Keyboard Encoders

Keyboard Encoders offer the functionality of a keyboard hack in an easy-to-use form. They offer several benefits including reduction/elimination of ghosting, ease in connecting controls and time savings.

I-PAC2

I-PAC2 (PS/2 version) Photo © Ultimarc.com, Used with permission.

Ultimarc's IPac2 was the first full-featured affordable keyboard encoder to hit the BYOAC community and quickly became the hook-up of choice. Up until it's release most people were still hacking keyboards, since most keyboard encoders came with a high price tag or were difficult to find.

It's still a very popular choice and comes in PS/2 and USB flavours.

Both versions have 28 inputs. They are all programmable and are designated as 2 joysticks, 8 buttons each, plus coin1, coin2, start1, start2. One of the inputs is assigned as a shift key to access an alternate code set (usefull if you want to keep administrative buttons to a minimum on your control panel). Both models also have connectors for NumLock, CapsLock and ScrollLock keyboard LEDs.The PS/2 model includes a very usefull keyboard passthrough.

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's I-PAC2 Page

I-PAC2 FS32

Ultimarc's IPac2 FS32 is a new model of the IPac2. I has the same features as the IPac2 but with more inputs (32 vs. 28)

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's I-PAC2 Page

I-PAC4

I-PAC4 (PS/2 version) Photo © Ultimarc.com, Used with permission.

The I-PAC4 is designed for 4-player panels or where large numbers of inputs are needed. It also comes in PS/2 and USB versions.

Both versions have 56 inputs and are all programmable and designated 4 joysticks, 8 buttons each plus coin 1,2,3,4 and start 1,2,3,4. Two of the inputs are assigned as shift keys to access two separate codes sets covering the player 1,2 and the player 3,4 inputs, usefull if you want to keep administrative buttons to a minimum on your control panel

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's I-PAC4 Page

I-PAC VE

I-PAC VE Photo © Ultimarc.com, Used with permission.

This "value edition" of the I-PAC only comes in USB form. It is suitable for all Windows versions, Linux, and Mac, but not DOS. You may require a standard A-B USB cable (check the Ultimarc website for details regarding this).

One important difference with this model is that when a custom codeset is used, it is stored in RAM instead of EEPROM, meaning that storage needs refreshing after power-down (this does not apply if you always use the built-in default MAME code set of course, the settings revert to MAME on power-down)

This model has 32 inputs. They are all programmable and are designated as 2 joysticks, 8 buttons each, plus coin1, coin2, start1, start2. One of the inputs is assigned as a shift key to access an alternate code set (usefull if you want to keep administrative buttons to a minimum on your control panel). This model also has connectors for NumLock, CapsLock and ScrollLock keyboard LEDs.

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's I-PAC VE Page

J-PAC

J-PAC Photo © Ultimarc.com, Used with permission.

The J-PAC is an encoder which allows plug-in connection of a JAMMA arcade cabinet to a VGA card and keyboard port or USB port on a PC motherboard, and incorporates all the functions of the standard I-PAC's and has a dual interface for PS/2 and USB.

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's J-PAC Page

JammASD

Functionally similar in most respects to the J-PAC, this encoder includes an audio amplifier supporting both mono and stereo sound (vs. the J-PAC's unamplified mono only) as well as an RCA jack for use with a lightgun. The JammASD is PS/2 only and limited to 7 buttons per player (with no support for Tilt, Service SW or Test buttons). The JammASD draws power from the JAMMA harness itself or (alternatively) from a PC power supply by wiring a standard 4-pin Molex receptacle to screw terminals on the JammASD.

Relevant Link: ArcadeItalia's JammASD Page

KADE

KADE miniArcade. Photo © kadevice.com, Used with permission.

KADE microArcade. Photo © kadevice.com, Used with permission.

The KADE series of Open Source/Open Hardware encoders allow you to load your choice of various gamepad, keyboard, rotary joystick, or game-console specific firmwares.

The easy-to-use KADE Loader software programs the desired firmware into the AVR microcontroller.

The miniArcade and microArcade encoders have 20 player inputs and allow "shifted functions" using the HWB input.

Because it is Open Hardware, you can get the AVR (atmega32u2 for the miniArcade) from various vendors to build a custom version.

KeyWiz MAX

KeyWiz MAX Photo © IDVT Inc. / GroovyGameGear.com, Used with permission.

A high-performance keyboard encoder produced by Groovy Game Gear. It features screw terminal headers on the PCB for easy hookup and a switch to allow the "pass-thru" use of a connected keyboard.

The KeyWiz line of keyboard encoders feature 32 inputs and connect to a PC via the keyboard PS2 port. The Keywiz has the default MAME codeset hard-coded by default. Custom codesets can easily be created and loaded into RAM on the Keywiz via its included software. This software can be placed in the Windows Startup folder to automatically load a custom keyset each time the computer is booted.

The Keywiz uses a SHAZAAM key to allow most of the inputs to have alternate keycodes. For example, pushing the SHAZAAM key and the Player 1 button #2 is the same as hitting the TAB key. This function allows many "administrative" keys to be accessed without dedicated pushbuttons to clutter the control panel.

Relevant Link:
GroovyGameGear's KeyWiz MAX Page

KeyWiz Eco 2

KeyWiz Eco 2 Photo © IDVT Inc. / GroovyGameGear.com, Used with permission.

A high-performance keyboard encoder produced by Groovy Game Gear. This encoder boasts the same performance as the KeyWiz Max, but without keyboard pass-thru or screw terminal headers on the PCB. The KeyWiz Eco is available in a "solder" and "no solder" version.

The KeyWiz line of keyboard encoders feature 32 inputs and connect to a PC via the keyboard PS2 port. The Keywiz has the default MAME codeset hard-coded by default. Custom codesets can easily be created and loaded into RAM on the Keywiz via its included software. This software can be placed in the Windows Startup folder to automatically load a custom keyset each time the computer is booted.

The Keywiz uses a SHAZAAM key to allow most of the inputs to have alternate keycodes. For example, pushing the SHAZAAM key and the Player 1 button #2 is the same as hitting the TAB key. This function allows many "administrative" keys to be accessed without dedicated pushbuttons to clutter the control panel.

Relevant Link:
GroovyGameGear's KeyWiz Eco 2 Page

KE18

KE18

The KE18 is sold with MiniDIN 6-pin (PS/2) connectors however the manual mentions the board is sold with 5-pin DIN (AT-Style) connectors.

The control board is fairly basic, including no shift keys and a fixed key table (however alternate key codes and a different scanning arrangement can be specified upon ordering). The KE18's most notable feature is compatibility with older PC interfaces, a feature that might be desirable when maintaining older computer hardware. Another desirable feature for some is a keyboard pass-through port which allows a keyboard to remain connected to the PC.

Three jumpers allow some configuration options:

No Rep|Rep: Disables or Enables the repeat function of the keyboard interface.

1x18|9x9: Changes from a 18 key direct input to a 9x9 (for a total of 81 inputs) matrix mode.

XT|AT: Alternates between XT or AT PC mode.

Note: It is unclear from the documentation whether ghosting in matrix mode is addressed.

Relevant Link: Hagstrom's KE18 Page

KE24

KE24

The KE24 is a PS/2 (MiniDIN) or AT (DIN) programmable interface board with a keyboard pass-through port. The KE24 manual makes no mention of native USB support.

Each of the 24 inputs can be individually programmed in matrix or direct input mode. eg, 7 pins can be programmed as a 4x3 matrix (such as a standard 0-9,#,* keypad) while the remaining 17 inputs can be programmed as direct input. Thus the inputs can be programmed as 24 individual inputs, a matrix of 12x12 allowing for 144 inputs or any combination in between. In addition, any input can be assigned a macro consisting of up to 16 keystrokes.

An RS-232 I/O port is included and is used as a programming port to configure the board, allow simulated key strokes to be feed to the control board and to obtain key strokes from the control board. Programming is done with an included software (Unspecified OS) application.

Relevant Link: Hagstrom's KE24 Page

KE-USB36

KE-USB36

The KE-USB36 emulates a standard USB Keyboard and Mouse device. Any keystroke may also be modified with a Ctrl, Alt, or Shift function, or any combination of the three modifiers. In addition to keystrokes, inputs may be programmed to emulate mouse Left, Middle, and Right buttons.

The KE-USB36 features a Trackball input for conversion of this device to mouse movement. (A Spinner may be used instead of a Trackball)

The KE-USB36 is programmed through the USB port of the PC using the programming application included with the unit. Once programmed, the configuration is stored on the KE-USB36 in non-volatile memory.

All power for the KE-USB36 is taken from the PC USB port, so no other voltage supply is required.

Relevant Link: Hagstrom's KE-USB36 Page

KE72

KE72

The KE72 features 72 individual inputs. Each input may be programmed to output a single keystroke, or a sequence (macro) of keystrokes. For macros, each input may generate up to 32 keystrokes when activated, and up to 16 keystrokes when the input is released. The KE72 is able to emulate any keystroke found on a standard 101 or 104 key keyboard.

Relevant Link: Hagstrom's KE72 Page

LP24

LP24

PS/2 or USB or both?

Number of Inputs

Designated for anything?

Shift keys?

Additional features?

Relevant Link: Hagstrom's LP24 Page

Mini-PAC

A very versatile keyboard/trackball/spinner encoder. (gamepad outputs added to 2015 version)

It has a shift function for adding secondary functions to connected buttons.

It has default MAME-style input mapping that can be reprogrammed with Ultimarc's WinIPAC utility. (DOS, Windows, OSX, Linux, and MAC versions available)

Optional harnesses are available to easily connect the Mini-PAC to the button/joystick switches and up to 3 optical axes.

Original version Mini-PAC

Connects via either USB or PS/2. (PS/2 only works for buttons)

The interface does not suffer from ghosting and matrix side-effects common to regular USB keyboards. The board is actually a small-size I-PAC2 with 3 optical interfaces added.

It interfaces 28 buttons and 3 optical axes for a trackball and a spinner.

2015 version Mini-PAC

Connects via USB. PS/2 connection is possible with an optional adaptor.

Interfaces 32 buttons and 3 optical axes for a trackball and a spinner.

Inputs can also be programmed as gamepad button outputs.

Relevant Link: Ultimarc's Mini-PAC Page

U-HID

Ultimarc's U-HID allows users to assign a variety of input and output functions to desired pins.

Input devices/types:

• Microswitch buttons/joysticks
• Optical (spinner/trackball/mouse/360 degree steering wheel)
• Analog (potentiometer joystick/pedal/270 degree steering wheel)

Outputs:

• Keyboard
• Gamepad (including analog and digital controls)
• Mouse and mouse buttons
• LED outputs

Total 50 connection pins:

• Max 8 analog axes on 50 possible pins (Windows limitation)
• Max 32 Gamepad buttons on 50 possible pins (Windows limitation)
• Max 8 Quadrature mouse devices on 16 possible pins out of the 50.
• Max 3 Quadrature mouse axes (X, Y and Z, Windows limitation)
• Max 50 keyboard keys on 50 possible pins.
• Max 16 LEDs in any combination of PC or U-HID controlled. (USB 500 mA current limitation).
• Max 50 low-current output drivers.

U-HID-G

The U-HID-G is similar to the U-HID, but with only 8 input pins and a three-axis accelerometer for sensing gravity and motion acceleration.

U-HID Nano

The U-HID Nano is similar to the U-HID, but with only 8 input pins.

X-Arcade BYO Kit

X-Arcade™ Build Your Own Arcade Features

Supports 28 Inputs In Any Combination (2 Joysticks + 20 Buttons) See Default Config Here

Speedstep™ Design Supports 28 Simultaneous Input Presses With Absolutely No Delay

Award Winning Electronics Featured In Video Game/Technology Publications Worldwide

Fully Programmable Input Assignments In Hardware (PC Only) For Re-Assigning Buttons/Joysticks To Any Input On Keyboard.

Programmed Modes Include Memory Storage To Maintain Settings When Unit Is Off

4 Different Memory Mode Settings In Hardware For Saving Button/Joystick Layouts For Various Emulators Or Settings

Direct Plug-In For Connectors: No Screwdriver Required

Included LED Display Shows On/Off Test Function And Assists In Programming Modes

Includes PS/2 Keyboard Pass-Thru Input

No Separate Power Required, No Ghosting, No Scanning, No Delays

External Connection Via PS/2 Port or USB Port

No Limit On USB Simultaneously-Pressed Switches: Full Native On-Board USB Support ***NOTE: Exceeding the 6-button limit requires a work-around configuration mentioned here. ***

Compatible With Any Game System (Game Adapters Sold Separately)

No Software Or Drivers Needed

No Soldering Requied (Easy Installation For Anyone!)

Can Be Used With Any Third Party USB or PS/2 Trackball/Spinner

Fully Compatible With Any OS, (Mac, Linux, Unix, PC, etc)

Fully Seamless Operation And Configuration With MAME/Emulation Software

Default Support Provided Both By MAME and Gametap (X-Arcade PCB Support In Both Applications)

Relevant Link: X-Arcade PCB

PC Arcade Controller 2 Player Version(With USB/PS2 ADAPTER) For MAME Cabinet

Supports 2 x Joysticks,12 x fire buttons(each 6 buttons for 2 player),P1 Start,P2 Start,Insert Coin. Extra inputs for Pause[P],MAME Menu[Tab],Quit Game[Esc]. Connects to the PS2 port of your PC with a supplied 1.5m cable. Simple plug & play.No drivers or software required. Easily mountable compact control box Long 55 cm harness insulated steel cable.All cables are paired together and labelled for easy connection.

6.3mm female crimp terminals for connection to standard micro-switches. Supports all Happ/Suzo type joysticks and buttons. No programming and no key-mapping software needed. No key ghosting or blocking. Compatible with all versions of M$ Windows and M$-DOS. It is simply the easiest way to interface a PC with arcade controls. The ideal solution if you want to run MAME in an arcade cabinet. Includes an easy to follow installation manual.

Relevant Link: Y-Plus ADAPTER

See Also

• Controls