63 replies to this topic

[spisi69]

Hey Guys,

 

I need help understanding the whole DMD thing. RealDMD, FlexDMD, VirtualDMD, UltraDMD, XDMD, PinDMD....

I have a bunch of tables, it seems they all use different DMD set ups.  Most of them I like.  Some I'd like to tweak or fix. I like the VirtualDMD the best. How can I add that to an existing table. I'm a little confused on this topic...

[djredick]

UltraDMD was replaced by FlexDMD.  I use FlexDMD along with Lucky1's dmd extentions.  That's all I run (and need, really).

 

PinDMD is for real pins I do believe.

[Mike DA Spike]

Realdmd is a device that is build of leds. Most common is 128x32 leds, but some dmd'have more leds, but most pinmameuses 128x32 pixels.
Virtualdmd is a the DMD displayed on a screen. It simulates a real dmd.
Pindmd is a real dmd supplier (thought it has 3 versions, where the pindmdv3 is the rgb version)

Pinmame has ots own virtual dmd that can just use the basic colors. To have more advantage you can use external dmddevice via dmddevice.dll. this isa dll that does do the magic: freezy's supports color roms, alphanumeric display (with nice shining characters). This can be showed on virtual dmd, but also on multiple differrent realdmd devices.
Lucky has also a dmddevice.dll. This was mostly for his own hardware device (a name that is forbidden to say here ), but he makes a plugin, so he can use freezy dll as well. This is because last year lucky added .pac color files that wasn't supported yet by freezy.
Xdmd, flexdmd and ultradmd are frameworks which can be used in programs (some kind of frame work). Most uses also dmddevice.dll to show on real or virtual dmd.
As said by djredick, flexdmd is a 'new' program that can also support ultradmd (but flexdmd framework is easier)
Xdmd is still used by PinballX frontend (but because I had issues with it, I created a flexdmd plugin. It is doing the same, but for me without errors)

I hope this all make sense

[spisi69]

Helps a bit....kind of...back to my question. Can I use VirtualDMD on any table? If so, how do I implement it?

[Bushav]

Helps a bit....kind of...back to my question. Can I use VirtualDMD on any table? If so, how do I implement it

Virtual DMD is common. My setup I have a LCD computer monitor (early small version) mounted such it resembles a modern Stern like Godzilla.  I use FlexDMD to run the DMD when a table calls it up. Freezy’s DLL is essential to the process and is a must have in my opinion. It will allow better presentation and more stable positioning with its configuration file. I then use my front end to place a simulated topper video on the top half of the same LCD screen. Unless I’m using a PupVideo pack which needs the entire screen such as Godzilla!

 

That said the early electromechanical tables never used a DMD (like Evel Knievel) so I just use my front end to play a topper video on that screen during game play. 
 

This is how I think of it:

 

Native score on backglass is displayed by VpinMame like Evel Knievel

DMD crudely displayed by VpinMame like AC-DC

Freezy refines that DMD and adds better look and features (like coloring) so AC-DC looks better and positions easier

UltraDMD used by original table authors to create a DMD out of table coding like Diablo by JP Salas

FlexDMD used to make UltraDMD projects more stable (replaces UltraDMD in your cabinet)

Lucky1’s DMD DLL replaces Freezy’s for use to add PAC colorizations

There is a new SERUM DLL being tested which adds a new colorization technique 

 

Some of the above might be wrong or confusing but that’s it in a nutshell I believe.  At a minimum you should install Freezy’s DLL and FlexDMD in my opinion. That will allow you to play most tables. Then move on to PupPack installation. Then look at DMD colorization using Freezy, Lucky1 or SERUM. That’s the order I went in. 

Edited by Bushav, 01 March 2023 - 08:05 PM.

[spisi69]

OK, I'll start with Freezy...goes in same folders as Flex?

[Outhere]

OK, I'll start with Freezy...goes in same folders as Flex?

Yes >VPinMame Floder
Visual Pinball\VPinMame

Edited by Outhere, 03 March 2023 - 06:44 PM.

[Jewer76]

Great question by the OP. I was (am) confused as well.

If it is ok, I will ask a follow up question.

If you want to install both Freezy and Lucky, then the explanation is that they both use a dmddevice.dll. So if I instal Lucky after Freezy, isn't his dll just overwriting Freezys dll? What's the point in that?

I have read that you should rename Lucky's dll to dmdext.dll. Is that (also) true? Will all tables know to look in both dll's for setup instructions?

[Bushav]

Great question by the OP. I was (am) confused as well.

If it is ok, I will ask a follow up question.

If you want to install both Freezy and Lucky, then the explanation is that they both use a dmddevice.dll. So if I instal Lucky after Freezy, isn't his dll just overwriting Freezys dll? What's the point in that?

I have read that you should rename Lucky's dll to dmdext.dll. Is that (also) true? Will all tables know to look in both dll's for setup instructions?

 

you don’t need Freezy and Lucky’s. They overwrite each other as you said. Freezy’s will allow colored DMD for PAL/VNI techniques and SERUM technique. Lucky1’s will allow colored DMD for VNI/PAL and PAC techniques. 

[Mike DA Spike]

Great question by the OP. I was (am) confused as well.

If it is ok, I will ask a follow up question.

If you want to install both Freezy and Lucky, then the explanation is that they both use a dmddevice.dll. So if I instal Lucky after Freezy, isn't his dll just overwriting Freezys dll? What's the point in that?

I have read that you should rename Lucky's dll to dmdext.dll. Is that (also) true? Will all tables know to look in both dll's for setup instructions?

Right now, lucky1 dmd pluging is lucky1 pac support with freezy's dmd based on 10.7.3
Thats the most colored files for now (except the new serum).
What I understand is that 10.7.3 of freezy will support pac and serum as well.

[Jewer76]

Bushav and Mike, thank you very much for clearing that up - then my logic makes sense

 

The problem I am facing now the is that when I look at the file sizes, I have the Lucky1 dmddevice.dll installed, but I only get colored DMD's from PAL/VNI. PAC files aren't read.

 

I had it working shortly but had to go back to an earlier backup up of the VpinMAME folder, and now PAC don't work. I have no idea how to remedy this.

[spisi69]

OK, I've been messing around, kinda getting there. There's one table that's giving me a problem. Iron Maiden Legacy of the Beast.  The DMD seems embedded in the script.  The fancy font is basically illegible, can barely read it.... no matter what I do I can't get rid of it and replace it with a new DMD. Any ideas?

 

Also, I did a search on my PC for dmddevice.dll and I had 14 instances, some were 12,503 kb and a bunch of smaller ones in subfolders that were 117kb, 36kb, 52kb.....is this normal?

 

some of the subfolders in VPinMAME: PinDMD1, PinDMD2,PinDMD3.....

Edited by spisi69, 02 March 2023 - 05:24 PM.

[Bushav]

The PinDmD() folders are if you’re using a real DMD. Using a virtual DMD just leave those folders where they are. Luck’s DLL just recently integrated PAC coloring. If you reverted to an early version then you probably have a version of his DLL now that doesn’t support PAC. Just replace with his latest version in VpinMame folder.

[Jewer76]

The PinDmD() folders are if you’re using a real DMD. Using a virtual DMD just leave those folders where they are. Luck’s DLL just recently integrated PAC coloring. If you reverted to an early version then you probably have a version of his DLL now that doesn’t support PAC. Just replace with his latest version in VpinMame folder.

Is it possible to get a link to the latest Lucky dll? I am losing sight of what is the newest.

 

Also, Spisi69, you got one that is 12,503 kb. My largest is 12,342 kb.

[spisi69]

Yeah i can't find it either...

[Outhere]

 

The PinDmD() folders are if you’re using a real DMD. Using a virtual DMD just leave those folders where they are. Luck’s DLL just recently integrated PAC coloring. If you reverted to an early version then you probably have a version of his DLL now that doesn’t support PAC. Just replace with his latest version in VpinMame folder.

Is it possible to get a link to the latest Lucky dll? I am losing sight of what is the newest.

 

Also, Spisi69, you got one that is 12,503 kb. My largest is 12,342 kb.

 

 

Yeah i can't find it either...

SEE - For NEW Pac Files  + PAL / VNI  and cRZ
https://vpuniverse.c...s#comment-42753
 

Edited by Outhere, 03 March 2023 - 01:29 AM.

[spisi69]

That's Freezy...aren't I looking for Lucky1's?  That file is from December 2018 it's  9,113kb.  The one I have now is from 2022 and its 14,503kb.

Edited by spisi69, 02 March 2023 - 10:33 PM.

[Outhere]

That's Freezy...aren't I looking for Lucky1's?

SEE - For NEW Pac Files

You need to look closer

[Bushav]

Lucky1 just announced a few minutes ago that he has added SERUM decoding to his DLL. This is good news. So look around and you will find his release just posted.

[wiesshund]

Lucky1 just announced a few minutes ago that he has added SERUM decoding to his DLL. This is good news. So look around and you will find his release just posted.

 

in the interest of not having 40 people running about not finding it, why not just post a direct link?