Keyboard Hacks

A keyboard hack refers to taking apart a standard computer keyboard and using its circuit board (aka encoder) to interface arcade controls to your computer. Keyboard hacks must be planned carefully and are prone to ghosting and blocking issues. Diodes can mitigate ghosting issues, but will do nothing to prevent blocking issues. However, by carefully choosing inputs, you can avoid both problems without the use of diodes, although you will usually be limited to only enough inputs for a SF style panel (2 joysticks and 6 buttons per player). Keyboard hacks can be sometimes be cheaper than purchasing a commercial keyboard encoder. The overhead and difficulty of hacking a keyboard and the availability of very low cost commercial keyboard encoders make hacking a keyboard of limited value. Also, due to issues with the USB keyboard specification, USB keyboards are not suitable for hacking, and due to inability to freely select the keys to be utilized, keyboard hacks are only really useful for emulators that allow key remapping, or small single-player panels. See the BYOAC keyboard hack section for more information or Tiger-Heli's detailed write-up.

Image used courtesy of Project Arcade. Diode orientation may need to be reversed - Trial and error.