PC-FX controllers

[nat]

First off, were there ever any third-party controller solutions made for the PC-FX? Specifically, joysticks?

If not, are there any converters that allow you to use joysticks or control pads from other systems on the PC-FX?

Further, does anyone know the pinout schematic for the PC-FX controller port? If the answer to the first two questions is "no" then I am interested in designing a converter myself.

Also, it looks to me like the Duo-RX 6-button pad and the PC-FX pad are in fact the same thing (this is going from pictures I've seen of the Duo-RX pad). Obviously the cables are different, but does anyone know if this is the only difference? Are the internals the same? If so, then this means TurboGrafx/PCE controllers are compatible with the PC-FX.

Finally, if no one here can answer any of these questions at all, does someone have a Duo-RX pad they want to sell me so I can research it myself?

[Keranu]

I don't know of any third-party controllers or joysticks for the PC-FX. I highly doubt there are any, but I hope someone proves me wrong on this as it would be interesting to see other controllers for the system.

Again, I don't know if there are any controller converters for the PC-FX, but I highly doubt it even more.

There are some small exterior differences between the RX (and the other name for it) pad and the PC-FX pad. The biggest difference is that the RX pad has a Turbo switch for each action button, while the PC-FX pad only has two - one for each row of action buttons. The Select and RUN buttons on the RX pad are moved a bit to the left so it can fit the  6 - 2 button switch on the right, while the PC-FX Select and RUN buttons are centered and have no 6 - 2 switch. The RX pad has the HE logo ontop, the PC-FX version has the PC-FX logo on top. The RX pad has a purple color tone for the buttons while the PC-FX pad has a grey button tone. The RX pad has a black cord, the PC-FX a grey cord (like the buttons). The PC-FX pad case has a slightly lighter tone than the RX pad. The PC-FX pad as a significantly longer cord, I'd say around two feet longer. Lastly on the back of both controllers in the center, there is a little copyright message and on the bottom left hand of each message, the RX version says "PCE-TP1(I?)" as well as having a little logo that says "VCI" on the right side of the message, while the PC-FX version says "FX-PAD" and doesn't have the VCI logo.

If I am missing an exterior differences, please post them because IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!

I can try opening up my controllers to check for internal differences for you, nat.

[Tatsujin]

since the PCFX gameport has less pins that buttons on the pad, i guess the transmission between FX and pad is multiplexed, which makes it really hard to make a different controller work on it, without using a original controller pcb as an interface.

[Oli_lar]

I can't imagine there would be any third party controllers, I'm not sure there would have been need for a joystick.

Obviously this doesn't mean it wouldn't be cool if you made one!

[nat]

I can't imagine there would be any third party controllers, I'm not sure there would have been need for a joystick.

Well, I can think of a couple games where I've wanted a joystick on the PC-FX. Which is what prompted me to inquire about this.

I don't know of any third-party controllers or joysticks for the PC-FX. I highly doubt there are any, but I hope someone proves me wrong on this as it would be interesting to see other controllers for the system.

Again, I don't know if there are any controller converters for the PC-FX, but I highly doubt it even more.

There are some small exterior differences between the RX (and the other name for it) pad and the PC-FX pad. The biggest difference is that the RX pad has a Turbo switch for each action button, while the PC-FX pad only has two - one for each row of action buttons. The Select and RUN buttons on the RX pad are moved a bit to the left so it can fit the  6 - 2 button switch on the right, while the PC-FX Select and RUN buttons are centered and have no 6 - 2 switch. The RX pad has the HE logo ontop, the PC-FX version has the PC-FX logo on top. The RX pad has a purple color tone for the buttons while the PC-FX pad has a grey button tone. The RX pad has a black cord, the PC-FX a grey cord (like the buttons). The PC-FX pad case has a slightly lighter tone than the RX pad. The PC-FX pad as a significantly longer cord, I'd say around two feet longer. Lastly on the back of both controllers in the center, there is a little copyright message and on the bottom left hand of each message, the RX version says "PCE-TP1(I?)" as well as having a little logo that says "VCI" on the right side of the message, while the PC-FX version says "FX-PAD" and doesn't have the VCI logo.

If I am missing an exterior differences, please post them because IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!

I can try opening up my controllers to check for internal differences for you, nat.

Thanks for the detailed look, Keranu. I was thinking more along the lines of electrical differences rather than cosmetic...

It looks like I'm going to have to track down a Duo-RX pad, buy it, and then dissect it to find out more.

So it sounds like there is no kind of documentation out there on how the PC-FX controller port works, electrically?

[Keranu]

Thanks for the detailed look, Keranu. I was thinking more along the lines of electrical differences rather than cosmetic...

I know, I just wanted to be a nerdy and list all of the useless differences .

[CrackTiger]

If you're desperate for a different controller, I'd open up the PC-FX pad and see if it has the same connection as any PCE pads and if so, swap the cords.

I don't think its too far fetched to be possible, since the PC-FX pad is so similar to the Duo RX pad.

[nat]

If you're desperate for a different controller, I'd open up the PC-FX pad and see if it has the same connection as any PCE pads and if so, swap the cords.

I don't think its too far fetched to be possible, since the PC-FX pad is so similar to the Duo RX pad.

I'm not desperate, but I thought it would be a cool project.

And yes, that's the next step in what I intend to do (as in taking apart the FX pad). I also want to get a hold of a Duo-RX pad and do the same.

Ultimately, my goal is to be able to use a joystick of some sort on the PC-FX. If Turbo and FX pads are swappable, then I have a good shot at creating a converter.

[guyjin]

A quick search of gamesx.com, the usual definitive source of this kind of info, has nada. 

[nat]

UPDATE: I tried to take apart a PC-FX controller last night. I discovered they use some really funky screws that I'm not sure I have a bit for. It's not the gamebit that the TG-16 uses, it's something that looks more like a Phillips.

[MissaFX]

UPDATE: I tried to take apart a PC-FX controller last night. I discovered they use some really funky screws that I'm not sure I have a bit for. It's not the gamebit that the TG-16 uses, it's something that looks more like a Phillips.

Nat, did this project of yours ever go anywhere?  I keep trying to figure out a way short of scrapping a broken FX and a used up controller's end to make an extender in my head everytime I want one for it.  The other thought I had was I have seen splicing kits for networking wire which are supposed to be good against outside signals, but they are pretty freaking expensive, like 40 dollars

[nat]

UPDATE: I tried to take apart a PC-FX controller last night. I discovered they use some really funky screws that I'm not sure I have a bit for. It's not the gamebit that the TG-16 uses, it's something that looks more like a Phillips.

Nat, did this project of yours ever go anywhere?  I keep trying to figure out a way short of scrapping a broken FX and a used up controller's end to make an extender in my head everytime I want one for it.  The other thought I had was I have seen splicing kits for networking wire which are supposed to be good against outside signals, but they are pretty freaking expensive, like 40 dollars

If all you want to do is extend the cord, you could always just do a basic splice job. I can't imagine you'd need any kind of expensive kit for that. Worst case scenario, some scissors and electrical tape would surely do the trick. I can't think of any kind of outside signal that would interfere with your controller communicating with the console. Of course, you'd have to have a second FX pad to butcher to get the cable from.

And no, I haven't yet completed my project. I have been unable to find any information on, or locate, a proper bit to open the FX pad. I'd still love to do it. Maybe I'll dive back into that this weekend, now you've motivated me.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Do you have a pic of the screw heads, nat?  My guess is that they're either a tri-wing screw or a phillips pin-head screw, both of which are pretty easy to obtain bits for.

[Mednafen]

There's one 44-pin chip in the gamepad.

My PC-FX gamepad:

NEC Japan
65612   107
9440EX007

My FXGA gamepad:

NEC Japan
65612   107
9515EX011

A very quickie pinout, it may have mistakes, I just made it. :b
The question-mark pins are COMPLETE GUESSES.  Hopefully, the protocol is simple, just sending 32-bits of data each strobe/reset/request/whatever, but I don't know.

Code Select Expand

(Looking at the joystick port front-on on a PC-FX)

A B C D
 E F G


A = Reset?/Strobe?
B = Input/Output select?
C = Data?
D = +5VDC
E = GND
F = Clock?
G = GND



Inside the FX gamepad, from left to right, top of the circuit board, the soldered pins:


(GND), F, (GND), A, B, C, D(+5VDC)


[guyjin]

awesome!   

[ulao]

Hi all I want to use this topic as it shows credit to Mednafen , although he clearly stated its a guess.. his guess was right( with the exception of b and c being switched ). The main reason I'm commenting is for the lack of info about the pc-fx on the net. This post has the most and I'm going to make it complete.

I have made a usb adapter and a plastic fitting for the pc-fx pad. Although I dont hang out here much you can try to contact me. I also can be found herehttp://spawnlinux.dyndns.org/Bliss-Box/. If you find this info useful please use a link back to my site. Ok that being said here is what I know.

pinout
facing the game pad plug, not the console.
1 2 3 4
0 0 0 0
0 0 0
5 6 7

1 +5
2 data
3 set low,  data direction
4 latch
5 Gnd
6 clock
7 Gnd

the PC-Fx has an ID But I only worked with the pad.
examples:
Mouse = 0xD
Multitap = 0xE
Pad = 0xF

The pad uses the clock latch paradigm , so you wont be able to interface with it, without a micro controller of sorts. I'm not sure what the original clock speed is but with my 12 mhz avr, I set it to 6us in my loop and it worked fine.

Begin cycle..

Raise the latch

[loop this] 32 times
lower the clock, wait 6 us
read a bit
higher the clock, wait 6 us

The first 16 are as follows I, II, III, IV, V, VI, select, run, up, right, down, left. and a few extra bits I didnt need to use..

the second 16 are like so
17
18 bottom switch
19 top switch
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 1 //0xf the ID
30 1//
31 1// not sure what these are for.
32 1//
end loop


Lower the latch

END