[plugin] Joystick Control (Apr 16 Update)

[SSDNAdmin]

Author: Kilrsat
Short Description: Translates inputs from a joystick/gamepad into BM commands.
Long Description: Allows navigation (currently mapped to simple up/down/left/right arrows) and command execution inside Beyond Media/TV via a joystick or gamepad.
Version Number: 1.2
Status: Stable (hopefully)
Last Updated: 4/16/2005
Homepage:
Installation Instructions: Double click JoystickController1.2.bmplugin
Release Notes: Adds support for more gamepads, adds page up/down buttons, and a variety of small fixes.
License: freeware
Requirements: DirectX 9
Title: Joystick Control
Download JoystickControl1.2.bmplugin

[Kilrsat]

I'm playing with a version of this that will also allow joystick control inside of BTV (when launched from inside BM).

This was a plugin requested by a few people (at least that I saw), so if you are one of those people, let me know what you think/want in the future.

[SSDNAdmin]

updated

[genesis]

My box is hosed at the moment, so I can't test this myself, but any chance this would work when BM doesn't have focus?

[Kilrsat]

Yes, the updated version continues to send the commands when BM doesn't have focus. Since BTV uses roughly the same ones, it will be controlled too (provided you started BM first).

Its also handy for emulators, since the exit/back button sends an "escape" command. As long as you don't remap that button in your emulator, many of them treat "escape" as an exit too. So you can quit your game right from the controller.

Might see a version 1.1.2 of this in the next day or two. I've been playing with it a lot and there's one last thing that might need changing.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by Kilrsat

So you can quit your game right from the controller.

That assumes you can launch your game with the controller, oh wait.

-Brett

[merrypig]

any way to handle multiple joysticks? I have two wireless pads - but never know which one I've picked up until too late. would be nice if either could be configured to control bm.

(apologies if it does already - haven't quite gotten to test it out yet)

[Kilrsat]

Originally Posted by merrypig

any way to handle multiple joysticks? I have two wireless pads - but never know which one I've picked up until too late. would be nice if either could be configured to control bm.

(apologies if it does already - haven't quite gotten to test it out yet)

As far as getting input from multiple devices, its easy. I'm having a hard time coming up with an intuitive configuration screen though. Of course multiple input devices can lead to input wars, which aren't cool. If one person wants to go up and the other wants to go down, no one goes anywhere.

[Dave Gestens]

Any ideas why my game pad would not be detected by this plugin? It all looks fine in BM. Just no Joystick to select in the Setting screen.

It is a Logitec Wireless Rumblepad. In device manager it shows up under Human Interface Devices rather than Sound, video and game controllers. Also, I am running Windows 2000 Pro so I have to install the plugins manually. Do I have to do anything extra or did I perhaps miss a step? Any help would be appreciated.

Also, keep up the fantastic work on these plugins!

Thanks

[Kilrsat]

Originally Posted by Dave Gestens

Any ideas why my game pad would not be detected by this plugin? It all looks fine in BM. Just no Joystick to select in the Setting screen.

It is a Logitec Wireless Rumblepad. In device manager it shows up under Human Interface Devices rather than Sound, video and game controllers. Also, I am running Windows 2000 Pro so I have to install the plugins manually. Do I have to do anything extra or did I perhaps miss a step? Any help would be appreciated.

Also, keep up the fantastic work on these plugins!

Thanks

As long as its plugged in prior to starting BM, it should be detected. The plugin queries the system via a DirectInput call for all enabled devices. Can you send me the BM log from one of your attempts to start BM with this plugin installed?

[Dave Gestens]

Thanks for looking at this.

I included a jpg of the screen, a BM log showing a startup and shutdown and since you said it was DirectInput I included the output from DXDiag.

Let me know if I can try anything for you.

Thanks Again
Dave

[RiderFan]

I have this same problem. My USB microsoft sidewinder and my gameport gravis gamepad pro are not detected by this plugin. When either is hooked up, the select joystck is empty.


Also, I have a logitech dual action usb joystick that is recognized, but is unusable as even the slightest touch of the analog stick send the selection area crazy, making it imposible to select anything. Is there a way to specify using the d-pad instead of the analog stick? or maybe increasing the dead zone of the analog stick to make it usable?

[Kilrsat]

I have a few ideas, I'll send you two a test build today.

[Xiadix]

I was just working on getting my new Rumblepad to work and noticed that it wasn't detected either.

Dave Gestens - Do you use Mame? If so do you have a config file for it, or how did you set up the buttons?

KevG

[Dave Gestens]

Xiadix,
Sorry, Have only set up Stella so far and was not planning on setting up MAME. Stella worked with out mods or special configs.

Jason, I will try the lastest one when I get home tonIiht. Thanks again.