Expression 3 mouse/Keyboard question(Adapters actually)

To expand a bit: getting the connectors right is only half the battle.  The keyboard or mouse would still need to support the older communication protocols (AT or PS/2 for the keyboard, RS-232 serial for the mouse). 

While I haven't actually checked recently, I would think that support for either would be much less common in newer keyboards and mice.  However, it shouldn't be too hard to find a slightly older PS/2 keyboard (or one that still supports it).  A mouse that supports RS-232 will probably be the more tricky part to find.

You all totally lost me....

Short awnser:

can it be down? Yes / no?

Yes..... if you're lucky and have the right parts (It's not just the adapter cables, you also need the right keyboard and mouse).

So would this mouse work?

http://www.katerno.com/detail/s/74340/p/133%200335/Logitech-Trackman-Wheel,-USB-W/-PS2

It says that it has a USB to PS/2 adapter, and PS/2 mouses dont require drivers n such(to my knowledge)

Where's the product manager when you need her!! :P

. . .

(Accidental Post)

Hey, Sorry for being so stubborn!!

I just caught the backbone to the theory....

So I would need one of these protocol converters? correct?:

http://www.vetra.com/Convert2.htm

Thnx!

-lightingguy1

So all I need to know now what is the mouse protocol that Expression 3 supports?

This was taken from the manufacturer:

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Models:

VIP-327-PS: Accepts PS/2 mouse input and converts it to Microsoft 2 button serial mouse protocol for connection to a PC's com port. Requires power supply purchased separately, such as our VIP-210.

$54.00

VIP-327-PS-3B: Accepts PS/2 mouse input and converts it to Mouse Systems 3 button serial mouse protocol for connection to a PC's com port. Requires power supply purchased separately, such as our VIP-210.

$54.00

VIP-327-PS-SW: Accepts PS/2 mouse input and converts it to Microsoft IntelliMouse serial mouse protocol for connection to a PC's com port. Requires power supply purchased separately, such as our VIP-210.

$54.00

VIP-327-SP: Accepts Microsoft 2 button serial mouse input and converts it to PS/2 mouse protocol for connection to a PC's PS/2 port.

$54.00

Sorry, I had missed the part about the mouse from the first post earlier, I was all hung up on keyboards, duh.  Not sure about the mouse.  Serial mice came in 2 flavors, microsoft and mouse systems corp.  I'll check at work tomorrow.

Ok, I've tried all the common converters and mice in tech serv.  For reference, when I mention PS2 connectors, that is the small round one. 5pin DIN is only for keyboards and is the big round one found on an expression.  Serial is the rectangular mouse connector on the expression.  And of course you all know USB.

- PS2 to the large 5pin din keyboard connector works fine.

- USB to PS2 does NOT work for just any old USB keyboard.  It must be a USB OR PS2 keyboard that ships with a converter.  Interestingly enough, the keyboards that ship with Eos and Ion (kensington keyboard for life) DOES work with the USB to PS2 converter included and a PS2 to 5pin DIN converter. These keyboards automatically detect whether the usb is plugged into the converter or not.  Here is one of the keyboards followed by the PS2 to 5 pin DIN connector.  Although that's quite a stack of connectors you would have sticking out of the back of your expression, lol.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823155013

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F2N018-Keyboard-Adapter-MiniDin6/dp/B00000J1UA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1291223585&sr=8-8

- PS2 mouse to serial mouse converter does NOT work.  One of those powered units that you listed above would be necessary, the VIP-327-PS would be the appropriate one.  Also note that it does not come with the needed power supply.  You could also use the USB mouse to PS2 adapter and use a USB mouse with that device.  I have seen these devices much cheaper in the past, but I can no longer find one on Amazon or Newegg, as they are becoming increasingly rare.

- None of those other Vetra devices will be useful to you.  They are all for converting SERIAL keyboards like the ones found on old cash registers and other industrial applications from the 70s and 80s.  The expression keyboard is the same as any old PS2 keyboard. 

Ok, I've tried all the common converters and mice in tech serv.  For reference, when I mention PS2 connectors, that is the small round one. 5pin DIN is only for keyboards and is the big round one found on an expression.  Serial is the rectangular mouse connector on the expression.  And of course you all know USB.

- PS2 to the large 5pin din keyboard connector works fine.

- USB to PS2 does NOT work for just any old USB keyboard.  It must be a USB OR PS2 keyboard that ships with a converter.  Interestingly enough, the keyboards that ship with Eos and Ion (kensington keyboard for life) DOES work with the USB to PS2 converter included and a PS2 to 5pin DIN converter. These keyboards automatically detect whether the usb is plugged into the converter or not.  Here is one of the keyboards followed by the PS2 to 5 pin DIN connector.  Although that's quite a stack of connectors you would have sticking out of the back of your expression, lol.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823155013

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F2N018-Keyboard-Adapter-MiniDin6/dp/B00000J1UA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1291223585&sr=8-8

- PS2 mouse to serial mouse converter does NOT work.  One of those powered units that you listed above would be necessary, the VIP-327-PS would be the appropriate one.  Also note that it does not come with the needed power supply.  You could also use the USB mouse to PS2 adapter and use a USB mouse with that device.  I have seen these devices much cheaper in the past, but I can no longer find one on Amazon or Newegg, as they are becoming increasingly rare.

- None of those other Vetra devices will be useful to you.  They are all for converting SERIAL keyboards like the ones found on old cash registers and other industrial applications from the 70s and 80s.  The expression keyboard is the same as any old PS2 keyboard. 

Oh, I forgot the simple answer. . .

Yes you can!

Also keep in mind that adding a mouse to an Expression won't give you mouse-control of the desk...it can only control moving-light parameters like pan and tilt, which is probably easier on the encoders anyway.

-luke-

Yea, thats why I started this whole thread! I wanted to use a logitech Trackball that ships with a PS/2 adapter.....

Anyways,

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!! for doing all that for me!!

And kids, thats why I will NEVER buy a another Strand lighting product......EVER!!

pflaniga said:

Interestingly enough, the keyboards that ship with Eos and Ion (kensington keyboard for life) DOES work with the USB to PS2 converter included and a PS2 to 5pin DIN converter.

Until I read further on, where you'd included the other links, I had thought you were trying to suggest the OP buy an Eos just for the keyboard. Not a bad idea - And if the OP wanted to send me the bits he didn't need, after he got his Expression working...

8^]

No Thanks!! lol

I think that I would rather use a Whole hog 3 then Eos....