USB game controllers and mice

[Duke]

New firmware update.

Imperium Solo firmware update v1.0.9
Changes:

   
• Added support for Vakoss Wireless Gamepad GP-3925BK
• Various fixes and better performance (issue with button release, xbox 360 analog etc. I don't remember all!)

Download:
https://www.spinpoint.org/files/ImperiumSolo_Amstrad_v109.zip

In other news I have also build firmware versions for C64, Amiga, Atari ST, Sega MD/Genesis & Amiga CD32. Due to different hardware characteristics, you can not use your CPC Imperium Solo with the mentioned machines, without modifications (changing 0 ohm SMD resistors).

[Duke]

New firmware update.

Imperium Solo firmware update v1.1.0
Changes:

   
• Added support for TribeRetro Wireless controller
• Added support for Smart Controller Wireless TGZ-850M

Download from:
https://imperium.spinpoint.org

Both wireless controllers are very cheap.
I got the TribeRetro from the UK for 5 GBP + 3GBP shipping, now unfortunately price increased to 9 GBP + shipping, so iNNEXT (same quality) or similar from China is probably the same or cheaper.

Anyway the ebay links for these two:
TribeRetro (with buildin rechargable battery):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TribeRetro-Wireless-Controller-for-Nintendo-Mini-SNES-PC-BRAND-NEW-with-USB/312770820440
Smart (?) Wireless controller (needs 2x AA batteries):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-4G-Wireless-Game-Controller-Game-pad-Joystick-for-Android-TV-Box-Tablets-PC-BT/323065445669


Happy new year.

[Duke]

New firmware update.

Imperium Solo firmware update v1.1.1
Changes:

   
• Added support for Mad Catz FightStick TES+
• Added support for Sony DualShock 4 USB Wireless Adaptor

Download from:
https://imperium.spinpoint.org

I got the TribeRetro from the UK for 5 GBP + 3GBP shipping, now unfortunately price increased to 9 GBP + shipping, so iNNEXT (same quality) or similar from China is probably the same or cheaper.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TribeRetro-Wireless-Controller-for-Nintendo-Mini-SNES-PC-BRAND-NEW-with-USB/312770820440

TIP: price is again down to 4.95 GBP. Imho. a very good price if you want to add wireless controller to your CPC

Some news about the Imperium Solo hardware: PCB revision 1.0.4 is now shipping.
It is more universal, as it has mini jumpers (2 mm) so it can be configured between Amstrad, Amiga, Atari ST, C64, CD32 & SEGA MD/GENESIS.
Also tested with Atari XEGS (C64 firmware) and SEGA Master System (C64 firmware).
A microUSB connector for external powersupply was added, for computers not providing enough power for certain (rechargable) gamepads (AMIGA!). Setable via jumper.
However it also means I had to increase the price slightly for version to be used with AMSTRAD (sorry!), as I have to include microUSB to DC socket + DC Y-splitter cable. (and 2.1MM <-> 2.5mm adapter for CPC plus). First post was updated to reflect that.
Manual and configuration details can be found here:
https://www.spinpoint.org/files/ImperiumSolo_v104_manual.pdf

[GUNHED]

Some news about the Imperium Solo hardware: PCB revision 1.0.4 is now shipping.
It is more universal, as it has mini jumpers (2 mm) so it can be configured between Amstrad, Amiga, Atari ST, C64, CD32 & SEGA MD/GENESIS.

Would be great if you continue to produce the Amstrad-only version too. 

[Duke]

Would be great if you continue to produce the Amstrad-only version too. 

It was always configurable, just via 0 ohm smd resistors instead of jumpers, due to wanting to keep it as small as possible. 2 mm jumpers and some re-arranging helped succeding that, infact new pcb is a couple of mm shorter.
If someone wants the DC cable permanently soldered on like the first versions, no problem. I will sell these 1 euro cheaper (since I still have 30 of these cables with DC socket).

[dxs]

Hi @Duke and anyone enjoying the Imperium Solo!

I guess I could find something with a g00gle search, however maybe explaining in this this thread how to get the HID report (?) to include new compatible hardware in future firmware updates would be nice?

Anyway this is a great peace of hardware, as usual 

[Duke]

I guess I could find something with a g00gle search, however maybe explaining in this this thread how to get the HID report (?) to include new compatible hardware in future firmware updates would be nice?

If using Windows, I recommend using "Device Monitor Studio" (free) to get the DEVICE DESCRIPTOR, and HID Descriptor. Link https://www.hhdsoftware.com/Downloads/device-monitoring-studio

See the attached photo for usage.

If using Linux, it is much easier.
Just plugin the USB mouse or gamepad and type:
sudo usbhid-dump > report.txt

And send me the report.  Thanks

EDIT: please notice that there may be a bug in v1.1.1 firmware that prevents mice from working at all (afaik), so please use v1.1.0.  I will fix it soonish.

[dxs]

Thank you!


I couldn't get any of my my mice to work so that is possibly related to that firmware bug. I'll look into it.

In the meantime I prepared the text reports (and pictures for the database) of what I was trying to get running with my Imperium Solo. A random Logitech optical mouse, a nicely feeling Microsoft wired pad, and a cheap wireless ps3 style chinese pad.

[Duke]

I have fixed the bug in v1.1.1 that prevented all mouses from working aswell as generic HID pads for whom I have not written specific drivers.

@dxs thanks for the reports. Please try your gamepads now. I have added them, but they may need to have the buttons re-arranged.

Download:
https://www.spinpoint.org/files/ImperiumSolo_Amstrad_v112.zip

For other computers visit https://imperium.spinpoint.org/ find the needed firmware for the fix.

[dxs]

Hi @Duke !


Thanks for your work especially in those troubled times.


Here is my report, the update process went smoothly. However here is what I found:


  - the mouse is "workish", meaning that testing with AMX Art the pointer somewhat moves in the right direction, however it is not usable (minimum mouse speed required unless no movement - then it goes out of control - movement continues after mouse has stopped moving - etc). I compared with another ps/2 ---> CPC interface and a ball mouse, vintage AMX compliant too, and this is totally another world.


  - the wireless pad doesn't work, but something is going on as I get strange character strings when using some keyboard combined key-presses (can provide details if needed)


  - the wired pad when plugged gives a continuous arrow press, then only 2 buttons work the way they should. Directions give unconsistent results.


If there's anything I can check / provide details / so that you can make it work don't hesitate. Of course there's no hurry at all! (and no vital need either)
If you have to make only one working then I'd choose the wireless pad.

[GUNHED]

Well, the AMX Art is... very "special" in the way it recognized the "mouse". Can you give it a try with FutureOS and compare it to joystick? Probably the mouse is slower, but it must move in the right directions.

[dxs]

Well I gave it a shot and it's marginally better with F-OS. The problem is the mouse pointer will only move in each direction at a unique speed, effectively rendering it hard to control.

[GUNHED]

Well I gave it a shot and it's marginally better with F-OS. The problem is the mouse pointer will only move in each direction at a unique speed, effectively rendering it hard to control.

Yes, that's the limitation of using joystick ports. 

[Syncmaster319]

Hi Duke,

I have a problem with a Microsoft Basic 2.0 mouse.  It detects fine but the pointer has an initial phase of dead zone then just zooms across the screen really fast

Same in OCP Art Studio and the AMX software

Thanks
Mark

[Syncmaster319]

Something else.... I have noticed if I redefine the keys in Dragon Ninja and BB4CPC so i can map a jump button both games exit back to the menu screen after a few seconds of playing.


Doing this with both a PS3 and Xbox One controller

[Duke]

Something else.... I have noticed if I redefine the keys in Dragon Ninja and BB4CPC so i can map a jump button both games exit back to the menu screen after a few seconds of playing.


Doing this with both a PS3 and Xbox One controller

Have you tried this with a regular Joystick, to see if the same issue appears? If not I will check into it.
As for the mouse, not sure exactly what the problem is. Is it too sensitive or ?

[Duke]

New firmware update.

Imperium Solo firmware update v1.1.4
Changes:

   
• Added support for Logitech F310 Gamepad
• Added support for Logitech F710 Wireless Gamepad
• Tested OK with Maegoo PS3 / PC wireless controller

Download from:
https://imperium.spinpoint.org



And the previous one I forgot to mention in this thread:

Imperium Solo firmware update v1.1.3
Changes:

   
• Added support for Speedlink WASP2
• Tested OK with Speedlink Competetion Pro
• Tested OK with The C64 Joystick

Download from:
https://imperium.spinpoint.org

[Syncmaster319]

Hi Duke,


I have done some testing of the various firmware as downgrading firmware fixes the MS Basic mouse and PS3 pad issues I'm having.


Amstrad firmware v1.0.1 - All good
Amstrad firmware v1.0.7 - All good - blue light flashing at all times, redefine keys in BB4CPC works well
Amstrad firmware v1.0.8 - Mouse good, blue light flashing at all times, difficult to redefine keys in BB4CPC as double input can happen, BB4CPC resets back to menu on level 1
Amstrad firmware v1.0.9 - Mouse too fast in Advanced Art Studio, difficult to redefine keys in BB4CPC as double input can happen, BB4CPC resets back to menu on level 1, Solid blue light for Mouse and PS3 pad.
Amstrad firmware v1.1.4 - Same as v1.0.9


Hope that helps!
Mark

[GUNHED]

For some software the mouse will be too fast, but this is the trade off to have the mouse quick enough for most software / games. Personally I'm fine with the speed. Maybe it's possible to have two softwares: One for quick moving and one for slow moving. But that's additional work of course. On the other hand there may be a byte you can patch to influence the speed.

[Syncmaster319]

Hi Gunhead,

I'm seeing the the speed change significantly between between v1.0.8 and v1.0.9 to the point you cant click on the menus as it moves too fast in Advanced Art Studio.

A gentle move of the mouse sends the pointer half way across the screen.  Feels like a bug.

Mark

[GUNHED]

Hi Gunhead,
I'm seeing the the speed change significantly between between v1.0.8 and v1.0.9 to the point you cant click on the menus as it moves too fast in Advanced Art Studio.
A gentle move of the mouse sends the pointer half way across the screen.  Feels like a bug.
Mark

Well, you're right. It IS a bug. Just updated the firmware in the ImpSolo and used a regular USB mouse. I can't use FutureOS or Space Chicken any longer in a proper way.

EDIT: Stepped back to 1.0.7 - works way better. Usable again.

Therefore I investigated what happens: If the mouse gets moved (or a button is pressed), then the signal stays active way too long. You can easily watch this by pressing fire 2 when using FutureOS with a background picture. The signal stays on for about 0.1 seconds so the wallpaper gets redrawn about 5 times or so.

Solution: @Duke please reduce the time for which a signal is switched on back to the old value.

[Syncmaster319]

Thanks for taking the time to investigate GUNHED! Amazing


I would imagine the same fix will solve my controller issues too? I press a button and results in too many inputs so redefining keys to the PS Pad is very tricky?

[Duke]

Thanks for the bug reporting @Syncmaster319 and @GUNHED. I will fix it soon (probably next week).

[Duke]

While I did not get to fix the reported bug yet (sorry!), I did make another small update allowing you to swap buttons UP and FIRE2 (1) as many have asked for. Good for platformers I reckon.

Get latest firmware v1.1.5 from https://imperium.spinpoint.org
Press "↑↓" + "←→"  (see which two buttons that is on your controller in the database, most likely it is start + select) to toggle the button mapping.

[Duke]

Thanks for the bug reporting @Syncmaster319 and @GUNHED. I will fix it soon (probably next week).

This should now be fixed in v1.1.6 beta 1. Took a bit longer than expected to find, the interrupt serving the Amstrad COM pulse, was conflicting with the usb control parser - bah!:
https://www.spinpoint.org/files/ImperiumSolo_Amstrad_v116b1.zip

Please report back if it is not as expected, thanks.