Elgato Stream Deck Button Box (DCS)

[@BronxCowboy]

Thank you so much for the time and effort behind this. It’s a great primer on how to set up STREAMDECK. The resources you list are invaluable. Your explanations are very clear. Thanks so very much!!!

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words Warren!

[@toucann8]

What a brilliant idea! No more fiddling around with a keyboard whilst trying to fly at the same time. I'm going to have to give this a try.

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words. I think you’ll really enjoy it!

[@equalsql7508]

Nice job! Very impressive. I'm hoping to pick up the XL tomorrow to use with DCS so it's great to see what's possible.

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words. Hope you enjoy your purchase. It's a fantastic fit for DCS!

[@SpaceGaucho_]

this is an awesome idea! thanks for sharing

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it!

[@r6fan524]

this is so good big brain

[@Warwolf_69]

hey man can you show up what yu got or maybe make it downloadable the f15 eagle menu and the trackir menu i owne only a 15key streamdeck buut still i want to use it for all my dcs planes wich for now is only f18 and fc3 so yeah if you can do just that it would be awesome man thx

[@stewmanji]

Hey there, thanks for stopping by. Since making this video I've transitioned over to using some profiles generated by other folks on the official DCS User Files site. I highly recommend them. For the F-15, give this a shot: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3316802/ For the F-18, I would recommend this: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3316514/ The F-18 profile makes use of some additional software but it's HIGHLY worth it. It makes it so that your stream deck will sync with the game. Hope that helps!

[@Warwolf_69]

@@stewmanji TAHNKS!!!!!

[@Yeqq]

This is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks a lot! Could you please share profiles for the other aircraft as well? :D

[@stewmanji]

Sure thing! The F-18 is the only aircraft I really developed an in-depth profile for but I'm hoping to fix that soon. Once I complete the others I'll put up a link to my profile!

[@icefalcon2253]

Hi, It's a nice profile. Thank you. I also bought two stream decks. If possible, I would be grateful if you could publish a detailed profile of the F-16 next time.

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the nice comments. I’m afraid I haven’t done much with the F-16 yet but as soon as I do I’ll share it here!

[@alebuba]

Hi, very interesting ; in your opinion it can be used also for non clickable cockpits? For example I have flaming cliffs but I’d like to configure some more bottons that I can’t assign to the hotas . Is that possible ? Thank you very much

[@TheDarthraist]

Awesome, thanks for tips. It looks great.

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words. Glad it was helpful!

[@User70007]

Love this video! You’re setup is awesome! I see it’s a couple years old since you uploaded this to KZbin….Do you have any updated files or profiles since you last posted?

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kinds words! I have made lot of changes to my setup recently (hope to make some new videos soon) but as far as profiles go, I’m mainly using a few created by other players with some slight customizations. These profiles are 95% of what I’m using currently: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/filter/user-is-jonny415/apply/

[@X1j5]

So sick!

[@CarstenDittrich2014]

Looks good. How do you make the decks switch? e.g. from menu (left deck) to submeny (middle stream deck)??

[@stewmanji]

Within the Stream Deck software, you have the option of controlling which profile is shown on another stream deck. In this case, I create each sub-menu as it's own profile on the middle stream deck. Then, on my left stream deck, I create a "switch profile" button for each sub-menu. Then it's just a matter of telling the software that when I press this button on my left stream deck, switch to this profile on the middle stream deck. The software makes this process very straight forward and once you get one up and running, the rest are very quick to finish.

[@Data-FlightSim]

That looks amazing! Wondering if you would be so kind as to make your steam deck profile available? Thanks!

[@stewmanji]

Hey RR, thanks for the kind words. Yes, I'll try to post my profile in videos comments here shortly. Hope it's useful!

[@heeder777]

I have two stream decks and will give this a try. I’m currently using Helios. Will they function together with both LUA’s in the scripts folder? Great information and a real reason to use Stream Deck!

[@stewmanji]

They should work just fine. I also use Helios and I've never had any problems running both. That said, the basic functionality of just assigning Stream Deck to keyboard buttons that are already being used by DCS won't require any LUA. That functionality is provided via the Elgato software. The only case in which you would need to edit your LUA would be if you wanted to integrate your stream deck to work with something a bit more sophisticated like DCS-BIOS. Even then, it won't cause any conflicts. I hope that helps!

[@heeder777]

@@stewmanji Thanks! I installed the profile and it's working great and Helios is still running fine. I'm new to the Stream Deck but once you understand how to assign the buttons it's easy. I appreciate all your information. Maybe since I can find the buttons faster I will sacrifice myself online in DCS. Thanks again.

[@stewmanji]

@@heeder777 Hahaha, I wish I could say finding the buttons faster helps but I still make craters with my aircraft pretty regularly! Fly safe and don't be afraid to reach out if you have any more questions down the road.

[@drwilkos]

Great video! I can’t get the idle/left or right to work with the multiple key presses. Any advice? Seems to be an issue with press and hold. How did you do yours?

[@stewmanji]

Hi Darrick. Sorry for the late response. Have you checked the "Differentiate right/left modifiers" button? To the right of the hotkey "click to assign" box, there is a drop down in which you'll find this option. That might be why you are having trouble. The game is setup to use a button like "Left Ctrl + End" but the stream deck is only transmitting "Ctrl + End" because it's not setup to differentiate between Left Ctrl and Right Ctrl keys. It took me a while to figure this out myself and was the source of a lot of problems for me initially. I hope this is the cause of your problem as well and that this fix solves it for you!

[@drwilkos]

@@stewmanji That worked, thank you so much!

[@vinniehat]

This is awesome! If you're able though, would you be able to make one just for the regular streamdeck? When I was installing the profiles it basically needs me to either use just the XL or use both XL and the regular, but I only have the regular size stream deck.

[@tver]

Nice! I was looking into the Streamdeck as a multipurpose button box for sim flying and racing. I did not know you can have multiple Streamdecks interacting with eachother, but that's great to know, since it opens up even more options. 1 question: Can the Streamdeck read toggle positions from DCS?

[@stewmanji]

Hey tver, thanks for stopping by! Out of the box, the stream deck cannot read toggle positions from DCS. However, some enterprising folks have made this possible via a stream deck plugin that connects to DCS-Bios. I haven't given it the time it deserves, but I've had some early success with it. Here's a link to a video series that walks you through how it all works: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIGun6Nsha-Ibbc

[@tver]

@@stewmanji Awesome, thx! This is quite far removed from those eprom-boxes in the 90s.. ;)

[@Conan_Obrien]

Great video, thanks. Is there a limit to how many sub menu pages you can create on the stream deck? Is it just folders within folders?

[@stewmanji]

Thanks for the kind words. There is no limit to the number of sub-menus you can make using the StreamDeck's folder setup so you can make things as nested as you'd like. In addition to sub-folders, you can create multiple "profiles" which can act as sub-menus but it allows you to name them and link directly to them. That's very useful if you want to use one stream deck to control another, but the sub-menus are probably all you need if you only plan to get one stream deck. They're incredibly customizable!

[@Try_n_2Tri]

Great vid - can you get away with the 15 button alone or do I just take the plunge and get the 32 button? They are $150 difference in price is why I ask. Thank you

[@stewmanji]

Hi @Lesal8403. You can definitely get away with just the 15 button version. It just requires more work on your end to make a lot of additional pages. And you'll have to get comfortable navigating all the additional sub-pages. That said, the customizability of these things are terrific so they're only limited by your creativity. My recommendation would be to save up for the 32 deck, if possible, as I think it just makes your life easier...but the 15-button version is definitely a solid purchase! Hope that helps!

[@Try_n_2Tri]

@@stewmanji I knew that was the answer.. and I think I will regret not waiting the extra few weeks to just get the 32 key deck. Now the real challenge comes - setting up the buttons and pages etc. Yikes. Thank you for reply.

[@geertwouters3521]

Is your streamdeck still working? Because i read about pixels duying out. What do you prefer: streamdeck or helios with a touchscreen. What touchscreen would you advice? Because Buying two streamdeck would cost about the same as a touchscreen . Thx man

[@stewmanji]

Hi Geert, apologies for the delay in getting back to you! Yes, all of my streamdecks are working great. I haven't any pixel issues and I use them daily. I haven't heard any pixel-related issues from others in the DCS community so I'm guessing those reports might be few and far between, but my experiences are very anecdotal. The decision to go with a streamdeck or helios is a tough one. Honestly, if you're not interested in any of video exports (i.e. exporting the MFD screens or the RWRs) then I would go for the streamdeck. I love the tactile feeling of being able to hit a button, but that's very much a personal preference. I also find the ease of setup much easier with the Streamdeck. Enough profiles exist now that make it very easy to get up and running right out of the box. Helios has much improved over the years, but it's very fickle and I honestly find myself troubleshooting it with each new update more than I do enjoying it. That said, Helios is capable of much, much more (e.g. the MFD exports, the instrumentation export, etc...) so it's not necessarily an apples to apples comparison. I guess it comes down to what you're looking for. If you just want to have better control inputs, I'd go streamdeck. Anything more than that and I think Helios + touchscreen is a better choice. I hope that helps a bit! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@stpeeke]

@@stewmanji thx very much. I feel more drawn to streamdeck reading this but i will first fly some more trying to find out if i can read the instruments without extra screen. Because the inscriptions in my cockpit are not well readable. Like the bombs arming and selector in the p51 inscriptions are not readeable. I need to check on a chart to check what position i need to put the selector in. I must find out if that is because of my settings or graphics card. Or that it is so for everyone. And will a touchscreen with helios solve the readability problem or should i buy another graphics card. I am 54, fulltime working but looking to enjoy flightsim now that life is permitting me some time to do so. Steep learning curve in Dcs though. And i dont need another learning curve in helios as well. Thx for your time and effort.

[@stewmanji]

@@stpeeke Welcome to DCS! I totally understand where you're coming from in terms of working full time and managing the learning curve that is DCS. It can be incredibly rewarding and equally frustrating during the times when you just want to come home, fly, and have everything work correctly! I wish you all the best as you on your hardware journey and good luck learning DCS. It's an absolutely fantastic community so don't be afraid to ask for help along the way!

[@iaidoman]

Can this setup be linked to individual helios cockpit displays? Press F18c and the relevant cockput is displayed, press A10c ... etc?

[@stewmanji]

Great question. I’ve honestly never tried so I’m not entirely sure. To do what you’re asking requires you click a few buttons in the Helios Profile control center. It’s possible that a macro script would do this and that’s something you could bind to a stream deck button. So, I’ll say maybe. If I have some time this weekend I’ll try to give it a shot and let you know!

[@iaidoman]

@@stewmanji cheers ears.. have fun.

[@Pedal2Pixels]

Being new to button boxes, is this as easy as plug and play with DCS? Would like to use for the Huey? Thanks

[@stewmanji]

Hello! The stream deck itself is a plug and play usb device, meaning windows will easily work with it using the included elgato software. However, it does not show up in game as a device like your joystick or your throttle. Instead, you bind the buttons via the elgato software outside the game. I usually launch DCS on one monitor and run the software on a second monitor to make the binding process a bit easier. Hope that makes some sense! I’d encourage you to search for a video or two which shows you the software. It’s very easy to use. You could be up and running with a decent Huey button box within an hour.

[@RafaelOliviera952]

how to fix that on a dedicated cockpit ?

[@stewmanji]

Hello! Depending on your setup, you can purchase a variety of mounting solutions that would allow you to secure a StreamDeck to your cockpit setup. Here are just a few: www.predatormounts.com/collections/the-phoenix-attachment-system www.monstertechusa.com/product/elgato-stream-deck-adapter/ If you have access to a 3D printer, you'll also find a wide variety of existing solutions on printables.com or thingiverse.com. Hope that helps!

[@stevenraycopley8885]

How do you get the streamdeck to talk to DCS ? I have them setup like yours, and have hotkeys bound to the icons on the streamdeck, but when I push them, nothing happens in game ?

[@stewmanji]

Any hotkeys that you make for the Stream Deck have to match the in-game key bindings for DCS. So you'll need to launch the game, go into the Options menu and then select Controls. Then for every aircraft you've made Stream Deck buttons for, you need to ensure the keybinds of those buttons match the keybind in-game. For example, if you made a Stream Deck hotkey for your landing gear that you mapped to the "G" key, then you need to ensure that the Landing Gear command in DCS is also mapped to the "G" key. It's a little tedious, but you need to do that for every button you bind. It's easiest if you just have the Stream Deck editor open at the same time when you're in-game with DCS. Then just alt-tab between the two screens to make sure the bindings match. Hope this helps!

[@Pedal2Pixels]

@@stewmanji Thank you for explaining it so simply, first person to do so :)

[@daemon3spade]

How do you work with this in VR?

[@stewmanji]

I don’t fly DCS in VR so I’m not sure how well it would work. I prefer pancake mode. There is a slight bump on the center button of the 15 button box that would help you find the center, but that’s about it for any touch aids.

[@daemon3spade]

@@stewmanji Alright thanks mate

[@rutrose2000]

Neat-O

[@derSebbes1]

Wow that would be an awesome solution for me...if It wouldn't cost 540 Euros :-(

[@Oldmandoom95]

Tsk