Playstation extension hack VS controller hack?

[Knievel]

I need to connect some DDR pads I'm making to my PS2.
Seems to me that instead of hacking controllers I should just be able to cut the ends off a set of PS2 controller extensions and use those. I realize I'd have to figure out what wire is controlling what but is there a reason this wouldn't work?

[spiffyshoes]

Uhmm the signal sent through the PS2 wires is encoded.  It isn't as simple as there being a wire in side the cable for every button on the PS2 controller and that all you have to do is connect it to a ground.  There are only 7 wires going through the cable.  How the controllers work is that the micro-chip in the PS2 controllers encodes the button presses into a series of timed electronic pulses which it sends over to the PS2.  The PS2 then decodes the series of pulses and translates them into the appropriate button being pressed.

Long story short you would need to hack a controller for your DDR Pad.  Not only would you need to hack a controller but you will have to hack a special controller that will allow you to press opposite directions at the same time.  So basically you will probably have to hack the PCB from a cheap DDR Pad.

[Knievel]

Thanks I figured it couldn't be that easy, I've never had one of the controllers apart myself.
I've seen the standard PS controllers hacked and mounted to homemade DDR pads before so they must work in two directions at once?

[spiffyshoes]

Yeah, a Standard Sony PS controller can work in both directions at once so that should be fine.  I just pulled one apart and tested it with DDR to make sure.

[Knievel]

Great, thanks for the help.