Difference between revisions of "Encoders"
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An '''encoder''' is a specialized device that interprets presses and movements by your arcade controls and passes them along to be used by a computer. They can interpret keyboard, mouse, or gamepad commands, depending on the type and capability of the encoder. They depend on an external switch, such as a [[Pushbutton]] to register commands. | An '''encoder''' is a specialized device that interprets presses and movements by your arcade controls and passes them along to be used by a computer. They can interpret keyboard, mouse, or gamepad commands, depending on the type and capability of the encoder. They depend on an external switch, such as a [[Pushbutton]] to register commands. | ||
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| + | Basically, you can think about an encoder as a bridge between the buttons (joysticks, tackballs, spinners, etc.) on your control panel and the computer on which the emulator runs. For example, suppose that you press the "Player 1 Start" button on your control panel. When you do, a signal is sent down some wires running from the button to a particular input on the encoder. Now, the encoder has been set up so that whenever it receives a signal in that particular input, it then sends a signal to the computer via either a PS/2 or USB cable that is identical to the signal sent by a regular keybaord when you press the "1" key. So, to the computer your "Player 1 Start" button looks just like a "1" key on a keyboard. In our particular example this is good, because the emulator on your computer was waiting for you to press the "1" key to start your particular game. | ||
Encoders are available from several [[vendors]] including: | Encoders are available from several [[vendors]] including: | ||
Revision as of 15:15, 22 May 2007
An encoder is a specialized device that interprets presses and movements by your arcade controls and passes them along to be used by a computer. They can interpret keyboard, mouse, or gamepad commands, depending on the type and capability of the encoder. They depend on an external switch, such as a Pushbutton to register commands.
Basically, you can think about an encoder as a bridge between the buttons (joysticks, tackballs, spinners, etc.) on your control panel and the computer on which the emulator runs. For example, suppose that you press the "Player 1 Start" button on your control panel. When you do, a signal is sent down some wires running from the button to a particular input on the encoder. Now, the encoder has been set up so that whenever it receives a signal in that particular input, it then sends a signal to the computer via either a PS/2 or USB cable that is identical to the signal sent by a regular keybaord when you press the "1" key. So, to the computer your "Player 1 Start" button looks just like a "1" key on a keyboard. In our particular example this is good, because the emulator on your computer was waiting for you to press the "1" key to start your particular game.
Encoders are available from several vendors including:
- GroovyGameGear
- Hagstrom Electronics
- ThrustVector Controls
- Ultimate Arcade Controls (Ultimarc)
There are four types of encoders presently available:
