The best gamepads are gamepads from video game consoles.
The assertion is debatable. But this is more true than not.
With XBox controllers, everything is simple, controllers from the Xbox console are one hundred percent compatible with PCs and there is no problem connecting an Xbox 360 \ Xbox One controller to a Windows PC.
On the Windows side, Xbox gamepads are supported through the XInput API and are 99% compatible with all PC games, if these games generally have gamepad support, and the games themselves were released on PCs after 2006.
But what if you own a PLAYSTATION 4 console and / or have a DUALSHOCK 4?
DUALSHOCK 4 can be easily connected (Bluetooth, native adapter, USB cable) to a Windows computer.
But DUALSHOCK 4 is defined in Windows as a standard DirectInput gamepad, there is no XInput support, and there is no XInput support and compatibility with a huge number of PC games, there will be no:
DirectInput compatible gamepad
XInput compatible gamepad
Unlike XInput gamepads, where the presence of support for this API, the gamepad will automatically make friends with all XInput-compatible games, without any additional settings and gestures on the part of the user (plugged in and play), with DirectInput devices - it's not like that.
In the realities of standard Windows applications, support for a specific DirectInput Only gamepad (or steering wheel) must be specified in the target game personally. And in the case of DUALSHOCK 4, these are already three different devices:
DUALSHOCK 4 of the first revision (054C: 05C4);
DUALSHOCK 4 of the second revision (054C: 09CC);
Wireless adapter for DUALSHOCK 4 (054C: 0BA0)
In some cases, native support for DUALSHOCK 4 is written in the game executable file. Sometimes in the folder with the game there is additionally a DLL from Sony:
In rare cases, support, in part, can be "muddied" yourself, through a file with settings.
There are games where only the DUALSHOCK 4 wired connection is supported natively. And there are games where only DUALSHOCK 4 of the first revision is supported, because at the time the game was released, DUALSHOCK 4 of the second revision (and the adapter) had not yet been released, i.e. native support for the latter can only be added by the developers of the game, with a patch.
Support levels also differ, somewhere only gamepad control is supported (GTA 5), and somewhere almost everything is supported: vibration, light bar, labeling of buttons on the screen (The Witcher 2, F1 2017, Dying Light). Here are some screenshots from these games:
The Witcher 2
F1 2017
Dying light
Assassin's Creed
Tom Clancy "s Rainbow Six Siege
An interesting point. DUALSHOCK 4 support (correct location: triggers, sticks, buttons and vibration) is available in Windows 10 out of the box, but only for UWP apps. Those. in Windows 10, you can play games of the Forza or Gear of War series with a dual shock without problems \ crutches \ emulators. DUALSHOCK 4 of the first revision is supported. To add support for DUALSHOCK 4 v2, as well as gamepads of both revisions, connected via a native adapter, you need to apply these REG files:
But what to do in other cases? How do I play games that don't have native DUALSHOCK 4 support?
There are several options. Today we're going to take a look at two of them: Steam and DS4Windows.
On December 12, 2016, DUALSHOCK 4 support was officially released on Steam.
The DUALSHOCK 4 controller can now be used in all games from the Steam library as an XInput compatible gamepad (including vibration).
Moreover, for DUALSHOCK 4, all the variety of settings is available (including the use of a gyroscope), which was implemented for the Steam controller, which is much more interesting than the usual XInput emulation.
How do you add your DUALSHOCK 4 to Steam?
The first step is to enable DUALSHOCK 4 support in your Steam settings. To do this, go to the Big Picture mode, go to "Settings-> Controller settings" and activate the item "DS4 controller support":
In the same place, we set the intensity and color of the backlight, turn on / off vibration support, give a name to the gamepad:
You may need to turn on / off the controller and restart Steam.
If you have ever wondered if it is possible to connect a gamepad (dualshock) from the PlayStation 4, then we immediately want to tell you the good news - you can
Today we will consider two connection options - wired and wireless, via Bluetooth.
We connect via cable:
Everything is extremely simple here - we connect the gamepad to the computer using the cable that comes with the console. Yes, yes, this is the cable you use to charge your gamepad
The system will independently detect the device and install the drivers, you only need to connect to the Internet. To make sure that the system has correctly identified the device, you can do this: go to "All options" - "Devices" - "Bluetooth and other devices" and look there. In the list of devices you will find "Wireless Controller"... This is if you have Windows 10, if Windows 7, then open "Start", then "Devices and Printers", there look for the same "Wireless Controller". Small images are clickable:
Bluetooth and other Windows 10 devices If you have Windows 7, and the gamepad is not detected by the operating system, then the third, advanced method at the end of the article will help you.
Do not be alarmed if the sound on the computer suddenly disappears when the gamepad is connected, it's not scary - it's just that the audio stream is now redirected to it. You can see for yourself by plugging the headphones into the headphone jack of the gamepad. You can change the audio device in the sound settings of your operating system.
This completes the wired setup. If you want to play wirelessly, read on
We connect via Bluetooth:
For wireless connection, you need a proprietary Sony Bluetooh module, or any other Bluetooth receiver. If you have a laptop with built-in Bluetooth, then this will work too.
In order to connect the gamepad via Bluetooth to a computer, you first need to put the gamepad into pairing mode, for this you need to simultaneously hold down the PS and Share buttons:
Switch the gamepad to pairing mode We hold for a few seconds, until the backlight starts flashing white in 2 short flashes at intervals of about a second.
You can then search for wireless devices on the computer itself. We connect the Bluetooth module to the computer, if Bluetooth is already connected, then you should have the following icon in the system tray:
Bluetoth icon Right-click on it and select "Add Bluetooth device".
If you have Windows 10, you can open
"All options" - "Devices" - "Bluetooth and other devices"
If you have Windows 7, you can open "Start", then "Devices and Printers", there look for the same "Wireless Controller".
A window for searching and adding Bluetooth devices will open. Click the Add Bluetooth or Other Device button:
Adding Bluetooth or other device In the new window that opens, click "Bluetooth":
Selecting the type of connected device
Wait for the computer to find the "Wireless Controller" and click on it:
Pairing selected devices
After successful pairing, you will see the appeared "Wireless Controller" in the devices:
Bluetooth and other Windows 10 devices Unfortunately, audio transmission via a gamepad does not work in wireless mode. That is, you cannot connect headphones to it. Vibration also does not work.
By the way, the Steam client recognizes the PlayStation 4 gamepad, and even prompts you to configure it when you first turn it on:
Pressing the PS button launches the Steam client if it is hanging in the tray. It's best to use Big Picture mode when connecting a gamepad - it's optimized for just that.
Advanced way:
If you are not ready to be content with little, you can go further, and make vibration and touchpad work... For this we need a special driver. DS4Windows... The touchpad will be used instead of the mouse, which is very convenient
Go to the official website: http://ds4windows.com/ and download the driver. Press the green button Download, then on the next page find the latest driver and download DS4Windows.zip
After downloading, unpack the contents of the archive into a folder convenient for you and run DS4Windows.exe. A window like this appears:
When you click on the left button, the program settings will be stored in the folder with the file DS4Windows.exe, when you click on the right button, the program will store its settings in the folders of the operating system. For best compatibility, it is recommended to use the right button.
In this window, click the following buttons:
For Windows 10 only the first, - this will install a special driver into the system, and this completes the gamepad setup. Click "Finish".
For Windows 7, — first first, and after the driver is installed, click second... After installing the second driver, click "Finish". For Windows 7, setup is complete too
If for some reason this window does not open, in the program window go to the tab Settings and click the blue link Controller / Driver setup
If you've played Xbox for a long time, it will be hard to get used to at first. to PS4 DualShock 4 controller... The same works in the opposite direction.
In this article, we will explain all about DualShock 4 and also about alternative controllers for PS4.
How to connect a DualShock 4 controller to PS4
At the first start, the system will ask you to familiarize it with the gamepad. This is done very quickly:
- Connect the Micro USB cable to the joystick;
- Insert the other side of the cord into the attachment;
- Press any button on the DualShock 4;
- Done, the cable can be disconnected.
Let's talk about the cable separately. If you are his lose or damage, there will be nothing to charge the controller battery with. When the system asks re-register gamepad, but this happens after updates, then you cannot do this.
A lost cable can be replaced by buying a new one, most often not original. How lucky here: the joystick can be charged, but will not be recognized by the system, or vice versa. Sometimes he can do not interact with the prefix at all.
If everything works fine, but there is one more nuance. Poor cables can damage the battery.
Our workshops produce DualShock 4 repair... You can safely trust the many years of experience of our specialists. Call and sign up!
We figured out how to connect a new gamepad to the PS4, move on to the next topic.
How to connect a second joystick to PS4
If you like to play with your friends, then one joystick will obviously not be enough... A friend can bring their own gamepad, even if it's not from a PS4 (see below), or a regular DualShock 4.
50% of new users there is a problem with connecting an additional controller. The prefix does not give any hints on how to do this, so people search for answers on the Internet.
You need to connect the DualShock 4 to the PS4 account created on the console. This means that to play together, you need to have 2 accounts. If you don't want to create a new profile, just open the guest.
All trophies and achievements received in the guest account, will be erased and not saved anywhere.
First, the first gamepad is connected, then the second player presses the button PS and logs into another account, etc. The maximum number of players is 4.
Which gamepads are suitable for PS4
Some people think PS4 needs to be bought only original controller, but it is not so. You can connect your Xbox controller to your PS4, and you can also use the DualShock 3 on your PS4.
With the help of a special device, you can connect any popular controller, regardless of its version and manufacturer.
There are several adapters for old joysticks from PS3 and Xbox 360. The most popular is called Titan One. It looks like a USB stick and is inserted into the corresponding connector on the set-top box.
By connecting this unit to your PC, you can customize any USB joystick.
The joystick is directly connected to the adapter, which transmits information about the pressed buttons to the system.
At the same time, there is one complication. Old joysticks often not playable on PS4 at all... This is due to the fact that part of the gameplay is built on the capabilities of the DualShock 4, which are not available on other controllers: accelerometer, touchpad, etc. It's easier to buy a new PlayStation 4 controller than to spend money on an expensive and not very efficient adapter.
List of platforms which joysticks can be used with PS4: PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC.
The adapter recodes the signal that comes from the Xbox One joystick and adapts it to the PS4. Can be customized wireless connection.
The only thing that is not encouraging is the prices for adapters. One connector may cost up to 5-6 thousand rubles... It will be more expensive to connect a PS3 controller to your PS4 than buying an original DualShock 4.
Custom joysticks for PS4
Not so long ago there was information about 2 professional gamepads developed in cooperation with Sony - Razer Raiju and Nacon Revolution.
Both controllers are a bit like the Xbox joystick, but only externally. They are calculated for experienced players and professional gamers... You can customize individual macros, adjust the depth of the trigger, and more. Unlike other joysticks, these are officially licensed from Sony, so there's no point in worrying about compatibility.
How to connect a PS4 gamepad to a computer
If you own a PlayStation 4, there is no point in buying a separate joystick for your computer.
The first thing to do is download the InputMapper program and do the following:
- Connect a fully charged controller to a PC;
- Open the program and turn on the gamepad with the button PS;
- Wait until the end of automatic synchronization.
If there is a Bluetooth adapter, then using the same program, you can set up a wireless connection. Hold the buttons PS and Share, and the joystick is displayed in the list of available devices on the computer.
If DualShock 4 does not work on PC, check for installed components:
- Microsoft .NET 4.0
- Visual C 2010/2012;
- DirectX;
- Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller Driver.
Also, for correct configuration, you will need administrator rights.
Table of contents:
1. Wireless adapter DUALSHOCK 4 for PC.
3. Use in conjunction with DS4Windows and Input Mapper.
A few photos:
On September 19, 2016 (in Russia in October), a wireless adapter for connecting DUALSHOCK 4 to PC and Mac appeared on sale - DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Adapter.
Unlike a regular Bluetooth adapter, the proprietary adapter promises to work all the functions of DUALSHOCK 4: touchpad, motion sensor, backlight and stereo headset, but only in applications that support these functions. Simply put, in services from Sony.
The adapter is available in two packaging options:
- blister (CUH-ZWA1U);
- box (CUH-ZWA1E).
Blister version (CUH-ZWA1U) sold in Asian markets:
A boxed version of the adapter (CUH-ZWA1E) is sold in the official Russian retail:
System requirements:
Windows 7 (SP1), 8.1 or 10
3.5 GHz Intel Core i3 or 3.8 GHz AMD A10 or better
2 GB of RAM or more
Sound card; USB port
Also (only in the American market) there was such a kit:
DUALSHOCK 4 Starter Kit for PC and Mac
The kit includes an official wireless adapter (for connecting to PC and Mac) and DUALSHOCK 4 (second revision).
With the advent of an official way to connect DUALSHOCK 4 to a PC, a very ghostly prospect looms on the horizon to see full support for the Sony gamepad from the side of PC games.
But today the picture is the following, the adapter is officially intended for using the gamepad in game streaming services: PS Now and PS4 Remote Play (remote play).
But all this is not important, tk. connected via the DUALSHOCK 4 adapter, is fully supported in the Steam client, with the ability to use (in control schemes for games) all the functions of DUALSHOCK 4, at your discretion. However, in the Steam client, the gamepad works great when connected via a regular Bluetooth adapter, or over a wire.
In order for gamepads connected via the adapter to see UWP applications Windows 10 RS2 and older (forza and other games), you can use the registry tweaks link once, link two.
First of all, a reasonable question arises, why did we surrender to the adapter from Sony, if we do not plan to use the above streaming services from Sony. There is also a cheap solution in the form of a Bluetooth adapter. Here are the main advantages of the adapter over the Bluetooth whistle:
- Through the adapter, you can output sound from a PC to DUALSHOCK 4 (both old and new), and if you connect a stereo headset, use its microphone. And the sound, by the way, is quite decent;
- Through the adapter, the gamepad will instantly and guaranteed to connect to a PC, without any nuances with drivers and connection quality, which very often occur when using random Chinese Bluetooth whistles;
- When connected via the original adapter, the battery built into the gamepad keeps the charge longer.
First nuance. Only ONE DUALSHOCK 4 can be connected to the adapter;
The second nuance. When connected via an adapter, the system sees the controller as wired. Those. the adapter itself is constantly presented to the system: a gamepad, headphones and a microphone. Regardless of whether DUALSHOCK 4 is connected to it or not:
Video:
This method of connection is good if you have one gamepad in the system. If you have several gamepads connected, or have a steering wheel, there may be some inconveniences. The fact is that the adapter is constantly listed in gaming devices as a gamepad, and in some games there may be confusion with the main pad (or steering wheel), and for normal detection of these devices in games, it may be necessary to disconnect the adapter. How to do this without pulling the adapter out of the USB port can be found in the second section.
Third nuance. The adapter has a different from DUALSHOCK 4 HWID, and even in those few PC games that have native support for DUALSHOCK 4, but released before the advent of the adapter, the Sony gamepad is not detected. This also applies to the new DUALSHOCK 4 V2.
The fact is that in the case of XInput compatible gamepads, such gamepads are initialized not by a unique identifier (HWID), but, roughly speaking, by the presence of support for the XInput API. Therefore, any XInput compatible controller is easily detected in games as XBox 360 compatible.
But native support for DUALSHOCK 4, which is a DirectInput device, is implemented in games for a specific HWID. And until the game developers add the required HWID to the game code or release a patch, the gamepad will not see the game, or will see it, but with confused axes and buttons.
It remains to be hoped that in the newly released games, the new device from Sony will not be forgotten. However, if there is support for the adapter and DUALSHOCK 4 (both versions) in Steam and DS4Windows, this does not seem particularly critical.
Wireless adapter:
Device name: DUALSHOCK®4 USB Wireless Adapter
HWID: 054C: 0BA0
DUALSHOCK 4 (first revision):
HWID: 054C: 05C4
DUALSHOCK 4 (second revision):
Device name: Wireless Controller
HWID: 054C: 09CC
2. The nuances of connecting to a computer and so on.
1. To pair the DUALSHOCK 4 - DUALSHOCK®4 USB Wireless Adapter, you need to press the adapter into the USB port (it works like a button) and wait until the indicator on the adapter blinks quickly. After that, hold down the SHARE + PS buttons on DUALSHOCK 4 for at least 3 seconds (the lightbar of the gamepad should blink quickly) and wait for the pairing of the devices.The gamepad's light bar should light up without blinking, with a pale blue light:
On the adapter, the blue indicator on the end should also light up without blinking:
2.
A pair of wireless adapter + DUALSHOCK 4 can be connected to Android smartphone via OTG cable. Moreover, the sound from the phone to the stereo headset connected to the gamepad also goes, and the microphone on the headset works. The usual headset is included with the Galaxy S6 smartphone. I don't know in what situations such a strange construction can come in handy, just for information)))
3.
The essence of the problem was described above, the DS4 Wireless Adapter appears to the system as a gamepad, which in some use scenarios does not allow other gaming devices in the system to work normally: steering wheels and gamepads. games think DS4 is the main pad:
If you have only one gamepad, there is no steering wheel, steering wheel, etc., you don't have to read any further. You don't need this.
To work, we need devconx64.exe, which needs to be dropped into C: \ Windows \ System32 and the Autohotkey utility.
Let's continue ...
It is not humane and convenient to constantly cut off the adapter. Therefore, at first, I extinguished it using devconx64.exe so that it does not appear in gaming devices, using this batch file:
devconx64.exe status "USB \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * REV_0100" | findstr / C: "disabled"
if not errorlevel 1 (
devconx64.exe enable "USB \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * REV_0100"
) else devconx64.exe disable "USB \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * REV_0100"
The body shirt turns on the adapter, if it is disabled, and turns it off, if it is enabled. For the batch file, an admin shortcut is created through the scheduler so that the UAC window does not appear at startup and the whole thing is hung up on a key combination, in my case on an additional keyboard button. But in this situation, the gamepad itself does not turn off, but I would like to. And I also wanted DS4Windows to start when the adapter was turned on, and when the adapter was turned off it would be unloaded (well, I don’t like extra software in the background), especially in the same Steam, DS4Windows is not needed for dual shock.
This is where Autohotkey comes to our rescue. Here, I piled two scripts.
Tested on DS4Windows 1.4.73 from here.
First, launches the adapter, waits 6 seconds for the user to turn on the gamepad, launches DS4Windows (substitute your path to DS4Windows) and tweak HID \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * MI_03 so that the exclusive mode will work correctly under any usage scenarios:
#NoTrayIcon
Run, devconx64.exe enable USB \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * REV_0100 / minimized, C: \ Windows \ System32, Min
Sleep, 6000
Run, DS4Windows.exe / minimized, D: \ Program Files Other \ DS4Windows
Sleep, 500
Run, devconx64.exe disable HID \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * MI_03 / minimized, C: \ Windows \ System32, Min
Sleep, 500
Run, devconx64.exe enable HID \ VID_054C * PID_0BA0 * MI_03 / minimized, C: \ Windows \ System32, Min
Sleep, 500
exit
Gamepads can make a gamer's life much easier, especially considering the huge number of functions of the beloved Dualshock 4. It is not for nothing that more and more players are wondering how to connect a PS4 gamepad to a PC.
Connection methods
There is nothing complicated in configuring the controller, as it might seem at first glance. To do this, just read a short instruction, connect a gamepad and enjoy the result.
Sony Official Adapter
In 2016, Sony introduced its new wireless adapter. It connects the Dualshock 4 controller to Windows and Mac OS and allows you to use all the functions of the gamepad.
The downside is that only one controller is connected and such a pleasure costs $ 25. This is the main disadvantage of the device.
- Connect the adapter to the USB port on your PC or laptop.
- Wait for the automatic installation of the drivers.
- The controller is ready for operation.
Via USB port
This is the easiest and fastest way to integrate your device with your PC.
- Connect the controller with a standard micro-USB cable to a computer or laptop.
- Wait until the drivers are installed in automatic mode and the indicator light comes on.
Important! When connected in this way, the following will not work:
- Touch panel.
- Vibration.
- Gyroscope.
- Microphone and speaker.
- Headset connector.
Bluetooth
For this method, you must have a Bluetooth module installed. On laptops, it is enough to enable it in the settings, but for a PC you need to buy a special module. Most often it looks like a USB flash drive.
Important! When connected in this way, a number of functions do not work. Which one depends on the Bluetooth model.
Software for full use
For normal operation of all functions of the gamepad when connected via USB and Bluetooth, you need to use special drivers and utilities.
Steam
This is a full-fledged gaming platform that is installed on a PC and has games for every taste. A big plus is the ability to connect a controller without additional drivers.
For settings:
Advice! To customize the keys "for yourself" after starting the game, press "PS".
Xpadder
This is a versatile and simple program. It allows you to work with most controllers from well-known manufacturers. You can also customize each key "for yourself". But it is paid, although you can pay for such functionality.
To connect a gamepad:
DS4Tool
This is a good set of drivers that will solve the device compatibility issue. For the gamepad to work properly:
- Download the archive with drivers.
- For automatic installation, run ScpDriver.exe from the archive.
- Before connecting the controller, you should always run the ScpServer.exe file from the archive with the gamepad settings.
Attention! Be sure to run the ScpServer.exe file before connecting the controller, otherwise it will not work.
