Powerboard Question

[Olorin]

After reading a few topics about the Powerboard a have a few questions. Thanks for the help.

1. What is this thing about the keys being laid out wrong or something. I understand that the keyboard is in U.S. format but the game picks up on the Japanese format so some of the keys do not do what the say they do. So is this a problem with Sega and the game therefor it's something Sega has to change, or a problem with Datel and the keyboard therefor it's something Datel has to fix?

2. Is it really a keyboard AND an adapter, as in the keyboard wouldn't it into the GameCube without the adapter? If that's true that sounds like pretty low quality to me...

3. Has anyone seen the keyboard in U.S. stores yet?

[Joe-Azlin]

yea i am wondering when the keyboard will hit stores because i want one but i dont wanna pay for shipping and handling.

[Sheik1]

On 2003-04-18 18:57, Olorin wrote:
After reading a few topics about the Powerboard a have a few questions. Thanks for the help.

1. What is this thing about the keys being laid out wrong or something. I understand that the keyboard is in U.S. format but the game picks up on the Japanese format so some of the keys do not do what the say they do. So is this a problem with Sega and the game therefor it's something Sega has to change, or a problem with Datel and the keyboard therefor it's something Datel has to fix?

2. Is it really a keyboard AND an adapter, as in the keyboard wouldn't it into the GameCube without the adapter? If that's true that sounds like pretty low quality to me...

3. Has anyone seen the keyboard in U.S. stores yet?



Well, let me see if I can answer some questions here:
1. This would be Datel's fault for programming the incorrect ID into the adapter/keyboard if true. Please read http://www.pso-world.com/viewtopic.php?topic=48185&forum=1&start=15&25 for answer to this one...I typed a story here...lol.

2. I do not know but from what I hear it is just an adapter and a keyboard. They COULD have done much better by creating a keyboard like the import ASCII one. They did not spend enough time engineering it if itis just an adapter. Heck, I made an adapter my my self...with some help from Layrinn...in two weeks that was virtually flawless! I use it right now with my Logitech wireless keyboard, works great.

3. I have not seen it in stores but I heard rumor that it was only going to be sold through http://www.codejunkies.com.

I hope this helps. Let me know, PM or post, if you have any other questions. I am quite educated on the technical details of the ASCII keyboard and/or adapters. It WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN HARD for Datel to get the right ID code so the key mapping was to a U.S. layout. There is support in the game for this and the game was designed to accept multiple keyboard layouts.

Datel is not taking advantage of it...they are EXACTLY emulating the ASCII keyboard which is what I did at first with my adapter, but then converted it to U.S. layout mode to make it much easier to use the keyboard and get the shift-key combinations correct.

It is not Sonic Team's fault...ask Datel why the did not use the correct ID code for the keyboard.

All gamecube controller devices transmit a ID code to the GCN controller port upon being plugged in to tell the GCN what is plugged in to it. The controller or device (keyboard or adapter) will send back an ID code and the game software (such as PSO) will know what is plugged into the port. I know this is a little technical...so if you are confused then let me know and I will try to explain it a little farther.

I am working on a website that will help people who wish to know more about the GCN and the controller port including the use of a keyboard and creating your own custom "ultimate" GCN controller.

I will have to post it somewhere on this web site when I get it done. I have a Word document I am currently writing. Let me know if you would like a early incomplete version to look at. It shows some technical detail with the GCN controllers and memory cards.

Anyways, I feel like I am babeling on too much...so I will quit now.

[Olorin]

So the only way to fix the key problem on it is for Datel to remake the keyboard? I was really thinking about buying it but now that I hear about all of this stuff I think I might wait.

[Huntley]

i HAVE the keyboard and yes some of the keys dont do whats on the key but all the actaul letter keys work fine. and it IS and adapter and keyboard, i am currently writing a review and taking pics of the kb.

[Sheik1]

Don't hold me true to it because I do not have a Datel keybaord to test my theory with but with the responses of incorrect keys being mapped sounds like it is in JP mode and this is set by the ID code.

I can easily see this on my ocilyscope if I could get a hold of one of the Datel keybords/adapters for 5 minutes to see what ID code it is putting out.

Layrinn...if you do get a hold of one let me know what ID code it is putting out, ok?

If it is the ID code then there is no way to modify or fix it...Datel would have to recode their keyboard to respond correctly with the U.S. keyboard code. Take that back...it would be possible to create a "shim" between the GCN and the Datel keyboard to get the ID code right...kinda like a PS2 mod that bypasses the security check, same idea, but it would take some time...but very possible to do. If you do not like the idea of the JP layout then you could try the ASCII or one of our adapters (Layrinn's or mine).

Our addresses are as follows:
Layrinn's: http://www.pantsofevilgamers.com/kb
Ours (aldras): http://www.indiglo.net

I am thinking of calling or emailing one of their techs and asking or sending an email to them. I would be interested in their response. I am sure that someone down there knows how the thing works...someone had to make it.

[Sheik1]

Huntley, I sent you an email, please check for it. It contains a layout for the JP keyboard...I will post the picture on PSOworld. I will downsize it though.

[Sheik1]

ASCII keyboard layout:
http://www.drassal.net/pso/ascii.jpg

Hmmm...can't get it to post.

Just click the link.

Low Quality: http://www.drassal.net/pso/ascii.jpg
High Quality: http://www.drassal.net/pso/ascii2.jpg

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alland on 2003-04-18 19:50 ]</font>