Rosh, I just wanted to say a sincere "Thank you" for taking the time to post in this forum. It's been REALLY fascinating to hear your updates on the evolution of this game. I'm really looking forward to receiving mine when it's released. I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I tell you that hearing all of your stories, anecdotes, and trials & tribulations regarding bringing this game to life really makes me feel like I'm part of the journey, and the stories I'll have to share will make the game even more special when it arrives. So, again... "Thanks!"

I'm a professional magician, and I'm here to testify that top hats and magic wands are synonymous with magicians as far as the general public goes! Can't tell you how many thousands of events I've attended where this was the theme. Given that "Houdini" is a nod to the past, it is completely appropriate to use any of the old magic symbols in my opinion!

Match Ideas:
1. As a handcuffed Houdini separates his arms (breaking the cuffs), a number dangles on each cuff.
2. "Metamorphosis" but instead of Bess, Houdini swaps places with a match number. I see Houdini jumping on the trunk, tossing the cloth into the air, cloth drops and number is on top of the trunk.

Josh, I'm high on the list as well, and I'll be happy to help you in any way I can.

If you bump up that conveyor 3 inches, maybe you can squeeze an extra parking place in there as well.

May I ask a question, Josh? I got on the list for a Houdini back in May (!), and I'm really looking forward to owning it. My dilemma is that I would really like the Magic Glass, Blades & Shaker Motor add-ons. I know you mentioned that pricing and availability are not yet finalized, but would you suggest getting the machine now and adding those accessories later or waiting for all of them to be built into it at the factory?

My distributor said the same thing. No idea.

Agreed. I need to know whether to go ahead and have my distributor ship my Houdini or if the Side Art and Magic Glass will be added at the factory.

Yeah, I placed my order back in July (although I updated it to request Magic Glass and Side Art). No machine yet.

Any way to turn off the skill shot?

Sorry, folks. Didn't mean to cause controversy. I had guests over to play, and they were becoming annoyed after about the 20th insult, and there was no way they were hitting that skill shot! Just wondered if it were possible to temporarily disable it. By the way, I was able to get the Magic Glass, and it is really incredible.

I love my Houdini and have already played hundreds of games, but I do have a request. There are many times when I’m not sure if I successfully completed a task, especially then there are multiple challenges happenings simultaneously. I DEFINITELY know when I don’t (“Boo-You Stink” over and over). When you win there is a cheering sample, but it’s not very defined. I think that Houdini’s voice should announce victory; for example “I have escaped!” or “Thank you Ladies & Gentlemen!” etc. This wouldn’t cost much to bring the talent back in to record some victory samples, and I think it would greatly add to the game experience.

There is a LOT to like about Houdini, and while it is very challenging, all of my guests (who are are not pinball experts) have enjoyed playing it. It's a beautiful machine and has a great feel to it. On the other hand, it's the most negative pinball machine I've ever owned or played. It's constantly insulting you, booing you, and telling you how bad you are. That gets VERY old, and there's no way to turn it off. My daughter refers to Houdini as "the mean pinball machine." Also, I think AP must have gotten the same guy who does the voice for the Progressive Insurance Box commercials, so keep that in mind.

Made me laugh too...the first 10 times. I think it's the shear quantity of negative callouts that's the problem. I also don't get the logic of doing a "you really stink" when the ball drains out the side.

Exactly! I suggested either louder cheering or having Harry proclaim his victory upon escaping, which would be cool!

Thanks, great tip! I also discovered lowering the catapult coil strength and playing with the leg levels helped.

I've had a Furman line conditioner on my Houdini since day 1. I've also had catapult issues, and the line conditioner did not seem to affect the the issues one way or another. Playing with the level of the front legs seemed to help and try the idea of cleaning the fulcrum and possibly re-centering the catapult if necessary.

Well drat! Good to know. I just assumed it regulated voltage as well. I have the PL-8 Series 2. Thanks for the info.

I'm also in an endless loop boot cycle. Happened after I tried to load the custom message and went into Settings -> Standard to enable it.

Tried to "update" the code from the USB drive, but it's still in the boot loop.

Figured out the problem with my Custom Message. The PNG file has to be 72 dpi (I had mine set at 150 dpi).
1360 x 768
72 dpi
PNG format

Works great now. GREAT code update. I love all the new stuff!

On my Mac, Photoshop indicates Josh's custom_image.png is 72 dpi, 8 bits per channel.

Screen Shot 2018-08-04 at 11.19.05 AM (resized).png

Correct.

Is anyone who has installed the Cliffy's planning on doing an install guide? Here's the message I received from Cliff regarding stripping the play field to install: "Not too hard and not too much to remove. If you know the difference between a screwdriver and a nut driver you can handle it Since I only have a playfield and not the game I havent made an install guide. I've heard from a couple guys who are planning a guide as soon as they get the guts up to tear into their brand new game."

Anyone else noticed this? On the "Secret Missions," you apparently have to go all the way around the ramp before you can continue, BUT if you go partially up the ramp the red indicator light will advance. This leads you to believe that you can then go for the next shot (ie, orbit or scoop), but when you do the red light just goes back to the ramp, prompting you to start over.

As discussed before in this forum, these Blade Protectors are a great investment:

https://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=4575

Blade-Protectors (resized).png

My purple flipper rubber rings are shot. Can you guys give me a recommendation for suitable replacements (same action as the originals)? Thanks!

You may be right. They do have a sheen to them like the Titan silicone rings.
https://www.titanpinball.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=52

Is anyone besides me completely confused by the "Master Magician" Wizard mode? The screen goes black and I'm shooting at everything that's lit or blinking, but by the end no matter what I hit, Houdini just counts me down and ends the game. Wouldn't several several separate phases of Master Magician be easier to follow and more satisfying, ala Cirqus Voltaire?

Thanks for the info. I don't mind the game ending so much as I would really love to know what to shoot at during "Wizard Mode" without having to take a screenshot of the instructions and tape it to the backboard! It would be lovely if there were sequential callouts and/or screen instructions guiding you through each phase of your progress.

Would someone please post a video of the EOS switch installation? I don't want to solder the wires to the wrong place! Thanks.

I have the PDF. Video would be really helpful.

Appreciate it. I'm more confused about the OTHER ends of the wires.

Yeah, it's just that WHERE to solder the wires isn't crystal clear in the pictures. Maybe someone who's done this can snap some better pics?

Anyone know the coding software used to program Houdini or was it coded from scratch?

Help! The threaded screw in the 3 3/8" bumper rod broke and American Pinball is not responding. I can't find any mention of this part in the Service Manual. Can I find this part anywhere else or rig something else to work?

Pop-Coupler (resized).JPG

Thanks! Here's the link, everyone: https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-pop-bumper-toy-hardware

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I need to lower the power to the Pop Bummers from the factory setting. Love the drama of the strong Pops, but this is the 2nd time a bumper rod has broken.

No, not coated. Just a reflection. The replacements are only $20 for the whole set, so I ordered two so I should be set for a long time. I urge you to do the same if you're worried about it.

I think the Cap Board, Houdini Pinball Coil Performance Improvement Kit (KIT0006-00), is one of the most important upgrades you can do to your Houdini. Mine feels like a new game after installation. Flippers are strong and decisive. PLUS my lower catapult works every time now, and it has been consistently missing for a year. I was THIS close to dremeling holes and bending, but I'm glad I didn't. This Cap Upgrade fixed it (my new coil setting for the lower catapult is 26).

https://store.american-pinball.com/collections/frontpage/products/kit0006-00

Make SURE you have the upgraded 48v power supply OR a Metal Box power supply installed before you order this board.

Just to recap what others have said in various posts and my own additions:
1. The included instructions are wrong. When you remove the first wiring harness, it's from J5 (not J2 as indicated) on the existing board.
2. See Jgaltr56's post (#11371) for a picture on where to install your new Cap Board.
3. I cut the wire ties to give a little more slack to the wire harness I pulled from J5.
4. Attach this wire harness to J1 on the new Capacitor Board (and make sure the Capacitor Board is oriented so J1 is on the left; it's backwards in the instructions). Make sure you attach this wire BEFORE you screw the Capacitor Board into the playfield so you make sure you have enough slack.
5. I bought an Irwin 6" Quick Change drill bit extender from Lowes to drill the pilot holes. This is almost necessary to avoid having to completely pull boards out. https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-1-4-in-Hex-Quick-Connect-6-in-Drill-Bit-Extension/1003019134
6. Hold the Cap board in place and carefully drill shallow pilot holes through the corner holes (make sure the plastic standoffs are on the bottom of the board, so the board "stands off" from the playfield. Some have reported these being on wrong as shipped by AP. Mine were correct).
7. Use the new wiring harness included in the kit to connect J2 on the new Cap Board to J5 on the existing board.

Since many of you Houdini owners are probably magic buffs, you might enjoy this video of me doing a card trick for Robert De Niro:

That happened to me. I replaced the switch and it was fine.