Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Darren01274 on May 10, 2013, 02:57:35 am

Title: Icade Controls
Post by: Darren01274 on May 10, 2013, 02:57:35 am
Hi I am wanting to build something similar to the Icade for a 7inch tablet using mame, I like the look of the Icade but want better controls and button placement. My question is the Icade uses bluetooth and wanted to know the best way to wire the new controls to work with the android tablet.

What would be my best option, could I use something like the i-pac and a usb adapter to go to the tablet, or use something like the Kade? Or is it even possible to make use of the existing controls and the bluetooth?
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: Generic Eric on May 10, 2013, 04:34:02 am
In essence, I think this may be similar to what you are after. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909)


If you are asking about the inside of an iCade, I found this:
(http://www.myglasseye.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/iCade_069.jpg)

It seems unlikely that is what the inside of an 8 bitty (NES styled iCade controller) looks like though so if you were going to hack a controller, that might be one you are interested in.  I am not aware of a bluetooth keyboard encoder available, though I am sure there could be a market for one.

Pardon the huge pics, they aren't mine.

There are many bartop projects here, but not too many based on iCade or android tablets.

Here is the 4 I know of:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131852.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131852.0.html)
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131770.msg1352909.html#msg1352909) (previously mentioned)
An iphone:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,115725.0/topicseen.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,115725.0/topicseen.html)
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132291.0/topicseen.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132291.0/topicseen.html)
edited to add another tablet cade.
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: Drnick on May 10, 2013, 07:59:10 am
It depends on your Tablet,  If it has bluetooth you could hack a wii remote,  If the tablet recognises UHID devices (using usb convertor) then the world is your oyster as pretty much any interface that works on a PC (Without requiring special drivers) will most likely work on your tablet. YMMV

I just picked up an Icade for £3  & I'm so glad I downloaded Imame4all when it was available  :laugh2: :laugh2:  Admittedly it has flaws, lag etc but it's fun for a quick pick up and play. 




 
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: Darren01274 on May 10, 2013, 08:38:40 am
I have the Nexus 7 and thought about the Icade, would they be a way to do away with the bluetooth and wire the controls to use USB? Also wouldnt that get rid of the lag.

Ages ago I built a cocktail table running mame and used an I-pac to USB, could this be a possibility and then get a converter to micro usb and plug it in to the nexus?
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: 05SRT4 on May 10, 2013, 09:08:39 am
I haven't tried this on a tablet but on my Wife's Samsung S3 smart phone I connected a usb to micro usb adapter and was able to connect Dual Strike (http://strike-devices.net/index.php/game-controllers/dual-strike/) encoder to it. It acts like a keyboard.
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: Drnick on May 10, 2013, 01:25:12 pm
nexus 7 will have no problems with a convertor and normal encoder.  And indeed you are correct you will not have much if any lag using that method instead of over BT.

http://www.expansys.com/expansys-micro-usb-to-usb-otg-adapter-cable-for-nexus-7-10-240546/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base&ito=1701&mkwid=svHjLhmZB&kword=adwords_productfeed&gclid=CI7fjI2HjLcCFYXMtAodwW8AXw (http://www.expansys.com/expansys-micro-usb-to-usb-otg-adapter-cable-for-nexus-7-10-240546/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base&ito=1701&mkwid=svHjLhmZB&kword=adwords_productfeed&gclid=CI7fjI2HjLcCFYXMtAodwW8AXw)
Title: Re: Icade Controls
Post by: ark_ader on May 10, 2013, 03:34:21 pm
You can hack a Zeemote.