PS3 Beta 2 Controller

Discussion in 'Rare and Obscure Gaming' started by PixelButts, Feb 16, 2016.

  1. PixelButts

    PixelButts Site Soldier

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    Hey everyone, so I just received a little time to work with my recent addition to my collection.
    As promised I will be doing a teardown in due time but at the moment my lighting absolutely awful and would only cause issues. But because I want to at least start this rolling, I wish to take some lesser quality pics to get a better idea of what we're working with.

    So what is this?

    This is what I'll be calling a Beta 2 PS3 controller as there were a number of different iterations of the controller before the design was finalized. I am no means an expert on the peripheral history, but this is the most logical placement of the controller I can think of in terms of it's known revision.
    In order it went something like this.
    The Boomerang -> Beta 1 -> Beta 2 -> Beta 3 -> Final

    So what's different about it? Is it's just visually different?

    Because I have not taken it apart yet, the answer is yes on visual differences, but it has some unique traits over the other versions that are out there.

    Well what's different then?

    The versions are fairly different in certain aspects. There were certain things carried over in each iteration.

    Boomerang
    Basically just a placeholder design, nothing really was carried over EXCEPT the PS Home Button.

    Beta 1
    Most similar to the PS2 Dualshock 2 controller, it carried over the L2 and R2 buttons as well as shape, Analog Button (and light), as well as a more similar shell to the Dualshock 2, has 2 USB ports on top as well (one assumed for FW updates). Footage can be seen here by @Borman and I assume pictures will follow too .

    Beta 2
    (Yellow sticker reads: Gセンサー搭載 Stick動作せず - Powered by the G Sensor, without moving the stick)
    Somewhat off from the former, it carried over the L2 and R2 buttons but now are unlabeled and are slightly smaller in length, had a slight change in shell shape to be more like the final (no bump present), now has a PS Home Button but no logo, the PS Home Button also has a light underneath like the former and Dualshock 2, Start and Select Gel Insers are also translucent coloured, has 1 USB port on top, LED lights to designate player assignment is in a rectangle shape around the USB port and has a clear plastic plate over them (likely to protect the circuit inside, as well as test how easy it is to make the LED light show on the controller). This version also has motors for rumble features.

    Beta 3
    Very close to the final controller you know and love (or hate, I wont judge). Only known differences I'm aware of is the light under the PS Home Button is still present

    Retail
    I'm going to hope you already know what this looks like...

    The controller so far does NOT work with a DECHA00A unit, but does have wireless capabilities as well. My guess is this is restricted to usage on a PS3 TOOL exclusively. Windows does not recognize it either.

    Anyway, here's some pictures of the outside of it for the mean time.

    [GALLERY=media, 722]Top Player IDs Lit by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 721]PS Home Button Lit by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 720]Beta 2 DS3 back comparisons by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 719]DS2 Beta 2 Triggers by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 718]DS2 Beta 2 tops by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 717]DS2 Beta 2 DS3 by PixelButts posted Feb 16, 2016 at 9:13 PM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 727]0217160816 by PixelButts posted Feb 17, 2016 at 9:02 AM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 726]0217160818 by PixelButts posted Feb 17, 2016 at 9:02 AM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 725]0217160819 by PixelButts posted Feb 17, 2016 at 9:02 AM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 724]0217160819a by PixelButts posted Feb 17, 2016 at 9:02 AM[/GALLERY]
    [GALLERY=media, 728]0217162017a by PixelButts posted Feb 17, 2016 at 8:55 PM[/GALLERY]



    Updated to include pictures from inside the controller (as far as I'm able to get without further issues as now one of the 4 top LEDs is not working)
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2016
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  2. aspect

    aspect Site Supporter 2015

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    There were two iterations of the "Beta 1". One has a bit of PCB sticking out the back, the other doesn't. They otherwise appear similar. I'll try to grab some pictures this weekend.
     
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  3. PixelButts

    PixelButts Site Soldier

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    Updated the post to show some pictures.
    I have no idea what part of the controller is wired to those LED's but I'm mad that one is no longer working.

    Either way, new pictures
    @Borman @TriMesh how do they look?
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2016
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  4. Jackhead

    Jackhead Site Soldier

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    I first think maybe it has the same configuration as the DECR-1010U.
    And yes, work on firmware 2.50 tool.
    The battery also load and the 4 leds on top point to the 1-4.
    The analog sticks dont work. Maybe i need to go down with firmware...
    Dont have a game on firmware 2.50 at the mom. Will be best to test it.
     
  5. Moo

    Moo Gutsy Member

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    Why not a pic of the boomerang too?
     
  6. speedyink

    speedyink Site Supporter 2016

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    Rise, RIIIIISE from the dead.

    Curious, what hardware does the Beta 1 controller work with? The DECR1000A?
    Just curious if it would be possible to use one nowadays. As most definitely expected, they don't work with a standard PS3.

    A computer with Windows 10 seems to detect it. It installs as "Bluetooth Controller", and the left stick seems to function, in a very bizarre way (hard to explain, almost like the circle got split into 4 and those 4 chunks then rotated 90 degrees). It also detects a "slider" which..I can't get to do anything. None of the other buttons/stick seem to adjust that slider. Probably all to do with inproper drivers due to there just not being any for this controller.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2018
  7. PixelButts

    PixelButts Site Soldier

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    It's firmware related. For Windows it's pretty straight forward.
    I dont remember which one but @Jackhead might remember
     
  8. Pikkon

    Pikkon "Moving in Stereo"

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    This has to be my favorite pic of the boomerang controller,so tiny.

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. PixelButts

    PixelButts Site Soldier

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    I have shared that pic so many times since I first found it that I wouldnt be surprised if you saved it from somewhere I dropped it.

    It's astoundingly small and as one person I know could vouch for it
     
  10. speedyink

    speedyink Site Supporter 2016

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    What is this, a controller for ants?

    Thanks for the info PB, seeing if Jackhead chimes in. Curious which firmwares are compatible
     
  11. MBMM

    MBMM Powered by Pied Piper

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    Even as a placeholder I think it was a bad idea. Did this one or others like it ever end up in the wild?
     
  12. PixelButts

    PixelButts Site Soldier

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    None that I'm aware of
     
  13. Pikkon

    Pikkon "Moving in Stereo"

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    The silver dummy ps3 does look small as well,can anyone confirm.
     
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