Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: mrclean on November 07, 2007, 07:17:54 pm

Title: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of ports
Post by: mrclean on November 07, 2007, 07:17:54 pm
Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of ports?
(http://www.coolgear.com/images/USBG-7U2ML.jpg) so far the best thing i came up with is a 7 port looks good, but it's 60 bucks! also i want to get 10-12 ports at a minimum does such a thing exist and will it be economical?
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: HaRuMaN on November 07, 2007, 07:22:43 pm
how many is 'a lot'?
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of ports
Post by: mrclean on November 07, 2007, 07:26:25 pm
i'd like to have 10 possibly 12, 2x for NES,2x for SNES, 2x for N64,2x for PSX,2x for Sega G, 2x for Turbo 16 ETC...

currently i know retrozone / formerly retrousb has most of these / kits however...

*Also... and still looking for ZTnet /wishtech to still manufacture the N64 adaptoid.. I don't want to over pay for one on ebay!

can't find sega genesis to usb only on ebay for 50 bucks ea.! thats expensive.. and im not familiar with soddering so i don't want to ruin original controllers
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: Kajoq on November 07, 2007, 10:55:57 pm
There has got to be a more efficient way to wire it than doing a billion USB ports, Not to mention some of those could be done in a single port.  You might look into doing DB25 connectors or something of the sort.

Are you wanting to be able to play on a cabinet with the console specific controller?  I'm pretty sure windows would read that as 10 gamepads and would probably freak it out.

If you wanted you could just daisy chain USB hubs off of each other, the limit is 256 devices IIRC.  I still think theres got to be a better way to handle it though. 
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of ports
Post by: Kangum on November 08, 2007, 01:43:52 am
a pair of controllers for every system hooked up at once is alot of wires.  :dizzy: :dizzy:

maybe you could compromise and use 4 usb ports. 2 wireless playstation controllers. for lazy days. these have plenty of buttons for any system. then 2 usb to swap out any legacy controller you want to use for that true authentic feel.

if you still want to go with the 40 wires hooked in at once there is still hope. newer adapters are not just 1:1. 1 adapter to 1 usb port. i know there is a gamecube, genesis and xbox 3 in 1 that hooks into 1 usb port. even the n64 isnt a 1:1 adapter but a 3 in 1 now. sharing with playstation 1 adapter and something else.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: GregorDV on November 08, 2007, 06:22:14 am
This is wall-mountable, and has 7 ports for $25: http://www.buy.com/prod/Cables-To-Go-7-Port-Aluminum-USB-2-0-Hub-7-x-4-pin-USB-2-0-USB/q/loc/101/203126873.html

You can get a couple of these and either chain them to another hub close to the PC, or use 2 USB ports in the PC.  It's still pretty close to the $60 figure that you weren't so keen on, though.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: unclet on November 08, 2007, 07:01:20 am
My guess would be he wants to use original arcade controllers (hacked for USB connections) for each emulator and also not deal with plugging/unplugging controllers in when he wants to play.   If you hook them up to a USB Hub then all controllers are "live" all the time ..... simply switch to the emulator you want and grab the appropriate controller.

Anyway, just a guess ......  if I am wrong, then I would agree have a separate USB port for each controller for each emulator is overkill ..... but a lot of stuff in this hobby is overkill.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: mrclean on November 08, 2007, 10:53:13 am
My guess would be he wants to use original arcade controllers (hacked for USB connections) for each emulator and also not deal with plugging/unplugging controllers in when he wants to play.   If you hook them up to a USB Hub then all controllers are "live" all the time ..... simply switch to the emulator you want and grab the appropriate controller.

your right thats exactly what i would like to do  ;) However I'm not so sure about the (hacked for usb connections) I'm leaving the original controllers as is, and trying to find adaptors for all the joys.

*so far http://www.retrousb.com (http://www.retrousb.com) i got NES,SNES
http://www.ztnet.com (http://www.ztnet.com) i got N64 Adaptoid (need another one, no longer in production!?)
finally found Sega Genesis adaptor from http://www.4triangles.com/catalog/ (http://www.4triangles.com/catalog/) but it's pricey! $49.99
-Still seeking NEC / PC Engine Tubro Grafx 16 to usb adaptors NOT soddering kits.. but i don't think it exists?
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: ChadTower on November 08, 2007, 11:34:03 am

The TG16 controller is nearly identical in layout and button scheme to the NES pad.  I'd say just use that.  The only difference is the turbo switches which really don't come into play in very many games.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: mrclean on November 08, 2007, 12:59:45 pm

The TG16 controller is nearly identical in layout and button scheme to the NES pad.  I'd say just use that.  The only difference is the turbo switches which really don't come into play in very many games.

I know but im obsessed with wanting to have all the original controllers.. I'd like to also add a SMS (Sega Master System) controller as well can't find that adaptor either
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: ChadTower on November 08, 2007, 01:03:46 pm

There may not actually be USB adaptors for every controller.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: mrclean on November 08, 2007, 01:39:58 pm

There may not actually be USB adaptors for every controller.

I think your right and i know nothing about soddering but I might just need to
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: SavannahLion on November 08, 2007, 02:48:31 pm
I know but im obsessed with wanting to have all the original controllers.. I'd like to also add a SMS (Sega Master System) controller as well can't find that adaptor either

The SMS controllers should be an extension of the Atari 2600 control scheme (I've never tested the SMS). The Genesis pinout is an extension of both consoles. Depending on how the Genesis USB adapter handles the multiplexing, the Genesis adapter might work for you. Expensive though, might be better off constructing your own. To see what I mean, look at http://www.epanorama.net/documents/joystick/tvgames.html

They don't really discuss the encoding scheme, just the pinout.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of p
Post by: unclet on November 08, 2007, 07:15:40 pm
Wasn't there a company which offers the authentic controllers with USB connections already?    I can not remember the name.
Title: Re: Any one know where I can get a cheap "wall mountable" USB HUB with alot of ports
Post by: superbigjay on November 09, 2007, 03:14:44 am
Hello MrClean,

for your usb hub, why does it need to be wall mountable?

If you only need a usb hub to mount flush in your CP, you can consider this one
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=64434.0;attach=83365;image)
It has 4 ports on one side and 3 on the other...

External view (will need a small touch up for the finish)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=88404;image)

Internal view
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=88406;image)

You can get them on ebay for about 5$ + 8 ship.

Jay  :cheers: