View source for Using PS3 Sixaxis Controller as a Joystick via Bluetooth

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[[Category: Remote Controls]]
[[Category: Input]]
[[Category: Tutorials]]

==Introduction==
It is VERY easy to set up your PS3 Controller to act as a bluetooth joystick that can be used for changing channels in MythTV.
This howto does not outline how to set up the controller with MythTV. Just to get the system recognising it.

==Bluetooth Pairing==
The pairing process is done with the controller connected via USB.

==Install Requirements==
You must have the libusb-dev and libusb-0.1-4 packages installed.
 sudo apt-get install libusb-dev libusb-0.1-4

==USB Pairing==

Connect the controller to a USB port.

Download [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sixaxis?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=sixpair.c sixpair.c] (save to a directory such as /home/linuxmce) and compile sixpair using
 gcc -o sixpair sixpair.c -lusb
Run sixpair 
 sudo ./sixpair
sixpair will echo
 Current Bluetooth master: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
 Setting master bd_addr to xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
Disconnect the USB cable

==Bluetooth Monitoring==

Stop the BlueTooth service
 sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth stop
Make sure all hcid processes are stopped
 sudo killall hcid
Run HIDP daemon in terminal
 sudo hidd --server --nocheck -n
Press the PS button on the Sixaxis hidd should echo
 hidd[pid]: Bluetooth HID daemon
 hidd[pid]: New HID device 00:19:C1:xx:xx:xx (Sony Computer Entertainment Wireless Controller)
Press Ctrl+C to end the process 
Start the BlueTooth service
 sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth start

That should be all you need to get your LinuxMCE box recognising the PS3 Controller as a joystick via bluetooth.
==Known Issues==
*The Sixaxis will not be hot pluggable. If turning on the Sixaxis after Ubuntu is already running you will have to toggle between alt+f1 and back to alt+f7.

==Additional Notes==
*All four lights on the back of the controller will flash even if the LinuxMCE box doesnt detect the controller, as at this point, LinuxMCE has no way of assigning controllers a number.