Wireless controller: bidirectional?

[dave148]

I am concerned about the reliability of
a wireless controller for a video game.

Does the "sixaxis" controller use two-way
communication between it and the console,
where there is some kind of hand shaking
going on, and signals will not get dropped?

For example, if the controller sends
a signal, does it repeat until receiving
acknowledgement (ACK) from the console?

What is the "Chilistream" controller?

Thanks,

Dave

[LiquidEagle]

Hey dave, welcome!

I can't make many comments on the controller's inner workings other than the fact that it is Bluetooth, and just like in the past the console knows when a controller isn't connected. So far I haven't had any problems with any of my 3 controllers.

The "Chillstream" controller you mentioned is a controller Logitech made. I'm sure by all measures it's a great controller, since Logitech made it, and it's $10 cheaper, but I was completely put off when I found out it's not wireless and plugs in via USB. It does have fans to cool your hands while playing though, which sounds pretty cool :)

[Jay Gee]

Has anybody been having any trouble with their 6axis controllers recently? I've been playing Resistance and the Motorstorm demo alot lately, and there are some times when the controller just "dies" on me while being fully charged. In MS, my car would just ride off a cliff or into a wall, and in Resistance my character would just walk forward until I hit another button on the controller to get him resituated. Am I not pointing the controller directly at the PS3, or is there some sort inteference that's screwing with the signals being sent to the console and back?

[frosty]

these subtle "pauses" in the controller happen now and then, and are related to interferance in the 2.4 GHZ frequency bluetooth uses. They are few and far between though.

[jaxmkii]

in the 4 months i have had my PS3 the controler has freaked out on me once durring a hotlap with GTHD.

and i have been layed off for 5 weeks so im using it... alot

i wonder why some have problems and others donnt?

[Crow]

Hey dave, welcome!

I can't make many comments on the controller's inner workings other than the fact that it is Bluetooth, and just like in the past the console knows when a controller isn't connected. So far I haven't had any problems with any of my 3 controllers.

The "Chillstream" controller you mentioned is a controller Logitech made. I'm sure by all measures it's a great controller, since Logitech made it, and it's $10 cheaper, but I was completely put off when I found out it's not wireless and plugs in via USB. It does have fans to cool your hands while playing though, which sounds pretty cool :)

i had a mouse that had a fan in it, it was pretty decent

[frosty]

5 weeks! damn man, better get on it! don't wanna go broke! Good luck with that.

The drop outs seem to be isolated incidents, and happen rarely enough for me to just ignore them.

[Dradien]

I am concerned about the reliability of
a wireless controller for a video game.

Does the "sixaxis" controller use two-way
communication between it and the console,
where there is some kind of hand shaking
going on, and signals will not get dropped?

For example, if the controller sends
a signal, does it repeat until receiving
acknowledgement (ACK) from the console?

What is the "Chilistream" controller?

Thanks,

Dave

Bluetooth is a full duplex information stream. It kind of does a Syn/Ack thing (I assume you're referring to when a clent and server/client connect on the TCP/IP protocol when you say ACK). They are both always connected and only get disconnected when you use a couple 2.4 Ghz devices on the same or almost same channel (Does anyone know if BT uses frequency modulation like Cell Phones?). I had my controller go out on me once, and my headset never.

[Lost|Identity]

If you want a lot of information on Bluetooth and other 2.4Ghz devices you can read these pdfs:

http://w3.antd.nist.gov/pubs/golmieicc.pdf
http://w3.antd.nist.gov/pubs/golmie.pdf

A nice (and much more simple overview) can be found at:

http://www.wirelessnetdesignline.com/howto/60401206