The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Buy/Sell/Trade - non-retail => Topic started by: IceCold on June 05, 2004, 07:29:30 pm
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Okay, basically I do not want to go through the trouble of mapping out the matrix of a keyboard. I am looking for just a basic encoder(will need at least enough for 2 joysticks, 3 buttons each, start and coin buttons). Or if you have a hacked keyboard laying around, that would work too. I would really preffer if it's Din 5(not ps/2, looks kind of like it but is bigger), but if the price is right I'll just get an adapter. I do not want to buy an Ipac, and not be using many of the inputs.
I have stuff to trade(video game systems, computer monitors, computer hardware, small amount of arcade stuff, etc.) or can pay cash.
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I'll do one for you, BUT, I will charge you as much as an encoder costs, as it takes a LONG time to hack them.
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I'll do one for you, BUT, I will charge you as much as an encoder costs, as it takes a LONG time to hack them.
Yeah, I figured that would be true :-\
I'm hoping somebody has an old ke18 or something they're not using.
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I would just buy the cheapest encoder out there and be done with it. I have used real encoders on projects with far less inputs than that. You need 18. I have a real I-Pac in a machine that uses 14.
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I wouldn't recommend using a keyboard hack for a 2 player panel. It's too difficult avoiding ghosting/blocking.
It's ok hacking a keyboard yourself for the challenge. But as Paige says paying someone else to hack a keyboard and then ship it to you is going to cost as much as an encoder.
If you want to avoid the hassle of mapping out the whole matrix then I have a tip. Pick one of the rows or columns (doesn't matter which one) and use it as a common ground for all the buttons. This will give you an absolute guarantee of no ghosting/blocking. The main downside of this approach is that you won't be able to be fussy over what keys you use. It's also unlikely you'll get the 18 inputs you need.
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If I have an old keyboard in that style at work (I think I do) I would hack it for you for $24 plus shipping. This would include a set of Euro style terminal blocks for easy wiring. I really don't think it is worth it over paying a few more bucks for a real encoder. SO...I would do it but I recommend against it.
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the minipac from ultimarc is only $29
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The Keywiz eco is $26.95 (+6.50 shipping) That's about as good as it gets.
That or the minipac would probably cost you close to what someone's going to charge to to hack a KB and you get better performance out of these two devices. They'd be easier to maintain, too.
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I guess I'll either try to hack a keyboard(I have hacked multiple gamepads, how much harder can a keyboard be ;) ) or just buy an encoder, and a converter to turn it into din 5.
I'll probably hack a keyboard, becuase I'm trying to do this project for as cheap as I can(already had the 14" monitor, already had the 100mhz machine, already have extra keyboards, already had the joysticks I'm using, already had a hard drive big enough for vantage and the roms, etc.)
It's not even that I don't have the money, it's just the accomplishment knowing that you turned a bunch of stuff you weren't using into a sweet classic arcade machine.
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Ah, gotcha.....
Its really not that bad. I've done a couple and they weren't that hard, just time-consuming. There is a program out there that will show you what scan code and key is being pressed. I can't remember what its called right at the moment, but I found it very useful. I'll see if I can find it and I'll post a link.
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100 mhz? What kind of 2 player simulatneous games will run on that? Why don't you just do a single player panel?
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100 mhz? What kind of 2 player simulatneous games will run on that? Why don't you just do a single player panel?
I was thinking Gunsmoke was 2 player simultaneous, but a quick check of KLOV shows it's not. I'll have to check if there is a need for a 2 player cabinet. Thank you for pointing that out.
Maybe this will end up being simpler(and cheaper, less joysticks and buttons) than I thought.
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Are you going to use VAntAGE?
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Are you going to use VAntAGE?
Heck yeah! I've got it configured and it runs all the games in it plenty fast.
I've been trying to see what I can do to help the Vantage project, i've been following it closely. I think I might offer a reward to the first person that gets something big working(maybe like spinner support or something) I haven't decided yet though. Just to provide some incentive.
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Spinner support is coming. How about a reward for a game that is NOT a Z80? Like Centipede?
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Spinner support is coming. How about a reward for a game that is NOT a Z80? Like Centipede?
Good idea, I'll see what kind of reward I can offer :)