PS360+ Sega Saturn

[opt2not]

Has anyone here been able to get their PS360+ working with the Sega Saturn?

I've been trying to get mine working, but for some reason I'm having problems.
I own three PS360+'s (ver. 2.1), I've managed to get one out of the three to work, but I'm getting strange results for all of them.

The firmware on all three units have been updated with 1.66-Saturn version. I press P2 and P3 buttons to Force Saturn mode when connecting to my Saturn.

The firmware guide says that I need to attach a wire from Guide to Pin-6 of the RJ45 Alternate pin to get it to work properly. But the one that works with the Saturn works without this wire. *shrug* I don't know why it works without the wire, but all buttons and directions work fine.

The other 2 units are giving me additional strange results. The Saturn only recognizes them when the Guide-to-Pin-6 wire is installed, but on both units, all the buttons signals are being triggered with the joystick movement. For example, when I hit Right on the joystick it also presses the Start button at the same time. Up seems to press the C button at the same time, and so forth with the other directions.
But the Start button (or any of the buttons) doesn't work by themselves. This is strange because I'm using the same Saturn-RJ45 cable for the working PS360+ (the one without Guide-to-Pin-6 wire).

I haven't been able to find any information on the internet about this problem, so I'm wondering if either people haven't been trying to use this with the Saturn, or somehow I messed up this install. Which is strange because I've verified all my wiring, including the connections for the Saturn-RJ45 cable I made.

Any information would be appreciated.

[viletim]

It can't do it - the hardware isn't capable. An ordinary slow microcontroller with the standard peripheral set can't properly support Saturn, PC Engine/Turbografx, or Mega Drive controller protocols. They require fast logic.

[Bahn Yuki]

The ps360+ pcb definitely works for saturn. I've been using it for months without issues. Suddenly I'm getting the same symptoms the op is getting. I'll investigate further and post findings

[brokenhalo]

There was an issue with the first run of ps360 pcbs where they would randomly lock themselves into either ps3 or xbox360 mode (i forget which it was). Maybe you guys found a new glitch? Probably worth checking the shoryuken forums. If it's a known issue, i'm sure those guys are all over it.

[opt2not]

There was an issue with the first run of ps360 pcbs where they would randomly lock themselves into either ps3 or xbox360 mode (i forget which it was). Maybe you guys found a new glitch? Probably worth checking the shoryuken forums. If it's a known issue, i'm sure those guys are all over it.

Yeah I've been searching on SRK and haven't found anything related to this. Even put a post out in the Tech thread for Akishop, but no helpful responses were posted.

I contacted Akishop directly, and their only suggestion is to check my cable again. I've gone and checked this miserable cable about 10 times now, all pins are connected correctly, continuity is good throughout. I've been pulling my hair out with this...

[Bahn Yuki]

There was an issue with the first run of ps360 pcbs where they would randomly lock themselves into either ps3 or xbox360 mode (i forget which it was). Maybe you guys found a new glitch? Probably worth checking the shoryuken forums. If it's a known issue, i'm sure those guys are all over it.

Yeah I've been searching on SRK and haven't found anything related to this. Even put a post out in the Tech thread for Akishop, but no helpful responses were posted.

I contacted Akishop directly, and their only suggestion is to check my cable again. I've gone and checked this miserable cable about 10 times now, all pins are connected correctly, continuity is good throughout. I've been pulling my hair out with this...

Finally got a chance to look at my stick tonight and sure enough the wire to pin 6 came loose. Anyway it's working like a charm now.

[airs]

It can't do it - the hardware isn't capable. An ordinary slow microcontroller with the standard peripheral set can't properly support Saturn, PC Engine/Turbografx, or Mega Drive controller protocols. They require fast logic.

Tim, can you go into a bit more detail? Toodles Cthulhu Multi-Console PCB uses a PIC18LF2550 and supports Saturn and PCE/TG16 (and many others) without issue.

[viletim]

It can't do it - the hardware isn't capable. An ordinary slow microcontroller with the standard peripheral set can't properly support Saturn, PC Engine/Turbografx, or Mega Drive controller protocols. They require fast logic.

Tim, can you go into a bit more detail? Toodles Cthulhu Multi-Console PCB uses a PIC18LF2550 and supports Saturn and PCE/TG16 (and many others) without issue.

I was exaggerating a bit. I have a PS360 and it does basically work with my Saturn even though the hardware implementation is a hack job (the Home/Guide button input is repurposed as a controller wire connection). The original Saturn controller electronics is nothing more than a digital multiplexer. It has an almost instant response time. The PS360 emulates the function in software, but slower. Maybe it's 'fast enough', but when that time is set by the Saturn's software, nobody can guarantee that it will work all the time with all games.

I don't know much about the Cthulhu Multi-Console PCB except that I've heard a a few people complain (on this forum) about PC Engine support not working. I don't know... I just think that emulating the controller protocol in a demonstrably slower/inferior way like this is pretty crap.

To the OP: Maybe you have simply broken your PS360 board. Aside from the USB pins, the thing has no ESD input protection.

[airs]

Makes sense. Thanks Tim.

[RottenToTheGore]

Just made my cable using a Saturn extension cable, now I'm ready to take care of the pin 6 stuff.

Is it just disconnecting the cable from the guide button, and soldering it to pin 6?

Thanks!

Edit: Scratch that, just looked at the PDFs. I actually have the JST Header cables I bought from focus attack, so it should be much easier Wish me luck!

[opt2not]

good luck man, let us know how it turns out.

[geosnow]

anyone selling a RJ45 Saturn cable?

[shingouki2]

For those using a PS360+ with a Saturn, are the L and R buttons accounted for? I was looking at the documentation and they don't mention them. I wanted to use it for Saturn and Dreamcast in a custom arcade stick but the button configuration is really awkward. The A button on the Dreamcast doesn't have a matching Saturn button, unless it matches with L (L and R aren't documented.)

[Shadolf]

Oh man, I bought a PS360+ a few days ago and just realised that the Saturn cable isn´t available anymore.
Just mailed them about that. How can I make my own cable and does it work with the current version of the PS360+?
I just want one control panel to work with all my main consoles and PC. Thought the PS360+ would do that...

[geosnow]

I need this cable too. anyone making 2 for me and some for others?

[RottenToTheGore]

Oh man, I bought a PS360+ a few days ago and just realised that the Saturn cable isn´t available anymore.
Just mailed them about that. How can I make my own cable and does it work with the current version of the PS360+?
I just want one control panel to work with all my main consoles and PC. Thought the PS360+ would do that...

Buy a controller extension cable, break open the female end and crimp an RJ-45 connector, done.

http://akishop-customs.com/assets/img/b ... erview.pdf has the pinout.

Throw one of these on the end too, so it won't get ripped out by accident. https://www.focusattack.com/neutrik-ne8 ... tte-black/

[Spacemonkey]

If someone is going to make cables for others, contact me- I have a bunch of cut Sega Saturn extension cables, the side that plugs into the console. I'd like to get rid of them as a lot.

If you buy extension cables for this purpose don't destroy the end that Saturn controllers to plug into, they can be used to make Sega Saturn to Sega Genesis adapters/etc.

[Einzelherz]

If someone is going to make cables for others, contact me- I have a bunch of cut Sega Saturn extension cables, the side that plugs into the console. I'd like to get rid of them as a lot.

If you buy extension cables for this purpose don't destroy the end that Saturn controllers to plug into, they can be used to make Sega Saturn to Sega Genesis adapters/etc.

Does the six button setup work in this case?

[RottenToTheGore]

For those using a PS360+ with a Saturn, are the L and R buttons accounted for? I was looking at the documentation and they don't mention them. I wanted to use it for Saturn and Dreamcast in a custom arcade stick but the button configuration is really awkward. The A button on the Dreamcast doesn't have a matching Saturn button, unless it matches with L (L and R aren't documented.)

I was playing Street Fighter Alpha last night using my stick, and it seems like while the actual L and R buttons are NOT accounted for, 4P and 4K registered as all 3P and 3K.