P.I. Engineering KnowledgeBase

Most of our X-keys USB devices are capable of operating in two very different modes. We call these "SPLAT Mode" and "Memory Resident Mode". A USB X-key in SPLAT Mode reports key states to a specific address in HID USB (HID consumer page). The Macro Works and MacroWorks II software monitors this address and translates the key down state into an action based on the X-keys profile the user defines. A USB X-keys in Memory Resident Mode identifies itself as a USB keyboard and sends key commands to the OS just like a ordinary USB keyboard.

Most X-keys users have one X-keys on one system and using SPLAT Mode is the best default setting. This is why we ship all X-keys USB devices in SPLAT Mode.

Programming a SPLAT Mode X-key is done by Macro Works or MacroWorks II software and the programming data is saved on the hard drive as a "profile". Programming a Memory Resident Mode X-keys can be done with either X-keys Macro Recorder software or an X-keys programming driver (both Windows based software) and the programming data is saved in an EEPROM internal to the X-keys.

The advantages of SPLAT Mode using Macro Works or MacroWorks II software include ease of programming multiple profiles, large Memory capacity, the capability of programming a mouse buttons, and other input device commands. The advantages of Memory Resident Mode include USB keyboard emulation (works on multiple platforms), and portability (self contained programming).

One disadvantage of SPLAT Mode is that Macro Works and MacroWorks II is limited to Windows operating system and iKey for X-keys is limited to Mac OS-X operating systems. However, our SPLAT Mode SDKs make it possible for the skilled programmer to get X-keys data from any OS which supports HID USB.

The disadvantages of Memory Resident Mode are memory limitation (1000 keystrokes for the entire unit) and input device emulation (keystrokes and mouse clicks only).

Here are the instructions on how to convert your X-keys to Memory Resident Mode.