Quick keywhiz question.

[paigeoliver]

The keywhiz for one of my Christmas Mame's just came and I had a quick question.

I do not need or want any shazam or alternate keysets, or shift keys or any junk like that. That stuff can't happen as long as I don't wire the shazam thing, right?

Also, which is the actual default keys that come up on the keywhiz if you don't hook up that junk? The instruction sheet lists a default keys in rom, and a default keys in RAM list. Which one is it actually going to use by default?

[JoyMonkey]

As far as I can remember, the default RAM set will stay empty unless you flash the RAM with the KeyWiz software. I could be wrong.
I've always used the default ROM keyset which is the standard Mame keyset, and only used Shazam for coin/exit/options etc.

[Tiger-Heli]

The keywhiz for one of my Christmas Mame's just came and I had a quick question.

I do not need or want any shazam or alternate keysets, or shift keys or any junk like that. That stuff can't happen as long as I don't wire the shazam thing, right?

Also, which is the actual default keys that come up on the keywhiz if you don't hook up that junk? The instruction sheet lists a default keys in rom, and a default keys in RAM list. Which one is it actually going to use by default?

Not 100% sure on this, but AFAIK, no problems if you just leave shazaam unconnected, and the standard codeset at boot is the MAME compatibly one in the second screenshot on this page:

http://www.groovygamegear.com/screenshots.html

The other one mentioned would be accessible by doing the Shazaaam! - P1 Right combo, but with no Shazaaam! key, you won't ever see it.

[paigeoliver]

Great, thanks. The whole shazam/alternate keyset thing had been scaring me away from the keywhiz, I don't need it, I don't have a use for it, and I don't want it accidently activating, but I needed an encoder FAST, so I ordered one anyway.

[Tiger-Heli]

Great, thanks. The whole shazam/alternate keyset thing had been scaring me away from the keywhiz, I don't need it, I don't have a use for it, and I don't want it accidently activating, but I needed an encoder FAST, so I ordered one anyway.

You can de-activate it -

http://www.fraggersxtreme.com/arcadepanels/encoder/nocodeload.htm

KeyWiz is very flexible.  I suspect you'll end up doing more with it than you originally intended.  Either way, I don't think you'll regret the decision.

[paigeoliver]

Well, I really won't be doing ANYTHING with it, other than quickly wiring a Neo Geo type control setup, and a few admin buttons inside the cabinet. This cabinet isn't for my own personal use, it is going to someone else, and I was concerned that they would be accidently shazaming crap and then calling me up to wonder what is wrong with their game.

But, from everything I am reading, it seems like I can just not wire it, and then not have to worry about it.

I DO wish they offered a "no-shazam" keywhiz that just gave you another normal button instead of the shazam.

I guess I just NEVER saw a purpose for it. Mame already supports shift keys, so duplicating it on the encoder just seems silly. Although I guess it could come in handy for emulators that don't support shift keys?

[Tiger-Heli]

But, from everything I am reading, it seems like I can just not wire it, and then not have to worry about it.

Correct.

I DO wish they offered a "no-shazam" keywhiz that just gave you another normal button instead of the shazam.

Hmmmn, a 33-input encoder instead of one with 32 inputs plus an additional 24-admin inputs.  I don't think I'd be in the market for it.  And it doesn't sound like you (or the guy you're building it for) would have much use for ONE additional input.

Although I guess it could come in handy for emulators that don't support shift keys?

Bingo!!!  (or PC games, flight sims, etc)

[paigeoliver]

No, I woudn't need the extra input. I THINK I will only be using 20 to 23 of the inputs on this one.

2 players with 4 buttons + start buttons and coin buttons = 20.

Maybe an escape, tab, or pause button, although I commonly shift these off player one start, to avoid the extra buttons (or I DO install the extra buttons, but I put them inside the door).

[Tiger-Heli]

No, I woudn't need the extra input.

Exactly my point.  Not much you could do with 33 inputs that you couldn't do just as well with 32.  32 PLUS 24 admin buttons gives you lots of flexibility, though.

[paigeoliver]

Hee hee, too bad you can't split up a keywhiz between more than one cabinet, the Pac-Mame I am putting together for a customer is only going to need 10 inputs.  

4-way stick, + 2 buttons, + 2 start buttons, + one coin mech, + one escape button =10.

My other Pac-Mame cab (the artic), Got by with a hack to a 4-button gamepad (I used the Bob Roberts freeplay method, which is player 2 start also equals coin 1).

[BLACK KNIGHT]

Am I understanding this correctly?  That by default the Keywhiz is pretty much all setup for MAME if I just go with all the defaults?  I have the Max version on my Christmas list.

[Tiger-Heli]

Am I understanding this correctly?  That by default the Keywhiz is pretty much all setup for MAME if I just go with all the defaults?  I have the Max version on my Christmas list.

Sure, see the screenshot above.  I would swap something (Tab or Enter, probably) for P (Pause), but it will work straight up.

Don't be afraid of re-programming it, though, it's pretty simple and chances are you'll want to for other apps.

[RandyT]

One of the nice things about the KeyWiz is that it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.

If you don't want Shazaaam! buttons, just leave the Shazaaam! input disconnected!  The ROM defaults, which just happen to be MAME compatible, will then be all you have access to through the panel (ie. on-the-fly-switching will be disabled.)  For a very simple installation, that's all you'll ever need to worry about.

You'll also still have the option of reprogramming it with the software though, if you find the need.

There actually is a default codeset in the custom area, but that gets overwritten as soon as a new set is uploaded.  The power-on default state of the KeyWiz is always the MAME compatible keycode set.

Anything else you want it to do has to be specifically set-up and or activated.

BTW,  remember that you can always contact me for any of these types of questions as well.  You paid for that service

RandyT