USB Zero Delay Encoder and SteamVR

[Mistermann]

NEWB Warning - this is my first post on this area of the forums and I am brand new to this subject.  I stumbled on @Pac-Man (Overkill) button box video a couple weeks ago and decided to make one for myself.

Here's the video for anyone interested.

So I embarked on this journey and created my own version that ended up looking like this:

Throughout my build I constantly checked to make sure the switches worked in DCS as I expected.  I used RSMapper to make sure the proper keyboard entries were sent to DCS all is good there.

I just went to test out VR as this is my main way of flying DCS.  I get into the cockpit and start testing the switches and get to the last toggle (the one with the rubber cap) and when I flip it, the SteamVR Library comes up on my screen.  So I figure by keybind for that switch triggered a Steam command instead of the DCS command.

Long story short, I turned off RSMapper to prevent any keybinds from being sent from the box.  BUT ... SteamVR still interprets the toggle switch as me wanting to start the Steam library.  After messing around further, there are other buttons that activate different SteamVR options as well.

I spent about and hour trying to get steam to IGNORE this USB Controller.  Steam "sees" it as an XBOX controller which makes sense.

Question to the experts here:

How do I hide the controller from steamVR so my new button box doesn't trigger steamVR overlays when in DCS - or somehow prevent SteamVR from reacting to the buttons?  Note:  I prefer to avoid OpenXR, I've had nothing but trouble with it.

Thanks.

[Mistermann]

For anyone wondering, I have tried all sorts of settings on SteamVR.  Here's what's happening in DCS

I don't have any controllers.  I use a Pimax HMD.

Here's the setting for SteamVR from Steam itself

And the controller tab where I disable Steam input.

And the Controller General Settings where I hid the USB device from Steam

Yet ... when I start SteamVR (DCS starts it when I have VR turned on, I don't actually go into Steam and start SteamVR), it still "sees" the stinkin' USB controller!

I am hoping there's someone out here who's built a button box like this and navigated through these waters already.  I am reaching the end of my rope on this one.

Thanks.

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

no idea but I will follow this as Im planning upgrading my DIY collective with that board for extra buttons.
I also built one for simracing, using Steam and Assetto Corsa Competizione, and never found an issue.
However I use OculusVR instead of SteamVR, Rift S user here.

[Pac-Man]

Wow!! I have never seen such a thing... I couldn't even begin to understand why it would do that even with RSMapper closed... I have never ran into this

 

[Mistermann]

1 hour ago, Pac-Man said:

Wow!! I have never seen such a thing... I couldn't even begin to understand why it would do that even with RSMapper closed... I have never ran into this

 

Crap ... not what I wanted to hear 

Yeah RSMapper is not even running.  I did open a ticket with valve, but don't hold much hope for an answer.  I am starting to lean towards OpenXR and trying to figure out why it runs 50% slower than SteamVR on my machine.  OR ... I just scrap the box completely.  I REALLY hate the thought of that, however, because its so darn cool.  Thanks for the reply, @Pac-Man!

[No1sonuk]

I suppose one option would be to try using an Arduino Pro Micro or Leonardo in the box.

[Mistermann]

7 hours ago, No1sonuk said:

I suppose one option would be to try using an Arduino Pro Micro or Leonardo in the box.

Yeah - definitely an option.  Thanks for that suggestion.  I have pondered it, but honestly its low on the option list.

After yesterday's frustration in trying to find a solution and seeing more Steam configurations screens than I care to admit, I think I have a compromise.  It appears there's only one switch that triggers an overlay from Steam over DCS.

Again, I have no idea why this is happening, but it appears this situation isn't prevalent across all implementations of a USB Zero Delay Encoders.  I tested the box again and all other switches work without unintended consequences.  

So, while I am not giving up on getting a solution, I am going to sacrifice a button from the box and simply not use the offending plug.  Not ideal, but better than simply throwing out the baby with the bathwater.  

I remain optimistic that someone out there has experienced this and has a solution.  Searches over Steam's forum found only a couple of references to USB Zero Delay Encoder - none of which had a solution.

Thanks.

[LASooner]

Yeah - definitely an option.  Thanks for that suggestion.  I have pondered it, but honestly its low on the option list.
After yesterday's frustration in trying to find a solution and seeing more Steam configurations screens than I care to admit, I think I have a compromise.  It appears there's only one switch that triggers an overlay from Steam over DCS.

Again, I have no idea why this is happening, but it appears this situation isn't prevalent across all implementations of a USB Zero Delay Encoders.  I tested the box again and all other switches work without unintended consequences.  
So, while I am not giving up on getting a solution, I am going to sacrifice a button from the box and simply not use the offending plug.  Not ideal, but better than simply throwing out the baby with the bathwater.  
I remain optimistic that someone out there has experienced this and has a solution.  Searches over Steam's forum found only a couple of references to USB Zero Delay Encoder - none of which had a solution.
Thanks.

Steam sees it as an XBox controller, is that switch mapped to what would be the XBox or the options button? I can only assume that those buttons in STeam bring up the Steam options in VR.

Sent from my Samsung Chromebook Plus using Tapatalk

[Mistermann]

4 hours ago, LASooner said:

Steam sees it as an XBox controller, is that switch mapped to what would be the XBox or the options button? I can only assume that those buttons in STeam bring up the Steam options in VR.

I didn't map anything in steam.  If there's a way to unmap, great.  I spent hours with the configuration tool trying to accomplish it but nothing worked.  I'm am absolutely sure this is a "me issue" and there's a way to turn off xbox controller input into steam.  Unfortunately, that process has escaped me (its not due to a lack of research).  For now, I have sacrificed that button from the box.

If you have a resource you can point me to that explains how to unmap the controller from Steam it'd be most appreciated.  Thanks.