choice..."

  I couldn't have said it better than that.  This is unacceptable!!  There are two sides to every story but there isn't much that could be said to save face in this example.  You are only as good as your reputation....

[Hoopz]

If it's not too late, call your credit card company and file a dispute.

What encoder is in your control panel?

[Invincer]

Okay, got the original ipac key and control panel files to try and program in WinIPAC... but when trying to reprogram it says it can not find the driver. It is ipac 4 and PS/2 under options. When trying to program it immediately says can't open the driver, so it won't program. Tried increasing wait time and USB; no luck (though they told me it is PS/2). I saw some posts a while back but there were no answers of how to address this. Any ideas from anyone???

[bkenobi]

Contact Andy at Ultimarc.  He does watch this board too, so you might get a response in this thread.  However, I would just email him and ask your question.

[jeef]

If you are running Vista or Win7 make sure you right click on the WinIPAC shortcut/application and choose "Run As Administrator".

I was having this same issue just now and found that that fixed it!