Almost complete...PC PROJECT

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:42 pm

The perfect site for what I will need to modify the controllers giving me more room for other mods!!!

http://www.retrousb.com/index.html

EDIT:::

As for the winamp remote, I'll only need just the basic buttons really. I just need to get it onto on of the 3.5" covers and I'm good to go! =D I'll use paint to show a quick idea of what I'm going for.

To any mod...is this still considered a case mod topic??? lol...

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:46 pm

But that relys on USB. How many usb devices do you use? And honestly, the Retrobox USB thingies cost a lot more compared to 6 diodes, connector and a hood. Seriousally, how many thngs do you hook up to your printer port? Now think of how many things you have that are USB... I dont think ANYTHING runs off LPT anymore.

EDIT: To me, this is still a case project. I really dont think this is a forum42 thing, since we are talking a lot about different PC and controller case stuffs.

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:54 pm

I don't have many usb devices to be honest with you. The kit is a little pricey yes, however, the compatability from what i saw on 2 sites seems a bit rough thru the parallel port when compared to the usb.

I'll investigate this a bit more though...plenty of time to get this all ready. Also wanna see where I can put this stuff at (whether integrated into/onto the pc or a seperate unit to the side).

EDIT:::Cool...i rather keep this here than forum 42

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:04 pm

I used the LPT controllers on 30 different computers. It worked fine on 29 of them. The only reason it idnt work on ONE of them is cause the port was dead.... for XP/NT systems, use NTPad. I use that on my laptop (cause i dont have a gameport, or USB joystick) and its a brand new P4 system. Works like a charm.

Frankly, if you have a PS2 controller, go get a USB PS2 interface from radio shack for $12. If you like Xbox, build a simple Xbox USB cable.

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:14 pm

Okay...i'll see what needs to be done then in order to get it up and running!

As for winamp...this is what I'm going for as in design:::

Standard buttons, as for the green lights, I would like the lights to light up in a wave sequence from left to right. I'll probably have another button on the system to turn it on and off...still deciding. But, this is the look I want for this. As for the graphics...subject to change...most likely will.

:::EDIT:::
Where can I get instructions on assembling the keypad? The link they offer isn't working.

:::EDIT2:::
I found some buttons that I took from a broken CD Player I found lying around. This is what I wanna go for instead...something revolving around this look:

:::EDIT3::: <---too many edits...lol...
This is what I'm looking to do regarding the controllers

However, instead of all one controller, I want 4 different controller inputs: NES, SNES, Genesis, and Turbo Grafix 16. All will have a simple connection for the original controller and the ports will be connected to one parallel port. I'll just have only one controller plugged in at a time as well, so I know that'll make things easier. I just wanna make sure I have the wires connected correctly as this is my first time attempting anything like this.

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:00 pm

At the end of the Winamp MP3 Controller page there are 2 links to the schematics. Or d/l the EXE, install the program, and check out the help file.

You could make a LED V/U or LED Equalizer meter for winamp ( to do the LED waveform thing), but eh, i think a character LCD would be easier to rig up, and look better. I think either way you will need a free parallel port.

I would opt out for an insane amount of controls. That way I can assign different apps to different buttons, and not always need a mouse. Can you get your hands on a laptop touchpad? I have one of them hooked to the arm of my chair in the lab. Makes loosing my mouse damn near impossible.

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:32 pm

Foxx373 wrote:At the end of the Winamp MP3 Controller page there are 2 links to the schematics. Or d/l the EXE, install the program, and check out the help file.

You could make a LED V/U or LED Equalizer meter for winamp ( to do the LED waveform thing), but eh, i think a character LCD would be easier to rig up, and look better. I think either way you will need a free parallel port.

I would opt out for an insane amount of controls. That way I can assign different apps to different buttons, and not always need a mouse. Can you get your hands on a laptop touchpad? I have one of them hooked to the arm of my chair in the lab. Makes loosing my mouse damn near impossible.

I got the page working, thanks! All printed up and I started working on the buttons. I found a better place that I feel more comfortable with and have gone ahead with adding the buttons in place:::

I'm letting the glue dry overnight and come tomorrow, I'll get the remainder of the parts needed to complete this portion of the project. As for going all out on this, I don't really need to go that far with it. Too many just becomes too cluttered for me.

The character LCD you are talking about...can you explain that in more detail? This is all new to me and I'm really enjoying this as well...just need to get some dummy stuff out in the field =P

Um, yeah, I can get the touchpad. Not sure if that's something I really need to do, but its something I can throw in later down the road.

As for the controllers, I don't know how to set this up. I grabbed a few pinouts of different gaming systems, just don't know how to hook it all up to one parallel port.

EDIT:::
Can you put the link for the mirrored page of the com-winamp assembly page from http://diba.hotbox.ru/comctrl/ ? thanks!

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:42 pm

I'll probably do this winamp interface thing, I have a bunch of tact switches, and two empty 5.25" slots.

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:26 pm

I'm redoing the front panel. I took off those buttons and replaced them with something else. Now, I need to put on a face plate for this and it'll be finished. =) I'll work on that part tomorrow at work. I wanna get the switches set up at least so I can mess with the settings this weekend.

electromaster64 · Post by **electromaster64** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:47 pm

I know there is a site with an adaptor to let you use any Video Game controller via USB but I think you have to destroy the controller to do it. I think you could build some sort of adaptor so the controller didn't have to be destroyed. That way you could use a USB hub to plug in a lot of controllers from different systems. Just do a search for "USB (system name) controller" or something

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:50 pm

http://www.retrousb.com/index.html

I posted this a few posts above...I still don't know if i'll do this instead or go parallel...i'm not feeling well right now. Probably take a break today from doing portables all together (just til I feel better again).

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:42 pm

here is the really ghetto instructions for the com-port winamp controlls:

http://diba.hotbox.ru/comctrl/tutorial1/index.html

The LCD EQ... You know the EQ on winamp, with all the bars that jump up and down when music plays? Well, there is a way of hooking up a simple character LCD screen (like used on some cash registers and kids toys, lotto machines, and vending machines... http://img.2dehands.nl/f/preview/9689902.jpg THOSE things!) to a printer port and it will do the same thing, but with less colors.

Here is the page with the pluging. That should give you a DAMN good idea of WTF I am talking about.

http://www.winamp.com/plugins/browse.ph ... &query=LCD

BTW: The point of using the VCR (or whatever) face plate was so you dont have to cut out all these rounded buttons. I havent bet anyone that can drill out weird shaped buttons nicely. I have only seen people with access to CNC or other milling machines do it, and it was still kinda crappy.

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:56 pm

THe instructions on the website only has the 4 button controls. The main EXE for the program has the schematics, but for people that want em' before-hand, here they are.

If you look, you can build a 4 button remote with no diodes needed. You can use buttons 1, 2, 4 and 8 only. You just need to tie the button to ground with no diode.

BTW, if you build this wrong, you might get multiple button presses when you press one button.

If you study the schematic you will see that you can press combinations of buttons to equal buttons that arent physically built into the pad. Example: Press button 1 and 2 and that = button 3. Press 3 and 4 and it = button 7. Buttons 3 + 4 + 8 = Button 16. Just take a look at the schematic and implement new features..!

dragonhead · Post by **dragonhead** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:28 pm

hmm... *gets an idea*

you could make a chording keyboard with that!

xriverfalconx · Post by **xriverfalconx** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:43 pm

Still not feeling too well here, however, I looked at the stuff for winamp and I do see what you mean yeah. I looked through all the plug-ins there and I decided to go with this one:

http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=30305

Now...where can I get that same (or similiar) lcd [hitachi 44780 controller]? =\

Also, once I have everything set up how I want it, I'll take a snapshot and there is when I will REALLY need to get help on connecting it correctly. I'll connect it, but I will not test it til I have a good idea if i'm doing it right or not.

BTW: The point of using the VCR (or whatever) face plate was so you dont have to cut out all these rounded buttons. I havent bet anyone that can drill out weird shaped buttons nicely. I have only seen people with access to CNC or other milling machines do it, and it was still kinda crappy.

I know, but I made something else I'm satisfied with. I do appreciate the ideas though. =)