Sega Dreamcast Keyboard

[rorysl]

New to the forums and was wondering if I could get some help on a question that's been nagging at me for some time. This isn't an emulation question per se but I figured this might be a good place to ask!

I've wanted to hook my Sega Dreamcast keyboard up to my PC for awhile now. I think it would look really cool and make a nice conversation piece, as long as it's functional as a PC keyboard.

From what I gather building a Mable Bus (the format used in the DC keyboard plug) to USB converter isn't easy, nor can I find one available to buy. Then I came across a mention of using a Magic Box. These are normally used to connect console controllers to PC for emulation play. I wonder if anyone knows if a DC keyboard would become a functional USB keyboard when used with a Magic Box. Or if anybody had any other ideas on how to make this work?

[ulaoulao]

Hi rorysl. I'm one of the only developers to emulate the maple buss. I did so from ground up using the patent info ( lots of what was wrong ). Personalty I had 0 interest in using that silly keyboard. I mean, why? What would the DC keyboard offer that a PC keyboard would not?

Aside from my opinion, yes it can be done. Since I have little of no use for it, I would never invest the time to do it. However, between the 3 guys to do it ( Mojo, myself and Marcus ) I'm the only one that will not insult you. I'm just a normal every day guy with a lot of talent I have based on hobbies and interest. If you want to know more about my project see my bliss-box link. There is also a Spanish fellow named Oma that has designed a way to read the controllers and he also had no use for a keyboard.

So, how to do it? Well first look no further as the keyboard is only lightly talked about and never has been emulated. As I said it can be done and I have the data sheets that show how its done. I don't sell my services normally but could consider. If you wanted to do this on your own I would start reading up on avr electronics. You would need to invest a minimum of 4 months and possibly a year to understand what is need ( assuming you have none ). At this point I would be willing to help you accomplish it. The other option would be to pay for such a task and I personalty would not do it for cheep.

Any way you go I will be glad to help.

Points of interest.
The maple buss info page by Marcus. http://mc.pp.se/dc/ (http://mc.pp.se/dc/)
Avr start up page by my buddy Raph. http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/electronique_en.php (http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/electronique_en.php)
any my page http://bliss-box.net/Bliss-Box/

[rorysl]

Thanks for getting back to me and for not insulting me -- I appreciate it! Yes, I figured it would be a much too complicated process to enter into. Again, it wasn't of any functional benefit I just thought it would be cool to have a DC keyboard as my main keyboard on my desktop.

I'm assuming that a Magic Box, as it is only designed for controllers, probably wouldn't send the necessary signals to use the keyboard?

Thanks again for your patience and great response -- your Bliss-box looks really cool. Very functional and stylish too!

[ulaoulao]

I'm assuming that a Magic Box, as it is only designed for controllers, probably wouldn't send the necessary signals to use the keyboard? Correct. Maybe some day I will get bored and add support for it ;)