Setup & Operation

Setup & Operation

Introduction

Out of the box, the JVS-PAC 2 behaves like a keyboard, suitable for use with MAME without any user configuration. In other words, if you have a working MAME setup, you can simply connect the JVS-PAC 2 and things should work.

Setup and configuration

Connect the cabinet’s JVS I/O board to the JVS-PAC 2, and the JVS-PAC 2 to your computer or console using a data-capable USB cable. Power off before connecting or reseating JVS cables.

Press B to move through the OLED menus, and A to change a setting. Choose SAVE CONFIG to keep your settings on the microSD card, and wait for it to finish before powering off.

The USB mode menu lets you choose Keyboard, XInput, Switch or PS3. Keyboard uses the mappings below. XInput provides two gamepads and supports analog controls. Switch and PS3 each provide two digital controllers, without keyboard, mouse or analog output.

Changes between Keyboard and XInput take effect immediately. Changing to, from, or between Switch and PS3 requires SAVE+REBOOT. Menus for analog and rotary controls appear when suitable hardware is connected; analog also requires XInput mode.

Controlling MAME and MiSTer – shift mode

In MAME, to quit games, control volume, pause a game etc, you would normally use a keyboard. The JVS-PAC 2 makes this easy by having the 1P Start button work a little differently. Choose Off, Mame ESC, Mame Full, Mister Core or Mister Full in the OLED menu. Shift mode works with both Keyboard and XInput output.

No shift mode

If you don’t want the shift key functionality, choose Off.

Mame ESC – exit games only

This is the default shift mode. Hold 1P Start for more than two seconds, then release it to send ESC and exit the game. A normal tap sends the key configured for 1P Start on release.

Mame Full

Mame Full adds the shortcuts below to the long-press ESC function. Activate by pressing and holding 1P Start, then one of the inputs below. Using a shortcut cancels the long-press action.

MiSTer shift modes

Mister Core lets you open core selection by holding 1P Start for more than two seconds, then releasing it. This sends Alt+F12. Mister Full adds the shortcuts below, plus volume up and down on Player 1 up and down. Hold 1P Start, then use the input. Using a shortcut cancels the long-press action.

Default Keyboard Mapping

This section details the keys sent in Keyboard mode, based on cabinet input. The mapping is tailored for use with MAME. Coin slots 3 and 4 send 7 and 8, and the tilt input sends T.

Cabinet related

Player input

*) If a shift mode is enabled, a normal tap on 1P Start sends “1” on release.
Player 3 and 4 require either a Capcom I/O in four-player mode or a linked setup. Four-player output uses Keyboard mode.

Changing keyboard layout

If you have special needs, or want to wire up an extra button for non-game use, you can change the keyboard mapping by editing jvspac2.ini, generated when saving the configuration. Power off before removing the card. Edit the entries under [keyboard], safely eject the card, then put it back and power on.

For example, M_P1B1=KEY_Z assigns player 1 button 1 to Z. Use KEY_NONE to disable an input’s keyboard output. Shift shortcuts remain fixed. The following keys are available, along with KEY_VOLUMEUP, KEY_VOLUMEDOWN and KEY_MUTE:

Last Updated on 2026-10-16 by admin