You're just selling me more on the LCD

Like all LCD vs. LED discussions; just shit or get off the pot

Currently reading this thread while doing so

hi,
yesterday I installed a color dmd - lcd- to my Spiderman Vault. Now I am not quite sure which style I should use. What do you guys prefer, which style is the best for the smve? DotXL, hires,...?
Ralf

Installed one in a buddy's SMVE and it's Dots all day. Looks fantastic!

Anyone put the Led version in a Afm? Looking for pics or video.

I'm considering an DMDColor LCD for my Ghost Busters Premium, and then I realized the LCD top part sticking up into the back glass will very likely cast a shadow on the backglass-art making dark patch. Anyone who's using DMDColor LCD on a Ghostbusters or maybe any Spike machine, Could you please comment ?

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No issues with shadow, also get the gasket!

Ill try and garb a pic later, LCD dot XL FTW!!!

I am sold on the LED.... I know you can do dots on LCD but the brightness in the LED is fantastic.

I need to start by saying I know 1/2 the people love the LCD and the other half love LED. I can see the pros/cons of both based on videos, but those who have experienced them in person, please comment on these photos.

I've started this discussion because I want to add a color dmd to my Ghostbusters premium , but I'm having trouble deciding which is right for me.
Your comments and input a greatly appreciated.

hoby1 ,
Q: When adjusted (brightness) properly, Is the LED brightness about the same or is it more than the standard LCD?

Q: The concerns I have LED are 2 things.
#1. People say the dots are smaller and the gaps between dots are larger than the OEM display.
#2. There appears to be a white crown on each LED. See photos comparing similar images from LED and LCD.

Quote from ColorDMD site:
On the down-side, the dots are smaller with more black space between them and, due to the spacing of the individual red, green, and blue LEDs, color convergence is not as good as the LCD.

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LED is brighter than LCD, and you can kind of make up for the spacing by upping the contrast and brightness a little. I don't notice any color bleed on the LED. What I did find annoying is the off-pixels on the LED like your first picture, but I used the below to fix that. I have an LED in my STPrem and LCD in GBPrem. Don't notice any shadow on GB. I prefer one or the other on certain games, but it's tough to predict which, I just have to try. I really like the LED for ST, maybe due to the better sharpness and brightness.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/color-led-display-cover-panel-to-improve-contrast

I'm assuming this is a tinted plexi that replaces the clear one. Am I correct that you can forego the clear plexi shield when buying the LED module and then buy this one? Is it a 1-to-1 replacement or should you install both stacked?

LCD is always the better choice, unless you have a game it wont fit it. Which is why they came out with the LED version. LCD hands down looks the best and DOTSXL is the best mode.

Yes, drop-in replacement for the standard panel.

One other fun thing about the LED kit is it's compatible with these large-size panels as well. I currently have them on my ST Premium and it's a fun novelty. But at that size, the spacing between dots becomes more obvious.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-big-is-too-big-for-a-dmd-/

That looks like my game and it only has this issue because I have the LED backpanel mod installed in the game, wouldn't be an issue with the stock Flourescent tube, not sure about the LED strip used in Spike games.

Thanks! That's very helpful. The Spike machines have a small but "power of the sun" led set near the middle only. This may result in the light flooding around the LCD panel as indicated by @camcamaro1991 -- Any photos from LCD owners showing the backglass + LCD display would be great.

How does the larger lcd fit with the led upgraded bg? I have a led backbox kit on my iron Man and this may change my opinion if I take the plunge ....

Any insight is helpful

No fit problems at all, just the issue you see in the photo above where you get a slight shadow effect from the LCD panel. I have mine set to go really dark when in a game so you only notice it during attract mode and even then it's not real obvious because I don't have the panel cranked up real high, if it were brighter I imagine it would be more noticeable.

Would you be able to snap a picture with the translite off?

Seeing it might make it more clear for me....

Appreciate any help

These pictures are off to my eye. The LCD images are more vibrant in the pics than they are in real life. In the pictures you listed, the LCD images look more vibrant than the LED images, but in real life (in the game) the LED is much more vibrant. I prefer the LED to LCD for vibrancy, and I don't like most of the LCD modes. However, I prefer the LCD version in newer Stern games that have lots of live video (like GoT).

I originally bought an LED for my Ghostbusters premium but have sold that and now have a LCD . IMO, LCD all the way. No shadow and as previously stated get the gasket as well.

I've been a little busy working on other games the last couple nights but I'll try to find time to pull the translite out and snap a picture. I have the panel from Arcade Upkeep installed in mine in case that helps. http://www.arcadeupkeep.com/backbox-kits/4587457160

Camera's can misrepresent depending upon a variety of factors. If you are going to compare, you really need the same shot of both using the same exact lighting and the same exact camera setup. Ultimately, it is best to see them in person. I fall into the LED camp for most games. The colors are more vibrant, brighter, and deeper blacks while having the overall visual of an original amber DMD. However, as others have stated, if the game has a lot of video then I would probably lean more towards the LCD due to its smoothness when it comes to animation.

Ultimately, in the vast majority of games (especially the traditional DMD ones) you don't really interact with the screen that much during actual gameplay. Personally, I find myself having to intentionally look up to admire the color, but often lose focus on the game at hand. In a sense, color is for those watching. However, I have to admit that I have colored DMDs on both of my current games, and will always opt for it when given the choice. However, it just wouldn't be the first upgrade I add to most pins.

Sorry I slept since then... here you go!

LCD is plenty bright enough, LCD color shading is superior to LED.

you need the LCD ColorDMD kit, it includes the LCD, clear plexi, gasket, wiring harness for spike. SKU = GB-SHIELD

$423 http://shop.colordmd.com/colordmd-replacement-display-for-ghostbusters-pinball-machine/

&

$22 http://shop.colordmd.com/lcd-foam-gasket-stretch-fit/

so about $445ish

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Excellent, thank you for taking the time to post this information. Much better than some long winded views.

Those all look fantastic, well, except for Metallica (not a fan of "hi-rez" mode).

I run DOTSXL on all my games, it's the perfect setting

I love all my games in LED. Viewing angle is much better , brightness and fit and finish are way better all around

I agree with above, LCD is awesome.

If your back box old wood with square speakers or metal with circle speakers?

LCD's IMO pretty much require the gasket 100% unless you have wood (this is due to the gasket thickness). like the older SAM and Whitestar, the current kits dont allow for enough room and I believe a thinner gasket should be offered at 1/2 the thickness or more,

Gasket helps with dust off the back side of the clear lens, also longer spacers could fix the thickness issues or if your willing to slice it yourself which I would bet most folks dont have foam cutters/hotwire. I actually prefer the LCD to sit further back gives it a nice look with the added depth and reduces DMD reflection, even with HD glass as the angled dmd panels dont always fix the reflection.

I may break down and get one of these but I'm going to get a $2 sheet of foam at the craft store and cut one out myself.

$22 for a foam gasket? Jesus.

$24 for a clear piece of plastic and a couple bucks worth of spacers doesn't give you much faith in their pricing system either.

I don't mean to sound so negative but paying $450 (with shipping) for a small LCD screen doesn't thrill me.

I know they would say it's an odd size so you can't get them dirt cheap like other LCD screens, yadda yadda but the frugal side of me (read:cheap) simply rebels at this purchase

But where else can ya go? I get it.

----

IMO the 450 is better than buying LED esp... on newer Sterns. In the end it looks like OEM.
This is the 1 of 2 mods I can justifying this price, that and my Stern GB's topper.

Just picked up a second hand LCD locally, I prefer the LED but it was a good price. Question is which game do you think it would look best in out of WCS, IM or LOTR?

IM will benefit the most from an LCD version. Get the LED version for WCS or LOTR.

Im with Dots XL looks fantastic.

It is a personal preference. For me, LCD in all 3.

I've had both, but prefer LED. The blacks in the LCD still light up a bit. The blacks in the LED do not emit any light at all. As the majority of real estate on a DMD is usually black, this makes a huge difference. If you do go LCD, it's DOTs XL all the way. Both are great but it's a Coke or Pepsi question. Both are good but it comes down to personal preference.

Thanks for the answers, I already have LED in my WCS and LOTR so the LCD will go in IM on Dots XL.

I don’t think you’re adjusting your (backlight to contrast properly). Every color DMD LED I’ve seen in person and in pictures looks gray when trying to emit black. The LCD blacks look well, black.

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As long as you don't have therm next to an LED screen which really show a difference.

In that case, the LCD blacks look well, not that dark. It's very noticeable.

Thinking LCD for Williams STTNG...hmm

Nothing to think aboot, LCD has more options to set it up the way you like it, order it now.

What?! It's actually the opposite, the off "pixels" on LED displays reflect way more light than an LCD, resulting in poor blacks. It's very obvious, see it all the time on pinball pics. I just did a search and quickly found this example - click it to get the native size to really see. That's black? Look at the dead area around the display - that's black. When I installed LED on my Star Trek, it triggered my OCD and I couldn't rest 'til I found a fix. I figured out a much better panel than the usual clear ones that radically reduces this effect. I started to sell them to others figuring I can't be the only one bothered by this.

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