New convertor for xbox?

[djohng]

 
SmartJoy FRAG for Xbox
>> From Lik-Sang.com:

SmartJoy

[Dave_K.]

OMG this is incredible if true.  I researched this a couple years back when I first got my xbox with Halo and hated not using a mouse.  I tried to hack a mouse's digital quadriture x/y outputs to analog stick x/y voltages...but eventually gave up it was too difficult.  Looks like "Team Liksang" solved it.

The only potential problem with this solution is lag in mouse input to onscreen movement (the conversion time).  If you can't get it down to around 100ms then hardcore FPS people will notice the mouse lag.

The halo movie looks cool :-)
Here is the link again (since it looks like djohng didn't get it posted correctly).

http://forums.lik-sang.com/showthread.php?s=9c732054ef601870248ead2913ae2e31&threadid=1089&highlight=smartjoy

[djohng]

The reason I posted this, is many people use keyboard encoder, or "mouse" trackballs with their arcade cabinets.  Now you can use the same arcade controls without hacking a bunch of xbox controllers.

I preordered 2 of them to test them out.   It's a nice option to have all the controls available, instead of the x-arcade one joystick at a time...that's if you want to use an xbox and all of the emulators with your games too.

-sorry about the link...I got too excited reading this development...and it's programmable!

-djohng

[Bgnome]

"Works with any game, even without built-in Mouse + Keyboard support"

that's an interesting claim.  i wonder if they do actually convert mouse quadriture to analog stick signals.  i know that basically both the xbox and ps2 do have support for usb mice and kbs but so far, it has been a game specific thing afaik.  it also looks like the ps2 version actually interfaces as a controller..

"New presets can be entered (and saved!) by simply typing a key sequence from the site."
i would like to see some more info about programmability, (ie mapping games to your own arcade control scheme).

[Grasshopper]

Wow, I'm excited about this and I don't even own an Xbox or Playstation!

It's a pity they only support one player though.

[Dave_K.]

It's a pity they only support one player though.

Well you can buy two of them (to support two players), but now you are running upwards of $60....thats a pity  

[mcdo15]

exciting...halo 2 coming soon..hope its out before then

[Sephroth57]

so can you have this hooked up at the same time as your arcade controls? basicly, do they have keyboard splitters??

heres how my setup would work:

                                   PS2
Arcade Panel -> ipac<
                                   PC

that will work right?

[Bgnome]

you are talking about KVM switch type thingies except you wont be using the video.  they are meant to have one kb/mouse and monitor connected to 2 or more pcs.

[djohng]

so can you have this hooked up at the same time as your arcade controls? basicly, do they have keyboard splitters??

heres how my setup would work:

                                   PS2
Arcade Panel -> ipac<
                                   PC

that will work right?

I would use two since I have a two player panel...other option would be to use an X-Arcade board and create a whole new panel, but that run $60+ not counting the new panel controls; same thing for hacking up xbox controls...

If you already have a IPAC to a PC Arcade Cab and wanted to throw an XBox in your cabinet, along with the PC, this would be the easiest option and cheapest....just my thoughts....and it's just another option for people.

You could then use a device like a KVM...to switch between controls going out from the IPAC.

ie Arcade Controls-> IPAC -> KVM keyboard splitter => PC or XBOX.

When, I get them I'll test them out to see if they work as well as they advertise.

-djohng

[Sephroth57]

yeah i would be using 2 of them also. im confused , how would you wire 2 of them into the loop

[Bgnome]

http://forum.lik-sang.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1174

it has been mentioned in their faqs that these are fully programmable and fully compatible with KVM switches, meaning you can have your encoder plugged into your pc as well.

as for a 2 player setup, i would assume that you would need to fashion a splitter that connects your encoder to both at the same time.  a normal KVM would probably not let you use both player 1 and player 2 simultaneously.

apparently, these are out and have reviews at some of the major gaming sites.  since i am not particularly interested in FPS games, i would appreciate a detailed review from someone here.