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| Item No |
EMS-TLNKP2 |
| Publisher |
EMS |
| Platform |
Playstation 2 |
| Category |
Hardware |
| Status |
Sold Out |
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The PC Magic Box was a successful seller but it's been difficult to locate in the market in recent weeks. Manufacturer EMS takes up the slack with the Trio Linker which allows Playstation/PS2, Dreamcast, and Gamecube controllers to be used on a PC via USB port. The range of devices supported is fairly extensive - racing wheels, joypads, joysticks, dancing pads, and even Maracas controllers. The Trio Linker also supports the force feedback function and button configurations may be mapped by using the included software. Please note that multiple Trio Linkers are required in order to use more than one supported console controller on the PC. Only one controller may be plugged into the Trio Linker and used at one time.
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| Total Number of Reviews: 3 |
| cherrywolf (1): Headache inducing |
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| I agree with Bill. You have to like tinkering with this sad piece of equipment. I had mine working, but then it malfunctioned. Now my USB ports won't even allow it to work, I better check my other items that are USB make sure this crappy thing didn't mess up my entire computer.
Thanks alot EMS, you fail me and I really wish I could get my 20 bucks back. |
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| Bill Cutter (1): Oh boy... this is gonna take awhile. |
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| Ok, I need to get a few things down here before I begin this review.
First - I hate giving negative reviews. Espicially with companies that I kinda' like, and I like NCSX. I really don't like giving bad reviews, so I'm going to look for the silver linings here as much as possible.
Second - the PS2 controller is a very sophisticated piece of equipment. A lot of the buttons are pressure sensitive, and there are the two analog sticks with 256 levels of X and Y sensitivity.
Third - building a USB device is NOT EASY. Programming these things both in software (drivers) and on the microprocessor level is complicated.
With that said, the Trio Linker worked, but only with some troubleshooting. Hopefully my comments here will help those who may encounter similar problems with the device.
First and foremost, I went and downloaded the most recent software from their web site. The URL is on the packaging. If you can't figure that out, you might want to get a differnt converter. Anyways, this is how you get it to work, as from what I've found out.
1. Install drivers
2. Plug in the controller to the linker
3. Plug in the linker
4. Go to START - PROGRAMS - EMS TRIO LINKER - JOYPAD OPTION
Repeat steps 2 through 4 as needed, generally after removing the device. Don't be surprised to see a "hardware malfunction" warning, which pretty much means you're going to take a trip to XP restart-land if you want to get the converter to work.
The thing I saw was that the computer did nothing when I plugged the device in. I'm pretty sure the way around this is to ALWAYS go to START - PROGRAMS - EMS TRIO LINKER - JOYPAD OPTION once you plug it in. If it gives you a hardware malfunction, reboot and do it again.
The software isn't too bad - some nice features. Plus the english is decent, so I need to give them points for that. Also there is VERY LOW latency on this device. This can be noticed when playing games like Dance Dance Revolution, and is even more noticable on games with insanely strict timing such as Beatmania (DDR's older and far more difficult cousin.) This fact alone makes the Linker desirable, assuming it gets working OK.
BOTTOM LINE: If you aren't afraid of a little tinkering, the linker will work well for you. I'm guessing the other linkers from China are probably not all that much better. |
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| Kinsama (1): Must have for Stepmania |
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| Anyone that plays Stepmania on PC will definitely want to have this product. I just ordered it and cannot wait for it to come in. |
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