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Firmware and core binaries for the MIST board
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Real ColecoVision controller unsupported on MiST DB9 port in Coleco core #83

Closed famiclone6502 closed 3 years ago

famiclone6502 commented 3 years ago

Only the directions and one of the two action buttons are supported for plugging up a real ColecoVision controller. None of the number pad keys are recognized. I did not test these, but additionally the Rollerball and Super Action Controller (spinner and 2 additional action buttons) functionality are assumed to be currently unsupported in the ColecoVision core.

Here is some technical information about the controller that may help.

I was able to use the Coleco core to repair a directional pad using a controller test program, but I was not able to see if I fixed the secondary button or number pad.

gyurco commented 3 years ago

Of course it's not supported. The pinout differs from the Atari DB9 joystick.

famiclone6502 commented 3 years ago

I apologize, I did not realize it was physically impossible to implement. I wasn't sure how it was connected to the FPGA under the hood.

Closing.

gyurco commented 3 years ago

It's not connected to the FPGA at all, it's connected to the ARM MCU.

famiclone6502 commented 3 years ago

I'm interpreting that it isn't technically possible to support Coleco joysticks.

gyurco commented 3 years ago

I don't know, one have to investigate the connections and change the firmware accordingly.

famiclone6502 commented 3 years ago

If it is technically possible, I will re-open.

gyurco commented 3 years ago

As pin 8 is NC, I don't think it's possible.

robinsonb5 commented 3 years ago

Actually scratch that - I'm seeing conflicting pinouts for the Colecovision controller - is there a definitive, reliable pinout somewhere? [Originally said: worse still, pin 7 is common, which means any direction or button on a Colecovision controller will short the MiST's +5v line to ground. You're going to need a wiring adapter, otherwise the magic smoke is going to escape.]

gyurco commented 3 years ago

I found this: https://i1.wp.com/www.retronicdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ColecoController.jpg I don't see pin 7 connected, so it might be safe. Just won't work.

famiclone6502 commented 3 years ago

That one is a good reference, it's the same as this. If pin 7 isn't physically connected on MiST and it's used by the Coleco controller, then it won't work.

Thanks for investigating.