1473 replies to this topic

[russdx]

built the prototype pcb and it works great!!! gonna keep it turned on all day and test it a bit more but it seams to be working just perfect








special thanks to H4CK3R for taking this video

little video of 128x16, 128x32 and 2x16alphanumeric with my custom alphanumeric display code



at the moment it will run any dot matrix game apart from 192x164(aless you have that size dmd)
im currently writing the code to support all the alphanumeric games (40% done)


due to some of the very fine pitched / small smd components its a bit of a nightmare to make my self. so if enough people want them i think i will have them assembled for me.

i really need to know how many people actually would like one so i can choose the best and cheapest way to get these assembled .

the price will be $80+shipping (i think is quite fair due to the huge amount of time and effort i have put into this project + ordering large quantities of parts is going to cost me alot!)



Dimensions: 1.19inch x 1.09inch
Power: powered from pc usb (no extra power source is required)
Drivers: FTDI drivers MAY need to be installed when the board is first plugged in. (http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm)
Software: a slightly modified version of vpinball.dll needs to be installed. (i will upload)

YOU WILL NEED YOUR OWN DOT MATRIX DISPLAY

you can either use an original vishay plasma display, but will need a pinball transformer to power it
or you can use a pin-led display, just needs 12v
or a vishay led, seams to be a few different types, some use led 8x8 modules like the pin-led or the more expensive ones use separate leds (which iv head is ALOT better)

NOTE - i have not tested this device with any of the vishay led dmds, only real plasma and pinled. the vishay led are direct replacements of each other they should all work fine. i am 95% this is the case but can not guarantee it untill tested!
i am in the process of getting the vishay led displays tested as well!!! will get back to you asap with the results!!




so if you want one please send me a pm and ill see how many people are interested with in a week and get some made up

One more thing , i am just a hobbyist and this is a little project i thought a few people would like but i cant be held liable for any thing that goes wrong when using this device. or if it dies. its just some thing i thought was cool and a few people would want. so must be used at your own risk!!!

Edited by russdx, 04 April 2012 - 02:43 PM.

[destruk]

That looks awesome Russ.

[russdx]

thanks

was alot of effort but has turned out great
i guess i better get back to working on the alphanumeric code


simpsons 2x16alphanumeric

Edited by russdx, 28 January 2012 - 08:44 PM.

[ced]

Excellent !!

The prize of 75$, it's for the prototype pcb ?

[sikarkades]

Id be in for one as long as all tests out well.

[kruge99]

Congratulations!!! ...as soon as I see the alphanumeric code running, I think I'll sign up because $75 is very reasonable.

(does that include the power supply board your dad was designing or is that still completely separate?)


Best Regards,
Todd.

[arngrim]

I will start my cabinet next month, and I need one also

Which display are you using? I would like to see some videos

[Arcade4]

PM sent.

[russdx]

$75 will be for a production version (which is basically identical to my prototype just assembled by some one else)

ill get some videos of the alphanumeric stuff running tomorrow, my camera is a bit crap though and does not do the display justice - ill take some vids any way

this is just for the dmd driver board NOT the power supply board, my dad is still working on that (bit slower as hes a bit more busy then me lol)

iv done all my testing on a pin-led display, but the board will work with any pinball dot matrix. i think the vishay led dmd might be a better choice although it does cost a bit more

Edited by russdx, 29 January 2012 - 12:53 AM.

[Arcade4]

You may want to start writing "idiot proof installation instructions" as I am sure I will have a million stupid questions when it comes to how to make it work. lol.

[russdx]

hehe yeah ill draw some thing up

but it literally is install a slightly modified vpinball.dll
connect the board to your pc usb (may need ftdi driver)
plug your dmd data cable into the board

open your fav table and PLAY!


im going to go round my house trying the setup from scratch on all my familys pcs lol, see how easy it really is from scratch!

Edited by russdx, 29 January 2012 - 01:49 AM.

[bladexdsl]

does it need a power source like plug into wall socket? and whats the size/dimensions of it

[Osprey101]

PM sent!

BUT....
with the exception of software that may need installed or adjusted, is this ready to run? What is this about the power supply? Power supply for the DMD itself?
How much will that be or is it something we can easily do on our end?

I don't have a cab. This will be on my desk or above my monitor. What will I need to do to run it?

[Bob Creepy]

Can you give me an idea of what size the pinled dmd is both outer dimensions and display dimensions? I want to make sure it will fit in my cab before I sell some of my internal organs to raise the money to buy a dmd.

BTW - Excellent work, it looks freakin' awesome!

Edited by Bob Creepy, 29 January 2012 - 05:33 AM.

[russdx]

the pin-led is a direct replacement of the original vishay plasma dmd. (ill go get my measuring tape in a min and get dimensions for you hehe)


my driver board is only 1.09inch x 2.19inch (it wont take up much space lol)

the board it self is powered from your computers usb, it does not need a separate power supply!


to get it up and running you will just need to install a slightly modified version of the vpinball.dll. this is as easy as dropping another file (ill upload) into your pinball directory and running the pinmame installer and clicking install!!

then just plug the dmd driver board into your pcs usb (it may ask for ftdi drivers, these can be installed from http://www.ftdichip....rivers/VCP.htm)

load your pinball tables how you would normally load them and it will work!


i will write a proper installtion guide

Edited by russdx, 29 January 2012 - 01:31 PM.

[russdx]

installed visual pinball + pinmame onto all 5 of my familys pcs/laptops and it runs fine on all of them. so there shouldn't be any issues installing/running it

I noticed on xp you need to download the ftdi drivers your self and windows just asks where they are when you first plug the device in.
vista seams to install the ftdi drivers all for you so you do nothing
i will try windows 7 tomorrow at work (i assume be same as vista)


i will write a in-depth install guide so dont worry

[rascal]

This is really awesome, and I will definitely be checking into this in the future! Future meaning when I can get back to the mini cab I'm trying to build and when the moths move out of my wallet and I can replace them with some money.

I have a request that I'm sure just about every pin cab owner would really love, if you're looking for your next project. A stand-a-lone usb analog plunger that uses a single Z axis controller board. Something so that the virtual plunger pull back and release would match that of your analog plunger. It wouldn't even need to include the mechanical plunger, just as long as it could link to it (a slider pot). It would be so awesome!

I would even arrange for an annual parade party day which bares your name!

EDIT: So you get an idea what I'm talking about, read about midway through this thread.
http://www.vpforums....showtopic=11404

Edited by rascal, 29 January 2012 - 03:14 PM.

[russdx]

hehe sounds cool bud, but not really my area of knowledge/interest

heres a nice close up image of the board

[mameman23]

Looking good.

[maxxsinner]

Have come across a Vishay board that is a replacement for the plasma one that is available in Australia.

Can you tell me if this one will work with your board?
Its 5 volt DC powered but I think the pin out is the same as the other models you have been referring to.