Using a game controller
I was wondering, is there anyway to make a game controller not have that 1/2 second delay when changing directions or etc? I would love to use my Rumble Pad 2 (only controller I have for this computer) but that delay makes me think I will die more often than I really should be (granted that will give me a good excuse lol but I would still rather not die, especially if trying for the 1-29 achievements).
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Flynn

I don't know if you are wired or wireless but I always used a wired controller. ( I use one for this game too ) Now, I can't say if this is true but someone once told me that any hardcore gamer uses a wired controller and never uses a wireless due to that possible delay.
Gamers prefer not to use wireless keyboards/mice/controllers because the latency between hitting a button and the computer acknowledging it is generally between 200-500 MS. If you've ever played a game that depended on fast reactions (shooter, RTS, action), that kind of latency will get you killed at mid-high levels of play.

There are a lot of problems that wireless can have, that wired is completely immune to. This is true whether you're talking about mice, keyboards, routers, or gamepads, though the details can vary from one type of hardware to another. Being able to draw power through a wire guarantees that you can't have battery problems. Being able to send a signal through a wire guarantees that something else can't get in the way and interfere.
Wired not only works better, but it's also cheaper. Wireless should only be for if you have some peculiar reason why you absolutely have to use wireless. If you think the cords are getting in your way, then get some twist ties or some such and tie them out of the way.
I use a wireless xbox 360 controller and I don't have that delay problem, I don't notice any difference in response between this controller and my other wired gamepads (sega usb controllers), so it's possible you have a driver problem or something like that
test your keyboard too, if you also have that half second delay go to the advanced video options and disable vertical synchronization, on some levels I had half a second delay because of it
Yes it is a wireless controller, and I have no delay on anything else I use it with which is why I was thinking it might be related to SK and not the controller itself.
I am not your hardcore gamer, so I never thought about getting a wired one, I mostly use it so I can sit on my couch with my feet up and play games on my PC with my TV.
I guess it could be the drivers for it, since I don't recall updating them in a while, but since it works fine on other things, I never considered that to be honest lol.
If its not the drivers, it would be what?

I use a wired Logitech Dual Action gamepad, and don't see any noticeable input latency. So it's not intrinsic to the game. Even if it were, I could just map gamepad buttons to keyboard keys and the game wouldn't even know I had a gamepad.
Okay, so what I'm getting from this is that you're using a wireless controller to play the game on your computer and displaying the game on your television instead of a traditional computer monitor?
A couple more questions: How far are you away from your computer and what kind of connection are you using to connect your computer and television?
There is still a slight delay, but it seems alot better than it was.
Yes you are correct, its a TV not a traditional monitor. To answer your questions, I am no more than 10 feet away, its HDMI to the TV.
I am thinking this is going to be as good as it gets, which is fine, just know that I will die a bit more than normal till I adjust to it lol. Sorry in advance to all who party with me!
Flynn
Depending on the size and make of your television, the response time on it is probably contributing to the delay you experience. You're pretty much using two devices that aren't really conducive to an optimal gaming experience.
If you updated your drivers and still experience the delay, the only other things I can think of that would help would be switching to a wired controller and using a traditional monitor.
@nearo - Not big enough! (Thats what she said!) its only a 32" but when I have more income, I am planning on getting something in the 40s =)
@Metaphysic - Yeah I am not that much of a gamer, mostly a movie watcher/internet user so I don't need to change my entire set up, but I see what you are saying and appreciate the information =) Its not unbearable, but just slightly annoying, and when I hit lag, I never know if its the controller or the game lol!
Oh well, guess it is what it is, and if I die alot, atleast I have a good excuse!

Trying to play computer games on a television can cause a variety problems at times, as they really aren't optimized for use as a computer monitor. Usually it can more or less be made to work, but there can be problems such as low resolutions, low frame rates, or requiring a lot of tinkering to get it to work at all.
If you want to watch TV, then get a TV. If you want to use a computer, then get a real computer monitor, especially if you're buying something new. Or if you want to play games on something bigger than a computer monitor, then get three monitors in Eyefinity, and a powerful enough video card to handle it, such as 2 GB Cayman-based cards, or better yet, two of them in CrossFire.

I'm wondering if you are using V-Sync when playing your game. Simply said V-Sync can introduce input delay when a game is running below the ideal sync speed or a screed. Sometimes enabling triple buffering can alleviate this without having to give up on the V-sync.
If you're actually curious as to why this is Anantech has a great page on it here.
Are you using a wireless controller? Have you updated the drivers for your controller? Is it properly configured?
I use a controller and it works fine.