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USB Keyboard hack question

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Izrun:
I have a question about keyboard hacks (and I know that they are bad and a waste of time).  On Tiger-heli's keyboard hack page, it mentions that the USB keyboard driver will freak out if you press more than 6 keys simultaneously.  First off, is this still a problem with XP, or just a legacy issue (98, ME or 2k)?  Secondly, is this a six simultaneous key press limit per computer or per keyboard?  In other words, if I had two USB keyboards hooked up could I press 12 keys at a time without it freaking out? 

Thanks!

Havok:
I believe that is a limitation with USB.

But, with the cost of encoders being so cheap now, why bother hacking a keyboard?

Izrun:

--- Quote from: Havok on June 23, 2006, 12:09:38 pm ---But, with the cost of encoders being so cheap now, why bother hacking a keyboard?

--- End quote ---

Yeah, I know what you mean.  However, I was just tossing some ideas around in my head about ways to implement a hot swapable USB modular control panel that would not require any wires to ever be connected, so each modular unit would have it's own USB encoder.  At a couple bucks a pop this is reasonable, but 20 bucks is way to much (considering a joystick panel might only have 4 possible outputs going to it).  My next consideration is a bunch of gamepads, but then you run into more issues about assigning players (I think).  I probably will just implement my own HID device using a pic or something.  That way I could even make it more intelligent.

However, a USB limitation is still a little ambiguous.  Is that a USB per keyboard device limitation or system wide?  I suppose I might be able to test it with a USB hub and a bunch of unhacked keyboards.

Havok:
Sorry - to be at least a little more specific: that's a USB keyboard HID limitation, 6 keypresses at a time. Granted, if you only have a 1 player setup, this is not really an issue. It comes more into play when you have two or more simultaneous players on a game that requires multiple buttons\joystick maneuvers like Street Fighter, etc...

Theorectically, if you did put two keyboards in there, I would think you could double your "limit" - definitely something to try.

How many panels are you planning? It sounds like you will have a similar setup as me. I have a GPWiz for each swappable panel, except for my "Tron" panel - which has a spinner\trackball\joystick (i.e. optical interface + USB joy instead).

You may want to optimize controls to reduce the number of panels, and the number of interfaces required.

Or, you could do a funky setup like this:

http://www.beersmith.com/mame/

Make sure to post a project announcement, and take lots of pictures!

SirPeale:
Keyboard hacks are *NOT* bad, depending on the use.  For a 4P CP?  Forget it.  For a 1P CP with a joystick and two buttons?  Works a charm.

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