FreeTrack Forum

I'm trying to get FreeTrack up and running.  I have it going with a Logitech QuickCam, but I'm getting terrible frame rates, for some reason.  I've heard that the Wiimote is very popular for FreeTrack, and I have one lying around, so I thought I'd try it instead.  I've got a Microsoft v3.0 bluetooth dongle, and I can get it to recognize the Wiimote through Microsoft's bluetooth stack, but I can't get FreeTrack to recognize it.  (FWIW, I also can't get Johnny Chung Lee's Whiteboard to recognize it either... when I start his program up, it says that no Wiimote was found in in the HID device list.)

Anybody else have this problem?  Anybody have any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks.

'Winder @ 30/12/2008 - 23h20 a dit:

I'm trying to get FreeTrack up and running.  I have it going with a Logitech QuickCam, but I'm getting terrible frame rates, for some reason.  I've heard that the Wiimote is very popular for FreeTrack, and I have one lying around, so I thought I'd try it instead.  I've got a Microsoft v3.0 bluetooth dongle, and I can get it to recognize the Wiimote through Microsoft's bluetooth stack, but I can't get FreeTrack to recognize it.  (FWIW, I also can't get Johnny Chung Lee's Whiteboard to recognize it either... when I start his program up, it says that no Wiimote was found in in the HID device list.)

Anybody else have this problem?  Anybody have any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks.

Hi Winder,

Wiimotes are not typical Bluetooth devices, resulting in some Bluetooth stacks not fully communicating with them.  Microsoft's stack is a known problem for at least some combinations of hardware & OS version.

In my case (built-in Broadcom-based Bluetooth in Vista 64), the BlueSoleil stack was the only one that got the job done. YMMV.

Some potentially useful references:

http://www.wiili.org/index.php/Compatible_Bluetooth_Devices

http://www.wiimoteproject.com/wiimote-and-bluetooth-connectivity/a-summary-of-windows-bluetooth-stacks-and-their-connection/

http://www.wiimoteproject.com/wiimote-and-bluetooth-connectivity/bt-problems-a-self-help-guide-**-please-read-before-posting-problem**/

Thanks for the links.

Before you go too nuts looking for needles in stacks like I did (I'm running XP on an AMD dual core yadayada)-

Anyway:  If you're using Widcomm...

You can get around the pairing dead-ends, by reverting back to a Widcomm version that lets you skip the pairing password nonsense.  If you think that's your problem, then thoroughly uninstall later Widcomm versions, and Blusoleil if you tried that.  By thoroughly I mean registry clean and reboot(s).  I use Revo Uninstaller trialware myself.  So if this may be your trouble, get those unfriendly stacks and wizards completely out, then-

Download Widcomm Bluetooth v5.1.0.5500 (I'll try and add a link here later, if it's not in CyBerkut's above)

With this version, I have no problems BUT you have to use this routine each time you start to go wii (or whee):

My Bluetooth Places
> Add a Bluetooth Device
> "Next"
> (Hold your blinkies 1+2)
> (click on Nintendo RVL-CNT-01 and be careful how you pronounce that)
> "Next"
> (still holding your blinkies) SKIP!
> (check the checkbox on Nintendo RVL-CNT-01 services)
> "Finish!"

Now that I've done it a few times, I fly through it in seconds.  But the Add BT Device wizard is mandatory EVERY TIME you boot your Wiimote.  I'm going to sit down and write a macro one of these days...

So if you think this might apply to you, try Widcomm BT 5.1 or earlier, and it may get you up and running.  I went through some unecessary headaches, and almost bought into some BS (I mean BlueSoleil) before I learned that the problem was with the front end (the guis) and not the stacks.

Good luck, when you get there it's worth it: my Wiimote cranks out a consistent 95-100 FPS for me with no CPU load, and FreeTrack smooths the motions out all silky. During setup, I even learned that funky Indian dance LR head-shift move.  I've never examined my own head movements so much before, and I'm convinced that Freetrack cam setup is excellent therapy for loosening up after all the tension of dealing with #$*&@ Bluetooth.

Anyway, I've never had one glitch since reverting to older Widcomm (some people hack in the wizards, stacks etc. but I don't see the need).  I've gone through 3 sets of batteries with complete stability.

My wiimote is definitely getting it's own power supply soon, if not more radical surgery to pull $%&#* Bluetooth (the worst-implemented protocol since paper cups and string).

Anywii, hope this helps out some other Widcomm BT users, before they go through all the headaches I did.

Thanks for all that info, Padesatka.  I've got a new dongle on order, thinking that v3.0 of Microsoft's transceiver might be the problem (not on the WiiLi's list of working dongles).  It comes with BlueSoleil drivers, so if those don't work, I'll try Widcomm.

:)