russdx Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Would you guys running a real DMD with a pinDMD1/2 be able to leave a testimonial in this thread with your experiences using pinDMD. How did you find installing it? Are you happy with the product? How does it compare to the LCD. Would you recommend it to other pincab builders? Has it improved your cabinet? Plus any other comments you may have. Please be honest Going to add them to pinDMD.com Regards Russell Pirie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxxsinner Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Installation of the pinDMD and real DMD is faaaaaaaaaaaaaarr easier IMO than trying to size and position a dmd on an LCD screen. The brightness is incomparable to how poor an LCD looks. Anyone building a cabinet, dont think twice. If you can afford it, get a real DMD> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjfisher Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Installation of the pinDMD and real DMD is faaaaaaaaaaaaaarr easier IMO than trying to size and position a dmd on an LCD screen.The brightness is incomparable to how poor an LCD looks. Anyone building a cabinet, dont think twice. If you can afford it, get a real DMD> Agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djjoke Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I also agree 100%. To use the pinDMD Board isn´t cheaper but much easier than a 3 monitor setup. I use the V1 and the V2 of the board with a pinled and a cherry DMD without any problems. In the next few weeks i want to open a onlineshop in germany like virtuapin. So i decided to take the V2 board into my shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technohat Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 In the testing phase of building my cabinet, I had the DMD displayed on the same monitor as my backglass and it worked pretty good. But when my real DMD and PinMD1 board arrived, I was floored with how much better it was. As others have said, it's MUCH easier to use than using a dmd on a monitor. No moving, resizing or rotating of the DMD display when first setting up a table makes it much easier. When using the monitor some DMD displays on some tables just did not look right no matter how much I fiddled with resizing it. With the real DMD and PinDMD1 everything just works and works well! It also fits inside your cabinet a lot better than trying to shoehorn another display in there. Another advantage is you only need a single video card to drive your displays instead of two. The small amount of money you might save by using a monitor instead of a real DMD isn't really worth it in my opinion. Materials and associated costs needed for Real DMD PinDMD DMD plus power supply Materials and associated costs needed for using a monitor Monitor Extra Video Card to run the third monitor. Modifications to cabinet (This may or may not cost you more depending on if you are building your own cabinet or if you are buying one that will need to be modified.) Your time (Remember your time is valuable, it may not seem bad to move and resize a dmd when installing a single table, but if you plan on installing several hundred of them on your cabinet, it adds up.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonsmith Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Would you guys running a real DMD with a pinDMD1/2 be able to leave a testimonial in this thread with your experiences using pinDMD. How did you find installing it? Are you happy with the product? How does it compare to the LCD. Would you recommend it to other pincab builders? Has it improved your cabinet? Plus any other comments you may have. Please be honest Regards Russell Pirie I'm using a Amber X-Pin DMD with the pinDMD2. Installing was straight forward using your guide with no issues what so ever. After installation and no fault to the pinDMD my drivers were corrupted due to the WiniPac software installation. It would be nice to use both but having both installed causes me huge issues making the re-installation of the pinDMD drivers a must. I'm yet to flash any firmware as I usually don't do that without a real big reason to do so. I am VERY VERY happy with the product as without it I wouldn't have a DMD. The DMD to me is almost as good as playing a table itself. In respect to LCD vs real DMD. The only way I know how to explain it the real DMD is alive and LCD is dead. The video on your webpage shows that I think but nothing is like real life. I always recommend a real DMD to new cab builders but it's the builders trying to save money who take the most convincing. I wish there was a better way to explain or show the benefits vs the LCD. I usually just tell them that a budget cab was my priority when building and I'm using a real DMD, that must say something. I wouldn't run a cab without real DMD, yes it's that good. My only concern about the PinDMD board is what to do later on if there's a failure. It's a specialized product and I get worried if there's a failure will another one be available. re: pindmd.com - I would like to see a firmware change log on your webpage so without following the threads one has an idea to what the changes were and if they are important enough to them to risk flashing. - I think there should be some explanations or special info about the different DMD's that are compatible. ie, not having the DMD un-powered with the pinDMD powered etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowter Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 It is definately a timesaver. I have had 0 problems with drivers or USB ports, everything just worked oob. I am using a real cabinet with a real speakerpanel, so installing the DMD + pindmd2 was like 5 minutes, and bam: working DMD display. However: it all comes down to time and money, if you have the time, but funds are limited, keep in mind that a DMD+pindmd2 are going to cost at least 300 euro, while a third monitor solution is often free (as you can get a used 15 inch monitor for free or like 5 bucks second hand). The "extra video card" argument is a bit outdated, both Nvidia and AMD support 3 monitors on one card (on windows 7), and/or you can use onboard graphics& a dedicated card. Also if you are into EM's, originals, hybrid bowling games and other tables, then the pindmd is not going to do much for you, as it will not work with those. If you have the cash, and love the 1990's tables, then you will definately want the pindmd though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks guys @jasonsmith There is now a changelog.txt in the firmware folder I think AN002 explains all the different types of DMD displays (under pinDMD1) I should make this easier for people to find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakenbake Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I've installed a dozen or so of the PinDMD2 boards and they have been nothing short of amazing. This is one of those great little products that have helped to change the VP world for the better and make playing pinball way more fun. From a customer service standpoint Russ has been top notch. He answers emails at all hours of the day and night and promptly helps take care of any issues that may come up. Thanks Russ for all your hard work and dedication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill55 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 What do you real DMD users do about pins that have the larger or 'non-standard' dmd sizes? Do they work? What about non-DMD games if there is no directb2s available. How do you see the score? I'm constantly torn about adding one to my cab. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 there are only like 5 games that use the 192x64 size DMD, it is scaled to fit into the 128x32 but looks crap *most* of the alphanumeric games are also supported the scores are displayed on the DMD using virtual alphanumeric fonts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakenbake Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Hey Russ. Just noticed the other day that a game called Flipper Football was not sending anything to the DMD. Do you know anything about this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 Hey That game uses the 265x64 DMD so is currently not supported, I think it would look so crap scaled i have not bothered. But can give it a go if people really want it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakenbake Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 No big deal Russ. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't something on my end. My son and I have been having fun playing that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowter Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 incase anyone was wondering HOW a scaled down DMD looks: I chose one of the worst scenes, just to demonstrate. All in all, baywatch is still playable on my Pinled display Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 ahhhh its horrible lol, when your working with images that have been painstakingly drawn at 128x32(pixel art) to look good, you can not scale them unless you do it by a factor of 2. Because it will look utta crap hehe. Those 16x16segment DMD's are pretty dam sweet. I think pinLED have a good product now. Any dead pixels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowter Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The Pinled display looks good, and is still going strong (no dead pixels). Still think the power issue they share with the Xpin display is annoying though. I had to buy a usb pci card, just to get a usb port that powered off. My motherboard only supports shutting down power to usb when paired with a verry recent power supply (meaning ERP compatible), which i dont have. Most new motherboards seem to prefer usb to be powered on all the time, even when the machine is off. The option to change this, is often very well hidden, and is named differently from manufacturer, to manufacturer. And then there are cases in which it is not even possible to turn this off...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Yeah its not really a fault as these DMDs have been designed to be a replacement for real pinball machines where all the hardware is switched on/off together. They where not designed to be driven by a usb board from a pc that *may* not power down completely hehe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampirolatino2 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I have brought a "real" DMD... apart form the pinDMD2 ... what else should I need? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekim Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 when you say real dmd.. do you mean one of the original plasma models from an original pinball machine or one of the DMD units from Vishay / X-pin that are designed to run from 5 - 12v? if you have the former then you will need a transformer to supply the weird voltage requirements that they need. the latter on the other hand just needs an appropriate voltage line from your pc power supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampirolatino2 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 when you say real dmd.. do you mean one of the original plasma models from an original pinball machine or one of the DMD units from Vishay / X-pin that are designed to run from 5 - 12v?if you have the former then you will need a transformer to supply the weird voltage requirements that they need. the latter on the other hand just needs an appropriate voltage line from your pc power supply. Original from a Real Pinball Machine. Thanks for the info, I will hunt for a transformer information because I have one laying around and will see if I can use it. Do you know where i can find about what type of transformer i need? Are they universal? Thanks for the help mate! I think this answer my question: http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=23249 Damn ... It will be more expensive than I anticipated. Better sell it and buy those Visahy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampirolatino2 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I'm thinking of using this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160174 and I don't have to buy anything more, not even another GPU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russdx Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you already have the plasma DMD. all you need is a transformer + power supply board. The actual DMD is the most expensive part and you already have it. A real pinball Plasma DMD looks a MILLION times better then a crappy lcd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampirolatino2 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you already have the plasma DMD. all you need is a transformer + power supply board. The actual DMD is the most expensive part and you already have it.A real pinball Plasma DMD looks a MILLION times better then a crappy lcd. Hi Russ! Yes I know, but where I can purchase the transformer step down 120vac to 100v/80v? The other two things I need aren't available at this moment on Zebs website The DMD High Voltage Driver from Zebs and the pinDMD from you ... purchased trough Zebs website ... So to resume I need: $50 +/- for the transformer + $55 for the DMD HVD + $80 for the pinDMD + S/H .... right? edit: Saw that virtuapin have the transformer, $40. and the pinDMd but it is also unavailable .. and I want to order everything at once so the s/h be cheaper. edit2: ohhhh boy, Page 17 to 19 is chaos there. I appreciate all the effort, money, time, and work done by everyone, not just a few, everyone is accredited equally because this isn't a job is a hobby, every post, thread, picture and idea is shared freely. So, In my opinion, hugs and kisses to everyone lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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