DB-15 vs. DB-25

Tech Talk
1

I should be getting a few boxes in, and I was thinking about using DB connectors on them. I found some info on the different connections, and wanted to know a few things…

What is considered the standard among stick builders? DB-15 or DB-25? I don’t want a stick that nobody’s controller box will fit if I decide to sell any of my sticks.

What is better/easier to use, crimp pin or solder cup connectors?

Any decent pinout guides for DB-15 cables? I found this one to be helpful… http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pinkeyqo5.jpg

2

There is no ‘standard’ for this stuff. This a ‘backyard’ hobby for most including myself. No offence to anyone who does this as a full time job.

JAMMA was a standard back in the day.

You need to document which button is going to which pin and then pass that on when you sell.

3

This is a question I’ve been asking myself too recently.

I think DB-25 has been the standard because people want to cover all the buttons on PCBs. And because standard cable assemblies for DB-25 actually have a lot of wires; lots of DB-15 cable assembles only have like 9 wires (like VGA cords); maybe someone can point out a cheap DB-15HD cable that actually has 15 wires? I’ve been thinking myself about doing a DB-15 project and making my own cable assembly. I would like input on DB-15 vs DB-25 too.

And I definitely prefer soldering over crimping in general.

4

I think monitor extension cables might?

But anyway. The only advantage of DB15 is NeoGeo compatibility but a DB25->15 wire is pretty simple.

5

I’ve chopped up a few monitor extension cables and can confirm they do have all 15wires intact.

These were quite thick though (used for older crt monitors).

6

Thanks for the input on monitor extender cables, that’s good to know. But I think I’m still probably going to make my own DB15HD cord because I got the stuff sitting around anyways. I do not see the DB25’s as more essential if you manage to cover all the buttons you need.

7

DB-15 Pro’s:
Neo-Geo compatability. This is the biggest one. If you go with a DB-15, you pretty much have 80% of your pinout decided for you since there is nothing lost and a bunch gained by sticking close to the Neo pinout. You’ll be able to use Neo controllers (old style controller for sure; new style stick and NeoCD pads will work as long as you have power going to the VCC pin) on your interface boxes, and be able to use your stick on NeoGeo systems with only a cheap extension cable. Most home-made SuperGuns use a stick pinout based on the Neo, so that’s good too. Lastly, you could pickup one of Laugh’s PSX->Neo/SuperGun adapters, and be able to play any PSX stick on any console you make an interface box for. If you decide to go DB-25, then making a Neo cable is simple, but you still have to make it. With a DB-15, you just buy it, and there are plenty of places to get fully pinned out DB-15 cables. Just make sure not to get high density DB-15 (aka VGA) cables. Those are a pain to use.

DB-15 Con’s: 15 pins means you can have a stick, start, select, and at most seven play buttons. If you must have an eight play button stick, you can’t use a DB-15 without breaking NeoGeo compatability.

Must use common ground pads when making the interface boxes, which may only be an issue for Xbox360. Keep in mind that if you decide to go with 25 pin so you can run two wires to each microswitch, you’re total number of switches you can use is a max of 12; thats four directions, start, select, and six play buttons, meaning you’d have less buttons available than a common ground DB-15 would allow.

If you’re weighing your options, you should read the ‘How does this compare to a project box setup?’ question and answer in the first post of the UPCB thread. If you’re confident enough to do this kind of work, a UPCB may be better suited for your needs.

8

if your going db-15 make sure your using the gameport type ones(2 rows).

3 rows get kinda hard to solder(wish radio shack had crimped models at least).

if you do decide to go 3 rows and can’t find any cables, you can use printer cables(the one type ones with 25 pins). Hell that’s what i had to do(after getting tired of going through 2 moniter cables).

imo you should go db-25s, or better yet grab a uPCB.

I’m regretting that i didn’t go with db-25 btw and instead went with the 3row db-15. Not fun.