PSXPort source released

[BSzili]

I got in touch with PSXPort's developer Joe Fenton, who sent me with the latest user, developer and source archives and kindly agreed to release them. They are provided as is, so by using them, you accept full responsibility for any damage that might occur.

User archive: http://aminet.net/package/driver/input/psxport-user
Development kit: http://aminet.net/package/dev/misc/psxport-dev
Source code: http://aminet.net/package/driver/input/psxport-src

FAQ
Q: What is PSXPort for?
A: It allows you to connect a PlayStation compatible controller to your Amiga's parallel port. With a multitap up to four controllers and memory cards can be accessed (external power supply recommended).

Q: Why not just use an adapter that plugs to the standard DB9 joystick port?
A: These emulate a regular joystick or CD32 gamepad, which limits them to 7 unique buttons and a D-pad on the Amiga side. With this adapter Amiga programs can read all 14 buttons, D-pad and 2 analog sticks of the PlayStation controller.

Q: What supports it?
A: Various commercial games support it natively, like Wipeout 2097, Payback, Shogo, Quake II, Heretic II, Descent: Freespace. Some open source ports also support it: ADoomPPC, BlitzQuake, Quake (ported by Frank Wille, Steffen Haeuser), Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, Blood, Exhumed (Powerslave), Dark Forces. The FPSE PlayStation emulator includes PSX Port plugin for joystick input. You can also manage PlayStation memory cards with MCControl on your Amiga if you have a multitap.
Of course for backwards compatibility this adapter can emulate a CD32 gamepad for games using lowlevel.library.
I also added native PSXPort support to my Build FPS ports. Besides the regular movement controls these games have jumping, crouching, vertical aiming, an inventory, alternate fire, etc, which is a pain to map to only 7 buttons and a D-pad. Of course they can be played keyboard and mouse, but even there can be issues with pressing some keys simultaneously due to keyboard matrix limitations. This is where PSXPort comes in.

Q: How can I build one myself?
A: Here's a schematic for the PSXPort adapter. It's slightly different from the PC version, pay attention to pin 10 and 11 of the parallel port:


I also made an ASCII version:

   ___
1 / * | DATA
2 | * | CMD
3 |_*_| motor (7.2 - 9V)
4 | * | GND
5 | * | VCC (3.3 - 3.6V)
6 |_*_| ATT
7 | * | CLK
8 | * | unused
9 \_*_| ACK

DB25 male               PSX 9-pin male
    D0  2 ------------- 2 CMD
    D1  3 ------------- 6 /SEL (ATT)
    D2  4 ------------- 7 /CLK
    D3  5 --->|---|
    D4  6 --->|---|
    D5  7 --->|---|---- 5 VCC
    D6  8 --->|---|
    D7  9 --->|---|
  /ACK 10 ------------- 9 /ACK
  BUSY 11 ------------- 1 DATA
   GND 18 ---|
             |--------- 4 GND
   GND 19 ---|

-->|-- 1N4148 diode

Notice: While the 5 data lines have enough power for a single controller, if you plan to connect a multitap you should consider using an external 3.3V power supply.

[vulture]

what would be cool, is if whdload added support for this somehow

[BSzili]

Finally built myself one, it was relatively easy even with my modest soldering skills. The components didn't cost much either.

I tried it with PSXPortTest and the Quake port linked above, and they both worked great, all the buttons, analog sticks, etc. I can't wait to add PSXPort support to JFBuild.

[kriz]

Very cool project, will try to build my own! Thanks!!

[BSzili]

Two of my Build ports now support the PSXPort: Blood and Shadow Warrior.

[Hedeon]

Sadly no .FD or clib. Makes it harder to generate stubs.

[BSzili]

PSXPort uses a gameport.device compatible interface with standard Exec device I/O. You don't need any stubs, just GetMsg, DoIO and SendIO.

[BSzili]

Exhumed now joins the fray. It's a bit less convenient as it has no in-game control settings, but I made sure the default preset is comfortable enough for those who don't want to customize the CFG by hand.

[saimon69]

Originally Posted by vulture

what would be cool, is if whdload added support for this somehow

I hear you, by offering an overlay to intercept joystick calls to the PS2 pad, but since most assembly games bash the metal directly i wonder if is feasible

[BSzili]

For WHDLoad it's probably better to use an adapter that connects to the joytick port and emulates a 3-button or CD32 controller. The games that need WHDLoad couldn't make use of the extra buttons or analog sticks anyway, which is the main advantage of the PSXPort.

[BULI]

Q: What supports it?
A: Various commercial games support it natively, like Wipeout 2097


I build this interface and it works fantastic with PSX emulator under amiga os 3.9 witch PPC- FPSE and with game PAYBACK, but Vipeout2097 don't support native psxport.device, this interface can only emulation pad CD32 (lowlevel.library).

[BSzili]

That's interesting, thanks for testing. According to this review it should support it:
https://amigareviews.leveluphost.com/wipeout2.htm
I'll have a peek at the executable later to see if there's any trace of it.

Edit: Indeed, there's no psxport.device anywhere in the game's executable, nice catch!

[BULI]

Originally Posted by BSzili

That's interesting, thanks for testing. According to this review it should support it:
https://amigareviews.leveluphost.com/wipeout2.htm
I'll have a peek at the executable later to see if there's any trace of it.

Edit: Indeed, there's no psxport.device anywhere in the game's executable, nice catch!

Do you have just like me, that on Right Analog in the PSX PAD directions works in reverse?
When I push DOWN I get move UP, when I push UP I get move DOWN in games like Payback (for move forvard I must push DWON Right Analog, should be UP, in FPSE games a have the same (directions works in reverse on RIGHT ANALOG, other things works great).

[BSzili]

Hmm, I don't remember having this issue in any of my build ports. Have you tried the test program from the user archive if that works OK?

[BULI]

Originally Posted by BSzili

Hmm, I don't remember having this issue in any of my build ports. Have you tried the test program from the user archive if that works OK?

OK. I was wrong, becouse FPSE (old PSX emulator version for WOS AMIGA) don't support Analogs.
One of my controllers from PS2 have analogs working in Digital Mode, and I had problem only with this one controller.
Every think is all right.
Multitap works GREAT with Payback (4 controlers PS2 in the same time)

[BSzili]

That makes sense, so it was the 3rd party controller's built in Analog to Digital emulation misbehaving. Payback supports up to 4 controllers? It's probably the only PSX Port compatible title that does.

[BSzili]

Added Dark Forces to the list of supported games.

[BULI]

Originally Posted by BSzili

Added Dark Forces to the list of supported games.

Great

[Angus]

Originally Posted by BSzili

Finally built myself one, it was relatively easy even with my modest soldering skills. The components didn't cost much either.

I tried it with PSXPortTest and the Quake port linked above, and they both worked great, all the buttons, analog sticks, etc. I can't wait to add PSXPort support to JFBuild.

This is outside my comfort zone, but if nobody is selling them, I'd like to have a go. I had a quick look but couldn't see any Playstation controller connectors, any idea where I would source the parts?

[BSzili]

I bought a bunch of cheap PSX extension cables from AliExpress and removed the male connector:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...48271eddlFM6UF
Ideally you want the cable to be as short as possible because of the power loss, but I found that this length still works OK.