167 replies to this topic

[Tesla]

I was wondering if anyone had any info on the possibility of converting my AtGames Legends Pinball machine to a more conventional hardware-build. Meaning, using only my Windows-10 Dell desktop and my pinscaped KL25z for the simple-buttons and analog-nudge. When the ALP is turned on, I would like it to always boot directly into Pinball-Y (and present my VPX-Tables as it does now).

 

Current Hardware:

AtGames Legends Pinball (HA8819) Firmware: 5.68.0

AtGames VIBS-Board

Dell XPS-8300 desktop with Nvidia GTX-1660 (Intel-i5, SSD, Windows-10 64bit)

8-in Portable LCD Monitor (as display-3 for DMD)

NXP KL25z (Pinscaped and working for analog nudge)

 

Now-days, I use OTG-Mode exclusively. For those not familiar, in this mode, you can use the ALP’s internal displays fairly-directly and you interface to the ALP’s built-in buttons and controls as a Windows USB-Controller-Device. While keeping the AtGames functionality was intriguing at first … I’m to the point now that I’m willing to give it up for a more simplified/optimized hardware-config … if possible. It’s no problem to keep the little Dell-desktop hidden under the ALP.

 

Of course, all this sorta hinges on being able to re-use the ALP’s 32-inch 1080p/60fps LCD-panel for the playfield. It would also be nice to be able to re-use it’s little 15-inch backglass LCD-Panel. Did I read correctly in the other thread that there is some-kind of database that lists an adequate HDMI/DP video-controller for various off-brand Chinese and Korean LCD-Panels? Or, is there a favorable fairly-universal hobby-class video-controller that tends to work with many different Asian LCD-Panels?

 

Another objective it to not fry-anything during the process. If this goes sideways, I hope to be able to rebuild it back the original way and play it again. 

 

The AtGames Power-Supply is actually fairly big (as it stays fairly cool despite being passively cooled) … so it might be possible to keep that (it’s already running the large LCD-Panels and the ALP’s 2-3 proprietary boards). 

 

So, what do yall think? Is it possible to convert this ALP over with gutting the whole thing?

 

[unclewilly]

If they are like the arcade machine the monitors don't have hdmi. I went the gut and replace route

[wiesshund]

Ive seen it done, but didnt save any info on it, might have to start googling

[Tesla]

If they are like the arcade machine the monitors don't have hdmi. I went the gut and replace route

 

Yeah, AtGames uses proprietary-controllers in all their stuff. 

 

However, I was hoping to be able to strip-back to bare-LCD-Panel ... and then get a (conventional) compatible HDMI/DP controller for it.

 

Seems a waste to get rid of perfectly-operational LCD-Panels, especially when at 32-inches ... the 16:9 1080p one looks fine. Even plenty quick at 60Hz/60-fps.

Edited by Tesla, 27 October 2023 - 03:18 AM.

[Tesla]

Ive seen it done, but didnt save any info on it, might have to start googling

 

If you see anything, please post the link here.

 

At this point, looks like this might just be a complete gut and rebuild to a conventional Pinscape/Windows/Pinball-Y/VPX build ... as that seems most optimized and native.

 

But for those who only use OTG-Mode, I thought the info we collect here might end-up being useful to others looking to do something similar.

 

They are practically giving these away here in the states when you can find them on sale in the big-box stores. Good intro for people looking for something better than their desktop-PC and keyboard. Works fine the way it comes. The kids can play it.

Edited by Tesla, 24 October 2023 - 01:58 AM.

[Tesla]

Delete

Edited by Tesla, 26 October 2023 - 02:00 AM.

[Tesla]

This guy's ALP has seen better days, but should give you an idea of what I'm working with here. As you can see, it's not really built to be serviced.

 

However, it does clearly show the 32-inch 1080p 60Hz LCD-Panel that I would like to try to keep (using a new controller if needed). A side-note here for those of us with component-level tech-bench skills ... yeah, I think that ribbon-cable problem could have been resolved with a bit of effort.

 

While not shown in the video, the Backbox is a similar arrangement. The Backglass display is an adequate-sized 1080p LCD-Panel (that would be nice to keep) connected to a couple of proprietary controller-boards (which will be removed as required during the gutting).

 

Also shows the AtGames power-supply. Should be easy to figure out. I'm thinking the customary Switch-Mode-Power-Supply sticker might be on the bottom of it.

 

Edited by Tesla, 24 October 2023 - 04:46 PM.

[wiesshund]

the conversion i saw used some lcd controllers for the screens
i just do not remember which ones
I think this was one

Amazon.com: VSDISPLAY HD-MI DVI VGA Audio LCD Controller Board M.NT68676 Compatible with 32" 32 inch 1920x1080 HV320FHB N00 N02 N10 N80 N4K F40 LVDS Interface LCD Screen : Electronics

 

i think this drove the backglass

Amazon.com: HDMI Controller Driver Board for 11.6'' 13.3'' 14'' 15.6'' 1920x1080 30 Pin eDP (not for 1366x768) LCD Screen : Electronics

 

Or this
HDMI Converter Board - ALP DMD screen – Buy Stuff Arcades

 

the atgames electronics when into the rubbish bin
and a mini atx motherboard and gpu went in as a replacement

 

I believe you have to retain the PSU for the backlight power inverter for the playfield?

 

not sure on how good the playfield lcd quality is though? i would almost want to just swap it for a nice 32" 2k screen

those are not too expensive

[Tesla]

not sure on how good the playfield lcd quality is though? i would almost want to just swap it for a nice 32" 2k screen

those are not too expensive

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm off to investigate those links.

 

I agree. If it comes down to replacing the ALP's 32-inch Playfield display ... while 1080p at 32-inches is perfectly adequate, I might as well go with a 1440p/60Hz replacement LCD-Panel / Controller combo ... if planning on keeping it as my main Windows/VPX pinball-cabinet. 

[Tesla]

the conversion i saw used some lcd controllers for the screens
i just do not remember which ones
I think this was one

Amazon.com: VSDISPLAY HD-MI DVI VGA Audio LCD Controller Board M.NT68676 Compatible with 32" 32 inch 1920x1080 HV320FHB N00 N02 N10 N80 N4K F40 LVDS Interface LCD Screen : Electronics

 

 

 

Seriously ?! 

 

You think that custom-looking final signal-cable that comes off the ALP's LCD-Panel-Assembly and plugs-into the bottom of the ALP's motherboard ... you think that might actually just be a 30P-LVDS-Interface pinout wired-cable ... and will just plug directly into this VSDisplay Video Controller Board ?

 

How long do I have wait before posting this so it becomes it's own post? Edit: Hmm, I guess about that long.

Edited by Tesla, 25 October 2023 - 05:13 PM.

[Tesla]

i think this drove the backglass

...

Or this
HDMI Converter Board - ALP DMD screen – Buy Stuff Arcades

 

 

 

Well, if I'm reading that right, that appears to be exactly what I need for the ALP's Backbox  ... for the existing 15-inch Backglass LCD-Panel

(when and if I can get the main Playfield LCD-Panel situation figured out).

 

I don't remember seeing this for-sale months ago. I remember they used to have some cool ultra-thin HDMI cables for sale that might come-in handy. 

 

I think main thing I have to remember when finally placing my order is " Just order those little parts ... not a whole new BSA enhanced ALP Backbox."     

Edited by Tesla, 25 October 2023 - 06:01 PM.

[Tesla]

I think this was one

Amazon.com: VSDISPLAY HD-MI DVI VGA Audio LCD Controller Board M.NT68676 Compatible with 32" 32 inch 1920x1080 HV320FHB N00 N02 N10 N80 N4K F40 LVDS Interface LCD Screen : Electronics

 

i think this drove the backglass

Or this

HDMI Converter Board - ALP DMD screen – Buy Stuff Arcades

 

 

 

They look likely to work to me also, so both are ordered and on the way.

Thanks again dude. All of a sudden, this project is looking very do-able.

Edited by Tesla, 25 October 2023 - 08:18 PM.

[Tesla]

And so it begins ...

 

I now need to uninstall my KL25z board and solder-in the Header-Pins.

 

Since I'm ready to rip it apart, I realize it might never come back on...

 

I think I will first play some final Star Trek-TNG, F14 Tomcat, and ToM. 

[Tesla]

the conversion i saw used some lcd controllers for the screens
i just do not remember which ones
I think this was one

Amazon.com: VSDISPLAY HD-MI DVI VGA Audio LCD Controller Board M.NT68676 Compatible with 32" 32 inch 1920x1080 HV320FHB N00 N02 N10 N80 N4K F40 LVDS Interface LCD Screen : Electronics

 

 

 

Well, the VSDisplay LVDS board came in, so I carefully installed it, swapped-over the existing LVDS-cable and powered-up the ALP.

 

The main playfield 32-inch LCD-Panel lit-up with some scary-looking lines but no real video. The back-light was still working (but that is separate). I tried some different ways of powering-up, but never got any video or internal-controller-menu.

 

It was about then that I realized this had all gone terribly-wrong.

 

When I remove the VSDisplay LVDS-board and put everything back the way it was working before ... I still get no video (except for occasional vertical lines). The ALP has no native-mode core-video on Playfield. 

 

Best I can tell, the ALP's 32-inch LCD-Panel itself fried. It was fun while it lasted, but looks like I'm without a working cabinet once-again. 

[Tesla]

The ALP's table-screen-saver finally times-out and comes on ... so I would say the ALP motherboard is initializing, booting-up, and working (even though I can no longer see it happening).

 

But natively,  the ALP still on displays on the 15-inch Backbox monitor . The 32-inch LCD-Panel (the one I was working with) hasn't worked properly since I swapped the controller that first time.  

Edited by Tesla, 31 October 2023 - 04:26 AM.

[wiesshund]

the 32" ALP LCD
 

You got an LVDS controller for it yes?

 

and it has HDMI inputs

 

plug a laptop into the HDMI

 

Good way to test the screen itself

[Tesla]

the 32" ALP LCD ... You got an LVDS controller for it yes? and it has HDMI inputs

plug a laptop into the HDMI

Good way to test the screen itself

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Yes, I tried that. Actually, that was what I was trying when the 32-Inch LCD-Panel stopped working properly. Pretty sure the panel is fried now because it will not work/display with LVDS-Controller or the core/native ALP boot-up.

 

Not sure where to go from here.

 

Looks like I need a new 32-inch LCD-Panel (1080p/60Hz or better) and a matching HDMI controller. I'm trying to stay optimistic and engaged in this project but I'm beginning to wonder if my ALP will ever work again. 

Edited by Tesla, 31 October 2023 - 04:43 AM.

[wiesshund]

Isnt the end goal for the alp to not be an alp but be a vpx machine?

 

Is so, a 32" 2k 75hz screen costs same as a 1080p screen

[Tesla]

Isn't the end goal for the alp to not be an alp but be a vpx machine?

 

Is so, a 32" 2k 75hz screen costs same as a 1080p screen

 

Yes, I want a full-time Windows/Pinscape/VPX machine.  I was just trying to save some money by reusing the old 32-inch 1080p/60Hz screen for now.

 

Yes, I agree that a 1440p/75Hz IPS-LCD screen would be better. I was thinking it should probably be one that uses IPS panel-technology for the better brightness, image-quality and viewing angles (over the more common/inexpensive TN-tech).

 

Can you please point me to online link? I can buy from Amazon, Ebay, and other USA places. I need link to the LCD-Panel and the (perfectly matched) HDMI-Controller. 

 

Are we looking for bare-parts or are you thinking I should de-case a 32-inch desktop monitor?

[wiesshund]

Amazon.com: LG QHD 32-Inch Computer Monitor 32QN600-B, IPS with HDR 10 Compatibility and AMD FreeSync, Black : Electronics