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Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: Bgnome on August 18, 2004, 04:47:35 pm ---This device encodes each input as a single keystroke. When the input pin goes LOW (pulled to GROUND) the encoder will send the corresponding keycode ONCE, then remain inactive until the input pin goes HIGH (open). At that time, the encoder will send the BREAK CODE to the PC. The encoder is NOT typematic. The encoder operates on the SINGLE IDENTITY principle where each input sends only the make code once.
--- End quote ---
Something about the above bothers me. Typematic is not a problem for MAME, but I am wondering about the code only being sent once.
Could someone test the following:
Start Tiger-Heli in MAME using a standard keyboard and hold down the fire key. The heli should fire 1-2 shots per second at a constant rate.
Now try it with the two-bit encoder. Does the heli behave the same way, or does it only fire one shot and no additional ones.
Thanks for helping out.
shadowdrak:
USB is a great idea but it doesn't work for all situations. I personally don't car for the USB hype too much because I have found it too be largely untrue. I have had many issues with USB devices not interfacing properly with the computer -- and this is in the case where I know the device is set up properly because it was working fine ten minutes previous. Mice and keyboards have suddenly powered off or not turned on at all, confusing since some other devices worked just fine simultaneously. I have had printers that refuse to keep a steady connection over USB but work fine on a standard LPT. And I have had irritating buffer underrun problems with external USB CD-r drives in which a burn was initiated but no data was written (still made the disc a coaster). Some of these problems where on older computer with windows 98, but I still consistently find problems cropping up. I am not sure if these are because of badly written software and/or driver or what, but in all cases, the devices were used in accorinance with their spec and per manufacturer set-up instructions.
The other reason I don't like USB too much is that it requires the use of a controller chip unless you want to completely hijack the bus(not too kosher). This almost completely precludes the average hobbiest from entering the arena. How many of your friends can make a USB controller chip? Shouldn't be too hard if you have the right equipment, but I would say that it is much easier to write a driver to decode raw data sent over a serial or parallel port than to try to work out USB protocol issues.
I like and regularly use USB devices, but everything has its place. Just my opinion though.
Bgnome:
--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on August 23, 2004, 11:16:54 am ---Could someone test the following:
Start Tiger-Heli in MAME using a standard keyboard and hold down the fire key. The heli should fire 1-2 shots per second at a constant rate.
Now try it with the two-bit encoder. Does the heli behave the same way, or does it only fire one shot and no additional ones.
Thanks for helping out.
--- End quote ---
ok, i did the following test on my win98se pII laptop. i believe i was running an older version of mame (v0.66 dos pentium optimized i think). ran tigerhb1.
started the game using my usb keyboard. held down L Ctrl for a few seconds and proceded to blow up some stuff. Then I pressed P to pause, while holding L Ctrl. i released the fire key when the game paused.
i wired CNx7-5 on the Two Bit encoder to ground. this input corresponds to L Ctrl. i dont have buttons yet so i just jumpered it to ground using my screw terminals. Pressed P on my usb keybaord to unpause the game. the heli kept shooting at the same rate. i paused again and unhooked the wire. it stopped shooting. i held L Ctrl on my usb keyboard one more time to double check and proceded to fire at the same rate again.
bottom line: works as normal so far..
u_rebelscum:
--- Quote from: shadowdrak on August 23, 2004, 05:25:22 pm ---USB is a great idea but it doesn't work for all situations. I personally don't care for the USB hype too much because I have found it too be largely untrue. I have had many issues with USB devices not interfacing properly with the computer -- and this is in the case where I know the device is set up properly because it was working fine ten minutes previous. Mice and keyboards have suddenly powered off or not turned on at all, confusing since some other devices worked just fine simultaneously. [snip]
The other reason I don't like USB too much is that it requires the use of a controller chip unless you want to completely hijack the bus(not too kosher). [snip]
I like and regularly use USB devices, but everything has its place. Just my opinion though.
--- End quote ---
I totally agree USB is WAY too over hyped. However, it does look like it's the VHS over the other betas (and over the cassette tapes) in computer I/O ATM.
patrickl:
--- Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 24, 2004, 02:30:25 am ---
--- Quote from: shadowdrak on August 23, 2004, 05:25:22 pm ---USB is a great idea but it doesn't work for all situations. I personally don't care for the USB hype too much because I have found it too be largely untrue. I have had many issues with USB devices not interfacing properly with the computer -- and this is in the case where I know the device is set up properly because it was working fine ten minutes previous. Mice and keyboards have suddenly powered off or not turned on at all, confusing since some other devices worked just fine simultaneously. [snip]
The other reason I don't like USB too much is that it requires the use of a controller chip unless you want to completely hijack the bus(not too kosher). [snip]
I like and regularly use USB devices, but everything has its place. Just my opinion though.
--- End quote ---
I totally agree USB is WAY too over hyped. However, it does look like it's the VHS over the other betas (and over the cassette tapes) in computer I/O ATM.
--- End quote ---
Allthough this is going completely off-topic I just wanted to respond. USB is a completeley essential development in the PC world. I have 7 devices connected to my PC and 2 more which are not permanently connected (which would in fact need to be permanently connected if they used the serial port). Imagine plugging in all those devices with only serial ports. Imagine running a Web cam or hard disk over a serial or parallel port. Also, remember the days when manufacturers were making expansion cards to enable you to hook up for instance a scanner. Now you just plug it in and it works. USB adds the power and ease of use needed for further expanding possibilities.
I can imagine people with older computers having trouble, but if you buy a PC nowadays which has problems with USB devices than you should switch brands. Or if you use a hub, make sure you get a proper one and not one you got for free in a cereal box. Of course if people build crappy devices they work poorly. USB has nothing to do with that. I've also had serial devices blow up my serial port.
There are plenty chipsets or microcontrolers available to easily be able to create USB solutions. You can also download basic drivers for them to which you could modify as well. There are plenty ready made solutions there available too. Indeed it's a tad more difficult, but you don't have to create your own chips for it. A proper hobbiest likes a challenge. People who want to remain in the dark ages can still choose so since you can easily connect serial devices to a USB port (with a converter).
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