Peter Nyboer

I'm trying out a Visiosonic/PCDJ DAC3, which is an HID device with DJ-style

controls. I've tried it on OSX and XP max 4.56. I've gotten very different

On a mac, it shows up in the menu and I can poll it for values. On XP, the

hi object, however, can't find it, and no data comes through. As a matter of

fact, the hi object on XP doesn't even report the Apple Keyboard or

Microsoft Mouse, even they show up (along with the DAC3) in XP's Device

I am able to use visiosonic's testing tool ( on XP) to send data to the

device, so I know there is at least one direction of communication!

Is there something more to this hi business on XP?? The "info" button is

just reporting 0 devices. I've tried to search for troubleshooting hints to

I'm trying out a Visiosonic/PCDJ DAC3, which is an HID device with DJ-style
controls.  I've tried it on OSX and XP max 4.56.  I've gotten very different
results!
On a mac, it shows up in the menu and I can poll it for values.  On XP, the
hi object, however, can't find it, and no data comes through. As a matter of
fact, the hi object on XP doesn't even report the Apple Keyboard or
Microsoft Mouse, even they show up (along with the DAC3) in XP's Device
Manager.
I am able to use visiosonic's testing tool ( on XP) to send data to the
device, so I know there is at least one direction of communication!

Is there something more to this hi business on XP??  The "info" button is
just reporting 0 devices.  I've tried to search for troubleshooting hints to
no avail - anyone have any ideas?

hi-object-crossplatform-inconsistencies

The hi object is really just a Max object shell around operating

system utilities that do all the really difficult work of interfacing

with USB devices. Unfortunately (for me, mostly) the Microsoft and

Apple APIs are completely different, and as you've discovered it's

kind of a crapshoot as to what device will work on what platform. One

thing is for sure: mice and keyboards have never worked with the

The hi object is really just a Max object shell around operating
system utilities that do all the really difficult work of interfacing
with USB devices.  Unfortunately (for me, mostly) the Microsoft and
Apple APIs are completely different, and as you've discovered it's
kind of a crapshoot as to what device will work on what platform.  One
thing is for sure: mice and keyboards have never worked with the
Windows version of the hi object.

thanks for the reply, Ben. that is sad. any recommendations on resources on how I can tap into the "source" data? evidently it will take a custom object to do so - just wondering if there are code examples or webpages. searching for HID and the ilk is WAY too cluttered!

thanks for the reply, Ben.  that is sad.  any recommendations on resources on how I can tap into the "source" data?  evidently it will take a custom object to do so - just wondering if there are code examples or webpages.  searching for HID and the ilk is WAY too cluttered!

> thanks for the reply, Ben. that is sad. any recommendations on resources on how I can tap into the "source" data? evidently it will take a custom object to do so - just wondering if there are code examples or webpages. searching for HID and the ilk is WAY too cluttered!

Yeah, it's a giant mess. There are eight billion APIs and no two are the same.

One thing I haven't explored is the Javajoystick connection. Maybe

there's a more consisitent cross-platform engine there. If you find

anything worthwhile I'd be happy to help you put together a class.

> thanks for the reply, Ben.  that is sad.  any recommendations on resources on how I can tap into the "source" data?  evidently it will take a custom object to do so - just wondering if there are code examples or webpages.  searching for HID and the ilk is WAY too cluttered!

Yeah, it's a giant mess.  There are eight billion APIs and no two are the same.

One thing I haven't explored is the Javajoystick connection.  Maybe
there's a more consisitent cross-platform engine there.  If you find
anything worthwhile I'd be happy to help you put together a class.

at this point, java is verboten for the project, unfortunately. I've been able to get some support from the company that makes it, so i'll probably have to find someone to make a custom object for this....

thanks for the offer...
at this point, java is verboten for the project, unfortunately.  I've been able to get some support from the company that makes it, so i'll probably have to find someone to make a custom object for this....

Hi object crossplatform inconsistencies.