I have no idea why pintastic thumbs downed your post, it's 100% fact. The DMD extender uses the SD card serial number to generate a unique key. If your SD card dies and David can't provide you a new key for a new card, your DMD Extender is completely non-functional. If you don't believe me, just copy your SD card contents onto a new card and try it out. All you will get is an error message and nothing else on your LCD screen.

I really hope that Dr. Pinball would consider unlocking his software. You have to buy his adapter so what does he have to lose by opening it up? I don't even want to touch my SD card for fear that it may get an unlikely static discharge rendering my entire DMD extender useless :/

As it is, it's just making a bunch of connections that could feasibly be done on your own with wires and resistors. Unless he built some kind of identification chip into the adapter that could communicate with the RPi to allow the software to run, I don't see how David would be able to restrict the software to just his hardware.

Yes, it was confirmed by someone I know that this works.

Right. I'm not saying there is an identification chip or anything, but lacking anything like that, I don't see how David's software is hardware dependent.

I'm not saying I like the DRM, but don't see how David has an alternative. Maybe there's something possible that's not SD card dependent? But how would that keep you from copying the card and duplicating the setup elsewhere? If it's RPi dependent, that might be better, but you're screwed if the RPi breaks.

If he released the software for free, he could essentially say goodbye to revenue because DIYers could just make their own adaptors. Let's face it, it's a tinkerers mod to begin with. Definitely not as turn key as ColorDMD, so many of the people drawn to DMD Extender for the flexibility/price are also those who would be capable of making their own adaptors.

Of course, as greedy consumer and tinkerer, I'd love to see a free open-source solution where the software is free and the hardware is DIY. I'm just not up to the task of developing something like that myself, and I understand that people who do develop that kind of thing want credit and compensation.

One notable thing is that DMD Extender is capable of colorization, very similar to Color DMD with a software update. David initially released a video showing a preview of this capability but the ColorDMD team was quick to jump on him and threaten that he stole their idea and would pursue legal action if he sold DMD Extender with frame colorization support. He since removed the video from youtube and dropped that aspect altogether.

Yep :/

so are they going to do large format sega displays. wish they would start with a simple yes or no and then go into explanation

Yes it works with large format Sega displays.

so what do you order from color dmd and how much

Order here: http://www.drpinball.co.uk/

i have email him over and over with no reply. not sure whats going on.

I doubt you will get a response now or 6 months from now. Mr. Pinball is having health problems or some other unforeseen issue preventing him from following through currently with taking or filling orders.

Well I hope he gets better but someone should update his site

To answer your question I believe ColorDMD has no intention of supporting a Sega large format display but they will threaten to sue if someone else uses whatever method is protected under patent to colorize this display. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm real sorry to hear about Mr Pinball's health problems, and my outgassing Maverick DMD sure is insignificant when put into perspective, but is there any known alternative out there? I was thinking of tackling this project in the coming weeks.

Best wishes to Mr Pinball.

Look a couple posts above, pin-tastic's post.

There is enough interest in his product, I wonder if David would consider taking on a partner to make this hardware/software? I know i am very pleased with it but am also concerned about the future.

If your display is not completely outgassed, you might consider Ingo's DMD saver board to help extend whatever life the display has left.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/dmd-savers-from-german-pinball-vids-review

Borygard sells it on his site: http://lockwhenlit.com/products.htm

It may buy you some time until the colordmd situation is worked out.

Oh, didn't know about this product. Might be an option... I asked additional questions on that thread, thanks for the tip. The price tag is pretty reasonable given that it's not a definitive solution. Not sure it still would be once shipped to Canada though, but I'll look into it.

I have it installed on my Maverick and it's working well. My display was fine, though, I just wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.

The dmd saver board is installed on the dmd controller board itself, there are no connections to the HV-section of the display.

411300.jpg

As Ingo explained it, it doesn't reduce any voltage to the display, but reduces the duty cycle of each cell

If your display was made by dale or vishay-dale you can send it in for a rebuild while parts are still available. Iirc cost is around $180 or something like that. Quite reasonable all things considered.

They still do that? That would be the simplestnd cheapest way to go about it, I'll give 'em a call.

From what I understand there is a specific person you need to call.

PM me for details. Last I checked - 3 months ago - they were taking displays for rebuilding.

Dang, I checked and I have a Cherry, no rebuild for me...

Interesting alternative developing here. Let's hope he's willing/able to implement custom palettes.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/rgb-led-panels-for-dmd-replacement#post-2727181

Whaaaaaat!

Thanks for the tip, looks great!

I doubt it will be a viable solution for large Sega DMDs, though. I don't know if there are RGB panels in appropriate size/resolution.

has anyone heard from dr pinball?

What is the exact size of SEGA DMD ?
Maybe you just need need 3 of those
http://www.hongguitech.com/24-small-pitch-led-displays

Are planning to do a similar write up for SmartDMD? I know I found your DMD Extender write up extremely helpful.

A list of recommended hardware would be helpful and much appreciated if you have the time. I'd like to order the parts that are known to work together and get started on BF.

Heard back from David today...

Hi

I currently have a queue of people waiting for DMD Extender products. However, I can only supply a few units each week, so please be patient and I’ll contact you again with order details. I’m working through the list of people in time order – I’ll get to everyone eventually!

Many thanks for your support.

David.

Awesome!

Of anyone wants to buy a display

DO NOT BUY from lcdkings on eaby
Got a DOA from this one, Backlite won't work, tested all voltages and are present even after the led fuse
wants me to pay for return shipment and I have to agree to addional terms...
I don't think so....
PayPal claim started

and the guy had over 99% positive feedback (&*^&%$#%$^$%

99% isn't that good on eBay... Ever tried entering negative feedback on there? They try to discourage it.
Anything below 99.5%, unless the seller has huge volume, is pretty bad IMO.

http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/02/ebay-smallbusiness-feedback-ent-sales-cx_al_0102smallbizresource.html

"It is this ominous threat of retaliatory feedback that causes everyone to be so very, very nice on eBay, according to some. Rather than risk a negative comment on their own account, many members would rather say nothing than too much. And the way eBay is currently set up, you have no way of knowing the percentage of the total transactions a particular buyer or seller has participated in that has resulted in their existing rating. Yes, you know how many people rated him or her, but you don’t know how many people refrained from providing any feedback at all.

This might sound like a small point, but it’s key. If most people are holding their tongues and simply not saying anything about the poor business ethics of a particular buyer, then that person’s rating doesn’t reflect reality."

Hello
I got SmartDMD working in my Maverick but I am having trouble getting the right borders. Screen is always cut etc. Does anybody have the correct values for the large Sega DMD on a 18,5" screen? I am not even getting close
Thanks in advance. T