Posted by EmuMannen on 27, 2000 at 5:18 AM:
In Reply to: Controller hacking ... posted by saint on 26, 2000 at 10:21 PM:
Do your self a favor and forget the controller hack if you don't need something special like a Wingman Warrior spinner or potentiometers for analog controllers etc. I have hacked everything worth hacking (keyboards, controllers like the PowerRamp, joysticks etc).
Buy an I-PAC and use it as the core for standars arcade joystick and button controls. Add a Opti-PAC for optical controls like trackballs, spinners and steering wheels.
Save the hacking for controllers without any other simple interface solution (like analog steering wheels, pedals and joysticks).
Stay away from the game port if possible (because it is generally slower to poll than getting interrupts from the keyboard).
Don't tell me that an encoder like the I-PAC or Opti-PAC is to expensive because I know what it costs to develop circuits like that. Andy is more or less giving them away (thats why I spent more than 100 hours of my spare time to help him develop the I-PAC Util, for free)!
Building your own "arcade at home" is a lot of work and cost a lot of money. Thats why I recommend you to spend your resources wisely. An I-PAC and Opti-PAC will probably be your best investment in a project like this. This is built on my own experience and I am enjoying a fully working cabinet in my home, right now...
Good luck with yours / EmuMannen
: However, you don't have to hack a gameport based controller per se. The PowerRamp that Tom61 recommended in an earlier message actually connects via the keyboard. It's a great controller to hack if you want to go that route, and very cheap.
: --- saint
: : We have all been down this road... just don't piss-off your best resource :)
: : You could use a controller hack but you would have less possible keys to use. If I remember correctly (correct me if I’m wrong) if you use a joystick port and a joystick splitter you can only have 2 buttons per person…