Post by: AndyWarne on April 12, 2019, 10:39:41 am
In this version, the device appears as a completely different USB device for each of the modes, which avoids any multi-device issues with Retropie.
The selected device mode is switched using a 10-second hotkey press and hold and is maintained after power off/on.
Switching can also be done automatically from WinIPAC including command-line.
There is a PDF information sheet available, and the firmware download for I-PAC 2 on www.ultimarc.com/download.html (http://www.ultimarc.com/download.html)
Other boards will be rolled out, I already have the Mini-PAC version available for testing on request.
Any comments/feedback welcome!
Post by: keilmillerjr on April 14, 2019, 09:20:20 pm
Post by: meltman on April 15, 2019, 02:56:09 pm
Post by: adamcian on April 15, 2019, 05:24:26 pm
for the Ultimate I/O board nextSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: jim2011 on April 15, 2019, 10:42:50 pm
Thanks!
Post by: Ginsonic on April 16, 2019, 04:03:53 am
And... +1 for Ultimate I/O ;)
Post by: AndyWarne on April 16, 2019, 12:43:19 pm
Hi Andy, great work! I can now retire my Pac-Links. However, I did notice that in XINPUT mode, my attached Spintrak does not work. You mentioned that there is a way to switch modes from WiniPAC or command line but I cannot see a way. Is there a way to switch from XINPUT to normal Mode 1 (Keyboard) with a .bat file and then another to switch back? I am thinking I could just run the .bat file to switch modes when I pick a game that uses the spinner.
Thanks!
Xinput mode is restricted by the limitations of being a Microsoft proprietary protocol so its not possible to send any data for configuration or mode switching when in this mode. The only way of exiting Xinput mode is using a hotkey to another mode. It also does not support spinner (mouse). Its out of our control unfortunately.
Post by: adamcian on April 16, 2019, 03:14:20 pm
Post by: AndyWarne on April 17, 2019, 03:03:05 am
Instead of a basic batch file you could theoretically write one to run an AHK script to do the same to send the hotkey combo to do the switch.
That would not work though, as the board itself responds to the hotkey, not the host.
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 17, 2019, 03:56:27 am
Post by: adamcian on April 17, 2019, 03:51:30 pm
That would not work though, as the board itself responds to the hotkey, not the host.
Ah, ok so we’re talking a more firmware-level mechanical response from the board. Could you rig an external physical button/toggle then in-line with those hotkey combos to switch between modes?
It’s literally something I had been toying with the idea of for my Ultimate I/O board. I was considering having an external toggle that controlled a middle man relay that switched the wiring coming from my buttons between sending signal to the Ultimate board vs. a set of pad-hacked XBONE PCBs depending on the game I wanted to play. Just trying to always find the most ‘user-friendly’ option for those who play our systems.
Or I could just hit the hotkey combo as you intended with this exciting release and shut up and be happy...
.
Post by: jim2011 on April 17, 2019, 09:43:04 pm
Post by: AndyWarne on April 18, 2019, 05:47:21 am
When using WinIPAC for gamepad controls the latest version is needed so if not downloaded within the past 2 weeks it will need to be downloaded again. The assignments for all gamepad controls have internally changed to allow full configuration across both players. Previously gamepad controls were fixed on a player 1/ player 2 basis.
I will look again into data sending in Xinput mode and see if a way can be found to do it.
Post by: AndyWarne on April 18, 2019, 03:06:58 pm
I have the Ultimate I/O version of this firmware available for testing. It should be considered Beta.
I can send via email on request.
andy@ultimarc.com
Post by: sdmods on July 26, 2019, 08:23:25 pm
I had a friend purchase the Xtension Arcade Emulator Plus on March 2019.
I purchased the same controller on June 2019 and mine came with mode switch instructions for Dinput and Xinput.
I noticed the mode switch wasn't working on his and curious if all he needs to do is update his firmware? Doesn't need a complete board replacement or anything right?
How easy is it to upgrade? Do I open his arcade stick, take the board up, connect it to USB mini-cable, download the software and just flash the new firmware?
Which firmware should I be using?
Thanks!
Post by: AndyWarne on July 27, 2019, 02:14:53 pm
The first thing to do would be to find out which I-PAC board it uses, I-PAC 2, Mini-PAC, Ultimate I/O ?
The new firmware is available for all, but you would need to know what it is. The firmware is loaded from a Windows host via the standard USB connection, using the WinIPAC program.
Andy
Post by: sdmods on October 12, 2019, 07:23:34 pm
The first thing to do would be to find out which I-PAC board it uses, I-PAC 2, Mini-PAC, Ultimate I/O ?
The new firmware is available for all, but you would need to know what it is. The firmware is loaded from a Windows host via the standard USB connection, using the WinIPAC program.
Andy
I messed up and flashed IPAC2 v1.5 to my MiniPAC. Please provide MiniPAC v1.5 multimode firmware. Why not available on site yet for download?
Post by: sdmods on October 12, 2019, 11:32:18 pm
Flashed to minipac with no gamepad and I'm back to keyboard only again. 1P has no keyboard input. 2P has keyboard input and so does the other buttons
Post by: markiej on October 13, 2019, 10:53:14 am
I messed up and flashed IPAC2 v1.5 to my MiniPAC. Please provide MiniPAC v1.5 multimode firmware. Why not available on site yet for download?
I did the same thing with mine - assuming it would work on the minipac (the buttons did, but it killed the optical devices). Thankfully it was easy to flash back to the standard firmware. Would be nice to have xinput on the minipac, though they key2xinput (or whatever it's called) works pretty good - sometimes games don't recognize it.
Also, in all honestly, MS should be providing this functionality in Windows (anything-to-xinput) - you shouldn't have to provide the API through the device itself - the OS should handle it, or at least provide a way to do it.
Post by: sdmods on October 13, 2019, 08:05:07 pm
The first thing to do would be to find out which I-PAC board it uses, I-PAC 2, Mini-PAC, Ultimate I/O ?
The new firmware is available for all, but you would need to know what it is. The firmware is loaded from a Windows host via the standard USB connection, using the WinIPAC program.
Andy
I messed up and flashed IPAC2 v1.5 to my MiniPAC. Please provide MiniPAC v1.5 multimode firmware. Why not available on site yet for download?
Andy thanks for 1.52 multimode MiniPAC. WinIPAC is showing properly but it's not changing out of keyboard mode no matter what combo button I use.
EDIT: I think the initial flash of IPAC2 messed up my button config and the IPAC shift switch. It crashes when I try to import existing MiniPAC XML but I'm able to manually edit each switch through WinIPAC I'm just confused. Is there a master diagram for Xtension Arcade Emulation Edition Plus (w/ spinner an track ball). Or some easy way I can import the button config for this?
EDIT 2: I got a hold of recroom masters and paid $25 for them to remote into my system and apply an IPC file to remap everything correctly. Mode switch now works fine.