PS3 Rock Band controller has extra piece.

[jq71586]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rock-band-wireless-ps3-guitar-gets-fccd/#comments


Can someone explain what this is or what it might be used for, I'm not too technologically inclined.

[jq71586]

Sorry for the double post, but if you also look at the internal pictures for it through the FCC website it shows what appears to be AA batteries inside the guitar, thus not using the PS3 to recharge the internal batteries.

So that eliminates the extra piece being a charger. It could be a receiver but it should run on bluetooth technology.

Any suggestions on this whole thing would be great.

[Xenoburst]

Your right it should be running on the bluetooth technology, however if you read the manual it does say that the dongle is necessary for connection. Makes you wonder what the hell is going on with that guitar hmm?

Edit: Also, are you one of the two that added me to their PSN friend list?

[parastroke7]

I don't know if I'm right, but honestly what else could it possibly be? A blender? C'mon, it's gotta be a receiver.

[toelessfoot]

Yea receiver, too bad...

[Rock_Starman]

It's probably so it'll be compatible with GH 1,2 and 80's.

[NotorietyH]

I'm guessing it's used to sync the guitar to the PS3, once the guitar's been synced you just plug out the dongle.

[Terranova]

I'm guessing it's used to sync the guitar to the PS3, once the guitar's been synced you just plug out the dongle.

You don't need a dongle to Sync if it's blue-tooth and if it's standard wireless then you need the dongle there all the time to receive the signal.. I hope HMX clarify this up soon as it's looking rather crappy for PS3 owners i would much rather have a USB Wired setup than this crap i can understand this setup for the PS2 using wireless as the GH wireless guitars work this way but not for PS3.. :(

[sa_nick]

It's probably so it'll be compatible with GH 1,2 and 80's.

The GH3 Les Paul uses a similar thing for connecting to PS3 and the GH3 LP is NOT compatible with GH 1, 2 or 80's... which sucks noodle.

[Terranova]

Well guys it looks like this will be how it's going to work.. the GH3 les paul controller works the same way ie it's not blue-tooth its standard wireless that requires a dongle to work and standard AA batteries.. i'm sorry but i would rather have Wired than this crap.. maybe HMX can release a wired USB controller. :(

[whofan]

Well guys it looks like this will be how it's going to work.. the GH3 les paul controller works the same way ie it's not blue-tooth its standard wireless that requires a dongle to work and standard AA batteries.. i'm sorry but i would rather have Wired than this crap.. maybe HMX can release a wired USB controller. :(


Oh, so now the tune changes! Suddenly it's not the kind you wanted so you don't want it anymore!

You guys make me sick. All you do is complain and moan that it's not wireless and when how the wireless will work is revealed for the PS3 the complaints begin again!!!

For crying out loud, stop your *****ing and learn to enjoy what you're getting. Nothing is going to be exactly the way you want it. Better get used to it now, life is full of disappointments. Maybe this will be a good lesson for some of the posters here.

[Terranova]

Oh, so now the tune changes! Suddenly it's not the kind you wanted so you don't want it anymore!

You guys make me sick. All you do is complain and moan that it's not wireless and when how the wireless will work is revealed for the PS3 the complaints begin again!!!

For crying out loud, stop your *****ing and learn to enjoy what you're getting. Nothing is going to be exactly the way you want it. Better get used to it now, life is full of disappointments. Maybe this will be a good lesson for some of the posters here.

I have never said i wanted wireless i have always stated i prefer wired unless the wireless was as it is in the sisxaxis.. and this setup is the reason why i prefer the wired route..

And if you want to talk about moaning what about all you 360 owners that *****ed and moaned that the 360 was wired in the bundle.. nothing was known about the PS3 controller other than it being wireless and now it's known how it's done i think i have every right to complain if i think it sucks.. the 360 owners have a choice as to which method they want to go ie wired for the bundle or wireless if buying on it's own, us ps3 owners don't get a choice it's just wireless.. so get off my back..

[Maherj]

The GH3 Les Paul uses a similar thing for connecting to PS3 and the GH3 LP is NOT compatible with GH 1, 2 or 80's... which sucks noodle.

I'd like to see if this was the case for the Les Paul PS3 models. I'm not sure the 360 wireless won't require this.

It just gives people more to complain about. Waah my PS3 has a dongle on it. Suck it up.

If the 360 has it, I won't care either. Just so we're clear. :cool:

[whofan]

I have never said i wanted wireless i have always stated i prefer wired unless the wireless was as it is in the sisxaxis.. and this setup is the reason why i prefer the wired route..

And if you want to talk about moaning what about all you 360 owners that *****ed and moaned that the 360 was wired in the bundle.. nothing was known about the PS3 controller other than it being wireless and now it's known how it's done i think i have every right to complain if i think it sucks.. the 360 owners have a choice as to which method they want to go ie wired for the bundle or wireless if buying on it's own, us ps3 owners don't get a choice it's just wireless.. so get off my back..

What's the difference between this set up and the "prefered" set up? The wireless advocates get exactly what they wanted (I'm not going to necessarily say you, because, as you said, you haven't been stating anything on this. I'm sorry for my outburst, it wasn't aimed just at you but at everyone else in the thread who was saying how much it sucked that they didn't get their exact way) a wireless controller, what's the problem here?

And in your message, you're absolutely right about the 360 owners constantly *****ing about the lack of wireless in the bundle and I've also stated my disguist for that as well, so don't think I'm picking on you. I'm not, this message is more aimed at those who say things like "I'll cancel my pre-order if it's not wireless!" or "I won't buy this game anymore!".

Again, I apologize about my outburst to you Terranova, as now I remember you aren't one of those people. However, I won't withdraw my comments to all the others who do nothing but complain about this kind of thing.

[Terranova]

I'd like to see if this was the case for the Les Paul PS3 models. I'm not sure the 360 wireless won't require this.

It just gives people more to complain about. Waah my PS3 has a dongle on it. Suck it up.

If the 360 has it, I won't care either. Just so we're clear. :cool:

this is what the FAQ on the GH forum says

"Standard RF is used on the PS2 (via adapter) and PS3 (via USB dongle). Native wireless is used for the Xbox 360 Les Paul. As for the Wii Les Paul, the Wii Remote is used as the transmitter".

[Bakkster]

What's the difference between this set up and the "prefered" set up? The wireless advocates get exactly what they wanted.

Well, the point of wanting a wireless controller is that both consoles support wireless NATIVELY. If the wireless guitars aren't natively wireless, that's kind of a letdown. Especially since it appears this guitar is BlueTooth.

The question is: why would they add another piece of hardware when the PS3 natively supports BT? I have two theories:
1) The guitar isn't BlueTooth. Bluetooth has no guarantees on how long it takes a message to travel; meaning it your microwave is going your message might take too long to be transmit, and you'd miss the note.
2) Sony locked-down the PS3 internal BlueTooth.

edit:

this is what the FAQ on the GH forum says

"Standard RF is used on the PS2 (via adapter) and PS3 (via USB dongle).".

This makes me more confident in my theories. Either Sony locks down their BlueTooth, or both HMX and RO realized BT wouldn't be reliable enough.

[Maherj]

this is what the FAQ on the GH forum says

"Standard RF is used on the PS2 (via adapter) and PS3 (via USB dongle). Native wireless is used for the Xbox 360 Les Paul. As for the Wii Les Paul, the Wii Remote is used as the transmitter".

Wow, thanks for finding that for me dude. I pretty much stay off the GH forums now :D

Native Wireless FTW. Looks like the 360 Wireless, although 20$ more, won't require it. As for the PS3, looks like this is how they need to transmit since they are bluetooth.

Awesome info.

[Terranova]

What's the difference between this set up and the "prefered" set up? The wireless advocates get exactly what they wanted (I'm not going to necessarily say you, because, as you said, you haven't been stating anything on this. I'm sorry for my outburst, it wasn't aimed just at you but at everyone else in the thread who was saying how much it sucked that they didn't get their exact way) a wireless controller, what's the problem here?

And in your message, you're absolutely right about the 360 owners constantly *****ing about the lack of wireless in the bundle and I've also stated my disguist for that as well, so don't think I'm picking on you. I'm not, this message is more aimed at those who say things like "I'll cancel my pre-order if it's not wireless!" or "I won't buy this game anymore!".

Again, I apologize about my outburst to you Terranova, as now I remember you aren't one of those people. However, I won't withdraw my comments to all the others who do nothing but complain about this kind of thing.

No problem.. I'm still getting the game it's to damn good not to.. i just want a choice as to which method of connection just as the 360 owners do.. as i said i hope HMX release a wired PS3 controller as well for us like me who prefer that method. :)

[Terranova]

Well, the point of wanting a wireless controller is that both consoles support wireless NATIVELY. If the wireless guitars aren't natively wireless, that's kind of a letdown. Especially since it appears this guitar is BlueTooth.

The question is: why would they add another piece of hardware when the PS3 natively supports BT? I have two theories:
1) The guitar isn't BlueTooth. Bluetooth has no guarantees on how long it takes a message to travel; meaning it your microwave is going your message might take too long to be transmit, and you'd miss the note.
2) Sony locked-down the PS3 internal BlueTooth.

edit:


This makes me more confident in my theories. Either Sony locks down their BlueTooth, or both HMX and RO realized BT wouldn't be reliable enough.

Sony don't lock down the blue-tooth siganl as it's a standard that's why any blue-tooth head set, keyboard / mouse etc can work on it.. the only other reason for HMX /RO not to use it is as you say that it's not up to par for the games, but i don't see how it wouldn't be blue-tooth uses the same transmission rate as the standard wireless 2.4ghz uses the only up that blue-tooth has is it's less prone to interference or cross frequencies.. so maybe it was a cost thing i dunno.

[Bakkster]

Sony don't lock down the blue-tooth siganl as it's a standard that's why any blue-tooth head set, keyboard / mouse etc can work on it.. the only other reason for HMX /RO not to use it is as you say that it's not up to par for the games, but i don't see how it wouldn't be blue-tooth uses the same frequency rate as the standard wireless 2.4ghz uses the only up that blue-tooth has is it's less prone to interference or cross frequencies.. so maybe it was a cost thing i dunno.

Sony didn't lock down the entire BlueTooth signal. They could have a verification set up so the only way to use a BT controller is to have a first-party verification.

I agree that it looks like BT (2.4GHz, GFSK) but bluetooth is not designed for time-sensitive data. There is NO guarantee on message latency, and that's bad news for a rhythm game. Also, BlueTooth avoids interference by channel-hopping away from noisy channels. If all the channels are noisy, however, the message needs to be sent multiple times, resulting in a delay.

Also, looking through the FCC testing, it appeared to only use one signal channel. Don't take my word for it, as I only skimmed it, but it didn't appear to have the same bandwidth as a BT device would.

[Terranova]

Sony didn't lock down the entire BlueTooth signal. They could have a verification set up so the only way to use a BT controller is to have a first-party verification.

I agree that it looks like BT (2.4GHz, GFSK) but bluetooth is not designed for time-sensitive data. There is NO guarantee on message latency, and that's bad news for a rhythm game. Also, BlueTooth avoids interference by channel-hopping away from noisy channels. If all the channels are noisy, however, the message needs to be sent multiple times, resulting in a delay.

Also, looking through the FCC testing, it appeared to only use one signal channel. Don't take my word for it, as I only skimmed it, but it didn't appear to have the same bandwidth as a BT device would.

I doubt Sony have verification as i said any blue-tooth headset keyboard etc will work on PS3 as it's a standard any third party etc can release a blue-tooth device for the PS3 there are already ones for the blu-ray remote.. but i think your right about it causing a delay when switching frequencies etc which wouldn't be good for a game like RB/GH so that would be a good enough reason not to use it.

[Bakkster]

I doubt Sony have verification as i said any blue-tooth headset keyboard etc will work on PS3 as it's a standard any third party etc can release a blue-tooth device for the PS3 there are already ones for the blu-ray remote..

Ah yes, but it would still be possible to lock game controllers out of BT unless they're first-party. The authentication could be done outside of the BT standard, probably hardware or firmware based on the controller.

Again, I'm not saying they did this, just saying it's possible...

[Terranova]

Ah yes, but it would still be possible to lock game controllers out of BT unless they're first-party. The authentication could be done outside of the BT standard, probably hardware or firmware based on the controller.

Again, I'm not saying they did this, just saying it's possible...

I agree it's possible.. maybe HMX can say why they didn't use it. would be interesting to know.

[sa_nick]

Hehe, dongle is a funny word.

[cakefoo]

All I can about is that I have 100% freedom of movement while playing. :rolleyes:

[JimNasium]

This could be for the PS2 version.......

[NotorietyH]

This could be for the PS2 version.......

Except that if you read the application form, or the report it says the application is for the PS3 controller.

[sporkBrigade]

My question is, if they could make this work around for the PS3, why couldn't they do it for the Xbox making the two guitars the same price? o.O

[TheRocker]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/rock-band-wireless-ps3-guitar-gets-fccd/#comments


Can someone explain what this is or what it might be used for, I'm not too technologically inclined.

I am very dissapointed about this , i read this last night.
First why does it have an extra piece ? i've seen a people make Gh Controllers out of Sixaxises so why do we need an extra piece , Second Batteries ? i hope not.. and last why can't you guys just show RockBand running on Ps3 im tired of seeing it on the X360 ( No offence 360 Guys ) i want to see this game on a playstation is that too much to ask ?

[TheRocker]

My question is, if they could make this work around for the PS3, why couldn't they do it for the Xbox making the two guitars the same price? o.O

See Playstation 3 uses Blutooth wich is cheap compared to Xbox360's scratch that , Microsoft's weird Wireless Technology wich demands them to pay for it if they are going to use it in Pheripherals.

[Bakkster]

See Playstation 3 uses Blutooth wich is cheap compared to Xbox360's scratch that , Microsoft's weird Wireless Technology wich demands them to pay for it if they are going to use it in Pheripherals.

That doesn't enter into the debate. The dongle is NOT using the PS3's BlueTooth capabilities (hence the dongle). Same with the MS wireless, if they used a dongle there as well they shouldn't have to pay wireless royalties (since the guitar doesn't use the MS protocol either).

[AVC808]

ah, i just posted in the other thread thinking the guy that posted the link found it. i guess it came from this joystiq article. so sad, so sad. this is totally not the design i wanted to see for the ps3 controller.

i fully expected to be able to freely swap between wired and wireless with a usb cable and bluetooth and not worry about batteries. now i will be stuck going wireless, and will have to keep charging batteries to swap out in case they die. i dont mind the dongle at all, but man, what a disappointment. the best i can hope for is that this will be backwards compatible with the ps2 GH games.

[TheRocker]

ah, i just posted in the other thread thinking the guy that posted the link found it. i guess it came from this joystiq article. so sad, so sad. this is totally not the design i wanted to see for the ps3 controller.

i fully expected to be able to freely swap between wired and wireless with a usb cable and bluetooth and not worry about batteries. now i will be stuck going wireless, and will have to keep charging batteries to swap out in case they die. i dont mind the dongle at all, but man, what a disappointment. the best i can hope for is that this will be backwards compatible with the ps2 GH games.

I know.. Go to store pick up batteries , batteries ran out oh wait i can't play because no more batteries i guess i head to the store tomorrow..

[jq71586]

I know.. Go to store pick up batteries , batteries ran out oh wait i can't play because no more batteries i guess i head to the store tomorrow..

My friend had this tiny little ukulele looking wireless guitar for the PS2 called "the hammer" and it didn't really need it's batteries changed all that often. Maybe once every 2 months or so. And we played it alot. So if you buy like a 24 pack or something that should last for a long time because according to the diagrams floating around here it requires 3 AA batteries.

[Maherj]

ah, i just posted in the other thread thinking the guy that posted the link found it. i guess it came from this joystiq article. so sad, so sad. this is totally not the design i wanted to see for the ps3 controller.

i fully expected to be able to freely swap between wired and wireless with a usb cable and bluetooth and not worry about batteries. now i will be stuck going wireless, and will have to keep charging batteries to swap out in case they die. i dont mind the dongle at all, but man, what a disappointment. the best i can hope for is that this will be backwards compatible with the ps2 GH games.

Hate to burst your bubble further bud, but the PS3 Les Paul won't be fully compatible with previous GH games except for GH1. 2 and 80s have issues with the wammy and star power for some weird reason.

3. How is the functionality of the PS3 Les Paul wireless for the older Guitar Hero games (released on PS2)?

Correction: The new PS3 Les Paul wireless controller will NOT work at all with any of the Playstation2 Guitar Hero titles when played on the PS3. We suggest that you keep your PS2 console around to play the older PS2 Guitar Hero games. Using a PS2-to-PS3 USB adapter, GH1 will work on the PS3 using either the SG or the original PS2 wireless guitar.

[jq71586]

Hate to burst your bubble further bud, but the PS3 Les Paul won't be fully compatible with previous GH games except for GH1. 2 and 80s have issues with the wammy and star power for some weird reason.

3. How is the functionality of the PS3 Les Paul wireless for the older Guitar Hero games (released on PS2)?

Correction: The new PS3 Les Paul wireless controller will NOT work at all with any of the Playstation2 Guitar Hero titles when played on the PS3. We suggest that you keep your PS2 console around to play the older PS2 Guitar Hero games. Using a PS2-to-PS3 USB adapter, GH1 will work on the PS3 using either the SG or the original PS2 wireless guitar.

I'm pretty sure he was talking about the Strat and not the Les Paul.

[Maherj]

Now I'm confusing myself. Heh

I'm glad I own an XBOX in this case!

EDIT: If the PS3 requires a dongle for wireless...I wonder if that same dongle could plug into a PS2 and function. I guess that would be the same for using the GH guitar on a PS2, yea?

[Supergeek]

I am curious about the dongle affecting prices as well.

If they're using a dedicated dongle on the PS3, why don't they do that for the 360 guitar, so we can have wireless guitars on the 360 cost the same as PS3 guitars?

Assuming dongle = proprietary Harmonix RF tech, there's no reason for a price difference between the two consoles. They're not using proprietary MS 360 wireless tech.

I don't mind using a dongle if it'll save me $10-$20 per guitar. What do I care what's attached to my 360? All I care about is I'm wireless. The wired and wireless guitars will have the same functionality.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

I'm not to concerned with this article. Nothing is ever really confirmed until by Harmonix. This could easily be a demo/prototype model. Wait till its an official announcement.

[jq71586]

I'm not to concerned with this article. Nothing is ever really confirmed until by Harmonix. This could easily be a demo/prototype model. Wait till its an official announcement.

It could. But why would you send a prototype to the FCC for inspection? I really hope it's some extention other than being a receiver that might help play with GH 1,2,80's, but that may be wishful thinking at this point.

[Chris_Gonzalez]

I am curious about the dongle affecting prices as well.

If they're using a dedicated dongle on the PS3, why don't they do that for the 360 guitar, so we can have wireless guitars on the 360 cost the same as PS3 guitars?

Assuming dongle = proprietary Harmonix RF tech, there's no reason for a price difference between the two consoles. They're not using proprietary MS 360 wireless tech.

I don't mind using a dongle if it'll save me $10-$20 per guitar. What do I care what's attached to my 360? All I care about is I'm wireless. The wired and wireless guitars will have the same functionality.

I think they're trying to limit the number of USB ports used with Rock Band, even though there will be a hub.

Anyway, I'm totally bummed about the dongle. Maybe it was the bluetooth that was interfering with the compatability of the PS2 GHs with the Les Paul? Maybe the dongle fixes the problem so we can use the Strat (NOTE: I SAID STRAT. Don't bring up the GH3 thing about the Les Paul.) with the earlier games.

[Bakkster]

I'm not to concerned with this article. Nothing is ever really confirmed until by Harmonix. This could easily be a demo/prototype model. Wait till its an official announcement.

Well, if that was a prototype they didn't need to get it approved by the FCC, did they? FCC only approves finished devices, unless you can prove any changes made don't affect the operation. I'd say that means this is the finished wireless technology.

[toefer]

When they announced PS3 would be wireless and 360 wouldn't, I, like others (I'm sure), hoped it was because of Bluetooth being cheap, and MS being stingy.

But sadly, maybe this dongle method is what they had in mind all along for both systems, but after they realized they had to throw in the USB hub for 360, they took away it's dongle, to keep the prices even.

Looking on the bright side, batteries add weight, right?

3 AA's should add another 2.5 ounces to the PS3 guitar. Hooray.

[Redebo]

I've read several comments about how bluetooth is cheap and that anyone can use it. Well just to add to that, bluetooth is a propriatery technology and is a standard for wireless communication. So, if ANY company wants to use bluetooth, they must pay a licensing fee to the bluetooth people. I have no idea how much this costs, but regardless its still a cost....

[Bakkster]

I've read several comments about how bluetooth is cheap and that anyone can use it. Well just to add to that, bluetooth is a propriatery technology and is a standard for wireless communication. So, if ANY company wants to use bluetooth, they must pay a licensing fee to the bluetooth people. I have no idea how much this costs, but regardless its still a cost....

It's still basically the cheapest wireless you can get.

[AVC808]

Well, if that was a prototype they didn't need to get it approved by the FCC, did they? FCC only approves finished devices, unless you can prove any changes made don't affect the operation. I'd say that means this is the finished wireless technology.

i agree. no one would waste their time filing an application (especially this late in the game) for a prototype. this is the real deal production line. if anything, they can change the cosmetics, but not the wireless portion.

[AVC808]

Hate to burst your bubble further bud, but the PS3 Les Paul won't be fully compatible with previous GH games except for GH1. 2 and 80s have issues with the wammy and star power for some weird reason.

3. How is the functionality of the PS3 Les Paul wireless for the older Guitar Hero games (released on PS2)?

Correction: The new PS3 Les Paul wireless controller will NOT work at all with any of the Playstation2 Guitar Hero titles when played on the PS3. We suggest that you keep your PS2 console around to play the older PS2 Guitar Hero games. Using a PS2-to-PS3 USB adapter, GH1 will work on the PS3 using either the SG or the original PS2 wireless guitar.

ive already heard about this regarding the lp, but still nothing about the rockband strat. so that's what im hoping for. i have no intention of buying gh3 or the lp. i just was hoping the guitar would be compatible so i could borrow the ps2 games from a friend and play them on my ps3 since i dont own a ps2.

[Terranova]

I've read several comments about how bluetooth is cheap and that anyone can use it. Well just to add to that, bluetooth is a propriatery technology and is a standard for wireless communication. So, if ANY company wants to use bluetooth, they must pay a licensing fee to the bluetooth people. I have no idea how much this costs, but regardless its still a cost....

Bluetooth is cheaper to get a license for than to use the standard wireless method that HMX are using, the only reason that HMX wouldn't be using Bluetooth is as me and Bakkster discussed in this thread, either a data transmission delay, or a delay as it switches frequencies which bluetooth does to avoid interference, which wouldn't help a game like rock band that needs no delays.. but only HMX can really say why.. i hope they do and i hope they release a wired PS3 controller.

[Terranova]

Something very strange i have noticed.. looking again at the FCC site for the controller if you look in the internal pictures section it shows all the internal workings for the controller what caught my eye was towards the bottom which seems to show how the Fret buttons are mapped up in regards to controller buttons.. the PCB board clearly shows YXAB and LB buttons which the 360 uses not PS3.. have the FCC mixed up the controllers or something it seems very strange :confused:

here's the link you will need a PDF viewer to see it, it's on Page 18 onwards

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=845514&native_or_pdf=pdf

[Bakkster]

Something very strange i have noticed.. looking again at the FCC site for the controller if you look in the internal pictures section it shows all the internal workings for the controller what caught my eye was towards the bottom which seems to show how the Fret buttons are mapped up in regards to controller buttons.. the PCB board clearly shows YXAB and LB buttons which the 360 uses not PS3.. have the FCC mixed up the controllers or something it seems very strange :confused:

No reason to print two identical circuit boards with different screen printing, so they just made them all the same. And since the 360 has market share, they went with their labeling system.

[Terranova]

No reason to print two identical circuit boards with different screen printing, so they just made them all the same. And since the 360 has market share, they went with their labeling system.

Yeah i guess your right.. must be a kick in the nuts for Sony though seeing that basically the PS3 RB controller will be the 360 one modded to work on the PS3 and having the MS labelling inside just rubs it in even more.

[Ninegauger]

Or maybe it's just that letters are easier to print than squares, circles and triangles. But it seems that the 360 is the main platform... isn't the 360 being used on the tour and everywhere?

[Bakkster]

Or maybe it's just that letters are easier to print than squares, circles and triangles. But it seems that the 360 is the main platform... isn't the 360 being used on the tour and everywhere?

As someone who has designed circuit boards, I'll tell you that if you design a PCB, you can draw a triangle :D It's really not any harder, they just picked one way and went with it.

[AVC808]

i noticed that too, but thought that maybe ab xy has always been the standard and if we opened up more controllers even before the xbox, the circuit boards may show the same things since weve been using ab xy from the super nintendo days.

[Terranova]

i noticed that too, but thought that maybe ab xy has always been the standard and if we opened up more controllers even before the xbox, the circuit boards may show the same things since weve been using ab xy from the super nintendo days.

ahh good thinking forgot about that.. :)

[sa_nick]

Maybe it needs this "dongle" to be compatible with the GH3 Les Paul... Is GH3 using RF or BT?

[Terranova]

Maybe it needs this "dongle" to be compatible with the GH3 Les Paul... Is GH3 using RF or BT?

GH3 is using the exact same set up as rock band ie it's RF not blue-tooth you get a dongle for the Les Paul as well it uses 2 AA batteries where as the RB Strat uses 3 AA's.. the dongle is required to receive the RF signal as the PS3 doesn't have a RF receiver built in only blue-tooth or WIFI.

[sa_nick]

So it could be possible then. The dongle is used so that other guitars will work on Rock Band?

Note that I said it could be possible

[Koneesha]

well it is compatible with ps2 so maybe thats it

[Bakkster]

well it is compatible with ps2 so maybe thats it

That would do it.

[Terranova]

So it could be possible then. The dongle is used so that other guitars will work on Rock Band?

Note that I said it could be possible

Yeah it could be possible unless RO have added something to the Les Paul that prevents it from doing so.. other wise i cant see any reason why it wouldn't work if both GH and RB are using the same connection method.

[Havmore]

people are kinda dumb, every one with a ps3 SHOULD know that in order to sync a sixaxis to a ps3 it must be plugged in through the cable. I.E. unlike the 360, or the wii, there is NO SYNC BUTTON, and thus wether you can charge the ps3 rock band controller or not, it must come with SOMETHING to plug into the usb port so that it knows to look for it. if i bring my sixaxis to your house then a usb plug must be used to sync the ps3 with the controller.

you people are freaking out over nothing, as this is most likely the case. a dongle is no big deal, but i bet it's only used to sync the actual controller to the ps3...

[sa_nick]

people are kinda dumb, every one with a ps3 SHOULD know that in order to sync a sixaxis to a ps3 it must be plugged in through the cable. I.E. unlike the 360, or the wii, there is NO SYNC BUTTON, and thus wether you can charge the ps3 rock band controller or not, it must come with SOMETHING to plug into the usb port so that it knows to look for it. if i bring my sixaxis to your house then a usb plug must be used to sync the ps3 with the controller.

you people are freaking out over nothing, as this is most likely the case. a dongle is no big deal, but i bet it's only used to sync the actual controller to the ps3...

Ummmm.... no.

[Keebler]

Yeah, there's clearly a sync button on the guitar itself.........

[Havmore]

there's no sync button on the SYSTEM!!!


everyone with a ps3 should know you have to plug the controller in so the ps3 knows its there the first time you use a controller on a different ps3.

if the dongle is there for this ONE STEP of the process than i would definitely not be surprised, with the sixaxis you plug it in through usb, hit the ps button, and then unplug it. it makes total sense that the rock band controller come with SOMETHING to plug in, if only for the initial setup...

i didn't read all 7 pages, but this is obviously the best explanation for why the dongle exists.

[Bakkster]

there's no sync button on the SYSTEM!!!


everyone with a ps3 should know you have to plug the controller in so the ps3 knows its there the first time you use a controller on a different ps3.

if the dongle is there for this ONE STEP of the process than i would definitely not be surprised, with the sixaxis you plug it in through usb, hit the ps button, and then unplug it. it makes total sense that the rock band controller come with SOMETHING to plug in, if only for the initial setup...

i didn't read all 7 pages, but this is obviously the best explanation for why the dongle exists.

Holy crap, that makes sense. I also assume it can act as the normal receiver for the PS2. That's actually pretty cool.

[Phrank-E]

people are kinda dumb, every one with a ps3 SHOULD know that in order to sync a sixaxis to a ps3 it must be plugged in through the cable. I.E. unlike the 360, or the wii, there is NO SYNC BUTTON, and thus wether you can charge the ps3 rock band controller or not, it must come with SOMETHING to plug into the usb port so that it knows to look for it. if i bring my sixaxis to your house then a usb plug must be used to sync the ps3 with the controller.

you people are freaking out over nothing, as this is most likely the case. a dongle is no big deal, but i bet it's only used to sync the actual controller to the ps3...


This is a total troll(my question, not you), BUT... Isn't the sixaxis Bluetooth? And that is what the syncing is for?

[sa_nick]

there's no sync button on the SYSTEM!!!


everyone with a ps3 should know you have to plug the controller in so the ps3 knows its there the first time you use a controller on a different ps3.

if the dongle is there for this ONE STEP of the process than i would definitely not be surprised, with the sixaxis you plug it in through usb, hit the ps button, and then unplug it. it makes total sense that the rock band controller come with SOMETHING to plug in, if only for the initial setup...

i didn't read all 7 pages, but this is obviously the best explanation for why the dongle exists.

Isn't the dongle RF? U only need to plug in the controllers because they're Blu Tooth devices. U will need to plus this is every time to play.

If it was for what you said then wouldn't they just put a USB input on the guitar?

[Bakkster]

This is a total troll(my question, not you), BUT... Isn't the sixaxis Bluetooth? And that is what the syncing is for?

Yes, the SixAxis is BlueTooth, and thus it needs to be synced to the console.


Isn't the dongle RF? U only need to plug in the controllers because they're Blu Tooth devices. U will need to plus this is every time to play.

If it was for what you said then wouldn't they just put a USB input on the guitar?

The dongle is 2.4GHz: the same RF band as BlueTooth. While the FCC filing never said it was BT, it certainly seemed to be that way.

It seems that the dongle does two things. On a PS2 it acts as a USB receiver for the guitar to connect wirelessly to the PS2. For the PS3 it acts to sync the guitar to the console, at which point it is possible that the dongle could be unplugged. This lets them kill two birds with one stone. Yes, they could have added a USB port, but that costs money that they felt was better spent making the PS2 guitar wireless.

[Koneesha]

Yes, the SixAxis is BlueTooth, and thus it needs to be synced to the console.



The dongle is 2.4GHz: the same RF band as BlueTooth. While the FCC filing never said it was BT, it certainly seemed to be that way.

It seems that the dongle does two things. On a PS2 it acts as a USB receiver for the guitar to connect wirelessly to the PS2. For the PS3 it acts to sync the guitar to the console, at which point it is possible that the dongle could be unplugged. This lets them kill two birds with one stone. Yes, they could have added a USB port, but that costs money that they felt was better spent making the PS2 guitar wireless.

That's eactley wat i was aiming 4 wit my comment but i dint have time 2 type it. Sorry im in a hurry!

[i5hawn]

Where was thier confirmation that the dongle for PS3 is for syncing? if anything they would use the PS3 DualShock3/Sixaxis system currently in place and just add a mini-usb port that would just as the DS3/6Axis quick swaps between wired and wireless?

As others have stated, most likely the dongle is for RF compatbility and the HMX Strats do not use BT for connectivity as was initially speculated when the title was initially announced.

But how hard would it be to wire/swap a 6axis board into the new guitars to add this functionality?? i'm going to guess not that hard since they're esentially the same thing. can't wait for these to release for those mods to drop

[Bakkster]

Where was thier confirmation that the dongle for PS3 is for syncing? if anything they would use the PS3 DualShock3/Sixaxis system currently in place and just add a mini-usb port that would just as the DS3/6Axis quick swaps between wired and wireless?

As others have stated, most likely the dongle is for RF compatbility and the HMX Strats do not use BT for connectivity as was initially speculated when the title was initially announced.

But how hard would it be to wire/swap a 6axis board into the new guitars to add this functionality?? i'm going to guess not that hard since they're esentially the same thing. can't wait for these to release for those mods to drop

No confirmation, this is all speculation. As far as "RF compatability", there is no such thing. Either it's using BT or it's not.

As far as adding the mini-USB, that would cost extra. And, assuming the dongle does the sync it would be unnecessary.

[milkman4591]

Hehe, dongle is a funny word.

easily top post in thread. Thanks

[gh2masterwellalmost]

Is it important to question this? No. Bloody hell, its teeny, stop caring about it - so long as it works it doesn't matter.

[Koneesha]

yes but i alrwady use 2 of my usb ports for other impotrtant things, and i dont wanna take them out

[jq71586]

Is it important to question this? No. Bloody hell, its teeny, stop caring about it - so long as it works it doesn't matter.

No offense but,

Yes, it is important to question it. It was assumed that the guitar was going to be bluetooth (granted assumptions aren't a good thing to make) thus freeing up one or two of the 4 USB ports the PS3 has in front. So now with a full band all the slots will be taken up which granted won't be a problem playing but now the 3 peripherals I have plugged into mine now (Controller charger, Bluetooth headset charger, keyboard) will all have to be unplugged. Stop going into every thread and saying "you'll find out when it's time to find out." This is a piece of news to us PS3 owners (one of which you are not) so you don't need to comment on it.

[TheRocker]

No offense but,

Yes, it is important to question it. It was assumed that the guitar was going to be bluetooth (granted assumptions aren't a good thing to make) thus freeing up one or two of the 4 USB ports the PS3 has in front. So now with a full band all the slots will be taken up which granted won't be a problem playing but now the 3 peripherals I have plugged into mine now (Controller charger, Bluetooth headset charger, keyboard) will all have to be unplugged. Stop going into every thread and saying "you'll find out when it's time to find out." This is a piece of news to us PS3 owners (one of which you are not) so you don't need to comment on it.

*Applause*

[jq71586]

*Applause*

*Bows, collects panties thrown up on stage*

[Terranova]

No confirmation, this is all speculation. As far as "RF compatability", there is no such thing. Either it's using BT or it's not.

As far as adding the mini-USB, that would cost extra. And, assuming the dongle does the sync it would be unnecessary.

I would have thought the manual on the FCC site was confirmation.. if you look at the process required once you insert the dongle in to the USB port you have to press a button on the Strat which i can only assume is to sync with the dongle I can't think of any other reason for doing that.

[Koneesha]

I would have thought the manual on the FCC site was confirmation.. if you look at the process required once you insert the dongle in to the USB port you have to press a button on the Strat which i can only assume is to sync with the dongle I can't think of any other reason for doing that.
ues but maybe we need to sync it everytime and keep the dongule in. that would be a drag

[Terranova]

ues but maybe we need to sync it everytime and keep the dongule in. that would be a drag

The dongle would be required at all times to play Rock band it isn't blue-tooth it's not built into the PS3 the signal is standard RF and needs a receiver which the dongle is, you may not have to sync it every time but you will need the dongle to play.

[Bakkster]

The dongle would be required at all times to play Rock band it isn't blue-tooth it's not built into the PS3 the signal is standard RF and needs a receiver which the dongle is, you may not have to sync it every time but you will need the dongle to play.

I'm not totally convinced of that. It still looks and feels like BT, I'm guessing they just made the dongle a combination receiver (for PS2) and temporary receiver to sync (for PS3). Time will tell.

[Koneesha]

don't rf and bluetooth operate at the same freqency?

[TheRocker]

I just hope that the dongle isn't just for RockBand , maybe Guitar Hero 1,2 and 80s :D

[Bakkster]

don't rf and bluetooth operate at the same freqency?

RF is just short for radio frequency. It's generally used to reference any radio communication that's not using a standard protocol such as BlueTooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, etc. We know the guitar is in the 2.4GHz band and uses the same modulation as BlueTooth. There was no explicit statement of BlueTooth, though.

[Koneesha]

RF is just short for radio frequency. It's generally used to reference any radio communication that's not using a standard protocol such as BlueTooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, etc. We know the guitar is in the 2.4GHz band and uses the same modulation as BlueTooth. There was no explicit statement of BlueTooth, though.

so it is most likely though. Right?

[Bakkster]

so it is most likely though. Right?

If I had to bet, I'd probably say BlueTooth, but I'm not confident enough to be quoted on that.

[Terranova]

If I had to bet, I'd probably say BlueTooth, but I'm not confident enough to be quoted on that.

It cant see it being blue-tooth why would the PS3 need a dongle, Blue-tooth is built in to the PS3 it doesn't need a external device to function, and reading the manual again there is no mention of Blue-tooth at all .. the only reason for the dongle i can see would be for receiving the standard RF signal which PS3 cant do on its own maybe so there is functionality with the PS2.

[JackBNimble]

From what I have seen the ps3 controller is not bluetooth.There is no usb port on the controller and it takes AA batteries.So you can't plug in to your PS3 and play or recharge your batteries.The thing every one seems to be over looking is if the controllers were bluetooth, then the bundle deal when this game comes out would most likely be more then $170.00 .Your basicaly getting 3 controllers and a game. Now if I wanted to go buy a reguler ps3 controller it would cost me $60.00.The fact that it's not bluetooth is it's not going to effect the game play in anyway, we all should be happy that Rock Band has found away to give us a package deal like this for only $170. But it is to bad that they didn't put a usb port in the controller so you could just plug in an play .I dont like the idea that i will have to buy batteries to play this game.Or a charger for recharable ones . Eitherway I think we will all be more then happy with this game when we finally get are hands on it.I know I will be!

[Bakkster]

It cant see it being blue-tooth why would the PS3 need a dongle, Blue-tooth is built in to the PS3 it doesn't need a external device to function, and reading the manual again there is no mention of Blue-tooth at all .. the only reason for the dongle i can see would be for receiving the standard RF signal which PS3 cant do on its own maybe so there is functionality with the PS2.

It's true, the dongle could be for standard RF, but it could also be used to sync the guitar with the PS3 then removed, or kept in to play on the PS2 (just a guess).


From what I have seen the ps3 controller is not bluetooth.There is no usb port on the controller and it takes AA batteries.So you can't plug in to your PS3 and play or recharge your batteries.The thing every one seems to be over looking is if the controllers were bluetooth, then the bundle deal when this game comes out would most likely be more then $170.00 .

The USB play-and-charge stuff isn't required by BlueTooth, it's just the way the PS3 controllers run. Also, BT is cheap to add, no more than $5 a device.

[JackBNimble]

It's true, the dongle could be for standard RF, but it could also be used to sync the guitar with the PS3 then removed, or kept in to play on the PS2 (just a guess).



The USB play-and-charge stuff isn't required by BlueTooth, it's just the way the PS3 controllers run. Also, BT is cheap to add, no more than $5 a device.

Why go through the hastle of making a dongle for bluetooth controller when all you needed was a usb cable ?that tells me right there its not bluetooth.why no rechargable battery?Its pritty obvious what the dongles for.Eitherway I could careless.I do agree with you about play and charge not required by bluetooth.If you ad it all up it points to one thing ,not bluetooth.

[Bakkster]

Why go through the hastle of making a dongle for bluetooth controller when all you needed was a usb cable ?

Since it's PS2 compatible, the dongle would kill two birds with one stone. Instead of making a dongle AND usb port, just use the dongle for sync and remove.


that tells me right there its not bluetooth.why no rechargable battery?Its pritty obvious what the dongles for.Eitherway I could careless.I do agree with you about play and charge not required by bluetooth.If you ad it all up it points to one thing ,not bluetooth.

Yeah, we're both just guessing, so it could be either. I'm just going by what I would design if I were trying to make a cost-effective wireless peripheral for both PS3 and PS2. It will be very interesting to see what it actually is.

[miketoast]

Those Azns at Audix Technology have the awesomest names!!

Yo Yo Wang

and

Iceman Hu

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Koneesha]

Either way I will buy it, it's just bluetooth is eaiser for me!

[TheRocker]

If its backwards compatible with the Gh Series and 80s Edition i dont mind the dongle but if its just there for no particular reason when they could have easily used blutooth (and if theres something wrong just tell us Harmonix) i am going to be mad.

[Terranova]

If its backwards compatible with the Gh Series and 80s Edition i dont mind the dongle but if its just there for no particular reason when they could have easily used blutooth (and if theres something wrong just tell us Harmonix) i am going to be mad.

If you mean playing them on the PS3 then I'm not sure it's going to be backwards compatible at all, the GH3 Les Paul isn't and that's using the same setup as the RB Strat, RO haven't said if it's a hardware or software problem preventing it from working so it's hard to know if HMX can do any better, if it's hardware then the chances are none if RO who know more about hardware can't do it then i cant see HMX doing it either, however if it's something to do with the software code then HMX maybe able to do something seeing as they created the game code for the games maybe a patch of some kind could fix the problem i dunno we will have to wait and see what happens.

[AVC808]

although i was hoping for backwards compatability, i'll get over it. im surprised sony hasn't found a fix for it yet though since the GH games were a pretty hot seller. maybe it's part of their strategy to keep incentive to buy the ps2.

[JackBNimble]

If you mean playing them on the PS3 then I'm not sure it's going to be backwards compatible at all, the GH3 Les Paul isn't and that's using the same setup as the RB Strat, RO haven't said if it's a hardware or software problem preventing it from working so it's hard to know if HMX can do any better, if it's hardware then the chances are none if RO who know more about hardware can't do it then i cant see HMX doing it either, however if it's something to do with the software code then HMX maybe able to do something seeing as they created the game code for the games maybe a patch of some kind could fix the problem i dunno we will have to wait and see what happens.

You would think that any game on either the ps3 or 360 would work with any controller for that system.There should be a set standerd for each system.If this is all about GH and RB not liking the competition then sony and microsoft should step in. If there aren't set standerds for each system ,then there should be!

[Koneesha]

If its backwards compatible with the Gh Series and 80s Edition i dont mind the dongle but if its just there for no particular reason when they could have easily used blutooth (and if theres something wrong just tell us Harmonix) i am going to be mad.

same here!