Guitar Hero III controllers suffering from defects

[Zeus]

A number of internet forums are buzzing with complaints from gamers regarding faulty Guitar Hero III controllers. Some posts indicate that buttons will just flake out over a random period of time with the detachable neck of the controller being the expected culprit for the respective bug. If the problem is indeed with the detachable neck then you can bet this one will be pretty wide-spread and these aren't just isolated problems.


The issue almost certainly stems from the detachable neck's contact system, which is truly unfortunate since the removable neck was generally a good idea. I hope that Red Octane will resolve this issue sooner rather than later. The button problem seems to be appearing on many message boards, so I don't believe my problem is an isolated one.


News Source: <A href="http://lawofthegame.blogspot.com/2007/10/guitar-hero-iii-problems-with.html" target="_blank">lawofthegame</a>

[gizbug]

No problems with my wii version

[Projects]

Haven't had any problems yet with my 360 one.

[LeGioN1202]

No problems with my PS3 version.

[mystic54]

I knew something was up. I have had this happen only about 3 times in the 6 hours I have played it so far. I still think that is a bit too much, but I didn't have it happen the last couple hours I played today so maybe everybody just has to break theirs in?

[grapeape]

wow maybe walmart's "classic pack" is accidently doing gamers a favor???

[blade47167]

Hmm neither I nor my cousin have experienced any problems. He has the PS2 version and I have the PS3 version. Might just be how far they are standing from the sensor.

[mystic54]

So far I have only heard about the Xbox 360 having issues as I am following the story over at Kotaku at the moment.

[tonythemediaguy]

I was having problems too. I turned off the ceiling fan that I was standing under and that seemed to help. The problem I was having was that it wasn't recognizing me holding down a long note. It would just cut off as if I had let go.

[kpasko]

I have the ps3 version and it seems a bit laggy to me. Even if I calibrate the lag for the controller it still seems as if the music and the notes aren't in sync. I tried setting the calibration to 0ms, 25ms, 69ms, and now I'm on 88ms but nothing seems to be working. I'm running my ps3 through a vizio HDTV via hdmi cable and I have the sound is going through an Aiwa receiver. I wonder if that could be the issue. :confused:

[Mikeyy]

I have the ps3 version and it seems a bit laggy to me. Even if I calibrate the lag for the controller it still seems as if the music and the notes aren't in sync. I tried setting the calibration to 0ms, 25ms, 69ms, and now I'm on 88ms but nothing seems to be working. I'm running my ps3 through a vizio HDTV via hdmi cable and I have the sound is going through an Aiwa receiver. I wonder if that could be the issue. :confused:

Is your HDMI going directly to the Reciever? try bypassing that for a min, and see if it helps.

[blade47167]

I have the ps3 version and it seems a bit laggy to me. Even if I calibrate the lag for the controller it still seems as if the music and the notes aren't in sync. I tried setting the calibration to 0ms, 25ms, 69ms, and now I'm on 88ms but nothing seems to be working. I'm running my ps3 through a vizio HDTV via hdmi cable and I have the sound is going through an Aiwa receiver. I wonder if that could be the issue. :confused:

Ummm you know that well the game calibrates itself. Just hit calibrate button and time your strokes and it will set it to optimal calibration. You shouldn't try just any random number.

But your issue is different I think. My uncle also has a Vizio and we could never get any Guitar Hero game to properly sync with it. The TV probably is built cheaply and doesn't send the video as quickly as it comes in or something.

So my advice to you is try on another TV.

[sigma8]

I have the ps3 version and it seems a bit laggy to me. Even if I calibrate the lag for the controller it still seems as if the music and the notes aren't in sync. I tried setting the calibration to 0ms, 25ms, 69ms, and now I'm on 88ms but nothing seems to be working. I'm running my ps3 through a vizio HDTV via hdmi cable and I have the sound is going through an Aiwa receiver. I wonder if that could be the issue. :confused:

I have the PS3 version too. I have it outputting via optical directly to my receiver, and I have the video outputting over HDMI to my DLP projector. Before I calibrated, I was dying during Hit Me with Your Best Shot in the first set--which honestly wasn't that tough of a song.. I calibrated, first to around 25ms, and later to 50ms as I got further down the playlist.

It seems to help a lot, but I still feel like sometimes it just isn't hitting any notes at all. Especially when it's a rapid succession of notes and it's just "doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo" etc.. and you can HEAR the notes in the song, and are strumming to that, but I still get the "plink-bonk-dink-bunk" of error-ridden playing. I'm sure some of it is me, but it seems excessive--especially provided how forgiving it tends to be on isolated notes.

I just feel the control is not as tight as GH1 or GH2.

I'm also surprised I needed to calibrate! I thought outputting at 720p on my native 720p projector would be as lag free as one could hope. When I have my desktop outputting to it, moving the mouse seems perfectly fine and non-laggy. You'd think a 50ms delay would be somewhat noticeable.

[DevHooker42000]

well i have GH3 on my ps2 HDD and component cables going to my olevia hdtv, i also have the ps3 version of guitar hero 3 and with hdmi on the same tv the ps3 version seems laggier and is totally off sync with the notes like a half a second but still annoying i accually prefer the ps2 version to the ps3 version, as the online mode seems to freeze up the entire system.........so basicly ps2 version plays better and ps3 version looks better but feels like it still has the little bugs GH2 had...also i got my ps2 sg controller to work on gh3 with the USB-PS2 controller adapter......but its a shame my 3rd party ps2 wireless GH controller doesnt work on either version:mad:

[wassabi]

I already have the solution. Unlock/remove the neck and re-attach. Problem solved.

Those little contact pads on the inside only come into contact with the pins over an area the size of a pin point. Something as small as a hair can gunk up the connector.

[wigsplitta]

This game is horrible! You can really tell that Harmonix wasn't involved with the development. They are selling the 360 version at Sams club with the GH2 controller. I figured it would work well with the Xplorer controller but it doesn't work well at all. I hit long notes and they stop for no reason. Short notes also don't register even though I'm hitting them on time. I went through calibration and it stayed at the default 0 so there is no lag. Shame on them for launching this pile of cow dung with Guitar Hero name attached to it. There is no doubt in my mind now....... I'm getting Rock Band.

[metalgod]

Does anyone know if the wii version has this calibration option?
Everyone once in a while I know I'm pressing the button at the proper time but it doesnt seem to register.

[sigma8]

Does anyone know if the wii version has this calibration option?
Everyone once in a while I know I'm pressing the button at the proper time but it doesnt seem to register.

Well, if you have it, go into the options menu. Calibration should be listed there. It may not have it, as the wording on the PS3 version says "may be a delay with some HDTV's" .... HOWEVER that should be irrelevant, as you can obviously play the Wii on HDTV....just not in HD.

Guitar Hero 2 had the calibration option as well.

[ShortFlip]

Well, if you have it, go into the options menu. Calibration should be listed there. It may not have it, as the wording on the PS3 version says "may be a delay with some HDTV's" .... HOWEVER that should be irrelevant, as you can obviously play the Wii on HDTV....just not in HD.

Guitar Hero 2 had the calibration option as well.

Didn't know that disclaimer was on the PS3 box, I only had a problem syncing the guitar for the first time, other than that no problems.

[kpasko]

I have the PS3 version too. I have it outputting via optical directly to my receiver, and I have the video outputting over HDMI to my DLP projector. Before I calibrated, I was dying during Hit Me with Your Best Shot in the first set--which honestly wasn't that tough of a song.. I calibrated, first to around 25ms, and later to 50ms as I got further down the playlist.

It seems to help a lot, but I still feel like sometimes it just isn't hitting any notes at all. Especially when it's a rapid succession of notes and it's just "doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo" etc.. and you can HEAR the notes in the song, and are strumming to that, but I still get the "plink-bonk-dink-bunk" of error-ridden playing. I'm sure some of it is me, but it seems excessive--especially provided how forgiving it tends to be on isolated notes.

I just feel the control is not as tight as GH1 or GH2.

I'm also surprised I needed to calibrate! I thought outputting at 720p on my native 720p projector would be as lag free as one could hope. When I have my desktop outputting to it, moving the mouse seems perfectly fine and non-laggy. You'd think a 50ms delay would be somewhat noticeable.

That sounds exactly like the problem I'm having. For some reason I am not able to play the chorus of barracuda. It's a very easy part but like you said... the rapid succession of the notes makes it difficult.

Ummm you know that well the game calibrates itself. Just hit calibrate button and time your strokes and it will set it to optimal calibration. You shouldn't try just any random number.

But your issue is different I think. My uncle also has a Vizio and we could never get any Guitar Hero game to properly sync with it. The TV probably is built cheaply and doesn't send the video as quickly as it comes in or something.

So my advice to you is try on another TV.

Yes, I know it does it automatically but I was purposely getting a higher response time just to try stuff out.

[koltz]

Try this:

Link (http://www.gamingdealz.com/issues-with-and-a-fix-for-guitar-hero-iii-controller-on-the-xbox-360.html)

Pretty much it says to clean the contacts on both the handle and base with isopropyl alcohol. Let dry, and reconnect. I tried it and so far haven't had an issue.