Path: menudo.uh.edu!usenet From: the_doctor@nesbbx.rain.com (Michel J. Brown) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.reviews Subject: REVIEW: DP IBM Analog Joystick Interface Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.games Date: 7 Dec 1993 14:17:33 GMT Organization: The Amiga Online Review Column - ed. Daniel Barrett Lines: 221 Sender: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu (comp.sys.amiga.reviews moderator) Distribution: world Message-ID: <2e239t$rhd@menudo.uh.edu> Reply-To: the_doctor@nesbbx.rain.com (Michel J. Brown) NNTP-Posting-Host: karazm.math.uh.edu Keywords: hardware, game, joystick, analog, commercial PRODUCT NAME DP IBM Analog Joystick Interface BRIEF DESCRIPTION The DP Interface is a hardware converter that allows the use of analog joysticks on the Amiga, for programs that recognize standard IBM analog joysticks. AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION Name: DigiPrint, Inc. Address: P.O. Box 13016 Richmond, VA 23225 USA Telephone: (804) 560-1769 LIST PRICE $15.95 (US) SPECIAL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS HARDWARE Requires an IBM compatible analog joystick. SOFTWARE None. COPY PROTECTION None. MACHINE USED FOR TESTING Amiga 2500, 25 MHz 68030/68552/68882 2 MB Chip RAM, 10 MB Fast RAM Kickstart version 37.300, Workbench version 38.35 Advanced Gravis Analog Joystick INSTALLATION Extremely easy. All you need to do is plug the joystick into the DB-15 end of the interface, and then plug the 9-pin end of the interface into port 2 (joystick port) on the Amiga. REVIEW While playing my favorite flight simulators, I noticed that there was a performance barrier caused by the software. After many phone calls, and some personal research, I came to the conclusion that it was a hardware restriction, and decided to pursue getting an analog joystick for my Amiga. Looking for analog joysticks for the Amiga is like trying to find hard drives for the Commodore 64: possible, but not likely. Enter the DP IBM Analog Interface. With an analog joystick, you can experience the realism built into the software which is unavailable to digital joystick users due to the lack of sufficient input parameters. Using an analog stick requires a new mindset about programs that support them. For example, you can align the joystick manually for best performance (see next paragraph). Once properly aligned, the analog joystick gives a sense of feel and control that more accurately mirrors the actual response to a real joystick in a real plane, at least as far as the program is concerned. I tried the analog versions of several games, and found some amazing differences, as well as some astounding conundrums. To align the joystick, you first set a 3-position impedance-matching slide switch, which allows for rough calibration. Next, you trim the pots on the X and Y axis yokes with a nonconducting miniscrewdriver until you are either straight and level, or the setup program shows you zeroed for stick center. Below is a tabulation of my results with a few programs supporting the analog joysticks. Fighter Duel Pro Flight Recorder Works well in all switch positions, and the stick recenters accurately, although there is no provision for calibration or feedback. A-10 Tank Killer (Version 1.5) This was the second most consistent and stable program tested. The preferences menu has joystick analog/digital and calibrate joystick, and it works well. This is by far the most elegant and straightforward implementation yet tested. This program MUST be run from a hard drive with an accelerated machine, and/or with analog joystick mode selected. I chose graphic mode 5 -- full 64-color with autodither -- and found the frame rate acceptably smooth and accurate. Stock machines running the 68000 CPU at 7.14 MHz wouldn't be able to control the game, even at graphics level 1. I know: I tried and found it unacceptable. Flight of the Intruder This rather lame flight simulator has a first-rate analog joystick calibration program, enabling you to accurately set the proper switch position on the interface, and the trim pots as well. Knights of the Sky ("KOTS") This great flight simulator is hampered by the fact that to use the analog joystick feature, you must disable any accelerator or advanced processor that is present. This was with the CBM A2630 with 4 MB of RAM, and a DKB 2632 with 4 MB RAM. This is rather odd, as DP is the official interface of MicroProse, and MP is known for producing excellent and well-behaved programs. I don't know what the problem is, but both DP and MP said that some accelerators don't work well with this combination. Oh well. F-15 Strike Eagle II Same as with KOTS, except the accelerator made the program hang. Sound kept on going, but the graphics just froze. So no acceleration for those wanting to use MP games with analog joysticks. Seems like this could be remedied by MP, IMHO. Birds of Prey While no specific commands, menus, or keyboard hotkeys activate the analog joystick, the game does appear to autosense the input device, and auto-center as well. While handling is greatly improved, targeting and landing are significantly more difficult. After you are done experimenting with settings for a particular program, I recommend creating a README file to remind you of the best settings to use, as I have. DOCUMENTATION The instructions come on a 5x7 inch, single-sided sheet that is pretty straightforward. There is even a recommended list of sticks which includes all but the Kraft Thunderstick and the Thrustmaster, since they require a special card inserted in an IBM 8 bit slot. I doubt if these two sticks would work on the Amiga side of a Bridge Board setup, although I've not tested this idea. LIKES AND DISLIKES I like the basic product, and wish it had support for the use of rudder pedals. Rudder pedal support comes from their DP IBM Bus Mouse Interface, which also allows the use of 400 DPI mice. What I'd like to see is a product which incorporates both of these devices. The bus mouse interface retails for $9.95 US, and an order form comes with the DP joystick interface. I also like the support staff; see VENDOR SUPPORT, below. You won't be disappointed with this product, and upgrades are promised in the future to support the CH Flightstick with the "Coolie Hat," but no time frames have been given. COMPARISON TO OTHER SIMILAR PRODUCTS The only other competition is the Amiga Smart Port from IDD. For almost four times the price, it allows the use of rudder pedals, and the coolie hatted CH Flightstick. For the money, you just can't beat the combination of mouse and joystick interface for full analog joystick, and rudder pedal use. BUGS NONE VENDOR SUPPORT The support staff are all Amiga, and are very loyal to their users. They are very enthusiastic, receptive, and knowledgeable. As they are now the official MicroProse analog interface, I am hoping for better support of those users running faster machines than a box stock A500. What with A3000's and A1200/4000's out in greater numbers, it seems a rather sad commentary on the state of Amiga software vendor support when they go for commonality rather than excellence, as is found in the IBM world. The vendor asks for ideas, and will share some of its profits with anyone whose ideas that they adopt into production. This is my kind of company! WARRANTY 90 days on parts and labor, from date of purchase. CONCLUSIONS This is a great product for the money, with lasting value and usability. I would urge all flight simulator fans strongly to consider the DP interface, just to see the amazing difference it will make in your playing enjoyment. While I haven't tested the IDD interface for comparison, I feel that for the money you won't find anything better anywhere, AFAIK. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright 1993 Michel J. Brown. All rights reserved. || __||__ The opinions expressed by this author Michel_J._Brown@nesbbx.rain.COM __ __ are mine, and mine alone, and anybody || claiming any resemblance to ideations || on my part should be ashamed to admit || it publicly! God Bless, and BCNU! --- Daniel Barrett, Moderator, comp.sys.amiga.reviews Send reviews to: amiga-reviews-submissions@math.uh.edu Request information: amiga-reviews-requests@math.uh.edu Moderator mail: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu Anonymous ftp site: math.uh.edu, in /pub/Amiga/comp.sys.amiga.reviews