Rockbox Technical Forums

Rockbox Development => Feature Ideas => Topic started by: FirleFanz on September 08, 2008, 01:03:01 PM

Title: USB control pad
Post by: FirleFanz on September 08, 2008, 01:03:01 PM
I´m in Berlin, and sad about touchscreen on my COWON D2. No buttons on it to play Supermario!

My Idea is to connect a Controlpad to the miniUSBport to get Buttons for the Rockboy... because i´m a German i have difficultys in that forum to understand, sorry for my english...


hopefully somebody like that idea and will code it, cu
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: Chronon on September 08, 2008, 02:35:57 PM
The D2 isn't supported yet.  But your idea to attach a controller to a USB port can also apply to some other players too.  This has actually been mentioned several times in the past.  However, it requires Rockbox to act as USB host and to have device drivers for the controller you want to use.  Then each game you want to play has to be modified to accept input from this device.
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: gevaerts on September 08, 2008, 04:16:03 PM
Note that many players don't have the necessary hardware for USB host support
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: Chronon on September 08, 2008, 05:45:45 PM
Very true.  You probably have a better idea of which ones than I do.  I think the iAudio X5, (international) H300, and Gigabeats through the cradle have this.  Does that sound about right?
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: gevaerts on September 08, 2008, 07:36:37 PM
I think so, yes.
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: JdGordon on September 09, 2008, 06:20:50 AM
h300 is no good... its hardware usb..
The PP targets could do it in software couldnt they?
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: gevaerts on September 09, 2008, 06:34:17 AM
h300 is no good... its hardware usb..
The h300 does have a hardware USB-ATA bridge, but it (at least the international version) also has an OHCI controller

The PP targets could do it in software couldnt they?
The PP502x does indeed have a controller that can do host side (still hardware, no USB is pure software), but that's not enough for host support. For that you also need things like a PHY that supports host (I think it's there on PP, but I'm not sure), possibly the right pin connections (not sure), and definitely a 5V power supply to the connector. None of the rockbox-supported PP502x players have that.
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: FirleFanz on September 16, 2008, 04:41:45 PM
 ::)

now that the necessary parts for usb controler are known, why not make a table and step by step insert which player has 5V out and which hostability(no matter how).


Maybe a selfemade controler with 5V at an other port or by battery.

or! with an Diode put 5V at the usbVCC pin! so every player with usb should can have 5V out! ok ok no warranty needs a decision.
Title: Re: USB control pad
Post by: saratoga on September 16, 2008, 07:01:27 PM
::)

now that the necessary parts for usb controler are known, why not make a table and step by step insert which player has 5V out and which hostability(no matter how).

Why don't you?


or! with an Diode put 5V at the usbVCC pin! so every player with usb should can have 5V out! ok ok no warranty needs a decision.

Because there is no VCC pin on most or all PP targets.