7 replies to this topic

[freneticamnesic]

Does anyone have interest in a 12.8"x3.2" DMD display?

 

Adafruit has new 8x8 matrixes ( http://www.adafruit.com/products/454 ) that would get you that size at 128x32 resolution. That's a pretty decent size for a mini pin, and about half the size of a standard DMD - though I'd like confirmation!

 

I've researched this in the past but basically, in a one off situation, it's not feasible (~$1000). If more people were interested, it may come in at a more lucrative price point. It's hard to say right now, but before I get too far into a possible build I'd love to hear what others think. Is this something people would buy if it were available? Or am I crazy and I'm the only person who has ever wanted this?

 

Has anyone done something like this in the past? I'd love to hear what others think

 

My other question I guess is, did you make a minipin because it was cheaper? Or because of space? Do you wish it had all the bells and whistles of the big boys......like I do?

 

Again, I'm not making any promises of anything beyond gauging interest

[Slydog43]

That is one part of my mini pin that I have not completely figured out.  My full size cab is using a LED DMD with a PinDMD2 and it works great.  My minipin just doesn't have the space for the dmd and speakers, so right now I have a 7" LCD screen, which fits great.  My problem is going to be changing the games to use the 3rd screen instead of the PinDMD, which I'm not looking forward to since I have over 600 games on my cab.  I'm not in front of my cab now, but 12.8" sound like the dimension of a real dmd not a mini one.

I would definitely be interested in a mini DMD of sorts if it works with a PinDMD2.

 

 

I just checked online and yes a real DMD is 12.8" so I really would love to know how small once could be made with those mini LED segments.

Edited by Slydog43, 29 January 2014 - 03:28 PM.

[freneticamnesic]

Actually that's not something I know, I can't find accurate dimensions of a full size DMD. I'd like to know, I assumed they were using at least 1.26" matrixes which would be at least 20"x5". Would you care to measure yours?

 

I could be way off on this then If it's not a significant size increase then I'm out!

 

Or how about half-resolution... 64x16 for about a 6.4" x 1.6"

 

Maybe I should be finding out the target size here, I only know the dimensions of MY mini pin and it's got a 15" wide back box.

 

NEW QUESTION: What size would benefit most people with smaller cabinets?

[Carny_Priest]

Point of reference - this spec sheet has the dimensions of a real DMD. 

 

http://www.vishay.co...006/apd128g.pdf

 

In short, the outer dimensions of the board are a little smaller than 15" x 5".

 

Good point on the reason for doing a mini-pin. Is it cost or is it space? Adding a third screen is a relatively expensive proposition even with a full size cab where there are a number of options. Fewer options available for a mini-pin lead to niche solutions that are expensive.

 

Perhaps the good size compromise would be to adapt a netbook size screen and hide part of it like what builders currently do to add a third screen LCD or like ColorDMD. 

 

Given these options, I could understand somebody building a mini-pin just simply going for a 2-screen option. Just might not be enough of a benefit to go 3 screen.

 

Looking around -

 

Noah's mini-cab uses a 7" monitor. I don't see it sold separately but might be worth asking.

Vpcabs - the mini-cab uses a real DMD but seems to look not all out of proportion and oversized in the pictures. The cabinet is perhaps a little more compact than a standard width cab.

[freneticamnesic]

Both of those use larger monitors than my cab. I wonder if that's standard then. those look to be about 2/3 the size where mine is more 1/2 size. So I'd need to be looking at 10"x3.5" displays

 

Adafruit sells a 7 inch HDMI screen http://www.adafruit.com/products/1287

[Carny_Priest]

This is the 7" one, right?

 

http://www.adafruit.com/products/1033

 

Either screen can take a VGA connection. Depending on your graphics card configuration you may only have VGA to work with. Typically, HDMI to playfield, DVI to backglass, and VGA to DMD.

 

It's all a matter of preference. You don't necessarily have to design a display exactly to scale. I have a Pinball 2000 style cabinet where the DMD image is reflected onto the playfield glass. I scaled to use the entire width of the third screen. The image is much larger than a real DMD, and I enjoy it that way.

 

Another unique solution I like is this one:

 

http://pinside.com/p...extender/page/2

 

Uses a 4.3" screen on the table apron. At least the display is where you would have your eyes most of the time during play.

[freneticamnesic]

I saw that when I was researching Dr Pinball, very good idea

[russdx]

I looked into mini DMD's a few times, They are possible but the cost/time/effort just to build say 10 of them is just not worth it.