Difference in FFB from Calibrating in the XMB (G25 & G27)

grog · Sep 7, 2012

EDIT: So after more testing I've narrowed down what makes this force feedback feel different. It seems like it has nothing to do with the slot your DS3 is assigned to, But powering up the wheel while at the XMB first is making the difference.

Even my wheel calibrates in the game slightly differently, it comes to rest perfectly centered. If I dont power it up at the XMB when the wheel calibrates in the game it spins and then comes to rest a few degrees to the left (I'm not saying that the wheel center is off just where it comes to rest is off ), just a small observation.

You can disregard some of the discussion about controller Slots below, I would cross out the text but dont know how to do that.
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(This is all PS3/GT5 related)

So after reading a few comments about the proper way to calibrate a G25 (which is a totaly different topic) I decided to play around with some settings.

First thing I did was to plug in my G25 while I was in the XMB to let it calibrate, then I started the game and let it calibrate again (I'm not sure how big a role that aspect plays yet).
I noticed that the force feedback was acting differently depending on whether I set my DS3 controller to slot 1 or slot 2. I have my DS3 set to slot 1 so I can navigate menus, having it set to slot 2 assigns the wheel to slot 1.

I knew I was feeling something, but I was having a hard time putting my finger on the exact differences. I did a whole bunch of searching and it doesn't seem to be a topic thats been addressed.

All morning I've been going back and forth with various cars and FFB settings and from slot to slot. With the DS3 set to slot 2 I can feel more feedback from weight shifts. Also when turning into a corner with the rear stepping out, the steering lightens up more, helping me to feel when the car has actually rotated enough.

Its a subtle difference, but I definately prefer leaving the ds3 set to slot 2.

After a bit more testing I've come up with a few simple methods of feeling this difference.
Try both of these with the DS3 assigned to slot 1, and then slot 2.
(This was all done with a ASL Garaiya on sport hard tires with the force feedback set to 3, no driving aids)

#1: Driving at a steady 60 MPH on a straightaway weave back and forth (hold/grip the wheel lightly for this one), not drifting, just gently weaving. Take note of how much force is needed while it rotates left and right, then switch slots and compare.

#2 find a few corners to test the weight of the wheel (how much force is needed to turn). The first esses at Suzuka will work well. Enter the corners with a bit of a power slide and take note of how the weight of the wheel feels after the car has begun to slide and rotate into the corner. switch slots and compare.

I hoping to get some other folks to objectively test this out, if you would be so kind

NABeast · Sep 8, 2012

I was reading about this in the other thread. I am very curious to test this out. I especially want to since I have always set my DS3 to controller 1 since I've had my G27,I've never played any other way. I will test this out tonight and report back.

Edit: So far I haven't noticed any difference at all. I will try it a few more times and let you know.

mykem · Sep 8, 2012

I remember mentioning on GTP forum the same finding perhaps 2 or 3 years ago or even more- I was still playing GT5 Prologue. It's exactly as what you've just described.

What I found was that with the G25 assigned to controller 1/slot 1 and DS3 to 2 (or even not using the DS3 altogether), FF provided a much better sense of weight. Everything from being able to feel the car when cornering to braking. I wouldn't call it subtle because I was able to tell right away that something amiss if the G25 was accidentally set to slot 2. But at the same time, it's a comparative difference- had I not discovered the "phenomenon", I wouldn't know that there's a difference.

I've since moved onto T500RS wheel. What I discovered with the T500RS is that onto which USB port you connect the T500RS also makes a difference in how the FF feels (since I have both the wheel and the TH8RS shifter which plugs into its own USB port). But I'll leave that for another thread.

BWX · Sep 8, 2012

grog Are the settings getting changed when you switch. Also are you only referring to slot 1 or 2 or also USB port 1 and 2? mykem started confusing issue talking about USB slots.. just wanted to make sure.

I've never noticed this with G25 but I use Fanatec CSR now, but it should be the same because CSR wheel looks like G25 to PS3. That's how it is able to be used in GT5. You might have known that, just saying though.

razzerx · Sep 8, 2012

Tried switching usb and I see no difference. :crazy:

grog · Sep 8, 2012

BWX
grog Are the settings getting changed when you switch. Also are you only referring to slot 1 or 2 or also USB port 1 and 2? mykem started confusing issue talking about USB slots.. just wanted to make sure.

I'm refering to the slots that you assign the controllers to, not the actual USB port.
although I'm now leaning towards the start up/ calibration being the cause.

I have to admit I haven't entirely figured this out, so I appologise if it is confusing.

So after more testing I'm thinking that how you boot up the wheel is the more important factor.
I started GT5 up with the wheel off and I didn't get the same feel, I quit the game and fired up the wheel at the XMB and started the game up. after that the feedback seemed to be improved.

I'm going a bit crazy with all this testing, so I'm gonna take a bit of a break from it.

mykem · Sep 8, 2012

BWX
grog Are the settings getting changed when you switch. Also are you only referring to slot 1 or 2 or also USB port 1 and 2? mykem started confusing issue talking about USB slots.. just wanted to make sure.

I've never noticed this with G25 but I use Fanatec CSR now, but it should be the same because CSR wheel looks like G25 to PS3. That's how it is able to be used in GT5. You might have known that, just saying though.

The USB port refers to my experience with the T500RS only.

The first part of my posting is similar to the OP ie. slot or XMB controller (#) and not USB port.

BWX · Sep 8, 2012

Hmmm.... ok.

Shadow1130 · Sep 8, 2012

BWX
grog Are the settings getting changed when you switch. Also are you only referring to slot 1 or 2 or also USB port 1 and 2? mykem started confusing issue talking about USB slots.. just wanted to make sure.

I've never noticed this with G25 but I use Fanatec CSR now, but it should be the same because CSR wheel looks like G25 to PS3. That's how it is able to be used in GT5. You might have known that, just saying though.

This, Make sure both settings are equal in the options for controller 1 and controller 2. Since you say you use FFB 3, then when you switch to the other one it feels different? That is because Normal settings have FFB @ 5.

Meaning there is a 2point difference in the FFB you using, essentially making it feel different

BWX · Sep 8, 2012

Yup, the setting switching is a very big possibility.

mykem · Sep 8, 2012

Shadow1130
This, Make sure both settings are equal in the options for controller 1 and controller 2. Since you say you use FFB 3, then when you switch to the other one it feels different? That is because Normal settings have FFB @ 5.

Meaning there is a 2point difference in the FFB you using, essentially making it feel different

I believe there's only one (global) setting for FF. Even if you're using two wheels (instead of a wheel and a DS3), you can only set 1 FF setting that affects both. As to the DS3 it has its own Vibration setting (ON/OFF) just one scroll above the Wheel settings. Besides, PS/XMB/GT5 detects and operate wheels and gamepads differently provided, of course, that they're supported which is the case with G25 and Dualshock 3.

Raitziger · Sep 9, 2012

Possibility is that if wheel and pad are in same slot, sensitivity setting might kick up also in wheel. I have not noticed anything but here is a theory for you

grog · Oct 16, 2012

After a break I've come back to redress this question. It seems like the slot that the controller is assigned to has nothing to do with the force feedback changes.

The aspect that is effecting it is how you calibrate the wheel, powering up the wheel at the XMB before starting the game (it will calibrate again in game) is what causes this change in character for the force feedback.

Clevohead · Oct 17, 2012

so are you saying plug the wheel in after the game has loaded? not prior to loading game?

grog · Oct 18, 2012

Clevohead
so are you saying plug the wheel in after the game has loaded? not prior to loading game?

No, you have it backwards. Start the PS3 then plug in the wheel so that it calibrates once at the XMB (before starting the game), then start the game and it will calibrate again.

TRL_Importlife · Oct 19, 2012

grog
No, you have it backwards. Start the PS3 then plug in the wheel so that it calibrates once at the XMB (before starting the game), then start the game and it will calibrate again.

From day one of geting my g27 I've always 1st fired up ps3 2 plug in wheel 3 start up game 👍

Clevohead · Oct 19, 2012

grog
No, you have it backwards. Start the PS3 then plug in the wheel so that it calibrates once at the XMB (before starting the game), then start the game and it will calibrate again.

Cool, that is how I have been doing it when I set up to have a race any way.

And the port 1-2 issue is no difference at all?

So I can keep my DS3 as port 1 and the wheel as port 2 with no FFB effects?

grog · Oct 19, 2012

Clevohead
Cool, that is how I have been doing it when I set up to have a race any way.

And the port 1-2 issue is no difference at all?

So I can keep my DS3 as port 1 and the wheel as port 2 with no FFB effects?

To be honest i didn't look into the port used, I use port 1 though.

And to dgaf95Integra's comment, I always did the opposite when starting up GT5, so thats propably why I noticed the difference.