XBox 1 cab raised from the dead

[slycrel]

Glad to see the xbox 1 alive and well in cabs.  It was like coming home being away from the forum for years and seeing chad tower and howard castro going at it when I came back.   

About 6 years ago I modded an xbox and put it in a defender cab, hooked up to an old TV.  For halloween I've decided to fix it up and put it out for the trick or treaters and I could use some of the expertise from around here.  It's got an old 28 input iPAC and the xbox controller converter to go with it.  The controls are set up in a street fighter 2 layout with p1 7-8 as admin buttons.  I think I've fixed some misc issues with the controls and they are all working.

I'm running into the problem that's always bugged me -- there's no way that I know of to use the right-analog stick button to get into the admin tools of most emus.

Has the software changed much in the past few years?  I glanced through xbins and most of the emus seem to be what I have.  It looks like coinOps seems to be what I need.  Does this work well with the iPAC controls?  Are there any other solutions here I can do in software?

I'm primarily interested in arcade, SNES, NES, atari 2600 and genesis games.

Thanks in advance!

[sharpfork]

I have a simliar setup and have and use a logitech wireless remote to change settings in emus that require it.  I know this is a pain.  Now days, I mostly just use CoinOps2.  The buttons used for configuration are more common as well as configurable.  It also combines your arcade and console games into a single UI/ front end with video previews.  I don't think it does 2600 but I might be wrong. 

There are links to a support form and a few download package options depending on the drive size you have here:
http://coinops.blogspot.com/

I assume you have the ultimarc converter thing that connects your xBox1 to your iPac.  I just ordered one of those as well as a couple of other controller interfaces to write an updated guide to building an inexpensive cab.  I'd love more info about your cab, pictures, and an update on how halloween goes.

[SNAAKE]

get coinops2. like a zillion games with video previews. its like hyperspin for xbox.

[slycrel]

Downloading coinops now, will have a closer look this evening.  Video previews sounds really nice.  =)  Thanks guys!

[slycrel]

Doh, Apparently I lied.  All my controls are working properly on an old XP PC.  I can't for the life of me get the player 2 controls to work with the ultimarc iPAC to xbox adapter -- at all.  Tried different ports on the small by swapping the connectors around with no new results (P1 works fine, P2 doesn't), even tried another xbox.  Hoping that I missed something somewhere, I notice that there are 2 jumpers on the boards, so I might try and see if it's my older iPAC that's the problem there -- hope not!

So I guess that's step one, before I update my software.  I do have the coinops 2 lite downloaded though, I'll report back when I get that going.  A bit bummed about the xbox adapter cable not working though.   

I'll post some pics here soon as well for you sharpfork.  The only "cool" mod I've done is wire up the power button up to the top of the cab, otherwise it looks like a pretty stock defender cab.  It's nothing special compared to some but my kids love it. 

[HaRuMaN]

Hack some Xbox controllers...

[Jammin0]

I am currently building mine and have hacked 4 controllers.  I have a dedicated button for the right stick click button from P1 to control the menus.  From what I've found so far, the oldest biggest XBOX controllers are all common ground so it is super easy to just solder on 13 or so wires for everything.  Some of them even have test pads that are great for soldering too.  For the triggers, solder to the middle of the 3 pins.  For the analog stick click button, solder to any of the visible pins.

Super pleased so far and only cost me $15 or the cost of 4 controllers from the thrift store.

[slycrel]

I did some more testing and then contacted andy @ ultimarc.  He agreed that it was likely the cable and offered to test it and replace it if it was.  So I sent it off in the mail today, hoping that I'll have it back in a couple weeks.  Not sure what the turnaround time is on that kind of thing, but I'm VERY happy with ultimarc's service!

So short of the cost of shipping and some waiting I shouldn't have to go the route of hacking any controllers.  Maybe later.  =)  I do have to say, times have changed, it seems like hacking a controller used to be the second option.  Maybe the xbox 1 stuff is now in the budget category. 

In the meantime I'll be messing with some software options.  I'll let you know my experience with coinops 2.

[slycrel]

I know, I know...  It's a 6 year old cable though, I wasn't expecting that.   

[sharpfork]

Andy @ ultimarc is AWESOME!

[sharpfork]

Did you make sure your iPac was in  PS2 mode?  That adaptor doesn't work if you have your iPac in USB mode.
Also, Isn't the cable just a PS2-> PS2 cable?  I'd think you could pick one up cheeper than the shiping.

Doh, Apparently I lied.  All my controls are working properly on an old XP PC.  I can't for the life of me get the player 2 controls to work with the ultimarc iPAC to xbox adapter -- at all.  Tried different ports on the small by swapping the connectors around with no new results (P1 works fine, P2 doesn't), even tried another xbox.  Hoping that I missed something somewhere, I notice that there are 2 jumpers on the boards, so I might try and see if it's my older iPAC that's the problem there -- hope not!

So I guess that's step one, before I update my software.  I do have the coinops 2 lite downloaded though, I'll report back when I get that going.  A bit bummed about the xbox adapter cable not working though.   

I'll post some pics here soon as well for you sharpfork.  The only "cool" mod I've done is wire up the power button up to the top of the cab, otherwise it looks like a pretty stock defender cab.  It's nothing special compared to some but my kids love it. 

[slycrel]

Sorry for my misleading wording, I kept the cable portion and shipped the board part back to andy.  the P1 controls work great it's the P2 controls that do not work, regardless of the xbox or cables used with the board.

Played around a bit with coinops 2, it's very impressive.  It will work out well in my cab I think!

[sharpfork]

CoinOps 3 will be out in early November and it sounds sweet.

Did you get your iPac -> xbox controller back yet?

[slycrel]

Nope.  I found out last night that my wife may have shipped it super slow, since she paid only a few dollars shipping.    So I'm planning on setting up a makeshift old PC in my cab for halloween because I don't think andy has even received the old board yet.

I hadn't heard about coinops 3, that's good to know.  My kids are really enjoying coinops 2 on my modded xbox.  It's a very slick setup.

I know I promised pictures, I'll see if I can get some good ones this weekend.  In the meantime I have a pic or two on my phone I can put on here from when I first opened up my cab to start messing again.

[Jammin0]

CoinOps 3 will be out in early November and it sounds sweet.

Did you get your iPac -> xbox controller back yet?

What will be the advantage to coinops 3 over 2? I assume some more games, do you know of anything else.  I guess I need to read the blog again.  I'll be game if it installs over coinops 2, might wait a bit if not since it took me hours and hours to get  a complete install of coinops 2.

[sharpfork]

CoinOps 3 will have more games and options. 
I'm not exactly sure what the details are at this point but I assume details will be coming out soon.

CoinOps 3 will be out in early November and it sounds sweet.

Did you get your iPac -> xbox controller back yet?

What will be the advantage to coinops 3 over 2? I assume some more games, do you know of anything else.  I guess I need to read the blog again.  I'll be game if it installs over coinops 2, might wait a bit if not since it took me hours and hours to get  a complete install of coinops 2.

[slycrel]

Quick update, I got my new xbox adapter 2 days ago.  Plugged it in and it works great.  Thanks a ton Andy!