Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade

[sofakng]

I know this has been covered several times, but there are so many old threads that I'm not sure whats the most recent an up-to-date information...

Basically I'd like to connect my arcade control panel (2-players) to my dreamcast and put the dreamcast inside the cabinet.

There is a SLIGHT chance I'd want to use my PS2 as well, but if it's going to cost a lot more (with buying controller converters [eg. PS2 --> DC]) then I'd probably just stick to DC --> arcade adapters.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for an up-to-date tutorial on this?

[Alucard90]

yes i was wondering the same. The good website that TalkingOctopus suggests has been down for nearly 3 months

BTW i think this needs to be in the console section(I'm going to get alot of flaming for this)

[Bgnome]

use this diagram if you are using official dreamcast controllers.  pratically any information you find is "up to date."  there hasn't been anything new hardware-wise to the dreamcast scene for years now.

http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/images/dcjoy.gif

[Alucard90]

What diagram?

[Bgnome]

What diagram?

apparently, they dont like direct linking to pics:
http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/arc_dc4.html

[sofakng]

Thanks for the links...

Any question I had was how do you hookup the dreamcast controllers to the arcade controllers and at the same time have them wired to the PC (I-PAC)?

I heard that you can't have everything hooked up at the same time and you might need a DB25 printer switch or something.

Is there an easier (read: cheaper) method of doing it?

[Alucard90]

I'm going to just a DB-25 switch box that i got for like $5 and either crimp on or sodder on DB25 ports and put the box in the coindoor.

[Bgnome]

from what ive read on the boards, the key is maintain separate grounds.  you can do a search on the boards and see how others have managed it.

[sofakng]

I'm going to just a DB-25 switch box that i got for like $5 and either crimp on or sodder on DB25 ports and put the box in the coindoor.

Where can you get a switch for $5?  I'm sure you could mail-order one for decently cheap but I'd assume shipping would cost quite a few bucks... (ending up at $15 or $20 for the whole thing...)

[TalkingOctopus]

I think psx pads and adaptors might be the best route to go.  DC controllers are becoming harder to fine while psx pads can be bought for 5 dollars or less.  I have had good luck with these psx->dc adaptors.  
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4303&item=8131990089

Here is another dc wiring diagram, although it probably does not show the best points to solder to:
http://webpages.charter.net/rbecker5/images/dc.gif

[Dave_K.]

Sorry for the apparent, but have you looked in the Game Consoles section of this site?  Its a FAQ setup for these questions.  In fact some people don't even know there is a site, just a forum (because they link directly here from google).

Go to http://www.arcadecontrols.com.  You should get a frame with arcade buttons along the left that is the ultimate resource which is BYOAC.  Checkout the Game Consoles section.