PSX64 and Shredz64

[RobertB]

     Yay!  Today I received the PSX64 adapter and Shredz64 5 1/4" floppy disk from Toni Westbrook.  Now all I need is a Radio Shack wall-wart and a Playstation Guitar Hero guitar!  Further details to come.

                Shredz64 works even without a Guitar Hero guitar,
                Robert Bernardo
                Fresno Commodore User Grup
                http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

     The PSX64 adapter and Shredz64 arrived the other day via Priority Mail in a large box, though the adapter itself is small.  Nonetheless, it was wrapped very well in bubblewrap and in an anti-static bag.  Also in the box was the 8 x 11 sales receipt and the 8 x 11 sheet of PSX64 operating instructions (but no instructions on how to play a Guitar Hero guitar with the adapter).
     The written description of the PSX64 is as follows:

              The PSX64 allows Playstation/Playstation 2 controllers to be connected to devices that make use of Atari
              style DB-9 joystick configuration (Commodore Line, Amiga Line, Atari Line, Sega Master System, etc). It
              supports programmable macros, turbo buttons, 2nd button functionality of Amiga and SMS, and additional
              functionality for making use of the Guitar Hero controller with Shredz64.

Note that the description said nothing about Playstation 3 controllers.
     The PSX64 board itself is about 2 x 5 inches with surface-mounted components - a 16 MHz. crystal, a regulator, 3 ICs (two of which control POT1 and POT2), a few capacitors and resistors, a 6-pin header which is not connected to anything but is labeled ICSP, a 10-pin header which is for the included DB-9 cable, another 10-pin header for the included PSX cable attachment, and the coaxial power input for a 9-15 volt, minimum 750 milliamp power supply.

                       More to come,
                       Robert Bernardo
                       Fresno Commodore User Group
                       http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                       The Other Group of Amigoids
                       http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
                       Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
                       http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

     A few days ago I received an e-mail from Toni Westbrook, the developer of the PSX64 adapter and Shredz64.  He explained that a Playstation 2 Guitar Hero guitar, wired or even a wireless one, would work with the PSX64 adapter.  I have ordered a wired one from an eBay-listed company in Arizona.  Cost with shipping is about $27 US.  It should arrive here in a few days.
     Oh, by the way, Toni's website is

                                                 http://www.synthdreams.com

              Eager to start shredding on the C64,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

I have ordered a wired one from an eBay-listed company in Arizona.  Cost with shipping is about $27 US.  It should arrive here in a few days.

PS2 guitar arrived today!  I bought a 9 volt, 800 mA power supply from Radio Shack for $22.  Then I eagerly connected everything together.  It works!  A further report to come later.

              Now shredding on the C64,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

     Just to play Shredz64 and a Guitar Hero guitar on the C64, the total cost came out to be $96 (PSX64 adapter with shipping - $47, Radio Shack power adapter -$22, used Playstation 2 Guitar Hero guitar with shipping - $27).  Was it worth it from my perspective?  Yes!  (Though I am terribly uncoordinated at Guitar Hero... little kids at the Vintage Computer Festival East were far better on it than I.) 

              Next up for Shredz64, the PSX64, and the GH guitar,
              SC3 Arcade Party on Sept. 26,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org