Do USB controllers lag , using Game Port better ?

ScumBum

I always feel some lag whenever I play emulators with my USB controllers . Would using the game port work better ? No Lag ??



I've noticed when I play using my keyboard theres no Lag . So I'm thinking USB gives a delay . 

cradelit

It all depends on the efficiency of your os and of the driver you are using, i certainly dont get any lag playing through usb. I really cant think of a good reason any machine that can use a usb mouse reliably would struggle with a gamepad.

Jero

On a competitive level? (think quake 3) Yes usb will lag and any pro gamer will use ps/2 for keyboards and mice. On the level you're playing on? I doubt you'd notice. (it's more likely a problem with YOUR computer)

ScumBum

Originally posted by: jero32



On a competitive level? (think quake 3) Yes usb will lag and any pro gamer will use ps/2 for keyboards and mice. On the level you're playing on? I doubt you'd notice. (it's more likely a problem with YOUR computer)

ah ha , I was right ! 



I do notice because I've been playing NES since 1985 , thats 27 years . And arcade games as well . I am very sensitive to it  and have always hated emulators and wondered why they can never get it right . It always felt off . But the other day I didn't have a controller and used my keyboard to play on VNES and it felt solid , no lag . 



So what choices of controllers is there to avoid using USB ? I might actually like emulators now . 

Jero

I seriously doubt its controller lag. try playing on a crt monitor. lcds have "input lag"

arch_8ngel

You would need to build your own controller using a keyboard control board, like the Arcade Controls guys do... I don't know of any other way to get direct access to your PS/2 port...

arch_8ngel

Originally posted by: jero32



I seriously doubt its controller lag. try playing on a crt monitor. lcds have "input lag"

If the keyboard doesn't have any lag, then the controller is the culprit.



Now if the keyboard is USB and not PS/2, then the specific controller might have an issue rather than the USB interface.

But there is definitely SOME latency in the mechanization of the USB interface vs the direct hardware access that comes from the classic PS/2 interface.

bunnyboy

With how many layers of abstraction are in modern computers the PS/2 and game ports won't necessarily be faster than USB. I had to slow down my PS/2 bar code reader (which acts as a keyboard) by ~25% for my newest Windows machine because it was constantly dropping key presses. The previous slower computer handled it fine, so it all depends on how much they prioritize the ancient hardware.

dra600n

Originally posted by: jero32



On a competitive level? (think quake 3) Yes usb will lag and any pro gamer will use ps/2 for keyboards and mice. On the level you're playing on? I doubt you'd notice. (it's more likely a problem with YOUR computer)

That will all depend on the computer and operating system. USB has a higher priority than serial connections since they are much easier to develop and are more economical than using a gameport, which requires special drivers to be written. Poorly designed and poorly developed controllers can have lag, especially if a USB keyboard works fine without any issues. Keep in mind that game controllers that are usb are usually designed around the USB HID's controller class, and if they're not done properly, you'll experience some issues, such as lag, or lack of functionality, or sometimes they'll require a special driver.

Jero

Ya minor oversight on my part with the keyboard working fine thing.

Anyway as mentioned your options are pretty much build your own controller using a ps/2 control board.

Or you can try and overclock your usb ports (yes thats a thing)

dra600n

Try using a wired xbox 360 controller. I've had no issues with that, aside from the shitty dpad on it.



Why would is option be to build his own controller using a ps/2 board? I'm sure there are plenty of controllers out there where the lag is under 3 ms, which would be unnoticeable for anyone.

arch_8ngel

Originally posted by: dra600n







Why would is option be to build his own controller using a ps/2 board? I'm sure there are plenty of controllers out there where the lag is under 3 ms, which would be unnoticeable for anyone.

This would be the option IF the USB interface was what was slowing him down and he wanted to minimize latency using the PS/2 interface.  Brian pointed out, though, that on modern machines the PS/2 ports are deprioritized, so they are not as fast as they used to be...



If his keyboard is a USB keyboard, then obviously that's not the solution.

ScumBum

Keyboard is NOT USB . My computer is from 2004 or 05 . Its a P4 1.8 Gz , Win XP .