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How is this better than an commercial encoder?

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IG-88:
Is this just a keyboard hack? And how do they get away with no key ghosting or blocking?

http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-Arcade-Controller-2-Player-version-for-MAME-cab_W0QQitemZ5853977758QQcategoryZ106260QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

HaRuMaN:
Looks to me like it is nothing more than a keyboard hack, enclosed in a project box.  Ghosting and blocking may very well be a problem.  I personally would stick to commercial encoders, like I-PAC's.

Tiger-Heli:
Could be a keyboard hack, or could be a custom PCB.

Regarding Ghosting:

If it is a keyboard hack - you can pick keys carefully and (usually) get 2 joysticks and 12 action buttons supported, 16 inputs (no I didn't add wrong).  He is claiming 17 main inputs, which is feasible using a keyboard with a 17x6 or 18x6 matrix.  He implies designed for MAME and I doubt you could get all MAME defaults using this method, but MAME also doesn't care what key you assign to an input, so that may be what he is meaning.

If it is a custom PCB, he could still use a matrix and use diodes to prevent blocking.

Or he could just be lying about it not having ghosting or blocking problems (that's been known to happen in the past . . .)

I agree that you are much safer sticking with a known commercial encoder.

allroy1975:
GBP 25.00 (Approximately US $44.05)

Seems like a lot for something that looks like that.  I think you can get a Keywiz or IPac for like $35.

and it's ugly.  :)

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: allroy1975 on January 20, 2006, 09:43:26 am ---GBP 25.00 (Approximately US $44.05)

Seems like a lot for something that looks like that.  I think you can get a Keywiz or IPac for like $35.

and it's ugly.  :)

--- End quote ---
KeyWiz Eco 2 is $19.95 and no-Solder is $22.95.

Why do you think the KeyWiz or I-PAC is ugly and why do you care as long as they work?  (J/k)  ;)

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