Best PS2 to USB converter?

[Geezer]

I'm looking to use a HRAP 2 on the PC via USB. What's the best adaptor to use? Obviously I need something lag-free and I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible
Any tips? I'd prefer to buy one from within the UK.

Geezer

[RGC]

My original Hori Fighting Stick 2 came with a "Cyber Gadget" converter. I've since got rid of the stick but kept the converter for using my HRAP2 on the PC. Works a charm, but no idea if you can buy them individually.

[RGB]

I use a 3 in 1 PC JOY BOX from P-A, works like charm, lag is no existant on this converter.


Here's a handy list of converters I found on the SRK forums:

As shoo has requested, here is the thread that will list the best adapters/converters for the most commonly asked about and used systems. At this point in time this is by no means the definitive thread about this topic, but hopefully with the help and combined knowledge of the SRK community we can turn this into one.

If I have missed anything or made any mistakes feel free to post or PM and I will update this as soon as I can. So enough talk let's get the ball rolling...

Playstation to...

Playstation 3 : Pelican

Pros : Works perfectly, even backwards compatible, also works with PC
Cons : May not work well with Guitar Hero, but who cares? Discontinured and extremely hard to find now.
Where : ???
Price : ???

Playstation 3 : Generic (Tim Static) - http://cgi.ebay.com/PS2-Controller-to-P ... dZViewItem

Pros : Works perfectly, even backwards compatible
Cons : More feedback needed
Where : See provided link
Price : About $10 shipped


XBox : Magic Box - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-gm- ... 0-1gk.html

Pros : Regarded as the best adapter to XBox with no lag
Cons : Trying to find one
Where : Not available at any stores, try EBay or the Trading forums
Price : Probably around $50-60

XBox : DreamBox (Yead Dood 120%) - http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_in ... -converter

Pros : Works perfectly with official Sony PCBs, cheaper and easier to find than Magic Box, has headset jack.
Cons : Compatibilty with other PCBs? ie. HRAPs, SFACs, T5s, etc.
Where : http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_in ... -converter
Price : About $15 US + shipping

XBox : X Connection (JubeiNinja69) - http://innovation1.com/

Pros : Works with almost all fighting games
Cons : Doesn't work with Capcom Fighting Evolution (which sucks anyway)
Where : http://innovation1.com/
Price : $9.99 + shipping

XBox 360 : XFPS - http://www.xcm.cc/xcm_xfps_360.htm

Pros : There is nothing else out there
Cons : Price, needs a wired Microsoft controller to work (urth)
Where : http://www.mod-chip.com/en/xfps_360.php
Price : $79.95 + shipping

Dreamcast : Dream Connection II - http://www.chipzone.com/marketplace/cat ... ntID=11052

Pros : Regarded as the best adapter to Dreamcast with no lag, used by EVO
Cons : Trying to find one
Where : Not available at any stores, try EBay or the Trading forums
Price : ?

Dreamcast : Total Control Plus - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-h5-49-en-70-en.html

Pros : Readily available
Cons : None
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $18.90 + shipping

Saturn : Tototek (Cheesey) - http://www.tototek.com/pio/main1/SUBMEN ... verter.htm

Pros : Works perfectly
Cons : Odd button mapping
Where : tototek.com
Price : $15 + shipping

PC : PC Joybox 3in1 (Cheesey) - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m- ... 0-1hv.html

Pros : Also works with Dreamcast Saturn controllers
Cons : Some users report noticeable delay
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $14.90 + Shipping

PC : Super Joy Box 3 Pro - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m- ... 0-qc2.html

Pros : Works flawlessly with many PCBs
Cons : None so far
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $8.90 + Shipping

Gamecube : Cube Joybox Pro - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-g4- ... 0-14p.html

Pros : Works well with official Dualshock controllers, works on Wii
Cons : Works well ONLY with official Dualshock controllers
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $7.90 + shipping

XBox to...

Playstation 1&2 : XP JoyBox - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-fk- ... 0-p3e.html

Pros : There is nothing else out there
Cons : Not much info on it
Where : Play-Asia, Jandaman
Price : $14.90 + shipping

PC : Super JoyBox 9 - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m- ... 0-czu.html
Pros : It works
Cons : None
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $9.95 + shipping

Saturn to...

Dreamcast : Total Control 3 - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-h5-49-en-70-46.html

Pros : ?
Cons : ?
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $19.90 + shipping

Random notes...

As of right now there is nothing that will let you use PS3 controllers of any sort on a PS1 or 2. This also pertains to anything with a USB connection.

Not all USB items are compatible even if there is a USB plug. PS3 and 360 controllers will work on a PC, but PS3 or any other controller WILL NOT work on a 360.

!!! Keep in mind that performance of some adapters also depends on the PCB of your stick. For example, some adapters will work perfectly if you are using an official Sony PCB, but if you are using a HRAP or SFAC for instance, you may experience lag or other problems. !!!

[RGC]

Hmm mine resembles this one:

PC : PC Joybox 3in1 (Cheesey) - http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-6m- ... 0-1hv.html

Pros : Also works with Dreamcast Saturn controllers
Cons : Some users report noticeable delay
Where : Play-Asia
Price : $14.90 + Shipping

-except it has Cyber Gadget printed on the top. Oh, and there is no noticeable delay. I'd say go for that one.

[Geezer]

Thanks for the replies, I'll look further into it. I also found a Logic3 branded one in stock at Amazon, that may do the trick

[beam]

I own the Super Joybox 5 Pro and there's no lag. You can plug 4 pads but I don't know if it involves lagging.

[ReKleSS]

I have that PC joybox 3-in-1, there's slight lag on the PSX and saturn ports. No problems on the DC port, though.

[nimitz]

i have a EMS dual shooter (USB 2) and its pretty laggy... I just ordered the "Super Joy Box 3 Pro" I'll post here in a week or so about it.

also is anyone increasing the USB polling rate to reduce USB lag? and does it make a real difference?

[Ozymandiaz1260]

USB... lag-free

Impossible. You can get one with very little lag, but there's no such thing as a lag-free USB converter.

is anyone increasing the USB polling rate to reduce USB lag? and does it make a real difference?

Yes, yes. If it's a shitty converter it isn't going to help, but if the problem is that your USB port is too slow, then obviously it will help as long as the converter can keep up.

[Fudoh]

You can get one with very little lag, but there's no such thing as a lag-free USB converter.

so you would say an Utimarc A-Pac (USB) is noticeable slower than an I-Pac (PS/2) for connecting arcade controller parts to a PC ?

[Ozymandiaz1260]

You can get one with very little lag, but there's no such thing as a lag-free USB converter.

so you would say an Utimarc A-Pac (USB) is noticeable slower than an I-Pac (PS/2) for connecting arcade controller parts to a PC ?

Depends on what you're playing. If you're playing Super Mario Bros. a millisecond or two really isn't really going to mean anything game play wise, but in something like IIDX where it really matters it can seriously mess you up. I've never played with an A-Pac, but no matter what the converter you're using is PS/2 will always be better than USB, it's just the way USB connections work. If you're trying to decide on which one to get I would definitely recommend getting the I-Pac, which I have used. It's really great.

[nimitz]

That I-pac looks really great (using the keyboard IRQ for the joystick is indeed the fastest way).

One question though, do you think it would be easy to use a PS2 (playstation 2) converter, open it and use the wiring to connect it to the I-pac. This way I could use my HRAP2 with the I-pac.

Or maybe the HRAP pcb is encoding some stuff and what it outputs is useless to the Ipac...this would mean the only way would be to double the wiring inside the HRAP.

edit : also you need a Ps/2 male-male cable to plug your I-pac in or does it come with the Ipac?

[Fudoh]

You would have to add an extra connector directly to your HRAP. I did the the same with a VFHG lately. It's nice because you can completely unplug the PS3 "encoder" and replace it with whatever you want (e.g. direct wiring to an Ipac).

[nimitz]

did you simply remove the pcb so it cannot be used with a playstaion anymore?

cause i still wanna use my HRAP with my ps2

[Ozymandiaz1260]

nimitz, I would look up the pin out for the playstation controller, get a ps extension cable, cut off the end that's supposed to hook up to the playstation and wire it to the I-Pac. I don't know if that would actually work or not (since I don't know how the playstation's pcb works), but I would start there. And yes, the I-Pac comes with the appropriate PS/2 cable.

[KBZ]

I haven't noticed any lag on any of the ports on the 3 in 1 pc joy box.

I was going to get the I-Pac VE, but it sounds like I should go for the I-pac instead in building my db15 adapter box for mame use. Or is it even all worth it?

[Fudoh]

I don't know if that would actually work or not (since I don't know how the playstation's pcb works)

It won't. The PS2 controls are handled by an IC an you don't have single lines for the single controls.

[nimitz]

Well, i just increased my USB polling rate to 500hz (2ms response intead of default 8ms) with my EMS dual shooter and it makes a huge difference. I would say its 1 frame behind an actual ps2 game, played DDP:DOJ for a while then DDP on mame command line few seconds later using my HRAP2 , and the difference is barely noticable i would say 1 frame delay (that would mean about 16ms delay).

To give you a better idea my PS2 > Dc converter is laggier with Gunbird 2 using > http://www.hkems.com/product/dc/dc-tcplus.htm. and this one is said to be one of the best for PS2 > DC.

not sure is there is a way to get less than 1 frame with a converter so im pretty happy with this setup.

edit: Got my Super Joy Box 3 pro and its A LOT bettere than the EMS. a good example is the autofire on the HRAP. Playing Darius gaiden on mame with the autofire (on the hrap) on gave me some kind of a half-fast tapping speed. with the super joy box 3 I get full auto.

[jonny5]

i have the super dual box pro which allows for 2 controllers...no noticeable lag....highly recommend it....and it was only 15 bux!!!

[ReKleSS]

edit: Got my Super Joy Box 3 pro and its A LOT bettere than the EMS. a good example is the autofire on the HRAP. Playing Darius gaiden on mame with the autofire (on the hrap) on gave me some kind of a half-fast tapping speed. with the super joy box 3 I get full auto.

I have an adapter like that. It seems that they don't like the signal timing for PS1 pads or something, and you only get an update every 30-40ms.

[Ex-Cyber]

not sure is there is a way to get less than 1 frame with a converter

I have no idea why this would be impossible. The controller and converter have no idea what a frame is.

[RdP]

What do you think about Universal Adapter Ultimate?
http://www.mayflash.com/Products/XBOXXBOX360/XB018.html

Description says: "1MS poll time - You never feel the lag."
So any other adapters have the lag?

[Syntax]

Its not cheap but the BlissBox 4 play is the most compatible and fastest console to pc adapter to date.
A little secret its the only adapter that adapts Sega Saturn controllers correctly.

Also works on ps3 and xbox.
I have one setup in my cab and it makes the switch between cab controls and a console controller of my choice very easy on emulator mappings.

http://skunx7.wixsite.com/bliss-box

[Wolf_]

Its not cheap but the BlissBox 4 play is the most compatible and fastest console to pc adapter to date.
A little secret its the only adapter that adapts Sega Saturn controllers correctly.

Also works on ps3 and xbox.
I have one setup in my cab and it makes the switch between cab controls and a console controller of my choice very easy on emulator mappings.

http://skunx7.wixsite.com/bliss-box

Can confirm the blissbox is not cheap but it is a "you get what you pay for" situation.
For starters you can buy just the hub and however many blissbox to ps cables you want and that for a single system probably isn't worth it but then to support any other system you could possibly emulate you just need to pick up the hub to controller cables.
Also in terms of input delay and system compatibility you wont find better.

[Syntax]

It has an API in development that I've been helping beta test.

Once it's done you could have fully automated button mappings per controller per system.
That's my focus anyway, command line tool that checks what emulator is running and what controller is plugged in and maps it to how you want. Does away with the inferior global mappings.

[Wolf_]

It has an API in development that I've been helping beta test.

Once it's done you could have fully automated button mappings per controller per system.
That's my focus anyway, command line tool that checks what emulator is running and what controller is plugged in and maps it to how you want. Does away with the inferior global mappings.

Imo blissbox is top of the line quality at middle of the road pricing. If you can afford it, it simply can't be beat.

[Syntax]

As of right now there is nothing that will let you use PS3 controllers of any sort on a PS1 or 2. This also pertains to anything with a USB connection.

Wire this
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/undamned ... coder.html

to this
https://paradisearcadeshop.com/fgc-cons ... hulhu.html

Then you can use your ps3 controller on pretty much anything you want.
You can even keep it plugged into 3-4 systems at once.

Not sure about digital button or analog support with this setup though sorry.