Let's make a list of working PSX->USB/parallel adapters

WraithSama · Basic Member Joined: 04 Jul 2002 Location: Central Indiana

I've just received my parallel port adapter from BuyNShop.com and downloaded the DirectPad Pro driver. I've followed the directions, and have set the controller type to PSX Left Analog, as suggested, yet nothing happens. When I select 'calibrate', the control panel locks up (curiously). Any suggestions?

~Mister Joykiller~ · Trick Member Joined: 31 Jul 2002

Anyone that would like to see a working combination of pad and usb adapter check out this post of mine: http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28631

Ultros · Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2002 11:24 am Post subject:

But will it work with DWI?

~Mister Joykiller~ · Trick Member Joined: 31 Jul 2002

I haven't tried it with DWI yet but i doubt it sense i haven't seen an option that will allow you ignore the axis'. I would however like to state that if you have not yet tried smmax 3, that it is much much improved, and definatly worth at least a glimpse:) still no onis though:( perhaps next release.

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

WHOA... who said you needed to get that HK Boom adapter or even a cruddy Parallel adapter to get DWI/StepMania to read your pad??

I just got my adapters today, and this adapter, EMS USB2 Adapter, is confirmed to work with DWI. I just tried it out, and it even reads (gasp... NO!!) Simultaneous Button Presses!! That's because the arrows get mapped to buttons (buttons 13-16; for those who know what I'm talking about), thus, supporting this VITAL feature. (Who can pass a song without hitting UPDOWN or LEFTRIGHT anyway?...)

You don't need to bridge your pad for this. I am very satisfied with this product. The only thing I don't like about this is that it heats up... that's weird. And it takes a heck of a lot of time to configure this for other emulators (like WinKawaks).

And YES... this product is actually sold at places other than Hong Kong's Lik-sang.com. You can find this at http://www.levelsix.com or http://www.ps2modchip.com. Man, now I'm stepping away to dwi

They even work with the cheapo Ebay dance pads!!

I hope this helps those who are looking for a working USB adapter for PSX dance pads. The other ones at Levelsix.com ... do NOT work, I repeat, do NOT work for dance pads. Trust me, I have tried.

Now we can add EMS USB2 Adapters to the list of working adapters, neh?

I can't take a picture of me hitting arrows with this adapter, but at least I can say someone (me) has actually bought these and confirmed that they work. Oh, and did I mention there's two slots on the adapter?? ... Doubles, anyone?

argghhhh... if you're too lazy to look for the links:
http://www.ps2modchip.com/search.php?page=emsusb2 (PS2Modchip.com $15)
http://www.levelsix.com/products/pc/EMSUSB2.shtml
(Levelsix.com $16.95 each, but discounts apply for more than one)

Oh, another thing, fellow DDRer's, please check compatibility for your Operating System (Win98, Win2k, etc.)... I use Windows XP, but it should also work fine with Windows 2000.

Also, please note that even though it's called "EMS USB2 Adapter"... It's not really USB Version 2.0. It's called that because it has "TWO" ports... the adapter tricks the computer into thinking that there are two different adapters on the computer... like I said earlier... "Doubles, anyone?"

_________________

See my Metal DDR Pad under construction!
List of working PS-to-PC Adapters for DDR emulation

rise · Trick Member Joined: 29 May 2002

thanks Junta! i have taken your advice and have purchased the EMS USB adapter from levelsix! http://www.levelsix.com/products/pc/EMSUSB2.shtml

I will give everyone my review of this product when i recieve it!
I am also running WINXP, but i will also see if it works for my win2k machine.

This unit seems great because it has been confirms to map the D-pad to b uttons and not axes, AND it has two slots for doubles!

Any more info on it Junta?

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

rise - well, not much so far... (you asked if there was anything else to know) I found that this thing also plugs into your PS2's USB port... and it has a yellow cable to plug into the TV (the PS2's yellow cable plugs behind it)... and makes it SOO MUCH more accurate for your GunCon2!! I just read the FOBish instructions.

You know, at first, I was afraid that the adapter wouldn't work... There was a website that said that the EMS adapter DOES NOT WORK for dance mats... well, I guess they were wrong. EDIT: This is the website: Click Here. Now if nothing comes up, just go to its default page, click PC Accessories, and then look for the EMS adapter. They'll say some stuff about it not working, because of DirectX not being able to recognize Simultaneous Arrow Presses... well, I have DirectX 8.1... and it CAN! HAHA!

This still has some weirdo issues with those NeoGeo emulators... You have to use Joy2Key or some other Keyboard-to-joystick (or vice-versa) converting device.

It's good to hear you got it! It's about time someone other than me got it!... Tell me if there's ANYTHING, I mean ANYTHING, that's wrong with the adapter... because that'll affect my DDR time too!

Thanks for reading my super-long post~!

OH ... one thing though... TELL ME WHEN YOU post your review!! I want to read an actual review on this device... All the websites I went to have the SAME OL' SAME OL' info on the device. Thanks!
_________________

See my Metal DDR Pad under construction!
List of working PS-to-PC Adapters for DDR emulation

vdrej · Basic Member Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Location: Largo, FL

I ordered http://www.buynshop.com/productinfophp3/VG-PS-USB2X1 over ebay, before doing any research really *stupid*

i can get my controller to work (haven't tried two, but im sure two would work as well), but it binds the up down left right to the axes like said above. i don't know any way to change this.. in DWI i made up down left right the triangle square circle and x buttons, but i don't think i could do something like that with metal pads. (i also ordered some metal pads off ebay. theyre pretty good)

there is a start, select, x, and circle button on the metal pads, though.... i'm wondering if i could rewire them simply (the wires are all exposed on the bottom), and when i need to select a song, change to a normal PSX controller, then switch back?

absolutely no idea... if anybody has a clue on how i could get around this, or a program (all of the programs listed above are for the parallel, i'm almost certain..) that'll fix it, i'd appreciate the help.

don't want to have to order ANOTHER adaptor:(

vdrej · Basic Member Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Location: Largo, FL

maybe, just mAYBE, that when you start up and install the adaptor with the two DDR pads in, and not controllers (I currently don't have the pads at this location, so I can't test it), it will work differently? and it binds the up, down, left, right arrows to joystick buttons 13-16 or whatnot?

it actually seems like a possibility, so I'll have to test it.

____

i say that because the DDR pads are a little different to begin with, being that they don't have a square or triangle button, so maybe the arrows are mapped as extra joystick buttons instead. or something.

oh, i'm hoping!

natedawg · Trick Member Joined: 08 Jun 2002

Are there any working parallel adapters? I am using all my usb slots on my laptop, but I am not using my parallel port. Also, my mymybox pads connect to the playstation through a cord, but the connection on the side with the pad I believe is a parallel port. Can I just get a cable that goes from parallel to parallel instead of the parallel to psx cable it came with and plug it into my computer? Thanks in advance.

CoolCat RaGeR · Trick Member Joined: 24 Mar 2002 Location: Davis, CA

Does anyone have any input about the Kiki Joy Converter? I have one on the way after reading about it on the home page. I hear that it has trouble registering opposite directional arrows and freeze arrows.

_________________

-~= The RAGER =~-

Side: PAer
DDR 7th Mix is my domain!
"PA-PA-PA-PERFECT!!"

ang · Trick Member Joined: 02 Aug 2002

couple of things...junta, did you have to do anything to install the ems usb converter? just wanted to make sure cause the description says "Adapter is auto-installed by Windows 2000," and you never know...

also, i can confirm that the "dance performance 2" soft ghetto pads made for pc/psx work with the directpad pro/ntpad drivers. these are the ones that have the psx adapter wire coming out of the parallel adapter.

however, i have a topway crappo soft pad which for some reason does not register all of the up/downs or left/right jumps. this pad is supposed to be for psx, but a psx->parallel adapter came with it which might be why...

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

To further enhance people's knowledge on which adapters to choose, I have constructed a website concerning this type of information. I have made use of most of you guy's info, but I gave credit.

Any additions/changes/suggestions/anythings would be greatly appreciated. Please private message me, or send me an email at [email protected]. I am even accepting adapters that do NOT work. Anything to help the people know which adapter(s) they should buy!

Thanks!

Oh right. The website is http://junta.cromas.net/adapters.html
zaphod - I found the Smart Joypad II in a few places, but I don't know if these work anymore.
_________________

See my Metal DDR Pad under construction!
List of working PS-to-PC Adapters for DDR emulation

Nyghtestorm · Trick Member Joined: 28 Jul 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO

Just to confirm previously-known info...

Got my PC-parallel port adaptor from buynshop.com today, hooked it to a metal pad, ran DirectPad Pro, mapped the buttons to the PC, and it works swimmingly. Very happy, especially since there's nothing but 3rd mix around here. It even got here in three days with free shipping. Highly recommended.

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

Vdrej - Lol, the best part was the time when your website where you ordered that Two-in-one adapter said "This will work with all DDR for PC Also!" Lol, what a jip... what are you going to do now?
_________________

See my Metal DDR Pad under construction!
List of working PS-to-PC Adapters for DDR emulation

Xer0blade · Trick Member Joined: 14 Jul 2002 Location: SF Bay area

uhh guess no1 has levelsix pads. I bought 2 and i have 2 of the pc serial adaptors. they work fin for dwi or whatnot, they're all i need even after i trashed my pads and got a nice igntion = )
_________________

}ë®øß|åÐê Øwn§ ¥õu
ÑØ ¥õu® Ñåmë ï§ ÑëëÐÍë Ðîçk

blue-kun · Administrator Joined: 23 Jan 2002

Junta · Trick Member Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Location: Georgia, USA

blue^ - I think those adapters don't work for dance mats at all... Do they register arrows as buttons, or just the axes thing?
For Dual Shock 2 controllers, you might have to mess with the Analog button on your controller. I couldn't get it to work either.

That's very strange... most BOOM adapters from Lik-sang.com are supposed to register arrows as buttons. Do you find yourself hitting "UP" all the time, using some keyboard-routing software, like Joy2Key?... Try using Joy2Key, that might work, although not many (including myself) have had success with that program.

Yeah, just get the RedOctane ones (it's that "third one" you were talking about; you got the right adapter). Return those Lik-sang ones, and get the grey-looking ones, if all else fails.
_________________

See my Metal DDR Pad under construction!
List of working PS-to-PC Adapters for DDR emulation