Got an OUYA......what now ? Must have apps, etc ?

[mike boss]

Picked up an OUYA thru Amazon.ca, $70 + free shipping.
I installed XBMC (from the OUYA store) and most of the emulators.
I moved over a ton of ROMS to a flashdrive and tested some of the emulators.
Easy to navigate and worked well....so I'm happy.
Really it simply does what my old gen1 XBOX does....but it's smaller, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI...so this all add to it I.M.H.O .

As I search the web I'm shocked to see all the info and  various opinions.
Makes it hard (for me) to figure out what I really want to/need to add to get the most from my OUYA.

I think I'll need to sideload the other version of XBMC but over and above that any input with respects to "must haves" would be great.

[mike boss]

I should add :

When I set up my man cave I hooked up all my old consoles. Atari Flashback, the various Nintendo consoles, PS1, PS2, and a Gen1 XBOX. I also had my Wii and XBOX 360 hooked up also. I made one HUGE mistake though! My 55" Samsung only had one input for standard video OR component video. What I did was hook up the Wii and console switcher box to the same connection. I used a "Y" adapter to do so. The issue is the TV can tell that all 5 connections are used, YPbPr + the audio. So when I goto play the NES for example the TV is looking for the rest of the signal. All my hard work is worth nothing. I cant play my old consoles.

When I purchased the OUYA a HUGE part of the draw was the ability to have all these old consoles in one small lil box, HDMI hook up, and wireless game pads.

--- My goal is to get all the best emulators installed and working well.

--- I'd like to get my XBMC (or sideloaded version of XBMC) fully working and set up         with all the best add-on's. (Help with add-on's would be great)

--- Lastly I'd love to find some cheap game pads (wireless) that work with the OUYA.
I always like to have 4 game pads per console. The OUYA is the same, but not $40 game pads. So any help with these issues would be great.

Thanks all

[Generic Eric]

Games I played and liked:
No Brakes Valet!
There was a wipeout clone that looked fun.  1 level or $2.99 to unlock I think.

Games I have played on other systems that were fun and are also on OUYA:
Sine Mora - If you haven't played this yet, play it now.
Choplifter HD
Boost 2.  I have this on my iPod and think its fun


On my list once I reconnect my OUYA:
Soul Fjord

So other commonly mentioned games:
Maldita Castilla
Donkey Me (movie based donkey kong skins - Star Wars, Indiana Jones


Check out the list where I found these: https://www.ouya.tv/games/

[Slippyblade]

In you guy's opinion, how's the controller?

I'm on the fence about just piecing together a cheap-o comp as a media center or going th Ouya route.  The controller may well be the deal maker.

[mike boss]

I just sideloaded XBMC as per this guide : http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW-TO:Install_XBMC_on_OUYA

Now I need to get the best add-on's !

[Generic Eric]

In you guy's opinion, how's the controller?

I'm on the fence about just piecing together a cheap-o comp as a media center or going the Ouya route.  The controller may well be the deal maker.

Here is a forum thread with a list of compatible controllers.
http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?3673-LIST-Controllers-That-Work-With-OUYA

You'll find PS3, wii, and wired and wireless xbox360 controllers. 

My opinion was that it did feel light.  Sometimes the buttons seemed sketchy, but not enough to do any real investigating, so take it with a grain of salt.

[knave]

Congrats on your OUYA, I love mine and am getting one for my other TV soon.

I've had mine since June 2013 and it is a great sytem. Though its not perfect.

For XBMC, it looks like you are set. But if you want to look into different versions, check out SPMC: Semper Media Center is an unofficial fork of the official XBMC on OUYA app.  This one came to life after Ouya had to withdraw Dolby/DTS decoding support from the official app due to licensing issues.

For extra controllers I would reccomend PS3 gamepads. They sync easily and work for almost all the games. (Only a few of the original launch games don't support them).
I like the OUYA controler in terms of feel, and For me the main buttons are fine...but the analogue sticks just don't seem to have the quality of the PS3 or XBox360 versions.
Note: wired xbox 360 pads also work, wireless with the dongle.

Get a USB hub...just be careful of the really cheap ones. If you plan to plug much into it at once make it a powered hub.

Then all you really need is a Flash drive. The OUYAs 8 gigs (5 usable) fill up fast. But you can install games and roms on the flash drive...

I picked up a mini usb keyboard...but I never really use it.

Install Filepwn: Its a file manager app that lets you copy, move, and delete files around the system.

Thats enough for now, I'll come back with a game list later.

[Generic Eric]

@knave
Is the external drive sorted now?  Months ago, if you plugged in a USB drive, it wouldn't see it.

Thanks for your answers.

[knave]

Most of the issues with USB drives have been fixed. Installing games to external storage is "in Beta" but has been working for me with no issues.

I have a 16 gb usb drive with about 10 gigs of games for emulators and about 5 left for additional OUYA games. I havn't had issues with storage since they patched that in.

That said...use a file manager app, either Filepwn or Astro etc...to look for your drive. Usb storage of roms and media has worked from day one but there was a bug for a bit where the drive didn't show up in the "storage" settings menu but it does now. I think I set up the emulation about a week in and I've always used a USB drive...swapping a 4gb drive for the 16 I use now. Some folks use a HD. In any case they work and you can install games to external drives now.

@Slippyblade. If you are worried about the controller, they have a revised controller comming out with new units that addresses many peoples complaints or so I read. Those with issues are told to RMA them...but My controllers are fine...the only lag I've had was when I got too far away, 15-20 ft and my batteries were almost dead. But there is no reason not to use a PS3 controller if you don't like the stock one.  I have also used an aftermarket logitec wireless controller. But in the end I prefer to just use the OUYA pad.

@mike. If you search for OUYA on the forum here you'll find my initial review and that I was pretty happy with the system dispite some negative thoughts from others.  I like it more than ever now.

As for games. There are lots of good, fun games...and it is even easier than ever to find them.

Rather than make suggestions of specific titles, (you can find some in my initial reviews), I'd suggest you spend some time trying out the top games in the "trending" section of Discover. They are all Free to try and many of the good ones can be had for $5 or less.

I will mention one that I was playing tonight though: Twin Tiger Shark

It is a pretty fun virtical Shmup AND it has TATE settings. I thought that was cool.
No I didn't turn my HDTV on its side but it still made me dream of sticking it in a cab with a huge HD screen.

Another great aspect of playing the OUYA is that there are more and more games to play "couch multiplayer". If you have buddies/kids check em out.

[mike boss]

Thank you for the info.
For now my main goal is getting XBMC tricked out.
Adding select add-ons, all be it I'm not sure which are best.
There is SOOOOOOOOOO much reading...it makes it hard.
I know (off hand) Navi-X, Adu!t Devil ?, Mash Up is one I heard about also.
I found some guide (link escapes me now)...but I plan on following it when I get home tonight.
My friend said its what he did and he was set, so I might delete the install I did and use the link.
Perhaps I'll post before I do so. All be it, perhaps I can keep my build and simply add what I want ?
(forgive the lack of know how here..........I'm not sure of the best route)

My plan was/is to get a 32GB Flash Drive just for use on the OUYA.
I'll also get a micro SD card, also 32GB just for use on the OUYA.
I figure that is only a $40 or so investment, all my ROMS will be on the flash drive.
I figure 32GB should hold my complete sets, including full MAME set, and select PS1 titles that I would play.

I may look for some used PS3 game pads on the cheap.

[ark_ader]

Any any SMB apps available?

[knave]

Any any SMB apps available?

I have xbmc pointed to my smb share.

[mike boss]

So tonight I decided I'd work on tweaking the OUYA a little more.
Found a few guides online and did some messing around.
I have two builds of XBMC installed, the OUYA store version and a sideloaded one.
The sideloaded one is LOADED to the max with various add-on's, from sports, adult, various movie and tv options.
I still need to play around with it a lil more.
Today when I was testing of the 8 or so items I tried to load 6 would not load.
Is this common ?
I ask because I watched some YouTube videos and one user really inspired me to "trick this sucker out."
In the videos everything he tried worked.............I had no such luck.

Anyway I also ordered three of these : http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/madcatz-madcatz-ghost-recon-wireless-playstation-3-gamepad-grf88567001-grf88567001/10276054.aspx?path=71a8d2e6eabe6852d82bbefb2bf42b29en02

They may not work and for $7 (the cost of one) I figured it was worth a shot.
I like to have 4 controllers for all my consoles and right now I'm happy with this OUYA.
But what good is it if the buddies and I can't play Mario Kart or Bond ?

[Howard_Casto]

Honestly it would be hard to play Mario Kart or Goldeneye without a N64 controller.  Not impossible, but it would certainly feel wrong. 

It was my understanding that the Ouya supported most HID usb joysticks.  Wouldn't it make more sense to get a USB hub and either get some 360 controllers or some of those n64 usb knockoffs?

[mike boss]

I did not realzie when I bought these that they are 2.5GHZ controllers.
Not Bluetooth like the PS3 controller.

These controllers I bought have the USB adapter.
I wonder if I could use the HUB and use these controllers ?
It would give me the wireless like I want.

For that matter perhaps I could get the generic XBOX 360 Wireless controllers with the USB adapter ?

I can look into the N64 knockoffs also, but something more universal like the ones in the link are good also (for general gaming).

[mike boss]

I can't find the link now to the generic 360 controllers, but they are about $12 each.

They require this from what I understand :

url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-Wireless-Gaming-Controller-USB-Receiver-Adapter-For-XBOX-360-OH-/261339778548?pt=US_Video_Game_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3cd9108df4]http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-Wireless-Gaming-Controller-USB-Receiver-Adapter-For-XBOX-360-OH-/261339778548?pt=US_Video_Game_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3cd9108df4[/url]

So perhaps a USB hub, then 1 or 2 of these adapters (as I'd like 4 controllers) ?
The official XBOX product can do upto 4 controllers !
I'll try to find the link for the controllers.

[knave]

For the OUYA specifically:
You can use a hub and plug all those controllers in, it should work as long as they are designed to use multiple.

The xbox wireless dongle works...it just reserves the first four controller slots(always). That's one reason I prefer the ps3 pads. But its a non issue if you are playing with four or more people. (OUYA supports up to 8 )

See my post in another thread about gamepads for links to amazon and xbox wireless info:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137843.msg1423992.html#msg1423992

I'm a noob when it comes to XBMC, I had only briefly checked it out a few times before getting the OUYA. With that in mind it has always been something that required tinkering. Sometimes a stream won't work...So I use the next one...

Once I had to update the plugins...I just google it and usually find some vid on Youtube with instructions. Most of the time...it just works, kinda like magic.
As far as I can tell, these issues are the same for XBMC across any platform.

[mike boss]

For the OUYA specifically:
You can use a hub and plug all those controllers in, it should work as long as they are designed to use multiple.

The xbox wireless dongle works...it just reserves the first four controller slots(always). That's one reason I prefer the ps3 pads. But its a non issue if you are playing with four or more people. (OUYA supports up to 8 )

See my post in another thread about gamepads for links to amazon and xbox wireless info:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137843.msg1423992.html#msg1423992

I'm a noob when it comes to XBMC, I had only briefly checked it out a few times before getting the OUYA. With that in mind it has always been something that required tinkering. Sometimes a stream won't work...So I use the next one...

Once I had to update the plugins...I just google it and usually find some vid on Youtube with instructions. Most of the time...it just works, kinda like magic.
As far as I can tell, these issues are the same for XBMC across any platform.

@ knave

You think the Ghost Recon controllers will work ? Because I'd be stoked if so. For $25 shipped (for the three) that is a steal. I can pick up a powered hub for under $10, so thats a good investment. Not to mention I THINK the PS3 controllers (in this the Ghost Recon ones) can be used on PC applications.

Off topic, but one project I'm working on is adding a really ticked out PC to my MARIO MAME cabinet.
The PC will have Hyperspin and a ton of PC emulation. I was hoping to have some form of wireless game pad for console gaming. So if these Ghost Recon PS3 controllers can be used with the OUYA and PC project that would be great.

Back on topic.................. I'll look for now for info on the multiples, emailing Mad Catz if needed.

[knave]

@ knave

You think the Ghost Recon controllers will work ?
Back on topic.................. I'll look for now for info on the multiples, emailing Mad Catz if needed.

I am pretty confident they will work...but possible issues would be that the button presses may not be the same. I have a Logitec controller that I got with my PS3. It works fine with the OUYA but the buttons don't match.

Really If you already ordered them I would wait until they get there and try one out...see what the buttons do, then try out two using the hub...It probably will work...unless they interfere with each other...

In some games you can map your own buttons...just like in the emulators...

[mike boss]

Thanks knave.

They will be in this week.
I'm looking to order a USB hub now.
Fingers crossed these bad boys work !

EDIT - Sent an email to MadCatz asking about multiple controllers on the one console.
I went on over to eBay and ordered a powered hub for $7.
I (for some reason) could not find the wireless generic controllers, I did however find the adapter.
Either way I think for $35 this is a good investment. Lets just HOPE they work !

[mike boss]

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
These came today.
Still no word from MadCatz on multiples, just looked at my PS3....I noticed only two USB inputs............hoping these work.
The price was soooooooooooo good !

[knave]

let us know how they work...

[mike boss]

I'll post the results for sure.
As of this morning still no response from MadCatz.
I've also been unable to find any info online about the controller  and any issue that could exist setting up multiple.

I have an opinion question for you guys. From what I gather most PS3 controllers require initial sync via wired connection... .which is fine. I plan on testing one, making sure it works, should it not I'll return the others.
(or perhaps keep them for PC projects ? - I have a PS3 I got for free, but it's broken, dont know if I'll invest to fix it) Sorry........back to the question ! Any harm is using a NON POWERED USB hub w/ 4 connection just to charge two controllers and connect my Flash Drive (ROM storage) ? I don't want to draw too much power from the OUYA.

Thanks

EDIT - When/If these work I'll keep all three, using the powered USB Hub I ordered to keep them connected/charge them, as well as connect the USB Flash Drive.

[yotsuya]

YMMV - I've seen some devices that won't charge unless it's on a powered hub, I've seen some that won't charge on a powered hub UNLESS it's connected to a computer... honestly, your best bet is to try one and see. 

[mike boss]

Got word from MadCatz. They said if the USB ports are available, and I plug these in 1 at a time they should work!
I responded and mentioned I'd be using a powered hub and an OUYA. I know they will have no info on the OUYA, but perhaps they could provide some info on the powered hub.

Tons of stuff on the agenda tonight. But some OUYA time is on the books for this weekend.

[knave]

I charge one ps3 controller with out issue on my non-powered hub with a 16 gig usb drive also plugged in.

Try the madcatz already...you should be able to test out one on the ouya itself...and you can try a couple with a non powered hub...

[mike boss]

Trying them today................I promise !

[mike boss]

Ok, tried one of three.
Painless and easy.
Plugged in the receiver and away I went.
It put my OUYA controller to # 2, I'd like to get that back to one (because I'm so particular like that).
In the NES & SNES emulator I configured the controller and it was perfect.
However I have one question, and this may not be the place......................
The OUYA recognizes the controller, and it appears in name in the emulator menu.
When I configured the keys and left the profile as MULTIPLE the controller wouldn't work.
When I set the profile to # 2, it works.
What I'm trying to find out is, is there a way where I can set a profile for this KIND of controller, and be it # 2, #3, or #4 because it's MadCatz it would assume the profile. Does this make sense

If needed I'll configure each one in each emulator, but I'm thinking there has to be an easy way.
And how to I get the controller back to #1 (I want the PS3 controllers to be 2,3, and 4).
To be particular, I'll likely just add a sticker to each controller and receiver indication what number it is.

[mike boss]

Posted in error

[mike boss]

So I tried my luck with the PS3 controllers.
First one paired and worked without any issues.
It registered as controller 1, my OUYA controller was controller 2.
Oddly when I put the console to sleep and turned it back on it was not showing the PS3 controller.
The profile was there, but the controller would not register.
Power down and back on seemed to do the trick.

So now I went onto controller 3 & 4 (B,C). All of the three PS3 controllers lit up and indicated controller one.
MadCatz had said if I had available USB ports all should be fine, but I guess since its a HUB really it is only 1 port ?
As you can see from the images the OUYA did show I had 4 controllers set up.
The OUYA in the emulator screen showed MadCatz, MadCatz2, MadCatz 3. And I assigned them player 2 thru 4.
However when I would try to use one and adjust the buttons it would say I'm trying to adjust controller 2 every time.
I think because they all lit up as #1 that was why.

No idea how I can resolve this.

[knave]

Ps3 controllers always blink on the first led even if they are successfully paired as the 2nd 3rd controller. To my knowledge the ouya just adds controllers in the order it detects them.

[mike boss]

I'll play around a lil more tonight.
I was having some trouble with the N64 emulator so I couldn't really find a good 4 player game to test on.
Perhaps I'll see if I can fire up Mario Kart tonight and try testing.

[mike boss]

My USB Hub came in on Tuesday.
I'm yet to play around with it.................no time !
But I'll try to do some testing this week.
I'll post the results.
Really hope I can get these all working on the OUYA @ the same time.
I think if all else fails the plus is I will have two controllers for a PC based project I'm working on.
For $7 a pop I truly cant complain about these.

[knave]

Looks good, from the info you've posted thus far the controllers should work fine. I'm not sure about emulated games but to test out the controllers try out "hidden in plain sight"...the free version has two modes that support up to 4 players and the games aren't timed so you can test each controller in turn. really any multi-player game should work.

It is a fun game BTW. I play with my daughter all the time.

[mike boss]

BUMP!

Just an update (or non update of sorts I guess).
I have all I need now, powered hub, etc.
Just have not found the time to do the testing.
In reality the OUYA is getting minimal use, but that is based on keeping in the guest room.
Going to move it this weekend and do my joystick test.
I'm happy that I can get two controllers working, but 4 would be sooooooooooo sweet.
I'll post the results.

[pbj]

Adios Ouya....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CX5P8FC/

[Generic Eric]

.

Adios Ouya....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CX5P8FC/

Dammit

I need another box like I need a hole in the head, but if you are already invested in the Amazon eco system, this looks nice.  I am and I was hoping to side load my SonicCD amazon free app of the day on the OUYA.

OTOH,
Be nice and don't spoil his OUYA thread

[knave]

Adios Ouya....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CX5P8FC/

Yes indeed...that's been the topic today at the OUYA forum...

Too bad it doesn't run XBMC or HBOgo or I'd order one right now.

Kinda sux that the controller is not included, or an HDMI cable (though less of an issue) Still only 8gigs of storage! they should have learned from the OUYA on that one...the cloud storage is not a substitute.
I will wait and watch...some of the games look really good...when this comes down in price I may pick one up.

Until then I'll watch media on my trusty undead OUYA and my old timer Roku. LOL 

[pbj]

Well, the reason I never bought an ouya was they kept selling the thing for $60 plus extras and I missed the sale.  Knowing Amazon, this Fire TV will experience all kinds of crazy sales.

If it works with USB encoders and other game pads, I'm sold.

[ark_ader]

My Google TV stick plays all those titles, for $50 less....