Just to double check: at this point, it is not yet possible to get any 2 player action by adding a 2nd controller thru the USB port... is that correct?

My question then is this: is is feasable to expect that sort of feature (a la Sega Nomad) anytime soon? What all would be involved in implementing that feature? I assume it would be in the upgraded firmware, as well as something extra in the form of a new release for each emulator that plans on having it... am I correct there as well?

As much as I'm enjoying my GP2X, it would add that much more value to the unit if I could hook it up to the TV and add another controller. That would be excellent!

I believe firmware 2.0 already offers the support you are requesting via usb, but I don't think any games/emulators support it yet.

I see. So it's just a matter of waiting for the good folks who make all these great emulators to including it in some future release, if they so desire. That's all I needed to know, thank you very much!

And having a BOB

=)

Does that mean that you MUST have the BOB in order to use another controller? I was thinking along the lines of connecting Logitech Precision gamepad -->GP2X (just for example). Is it an issue with the lack of power to the sub port?

Or were you simply mentioning the BOB for even greater multiplayer fun, like 4 players?

You need one as the GP2x's USB can't host devices. ie. It can be recognised by another device, such as your PC, but it won't recognise something connected to it.

I've got initial support for an external joystick in SDL, but I need a joystick that's compatible, unless anyone can point me in the direction of a driver for the X-box pad...

Couldn't you use some ingenious wiring to go directly in the EXT?

I think the situation is more like the GP2X can't provide 5V for USB directly, so there will always be some extra circuitry required - either a breakout board, or a cable with a built in 3.3->5V step up converter inside. Also, there are a couple passive filtering components required even if the USB device is self powered.

Any generic USB controller driver will do that supports all controller types...

It is basically already a USB controller.

i have my gp2x set up with two griffin powermates .. it is, finally, an awesome use of those whacky controllers ..

(MAME patch, notwithstanding, of course ..)

i'd up my powermate.o, /dev/*, and /etc/init.d/ patch, but i kinda also wouldn't mind just waiting to see what happens with Open2X and pitch in on that when/where needed.. but rest assured: multiplayer input device is 100%, utterly, feasible with the GP2X. get a BoB. make a USB cable. make modules ..

I love my powermate on my PC, not sure how it would be that useful for the games I play, but kudos for being creative. I'm one of those shameful people that has neither the skill nor the time to make my own cables/etc.... I'm waiting for the finished BoB to be released instead of having a bare motherboard sitting on my coffee table. But as long as I know it is coming at some point in the not too distant future then I am content.

I've found the source code for xpad which has all the different makes of xbox controllers, even the 360's!
All I need now is to get it compiled, anybody know what needs doing? Will it have to be compiled with 2.95? I've never delved into kernel level stuff...

The site I got the source via is here

This is wrong. The GP2X supports hosting USB devices but lacks the means to power high-current devices. On MK1 units, no power is supplied to the devices-- gamepads might work but probably not. On MK2 units, 100mA is supplied and gamepads should work fine directly connected. A breakout box or other means to supply current to the devices would be needed on the MK1.

Unless there's been a hardware update, the USB chip connected to the onboard mini-USB is device only - no ability to host. The USB controller built into the MMSP2 can host, but it requires a custom cable or BoB to expose it - and it's 1.1 whereas the builtin mini is 2.0. Also pre-FW 2.0 didn't have the drivers to run the host.

Yes, that's what I meant. The direct connection to USB wouldn't work but a cable adapted to the EXT port should.

ARtaylor.co.uk used to sell a USB cable for the Mk. I that was able to supply 100 ma of power from the GP2X. I'm guessing it used a step-up converter, as the Mk. I only supplies 3.3v on the Ext.

Its a Piece of Cake to make a USB cable for your GP2X, if you've got an EXT Connector ..

What he said, but I wimped on the power circuit and just used 4 NiMH AAA batts. It makes 5.28 volts (Alkalines would likely be pushing 7 volts), and I just wire them up.

I think the Host termination could be put on a tiny Surface mount chip, has anyone seen one of those?

The TV-Out and the USB terminator could be on one circuit board, maybe even with the power supply circuit under the shell (only 100ma, AKA keyboards and mice and memsticks), very clean, in mass production it should only cost maybe $5-$10 more than the existing TV-Out cables (at a healthy markup too). $15 to $25 total depending where you shop.

Just 4-5 surface mount components and a circuit board, not too difficult.

I think you can use a second controller just fine, if I was going to be using the same controller always I would put the batteries in the controller to make it cheap. Just 4 rechargeable NiMH or Ni-Cad ought to do it, maybe you can find some 1/3 size AAA batteries. I found some in my brother's remote-control helicopter.

I would go to retrousb.com and get a Sega or SNES adaptor, and while I was wiring it add a battery pack for power. It makes more sense than using an Xbox controller, even if it is more costly.

This might be a stupid question, but can you modify the existing USB port to connect to the EXT port pins that allow USB Host? I just think it would be cooler to plug and play rather than having to use the BoB all the time. Like when playing on the bus or train for example.

@ Jaguarandine
well I guess that would be feasable, but it might be simpler to have a USB port on he bottom (away from your fingers)

The EXT port has USB Host pins on it already. All you need is a cable with EXT on one side, USB Host port on the other. I have made such a cable, it is easy. art103 was selling them, but I don't know if he is any more now that the BoB is out and usable.

With an EXT->USB cable, it *is* a simple plug and play situation..

Is that only for non 'first edition' I thought there was not power to ext wtih these models..I had not done much looking into it because I dont have a breakout box yet..im waiting till there is one with a housing.

Edit:topor..are you still selling those pimp knobs?

No, I have 3.3volts out of the First edition (I used it to power the line-level convertor for my serial cable), I thought GPH said the only difference was the amount of current in the MK2 models, am I wrong?

Nevermind, I have a GP2X and a Digital Multi-Meter right here, so I will just check the MK2.

Yes, the MK2 has only 3.3volts. Just like my MK1 had. So it must be a difference in the amount of current it can handle.

And people were selling the 100ma versions of their USB adaptors long before the MK2 ever was heard of.

It should be fine, and it should be small if you make one designed to be small, I would but I don't have a need to yet.

Edit, by small I mean it could fit under the shell of the Samsung EXT connector, and just have a USB host dongle off of it (just a cable with a "USB A" female style plug on it).

That would be plenty small to buss around (a bad pun).

Any idea what the actual current output is?

I suppose I could add load until the GP2X crashes, but I don't know what that would prove (besides the risk to my GP2X), except the maximum load on the voltage regulator or batteries likely.

I remember reading something from GPH about higher rated-load, maybe in a missive about the BoB.

I would search that up, but I wouldn't run anything over ~200 - 300mA draw on it anyway, and that puts WiFi and HDDs out of the picture.

Like I say, I don't even use it, at 5.28 volts the 4 AAA NiMH are only +6% off of 5 volts anyway (check your desktop PC sometime and tell me it doesn't go out of range on cheap parts, still works though ).

I figure that pack will deliver enough current for a WiFi or a 2.5" or 1.8" HDD anyway, or I can move to a regulated pack set-up at that time, this one is just a hack to try out the USB host.

Heh, if I wanted to add a harddrive I would add one that is self-powered, or construct a separate battery pack that I could just plug in to the USB cable for the 'extra boost' (same goes for WiFi). I'd be more interested in a USB cable for maybe using a USB gamepad on-the-go so I could multiplayer game with one of my friends who doesn't have a GP2X (and none of them do) with a Sega Nomad style setup. I actually have a little extra money to spend on parts now, so I'm looking at building myself a cable based on a chip that supplies a minimum 100ma output that peaks at just above 300ma when the input voltage is 3.3v. What I've got lined up so far would cost me about $22, including shipping.