(Topic ID: 324255)

DMD Driver Board Recommendation

By JBtheAVguy

5 months ago



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#1 5 months ago

Hi All,

I recently had a problem with my DMD controller board in my Road Show so I bought a used one. The used one works but is noisey enough to bug me. Who's board would you recommend? Rottendog, DMD Lux or Xpin or even another option? Also, who's a reliable source with good customer support/service? I should also mention that I will be adding a color DMD.

Thanks, JB

#2 5 months ago

Bump

#3 5 months ago

What do you mean by "noisy"? I've never heard of a driver board make noise. If you are talking about the DMD itself, yes those do make a high pitched noise that changes pitch depending on how many dots are displayed. Your driver board is now producing the proper voltages so that's probably why you hear it more now. Some manufacturers of plasma displays just seem to make more noise than others (Vishay, Cherry, Babcock).

If you add the colorDMD, it's going to bypass the HV section of the board anyways. That was the reason your DMD probably wasn't working properly to begin with.

#4 5 months ago

Just to be clear, my DMD is original and did not make noise. My DMD driver board failed so I bought a used one. The new/used board is what is causing the DMD to now make high pitch noise. The more pixels that are lit the more noise the DMD makes. Yes, the display makes the noise not the board itself. Clearly the used board is not 100% so I'm thinking of replacing it. Good information on the colorDMD not using the HV so maybe I don't need to replace the board?

Still interested in board opinions...

#5 5 months ago
Quoted from JBtheAVguy:

Just to be clear, my DMD is original and did not make noise.

I understand that. It's your DMD causing that. The reason why it wasn't that loud before is because the driver board wasn't outputting the proper voltages. Any rebuilt or new driver board will cause that same display to make that noise now. Lowering the zener diode value (or a failing zener) will cause the sound to get quieter and the display to get dimmer to the point it can't illuminate (which is where you were).

I kind of like that 'singing" of the display. Probably best to get a colorDMD to eliminate it altogether.

#6 5 months ago
Quoted from schudel5:

The reason why it wasn't that loud before is because the driver board wasn't outputting the proper voltages. Any rebuilt or new driver board will cause that same display to make that noise now. Lowering the zener diode value (or a failing zener) will cause the sound to get quieter and the display to get dimmer to the point it can't illuminate (which is where you were).

Good information...thank you.

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