PCs for dummies

[FredEffinChopin]

Does anyone here use a Dualshock 3 or 4 on the PC via a bluetooth connection? I've been getting by well enough on my Logitech F710 for the past few years, but I'm finding it harder and harder to resists the temptation to get a Sony controller on there, despite my desire to keep things "official" for troubleshooting (and for avoiding the need to troubleshoot). I would prefer some basic software/driver that simply makes my PC think that my DS is a 360 compatible controller, but it seems like none of the options that exist are quite that basic. 

 

I noticed that there are hardware adapters out there, such as CronusMax and ConsoleTuner Titan, as well as software solutions (InputMapper). I just wanted to know if anyone who has some experience can make a recommendation, or can speak to the ups and downs of a particular method(s). Any help would be appreciated.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

I use Input Mapper. Works great. Basically it's 1) Sync with your computer. 2) Open the software.

 

Basically, most games support XInput, and that's what it does by default. Mass Effect 3 I customized the fuck out of though I think I used 2 programs to do it. Like this app to connect, another app to map. Though the mapping looks to be more robust in Input Mapper. You shouldn't need to touch it though.

 

 

After you do the initial sync just turn on the controller and have Input Mapper open. That's it. To turn off the controller hold down the PS button for 10 seconds though this often opens up Steam Big Picture so fuck it. If you click on the arrow in my screenshot a disconnect button appears and that will turn off the controller.

[CrowKnow]

I'm using BetterDS3 right now which is the only thing I have experience with.  It wasn't too bad to setup but, it definitely was not plug and play.  

In summary you have to use another program(DS3 Tool) to install the drivers, manually sync the bluetooth mac address and from then on it should be able to automagically handle controller syncing and applying a Xbox360 profile/wrapper thing on it.

 

Pros

• would be once it's setup it's straightforward to use
• you have a general purpose bluetooth adapter if you need it for anything else compared to the hardware solutions which are more specific.

Cons  

• it's only for DS3 so you'd need to learn a another method for DS4
• it takes effort to setup initially
• Most games use x360 controller prompts which could take a bit to get used to
• sometimes the drivers won't install or the bluetooth adapter won't be picked up which is usually solved by just changing usb ports for the adapter

Edited April 4, 2015 by CrowKnow

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Input Mapper is a huge step up from that. I used a PS3 controller before this.

[FredEffinChopin]

Great, thank you both very much for the help. I was leaning towards grabbing a DS4 so as not to share my remaining (good) DS3 between both devices, so Input Mapper is definitely what I'm going to go with. It sounds like it's not too much of a hassle, and while I didn't have customization in mind, it's good to know that it's available on some basic level, as I've encountered the occasional game that inexplicably locks down certain aspects of the layout. I've got a white one (so as not to confuse it with the black one that I will have when I eventually get a PS4) on the way along with a bluetooth dongle. The F710 is a valiant effort, but I'm excited to have (what I expect to be, given the fact that I liked the DS3 a lot) a more fit controller to pc-game with.

[Mr. GOH!]

I have used both with a DS3, and Input Mapper is better, I find.

 

I don't use Bluetooth, though. Just too lazy/cheap to buy a dongle.

[CrowKnow]

I don't use Bluetooth, though. Just too lazy/cheap to buy a dongle.

Eh? I remember just grabbing the cheapest/best reviewed dongle from Amazo for like $15. Should be ezpz

[Mr. GOH!]

They're even cheaper than that. I am amazingly lazy and cheap.

 

Though I did just order a dongle from Amazon this morning because I finally remembered to add it to an Amazon order for other stuff.

[TheMightyEthan]

That's the problem I have with getting cables and dongles and things, never remembering to add it to an order that qualifies for free shipping.  Having that problem right now with a USB 3 cable because the one that came with my external HDD is only about 12 inches long.

[Saturnine Tenshi]

Have you tried searching for nearby stores? For small things like that, it's sometimes better to go to the small business owners (if you have any nearby). Their prices are usually very reasonable. And there's the added benefit of supporting a small business owner. Had one in the US, but none nearby where I'm at now.

[TheMightyEthan]

I don't really have any local stores that sell that kind of thing.

[Mr. GOH!]

There are a billion small electronics retailers in NYC, but a lot of them are shady, as in, they sell used stuff as new or low-quality remaindered stock that fails quickly, or their prices are the same as at Best Buy or other big-box stores when it comes to little cheap tech things like USB sticks or BT dongles. I have been burned buying from the local small cheap electronics stores before when buying phone chargers, portable phone battery charges, USB sticks, and headphones.

 

So I just usually add small things like the dongle to Amazon orders because usually I can get a brand I trust for less or I can get a dongle with lots of reviews so I know what sort of quality to expect.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

I just use monoprice if what I want is an add-on item on Amazon.

[Mr. GOH!]

Cheaper via Prime than monoprice. I checked.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

It's not cheaper if it's making your mind think you need to spend 22 more dollars to get the item.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Faiblesse Des Sens

[TheMightyEthan]

That's the thing, we don't spend 22 more dollars to get it, we just wait until we have $22 of other crap we're going to buy anyway and throw it in.

[Mr. GOH!]

Exactly. I didn't have a burning need to use BT with my DS3 on PC, just thought it might be nice. Now I have my BT dongle, I get to try to make it work with my DS3. Been putting it off because I don't want to spend a lot of time uninstalling/reinstalling drivers to make everything work until I'm less busy.

[Mr. GOH!]

It's been four and a half years since I last got a laptop, and my current laptop is on its last legs. I am thus beginning a search for a new gaming-friendly laptop that costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $1300-$1600. I'm looking for any recommendations folks here may have.

 

I'd prefer a 14-inch or smaller screen, but I'm fairly certain I won't get the power I want unless I get a 15-inch screen, which is fine. I will likely not consider a 17-inch laptop unless it offers great value (as in it offers the same or better performance than a 15-inch but costs less).

 

I also would like a GTX 970m or better in the GPU department. I have my eye on a couple of Sager/Cleo machines, but would like people's input on them. The only laptops I've ever owned are Alienware or Dell, so it's important that I hear what folks have to say about other manufacturers.

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Get a desktop and a Chromebook running Linux for laptoppy things.

[TheMightyEthan]

Way to answer the question. He's got a desktop, and I assume wants a laptop for travel gaming.

[Mr. GOH!]

Ethan is absolutely right. I want something portable-ish that can game. I have a great desktop system for when I'm home. Does me zero good when I am on the road. I understand that no "gaming" laptop is up to snuff for cutting edge gaming and represents a large investment in a machine that will be utterly obsolete in 4 years, if not sooner. I am more than willing to pay, and can easily afford, the premium to get something that can competently run current-gen games because I anticipate doing a good deal of traveling in the next two years and would like to be able to play any number of games that just won't run on a chromebook. 

 

I am also a large and uncommonly strong man, so I have zero issues with laptop weight. I prefer less than 17-inch laptops purely because 17-inch laptops are unwieldy, not because they're too heavy.

 

But I do appreciate the standard response to this sort of question, FDS, and would also advise the vast majority of folks seeking to get into PC gaming to buy a desktop.

[FredEffinChopin]

Wow, this DS4-on-the-PC stuff is fantastic aside from the gigantic, glowing triangle that keeps reflecting off of my TV. Even that got a little cool once I realized that it was acting as a battery-life indicator. I was also a little shocked at how short of a distance the dongle and controller were able to effectively able to communicate across, actually... Past that though, I have to say I'm really digging it. Being able to use the touchpad as a mouse is especially useful, and unexpected too, which made it that much better. Positively sublime.

 

I'm still getting used to the controller itself in a couple of ways. The share and option buttons are pretty awkwardly placed compared to their DS3 counterparts, and I'm still accidentally clicking the touchpad when I try to pause at times. I'm sure I'll get over it quickly. For the purpose of taking quick screenshots, the placement of the PS button definitely makes things more awkward than the large, centered home button on the Logitech F710. I'd gladly give up this speaker (that I'm sure I'm going to find obnoxious when I start playing PS4 games) in a heartbeat for a larger or higher-placed PS button. This thing also seems to drain fairly quickly. I was annoyed at having to use batteries with the F710, but the recharge had to come so infrequently that it wasn't much of a problem. I feel like this controller doesn't seem to last as long as a DS3 when it comes to needing a charge though. I'm not positive though, and it's only been like two cycles.

 

All this shit is minor though. I feel like I'm driving a Cadillac of controllers on the PC, which is a pretty big step up. Feels good. Thanks for the advice!

[Mr. GOH!]

How much better than the DS3 is the DS4? Is it worth buying a DS4 for PC gaming if I already have a DS3?

 

By the way, I set up my BT dongle for use with my DS3 the other night. I spent an hour or so uninstalling and reinstalling drivers, but couldn't get the dongle to recognize the DS3. I gave up and just plugged in my DS3 via USB to play some of Telltale's Game of Thrones. After about 20 minutes, I noticed that I had pulled the USB cable out of the computer; the BT dongle recognized the DS3 without any further problems! No idea why it wasn't working earlier, but now it works like a charm. 

[FredEffinChopin]

Unless you're really into the idea of being able to drop the mouse completely when you want to do so in a living room situation (and it certainly is very cool), the DS4 might not be a big enough upgrade to justify the purchase if you're doing alright with the DS3. If you are motivated by the idea of the touchpad's functionality, I should add the caveat that the mouse icon wouldn't move anywhere inside of my virus software's (Kaspersky) windows when I controlled it with the DS4. I imagine it's unique to that program and or others like it, but it's worth mentioning that mouse control in Windows with the DS4 isn't absolute. It seems to be nearly so though, with quick taps working as a left-click and a touchpad click working as the right-click. Double tapping it a bit clumsy, but what can you do. I do find the touchpad control via Inputmapper to be seriously cool, personally.

 

As far as the controller itself, while I'm still getting used to it, I'm pretty sure that I like it ever so slightly better than I like the DS3. If you are a person who is annoyed by the DS3 triggers for the direction of their arc, or the analogs because you find that your thumbs slide off of them easily, this is certainly a solution. If you're happy with the DS3 though, I'm once again not sure if this area of improvement all on its own could justify the upgrade. 

 

Those two points together might be more persuasive, of course, if you find them individually persuasive. 

 

The giant light really is something to consider though. I could see this driving someone up the wall. Fortunately I got to forgetting it was there most of the time, but it can be a distraction. 

 

Hope that helps!

[TheMightyEthan]

I think the DS4's sticks and triggers are both miles ahead of the DS3, and totally worth an upgrade.