54 replies to this topic

[HiRez00]

File Name: Night of the Living Dead '68 (Original 2018) Mod

File Submitter: HiRez00

File Submitted: 24 Jun 2018

File Category: VPX/VPinMAME - MOD Tables

Author(s): HiRez00
Xenonph

Original Author: Loserman76
Manufacturer: Gottlieb
Year: 2018
Permission to MOD?: No

Backglass Link: https://www.vpforums...&showfile=13591
 
- - - - - - - - - - - -
V. 1.2 - UPDATES
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Night of the Living Dead '68 (Original 2018) Mod
Version 1.2

I wanted to do an overhaul / update to my original Night of the Living Dead VPX table and ended up making a complete update package for EVERYTHING you would need to enjoy this table no matter which version (normal or grunge) you choose.

Not only did I make several table updates, I also created 2 new animated b2s backglass in 16x9 format, featuring new art and features, updated wheels, Topper videos, DMD videos for both RealDMDs and LCD DMDs.

Because I have both the normal and the grunge versions of the table loaded into my cabinet - I wanted to make a grunge backglass different than the original version so the 2 tables look completely different in appearance. But you can use whichever version best suits your setup.

PLEASE NOTE: These new backglass will only work with this new version of the NOTLD table because the table script has some changes that allow the new backglass to function. These backglass WILL NOT work with any other version or mod of this table.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SAY 'THANKS' THE FIRST POST IN THE SUPPORT TOPIC BY CLICKING ON THE 'THANKS' BUTTON. THIS IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED!

TABLE UPDATES:

- - - - - - - -

- Includes JP Salas' LUT Mod (used with permission) allowing you to change the lighting / brightness of the table DURING gameplay.

Hold down the LEFT MAGNASAVE and the press the RIGHT MAGNASAVE to change / cycle through the 8 LUT lighting options. Your selection will be automatically saved when you exit the table.

- Added / Fixed scripting to incorporate new scoring option of 100,000 rollover.

OTHER UPDATES:

- - - - - - - -

- 2 New B2S backglass

- Multiple color 'Gottlieb' Topper videos

- LCD DMD videos

- RealDMD and RealColorDMD videos in both color and Black & White (NOTLD-68-RealColorDMD-128x32-Smooth = smoother moon movement)

- 4 Updated New Wheel Images for your front end - Normal and Grunge.

NOTE: Please put the contents of the downloaded 'Music' folder into the Music folder of you VPX folder.


- - - - - - - - - - - -
V. 1.0
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Night of the Living Dead '68 (Original 2018) Mod
Version 1.0

by HiRez00 and Xenonph

This is my first official mod / table release, and I wanted to do something unique and special with it.

This was a labor of love pinball table created as a dedication to the late, great filmmaker George A. Romero, who single-handedly created and stamped the "zombie" genre with his original classic "Night of the Living Dead" in 1968. This film set the benchmark and tone for all "zombie" movies and TV shows that followed. Had he not made this great film that terrified millions of people, the zombie trend that is now upon us would have never existed, ever.

How many filmmakers created a genre that has been imitated, copied and downright ripped off like the one he started on a shoe-string budget? None.

When I first saw this incredible B&W classic in the late 70s - early 80s, it absolutely changed my life. I was in awe of how he was able to create tension and fear without ANY blood and guts at all. It turns out, when they made the film, they had a very small budget and couldn't afford anything like that ... but DID add these elements in later films like "Dawn of the Dead" in 1978.

For his amazing creativity, wonderful personality, and moral message within each of his films, he was truly one of a kind, and will be missed.

He may be gone ... but his incredible movies will be watched and remembered forever.

George A. Romero (1940 – 2017) - father, film maker, friend, may you rest in peace.


-------------


This is a graphics and sound mod of Out of Sight (Gottlieb 1974).

Thanks to Loserman76 for allowing us to mod his original table. I chose his table because it played perfectly to what I wanted for this new table design and could be adjusted and modified fairly easily. His exact words when asked permission were: "Go for it!".

Original Out of Sight (Gottlieb 1974) can be found here: http://www.vpforums....&showfile=13254

Every graphic / image from the original table has been re-drawn (from scratch), heavily modified, or swapped out completely for new ones for a brand new layout.

Multiple elements were also moved and adjusted to work with the new layout design.

This table would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and collaboration from Xenonph. Well known for his great sound and "flashers" mods to several tables, this time around he REALLY "stepped up to the plate" and took a BIG swing at adding all the additional features of sound, lighting, and additional extensive scripting this table needed. I am very grateful to have collaborated with such a talent as him. With every project, he goes over and above what is expected and never ceases to amaze me to how much he contributes to making tables and here on the forums. I can't thank him enough for weeks of time he put into making this table with me.

This new table is NOT a solo release.

This is a collaborative release from both me (HiRez00) AND Xenonph.

There are 2 versions of this Night of the Living Dead (1968) table you can download: NOTLD-68 Mod v.1.x and NOTLD-68 Grunge-Mod v.1.x.

NOTLD-68 Mod v.1.x is the standard 'clean and new' looking version.

NOTLD-68 Grunge-Mod v.1.x is a totally 'distressed' and 'grunge' looking version as if this table was originally designed by Gottlieb and built and then stored in an old barn or warehouse for 40+ years ... to be recently discovered and played.

Both tables play exactly the same and use the same custom 'Music' files. The grunge mod started as an experiment to see if we could do it realistically, and it turned out amazing. I am partial to the 'Grunge-Mod' version and prefer that version now.

Because this was originally a EM (Electro-Mechanical) table, there are no ROMs to download or install.

Place the files in the 'music' folder in your music folder located where you installed Visual Pinball - VPX.

(DO NOT PLAY THE MUSIC AS THIS MAY ADD A TAG TO MP3 AND RENDER MP3 USELESS!!)

If you would like to change the game options / settings (3 ball and 5 ball and bonus options), when game is not in progress, holding down left flipper for about 3-5 seconds will bring up the options menu. Left Flipper selects item and Right flipper changes option.

An original 'Wheel Image Pack' with multiple versions of the wheel logos can be downloaded here: http://www.vpforums....&showfile=13586

If you plan on using this table in a cabinet, we have created 2 versions of the backglass, one in approx 4x3 aspect ratio and one in 16x9 aspect ratio for widescreen monitors.

You can download the original backglass files here: http://www.vpforums....showtopic=40476

DOF commands (as in the original table) are included within the script, but you will need to add the functionality to your DirectOutputConfig.ini file as this is an EM table that has not been added to DOF.

For those of you (like me) that are using a PinDMD3, we have included a folder of DMD images and MP4 videos you can use in conjuncture with whatever front end software you are using so your DMD will not remain blank or static during game play.

All pics, trademarks, logos and sounds belong to their respectful owners. This table is for personal home, and non-commercial entertainment use only. Most of the media used to create this table is freely available on the internet and should be consider as non-profit fan art.

- - - - - - - -

This project took considerable time ... so "thanks" or comments in the support topic would be greatly appreciated.

PLEASE NOTE: I create these tables. toppers, videos, backglass and support files for fun and for the dedicated VPX pinball users on this and other forum. I DID NOT create this for you to download as SELL, MAKE MONEY OR PROFIT ON ... You have been warned!

DO NOT include any of these files with other downloads or projects without asking permission first.

All Logos, Characters, Copyrights and Trademarks property of their respective owners.

PROVIDED STRICTLY FOR PERSONAL USE AND NOT FOR COMMERCIAL SALE OR DISTRIBUTION. PLEASE DO NOT RE-DISTRIBUTE.

Click here to download this file

[Nemo]

Ohhh my God, this is something great ! Pitty i have to go to work now, but tonight.......it will be played A LOT !

 

 

Thanks you two for this AWESOME tribute !! 

[humanoide]

excellent work!! HiRez00 & xenonph 

I really like the effect with sounds and lighting when the ball is thrown,

I also like that the basis of this great work is an EM table from loserman76, it is one of the best creators in VPX

my favorite is the grunge table, but I stay with the two 

[xenonph]

This was actually the first EM table I have ever worked on.

Working with HiRez00 has helped me to learn at a quicker pace.

When you are working with someone else, you get feedback, which really helps in the learning process in my opinion.

Also they can push you out of your "safe zone" and get you to learn new things, where you wouldn't have before.

Before I started on this table, I only knew how to add timers to subs that already existed in the table script.

Well besides the 1 of 8 different Thunder sounds that are toggled on plunge, HiRez00 wanted it to have 1 of 5 different lightning flasher patterns.

So I divided up the flashers into 5 sections. Each section needed timer to turn on flasher and timer to turn off flasher.

Needless to say I didnt think their would be enough existing subs for me to use my timers on.

So I had to learn how to add these timers without using an existing sub.

I had tried before and failed miserably at it. I was closer than I knew back then.

The one thing I was missing was the wording of these timers. It is not the same as the timers I have used since starting sound mods.

 

So I ended up adding over 50 timers just for the 5 different lightning patterns alone!!

I added 15 flashers to table.

 

One flashes down both sides.

One down left.

One down right.

One starts on left and ends on right.

One starts on right and ends on left.

 

Here is the difference in wording....

 

My old timers added to existing sub....

 

sw33.timerinterval=192900:sw33.timerenabled=1

 

Now here is how this new timer needs to be wrote when making timer without existing sub...

 

sw33.interval=192900:sw33.enabled=true

 

So glad I finally learned this method!! Simply the wording of the timer was holding me back!! Crazy!!

 

I don't think I could have pushed myself enough to learn this new method of adding timers, so I am very thankful for HiRez00 asking for the 5 lightning patterns!!

 

I think he may be as addicted to working on these tables as I am!!

And he is damn good at the graphics!!

 

Can't wait to get started on next table!!

Stay tuned my pinball friends!!

When you have 2 people who love to work on these tables, working together, it can only mean good things to come for the pinball community!!

 

PS:

This table has a cool attract mode.

All sounds and music on this table were handpicked by HiRez00.

I just implemented them.

Edited by xenonph, 25 June 2018 - 01:47 PM.

[marco helmink]

The Grunge mod is realy great.

Very Nice light effects.

My Wife not like the sounds     

 

REALLY AWESOME TABLE !!!!

Thanks.

[hauntfreaks]

very cool man... horror tables are always a great theme!!.... 

"barn find"  huh?... I found a pin in a barn once also...  hehehe 

[Vizzini]

They're coming to get you, Barbara!

[HiRez00]

They're coming to get you, Barbara!

 

LOL! That's a classic line ...

 

Of course, we included that audio in the table for the upper alley rollovers.

[Guga_nt]

Awesome table!! Classic! 

This would indeed be a table that would be very cool with that pup-pack !! It would be scary to play.   

 

Thanks for sharing!! 

[vogliadicane]

great work, I love the flasher show when a ball is launched!

[Johngreve]

Thanks Xenonph and HiRez...this is an awesome piece of inspired work......I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I've never seen the movie or its sequel,for that matter. But this table really rocks! Your mods just keep getting better and better. 

 

I especially like the themes of the tables your making....from Christmas Pinball which really is a crowd pleaser at Christmas time to Battlestar Galactica which I consider to be just a trip back to my college days to your new Tron table mod and now this.....love them all. You really got me hooked on your tables with your sound mods of tables...especially The Empire Strikes Back....the way you inject speech and music into the table just breathes new life into them and makes it completely new play experience.

Like others have said the flashers here are really sweet....it creates the illusion of lighting flashing off in a cemetery somewhere.....you've sure nailed the use of flashers in tables recently...nice job. The table plays fast and smoothly...fun stuff!

I can really appreciate the table art and backglass art as well....looks really professional and "right" for the table theme.You'd think that this was produced commercially.

I also appreciate having all the necessary files in a single download package....really super handy and makes it nice not having to go here and there to locate other files, for example.

Still have'nt tried the grunge table yet,but that's where I'm going from here.

 

A question if I may....the DMD files that you included....I'm anxious to give those a try....I installed that folder within my Media folder and then tried to import one of the files within that folder to the DMD from Pinball X's "Game Manager" . You know, the same way that you import a wheel image. Is this correct or am I missing something. After doing so my pindmd3 display remains blank...so I must be missing something.

 

Anyway.....thanks to you and HiRez for another instant classic!

Really inspired work here.....

[HiRez00]

A question if I may....the DMD files that you included....I'm anxious to give those a try....I installed that folder within my Media folder and then tried to import one of the files within that folder to the DMD from Pinball X's "Game Manager" . You know, the same way that you import a wheel image. Is this correct or am I missing something. After doing so my pindmd3 display remains blank...so I must be missing something.

 

------

 

A few weeks ago, I wrestled with the exact same problem with my DMD and PinballX for 2 days non-stop before I got it to work. It was AFTER I got it to work that I decided to include 'DMD Files" with the download because I tested each one with PinballX and KNOW they work properly. Its just a matter of getting all the settings right and putting the files in the right places.

 

First off, when using PinballX, does the DMD ever work on ANY table when you are browsing through our table choices? Mine was blank at first and DID NOT show anything for any game while in PInballX from day 1, not even the default PinballX animation or image. I know it had something to do with the dll's and pinmame in the PinballX folder were way outdated.

 

I don't know if it is necessary, but I upgraded to the latest PinballX 3.04. I made a backup of my original PinballX folder (IMPORTANT), and re-installed the newer version of PInballX (3.04). The newer version has some cool new features list being able to make "Favorites" lists within PInballX without having to go make a new xml database and everything, plus some other new features and fixes that I really like as well.

 

I also copied the dmddevice.dll from my 'PinMame' folder and put it in my PinballX folder as well. (ONLY DO THIS ONLY IF THE PinDMD.dll in your PInMame folder is NEWER than the pindmd.dll in PinballX) - back up you original pindmd.dll if you have to change back to the old version.)

 

When I started up the newer version of PinballX, at least there was NOW a default 'Pinball X' color animation on the DMD while browsing tables in PinballX.

 

The next thing I did was in 'Game Manager' was import 'Read DMD Color Images' for images and 'Real DMD Color Videos' for videos. I wanted the DMD to display a video so I selected one of the NOTLD mp4 video files. This automatically imported the video, renamed it to the exact table name, and put it in the correct folder in PinballX.

 

When I started PinballX, the NOTLD video / image was on the DMD while in PinballX browser BEFORE actually starting the table up.

 

According to a posting in the support section of the makers / distributors of PinballX, in the newer versions, the "Hide DMD" option in the game settings means "Do you want to hide the DMD image when you are LEAVING PinballX to open say Virtual Pinball."
If 'Hide DMD' is set to FALSE (unchecked) , the PinballX animation will STAY ON THE DMD when you start the table. If the table has its own DMD, PinballX has over-ridden the DMD and the DMD for the game doesn't show up. This is fine for games that DON'T use the DMD like EM tables.
 
If you set 'Hide DMD' setting to TRUE (checked), when when you are in PinballX, you see whatever graphic or video you have set to that particular game, but when you start a table, the image / video will turn off (Hide it) and the actual game DMD will show up.

 

So for the NOTLD table that doesn't use the DMD you want 'Hide DMD' unchecked, and it will stay on the screen while you actually play the game / table.

 

I guess the most important thing is if you DON'T have any video or image on your DMD while in the PinballX table browser, you have to get that working properly FIRST - BEFORE using and of the DMD files we included in the download.

Edited by HiRez00, 26 June 2018 - 05:32 PM.

[mikemr2]

Thanks.  I updated to PinballX 3.06 - but now it won't start at all.  Everything in Game Manager was like it was before (I backed everything up as you suggested)...but now PinballX won't do anything when I click on it.  Any ideas? - I'm sure it's something really simple.

[HiRez00]

You didn't write over XDMD.dll and XDMD-Native.dll that came with PinballX did you? Because I had written over those / and turned them off and the PinballX icon logo turned grey and I couldn't get it to start no matter what. So I left those 2 files alone.

 

The only thing I updated when I did the upgrade was the pindmd.dll to the version I was running in Pinmame.

 

Try using the pinDMD.dll that comes with PinballX because maybe it is newer and something changed.

 

Also, I had to start / run PinballX in "Administrator" mode.

 

I know its a giant pain in the a$$ and I went round and round for days trying to get it to work.

Edited by HiRez00, 26 June 2018 - 05:22 PM.

[mikemr2]

Tried running as an Admin - no dice.  Tried using the pinDMD.dll that came with PinballX in the VPinMAME folder (as the one in that folder was older).  Even tried using the older one that was in the VPinMAME folder in PinballX - nothing works.

 

However, I did notice that the DMD.dll files were new (vs my backed up files).  I removed the new ones and replaced with the old ones - and now PinballX crashes when trying to open.  So endlessly frustrating.

Edited by mikemr2, 26 June 2018 - 06:15 PM.

[HiRez00]

The only thing I can think that I did slightly different than everything I described was when I did a new installed of the newer version of PinballX, I didn't overwrite my older PinballX. I installed it in a new folder called "PinballX-2". When It was done, I went through and redid my PInballX settings, and copied my databases and images over to the newer versions folder.

 

That was it, everything worked and I didn't mess with anything else.

 

Try installing pinballX in a new folder and open up "Game Settings" and load 1 table as normal (before moving over everything else) just to make sure it works properly. If it doesn't even start a fresh NEW install of PinballX with the defaults, then there is something going wrong that is beyond my knowledge completely.

 

Hope this helps.

 

BTW: I'm running Windows 10, PinballX 3.04, and PinMame 3.1

 

PS: When you update anything with Pinmame, you have to run the PinMame Setup program to make sure it updates everything within PinMame properly.

 

I am in no way an expert on how PinMame and PinballX works ... not by a long shot - BUT, I did start a thread when I was having all the trouble with my DMD initially. Perhaps you could move this topic of discussion over to that thread so others can assist that wouldn't see it normally in this thread that is for the 'table' itself: http://www.vpforums....l=+pindmd3 +dmd

Edited by HiRez00, 26 June 2018 - 06:43 PM.

[Thalamus]

@mikemr2 : Sounds like you installed PBX without ticking the 32bit. Still, most of VP is 32bit so stick to that for now.

 

Guys. I haven't had time to play this table before today. And I must say. You've done a great job. This is a classic in so many ways.

[Johngreve]

A question if I may....the DMD files that you included....I'm anxious to give those a try....I installed that folder within my Media folder and then tried to import one of the files within that folder to the DMD from Pinball X's "Game Manager" . You know, the same way that you import a wheel image. Is this correct or am I missing something. After doing so my pindmd3 display remains blank...so I must be missing something.

 

------
 
A few weeks ago, I wrestled with the exact same problem with my DMD and PinballX for 2 days non-stop before I got it to work. It was AFTER I got it to work that I decided to include 'DMD Files" with the download because I tested each one with PinballX and KNOW they work properly. Its just a matter of getting all the settings right and putting the files in the right places.
 
First off, when using PinballX, does the DMD ever work on ANY table when you are browsing through our table choices? Mine was blank at first and DID NOT show anything for any game while in PInballX from day 1, not even the default PinballX animation or image. I know it had something to do with the dll's and pinmame in the PinballX folder were way outdated.
 
I don't know if it is necessary, but I upgraded to the latest PinballX 3.04. I made a backup of my original PinballX folder (IMPORTANT), and re-installed the newer version of PInballX (3.04). The newer version has some cool new features list being able to make "Favorites" lists within PInballX without having to go make a new xml database and everything, plus some other new features and fixes that I really like as well.
 
I also copied the dmddevice.dll from my 'PinMame' folder and put it in my PinballX folder as well. (ONLY DO THIS ONLY IF THE PinDMD.dll in your PInMame folder is NEWER than the pindmd.dll in PinballX) - back up you original pindmd.dll if you have to change back to the old version.)
 
When I started up the newer version of PinballX, at least there was NOW a default 'Pinball X' color animation on the
DMD while browsing tables in PinballX.
 
The next thing I did was in 'Game Manager' was import 'Read DMD Color Images' for images and 'Real DMD Color Videos' for videos. I wanted the DMD to display a video so I selected one of the NOTLD mp4 video files. This automatically imported the video, renamed it to the exact table name, and put it in the correct folder in PinballX.
 
When I started PinballX, the NOTLD video / image was on the DMD while in PinballX browser BEFORE actually starting the table up.
 
According to a posting in the support section of the makers / distributors of PinballX, in the newer versions, the "Hide DMD" option in the game settings means "Do you want to hide the DMD image when you are LEAVING PinballX to open say Virtual Pinball."
If 'Hide DMD' is set to FALSE (unchecked) , the PinballX animation will STAY ON THE DMD when you start the table. If the table has its own DMD, PinballX has over-ridden the DMD and the DMD for the game doesn't show up. This is fine for games that DON'T use the DMD like EM tables.
 
If you set 'Hide DMD' setting to TRUE (checked), when when you are in PinballX, you see whatever graphic or video you have set to that particular game, but when you start a table, the image / video will turn off (Hide it) and the actual game DMD will show up.
 
So for the NOTLD table that doesn't use the DMD you want 'Hide DMD' unchecked, and it will stay on the screen while you actually play the game / table.
 
I guess the most important thing is if you DON'T have any video or image on your DMD while in the PinballX table browser, you have to get that working properly FIRST - BEFORE using and of the DMD files we included in the download.

Thanks HiRez for the very detailed answer.....here’s where I am now with regards to the DMD display.

Yes I get the Pinball X animation as I scroll through all the tables and when I come to NOTLD I get the Night of the Living Dead image on the display BEFORE I launch the table. Once I load the table the DMD is dark as the game is played. I think I must be close considering I am able to get the Night of the Living Dead image on the DMD while in “attract” mode.
Things I have done:

Updated my Pindmd.dll in my Pinball X folder with the newer version that was in my Pinmame folder.(The copy in my Pinmame folder was updated in April when I installed my pinDMD3 )

I copied my dmddevice.dll from Pinmame over to my Pinball X folder as you suggested above.

I unchecked “Hide DMD” in Game Manager(also tried it with the box checked and no display)

I am running a VERY old version of Pinball X....ver 2.27 about a year or so ago perhaps longer there was a problem and everyone was forced to upgrade. But when we tried we weren’t able to log into Pinball X to get the update. Some guys provided a work around to that and that involved adding some changes to the .ini file I believe. Anyway I did that and haven’t upgraded since. Nor have I been prompted to update......that was the beauty of the workaround. We just got tired of having to update Pinball X so often.....Maybe now I’m seeing the negative effect of that?

So I just downloaded ver 3.6 and will install it AFTER I back up what I have now.....
Learned that lesson the hard way years ago.

I do like the idea of “Favorites” and whatever other improvements have been made so I will do that and report back.

At least for now I have the NOTLD .png displayed in attract mode. (And that was displaying there prior to me doing what I mentioned above.I’m really close I think....just have to get the .F4V playing on the DMD during gameplay.
I’ll report back after the update is running.

Thanks again!

[HiRez00]

 

A question if I may....the DMD files that you included....I'm anxious to give those a try....I installed that folder within my Media folder and then tried to import one of the files within that folder to the DMD from Pinball X's "Game Manager" . You know, the same way that you import a wheel image. Is this correct or am I missing something. After doing so my pindmd3 display remains blank...so I must be missing something.

 

------
 
A few weeks ago, I wrestled with the exact same problem with my DMD and PinballX for 2 days non-stop before I got it to work. It was AFTER I got it to work that I decided to include 'DMD Files" with the download because I tested each one with PinballX and KNOW they work properly. Its just a matter of getting all the settings right and putting the files in the right places.
 
First off, when using PinballX, does the DMD ever work on ANY table when you are browsing through our table choices? Mine was blank at first and DID NOT show anything for any game while in PInballX from day 1, not even the default PinballX animation or image. I know it had something to do with the dll's and pinmame in the PinballX folder were way outdated.
 
I don't know if it is necessary, but I upgraded to the latest PinballX 3.04. I made a backup of my original PinballX folder (IMPORTANT), and re-installed the newer version of PInballX (3.04). The newer version has some cool new features list being able to make "Favorites" lists within PInballX without having to go make a new xml database and everything, plus some other new features and fixes that I really like as well.
 
I also copied the dmddevice.dll from my 'PinMame' folder and put it in my PinballX folder as well. (ONLY DO THIS ONLY IF THE PinDMD.dll in your PInMame folder is NEWER than the pindmd.dll in PinballX) - back up you original pindmd.dll if you have to change back to the old version.)
 
When I started up the newer version of PinballX, at least there was NOW a default 'Pinball X' color animation on the
DMD while browsing tables in PinballX.
 
The next thing I did was in 'Game Manager' was import 'Read DMD Color Images' for images and 'Real DMD Color Videos' for videos. I wanted the DMD to display a video so I selected one of the NOTLD mp4 video files. This automatically imported the video, renamed it to the exact table name, and put it in the correct folder in PinballX.
 
When I started PinballX, the NOTLD video / image was on the DMD while in PinballX browser BEFORE actually starting the table up.
 
According to a posting in the support section of the makers / distributors of PinballX, in the newer versions, the "Hide DMD" option in the game settings means "Do you want to hide the DMD image when you are LEAVING PinballX to open say Virtual Pinball."
If 'Hide DMD' is set to FALSE (unchecked) , the PinballX animation will STAY ON THE DMD when you start the table. If the table has its own DMD, PinballX has over-ridden the DMD and the DMD for the game doesn't show up. This is fine for games that DON'T use the DMD like EM tables.
 
If you set 'Hide DMD' setting to TRUE (checked), when when you are in PinballX, you see whatever graphic or video you have set to that particular game, but when you start a table, the image / video will turn off (Hide it) and the actual game DMD will show up.
 
So for the NOTLD table that doesn't use the DMD you want 'Hide DMD' unchecked, and it will stay on the screen while you actually play the game / table.
 
I guess the most important thing is if you DON'T have any video or image on your DMD while in the PinballX table browser, you have to get that working properly FIRST - BEFORE using and of the DMD files we included in the download.

Thanks HiRez for the very detailed answer.....here’s where I am now with regards to the DMD display.

Yes I get the Pinball X animation as I scroll through all the tables and when I come to NOTLD I get the Night of the Living Dead image on the display BEFORE I launch the table. Once I load the table the DMD is dark as the game is played. I think I must be close considering I am able to get the Night of the Living Dead image on the DMD while in “attract” mode.
Things I have done:

Updated my Pindmd.dll in my Pinball X folder with the newer version that was in my Pinmame folder.(The copy in my Pinmame folder was updated in April when I installed my pinDMD3 )

I copied my dmddevice.dll from Pinmame over to my Pinball X folder as you suggested above.

I unchecked “Hide DMD” in Game Manager(also tried it with the box checked and no display)

I am running a VERY old version of Pinball X....ver 2.27 about a year or so ago perhaps longer there was a problem and everyone was forced to upgrade. But when we tried we weren’t able to log into Pinball X to get the update. Some guys provided a work around to that and that involved adding some changes to the .ini file I believe. Anyway I did that and haven’t upgraded since. Nor have I been prompted to update......that was the beauty of the workaround. We just got tired of having to update Pinball X so often.....Maybe now I’m seeing the negative effect of that?

So I just downloaded ver 3.6 and will install it AFTER I back up what I have now.....
Learned that lesson the hard way years ago.

I do like the idea of “Favorites” and whatever other improvements have been made so I will do that and report back.

At least for now I have the NOTLD .png displayed in attract mode. (And that was displaying there prior to me doing what I mentioned above.I’m really close I think....just have to get the .F4V playing on the DMD during gameplay.
I’ll report back after the update is running.

Thanks again!

 

 

@Johngrave. I don't think you can have the png AND the mp4s loaded for 1 table, because I think PinballX is wonky like that. You have to choose 1 or the other and REMOVE any pngs in their respective folders in PInballX and you ONLY have the MP4 in the Real DMD Color Videos folder. So basically you are FORCING PInballX only has 1 choice for something to show on the DMD . This is only for testing purposes to make sure DMD VIDEOS are running properly. In normal operation, the PinballX will prefer the 'video' files over the image files.

 

When you're in PinballX and browsing tables, you SHOULD get the video running for the table, much like the PinballX default ones, but I don't know if the older version of PInballX supports MP4s, but I know the newer one does for sure because its works on my system and I am a 'newb'.

 

Yeah, the 'Favorites' option in the newer version of PinballX is pretty darn cool. Makes it so easy to have a list of your 'favorites' without the 'muck' around.

Edited by HiRez00, 26 June 2018 - 07:59 PM.

[Thalamus]

I have a archive of almost all the tables that exists for vpx to be displayed like hirez00 provided. He was very thoughtful and provided a 128x32 for the dmd. So soon that one too will be provided. I just haven't zipped them down and updated yet. Well. there is a difference .. it goes - logo -> year -> manufacturer so this will be picture -> 2018 -> original looping when played as long as you run pbx 3.04 or newer and freezy' dll ( for those with "real dmd" ). Might be that this was possible earlier for lcd users.

Edited by Thalamus, 26 June 2018 - 07:04 PM.