Gamepad Encoders
Gamepad Encoders offer the functionality of a PC controller (such as a joystick or gamepad) hack in an easy-to-use form. They offer several benefits including ease in connecting controls and time savings.
Contents
A-PAC
The A-PAC is an analog/digital interface which emulates two gamepads. It can be used for buttons only, or various combinations of buttons and analog potentiometer (pot) devices. It can be used in any of these configurations::
32 Buttons One analog axis and 30 buttons Two analog axes and 28 buttons Three analog axes and 26 buttons Four analog axes and 24 buttons
Inputs auto-detect whether pots or buttons.are connected. One button on each side of the board is a shift button which enables another set of shifted buttons. This gives a maximum of 62 logical buttons.
Relevant Link: Ultimarc's A-PAC Page
GP Wiz40
A gamepad encoder that allows conventonal digital joysticks, rotary joysticks, and buttons to be hooked up to your PC.
Three terminals on the interface can be switched in software between standard and rotary inputs. The three-wire interface requires that a harness be made to connect 12-way rotaries. On the other hand it allows those with modular panels to connect a rotary stick with cat5 cable. (three rotary lines, four switch lines, and ground).
Available in both Eco and MAX models. Both models have exactly the same functionality but the MAX model uses screw terminals for connecting controls, while the Eco model features solder pads.
Relevant Link:
GroovyGameGear's GP-Wiz40 Eco Page
GroovyGameGear's GP-Wiz40 MAX Page
GP Wiz49
A gamepad encoder that allows 49-Way joysticks (and more conventional hardware) to be hooked up to your PC.
Available in both Eco and MAX models. Both models have exactly the same functionality but the MAX model uses screw terminals for connecting controls, whereas the Eco models feature either solder pads or a no-solder 40 pin header.
Relevant Link:
GroovyGameGear's GP-Wiz49 Eco Page
GroovyGameGear's GP-Wiz MAX Page
Software distributed by GroovyGameGear allows you to digitally restrict your 49-way joystick to simulate other types of physically restricted joysticks. The GP-Wiz49 software supports the following modes, 49 way, 49 way progressive, 8 way, 4 way, 4 way diagonal, 2 way vertical, 2 way horizontal, 16 way circular. The fairly long throw of a 49-way stick coupled with the available restriction modes makes the stick an ideal compromise for both classic platform & fighting games. In combination with set49mode software and a front end the GP-wiz49 software will allow you to automatically set the joystick restriction type based on the game you are playing. PowerMAME Will also support automatic joystick restriction setting.
KADE
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.
Mini-PAC (2015 version)
A very versatile keyboard/gamepad/trackball/spinner encoder -- gamepad outputs are not available with older versions of the 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.
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.
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.
Xin-Mo
The Xin-Mo is an inexpensive encoder available from various vendors in both 1- and 2-player versions.
Some users have complained about quality issues and lag, but others haven't encountered these problems.
There may be more than one manufacturer producing this encoder.
If you decide to use this encoder, you may want to purchase it from a reputable vendor like GroovyGameGear or Paradise Arcade Shop.
ZD (Zero Delay)
The ZD is an inexpensive encoder available from various vendors.
Many vendors include plug-and-play pre-fab wiring kits.
This encoder is a bit unusual because it is an "active-high" device. (5v applied to the input yields an input)
If you are using an electronic coin recognizer with the ZD encoder, you will need to use a relay to isolate the two circuits.
See this thread for details.
