Hasselt
Interested 
(Topic ID: 181440)
Linked Games
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Bally, 1992
Topic Gallery
Middletown, DE
Valencia
Quoted from forensicd:So we can develop our own videos for this as well? As a graphic/video designer I would love this!
Yes, of course, you may add your own videos in AVI or MP4 (full HD resolution) and store in USB pendrive connected to Raspberry.
There is a text file, stored in USB pendrive, to set the playback of videos according to the trigger of an event (playfield switch, lamp, bumpers, flasher lamp, motor, etc...)
Budapest
Quoted from pinballsp:.
Board assembled, and ready to develop firmware and videos, at any rate I have do some modifications to final design and send today to manufacturer.
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Excellent work. Let me know if I can help about 3D printing of proto or serial parts (Pi case, etc), or about European PCB manufacturing.
Quoted from Davi:Excellent work. Let me know if I can help about 3D printing of proto or serial parts (Pi case, etc), or about European PCB manufacturing.
This gets better and better
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Two more pictures to see where connect the flat cable (2x8 in final version), this is to read status about all ouputs, 32 direct outputs for all bumpers, flashers, motors, etc... and lamp matrix 8x8, up to 64 lamps. Flat cable connect to CPU J211 with a small adapter.
Also in pictures, two options to connect HDMI video cable, one with a 270 degree adapter and standar HDMI cable, and another with a 270 degre HDMI cable. I think the best option will be the 270 degree cable, to avoid that may touch with the speaker frontal panel.
I still have to check the proper length of the cables (HDMI and power supply for the TFT), I think 2m. will be enough.
If Stern and JJP and the other pinball companies would handle their business like this man everyone would be a lot happier. He did he would do it and he is working on it and showing the progress every step of the way. We know what it will look like and how it will function and have some idea when it will be available. I would have felt a lot better having given my money to JJP if he would have kept us in the loop like this. I am enjoying watching this product develop and I can't wait to own one.
Enköping
Very cool, i want one! But is it only me not understanding fully, but do this really stick out from CPU board its full lenght? Conected to 209 211 and hdmi cable plugged in would it not get heavy so connectors at cpu board would possably bend? Maybe i missed something?
Quoted from hedghog:Very cool, i want one! But is it only me not understanding fully, but do this really stick out from CPU board its full lenght? Conected to 209 211 and hdmi cable plugged in would it not get heavy so connectors at cpu board would possably bend? Maybe i missed something?
If required, may add spacers (metal, plastic, rubber) between Raspberry and bottom of cabinet. It's not a problem now, final details I will check in machine.
Also may attach the Raspberry cables to other pinball cables with plastic flanges, to reduce the weight on the board. And the flat cable from J211, does not add weight, but lightens it, because hold the boards.
There are options to solve that problem, if really is a problem.
Quoted from pinballsp:If required, may add spacers (metal, plastic, rubber) between Raspberry and bottom of cabinet. It's not a problem now, final details I will check in machine.
Also may attach the Raspberry cables to other pinball cables with plastic flanges, to reduce the weight on the board. And the flat cable from J211, does not add weight, but lightens it, because hold the boards.
There are options to solve that problem, if really is a problem.
Not only heavy... but lacking the required space between the CPU board and the speaker panel in front of it in the head. I always thought those connectors on the design were just there to be cut off after the fab.
Quoted from flynnibus:Not only heavy... but lacking the required space between the CPU board and the speaker panel in front of it in the head. I always thought those connectors on the design were just there to be cut off after the fab.
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No problem about it, in last PCB revision I have reduced width from 76.5mm to 72mm, I have moved the connectors 6mm (so total reduce width about 10mm) and may reduce even more if need. Real board in pictures is not final product, but a prototype to develop software and videos.
Dimensions of board it is not my priority now, a friend will check in his Creature to see if need reduce again more the width, even may I do a double vertical adapter board to keep only width of the Raspberry, and connect a 270 degree HDMI cable. And a friend suggest to do a Vertical board design, I will check it. The final mechanical design of PCB will be the last task, now I want start to develop firmware and videos.
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Canberra
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Well, I have think about final version of the hardware, and I see two options.
1.- A vertical desing, similar to current, attach directly to CPU with two female connectors, and one flat cable, but in VERTICAL position, so not problem about lack of space to place board and connect the HDMI cable and USB pendrive. This is fast to install, but only compatible with WPC89 CPU, so can not use same design to do a universal device to connect to another pinball manufacturers, to do for example a topper or to trigger any other mod, for example to control addressable leds WS2812, Led panels, etc...
2.- A Universal design, so the board with Raspberry Pi, must to fix inside de cabinet in Left lateral internal (close to CPU), may fix it with plastic adhesive spacers. Then connect to CPU with two flat cables, one to read inputs (with one additional adapter), and one to read ouputs (also with an adapter, and probably with some buffer chips to prevent it from affecting CPU signals). With this design, I may do some custom small board adapters to install in any pinball manufacturer.
Currently I ordered a second prototype with some improvements, but yet according with same first prototype connections (horizontal position, though closer to CPU). I think, along next week, I will define final hardware design, meanwhile to develop firmware and videos I will work with second prototype, I will receive next Tuesday, will assemble, upload pictures, and start to test product with firmware and videos. Also I will send a second prototype to a friend that has a Creature pinball to do pictures and videos with real full machine.
The good to work with a Raspberry pi3, instead of with a microcontroller, is that may connect to another devices by Ethernet, or wireless by WIFI or Bluetooth, also may program updates, config and upload of videos wireless from cell phone.
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This weekend I was testing tools (QT Creator) to develop software (C++ language), and tomorrow I will receive the second PCB prototype with some improvements, though not yet the final board it's good to develop and test all.
Probably I will develop a universal board to connect to Raspberry Pi to may use for another applications, like an interactive Topper, interactive display for playfield, Playfield multi light effects, etc...
Also tomorrow I will receive a second 13.3" TFT display to prepare a full kit prototype for my portuguese friend, he will test all in his Creature pinball. My tests will be here in my working table with a real WPC89 CPU, DMDST32, matrix switch PCB and laboratory power supply.
Easiest way to get videos onto rasp pi would be via winscp? Users can just drag and drop new videos then from there pc.
Quoted from russdx:Easiest way to get videos onto rasp pi would be via winscp? Users can just drag and drop new videos then from there pc.
Videos will store in USB Pendrive, user do not need connect with Raspberry to upload or update. And also to update firmware, new version compress in RAR file will store in USB Pendrive and boot firmware will update to new version.
User only will work with USB Pendrive and in future firmware also will may update wireless by WIFI from cell phone.
Quoted from pinballsp:.
This weekend I was testing tools (QT Creator) to develop software (C++ language), and tomorrow I will receive the second PCB prototype with some improvements, though not yet the final board it's good to develop and test all.
Probably I will develop a universal board to connect to Raspberry Pi to may use for another applications, like an interactive Topper, interactive display for playfield, Playfield multi light effects, etc...
Also tomorrow I will receive a second 13.3" TFT display to prepare a full kit prototype for my portuguese friend, he will test all in his Creature pinball. My tests will be here in my working table with a real WPC89 CPU, DMDST32, matrix switch PCB and laboratory power supply.
Everything is looking great and everyone is excited. Thanks for the hard work
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My friend Jose Manuel from Portugal, has sent me a picture about the internal pinball head, to see where place the board with RPY3.
I have here also a full pinball head, I will install my CPU WPC89 and Driver board to may check exactly where place the product, seem there is not a lot of free space.
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Quoted from pinballsp:.
My friend Jose Manuel from Portugal, has sent me a picture about the internal pinball head, to see where place the board with RPY3.
I have here also a full pinball head, I will install my CPU WPC89 and Driver board to may check exactly where place the product, seem there is not a lot of free space.
The boards for pinballmikeD's mod are placed in the front left side of the lower cabinet.
Busy now, but if someone hasn't responded with photos by then, I'll take and post some later.
Quoted from rubberducks:The boards for pinballmikeD's mod are placed in the front left side of the lower cabinet.
Busy now, but if someone hasn't responded with photos by then, I'll take and post some later.
Yes, but my design is very different, I must connect directly to CPU with two flat cables (2x8), so must place my boards in pinball head, and very close to CPU, can not place in cabinet.
The matter, is if connect directly to CPU like in pictures I have post, or place in left side of pinball head. I will test about it with a pinball head I have here.
Quoted from pinballsp:Yes, but my design is very different, I must connect directly to CPU with two flat cables (2x8), so must place my boards in pinball head, and very close to CPU, can not place in cabinet.
The matter, is if connect directly to CPU like in pictures I have post, or place in left side of pinball head. I will test about it with a pinball head I have here.
Ah, got it.
Another thing to consider with space is that a lot of people getting this mod may have upgraded speakers and or lighted speakers which may compete for the same space as they add depth to the installed speaker panel. Cant wait for the finished product and would gladly take this over upgraded speakers any day if it came down to a choice !!
Quoted from JamesH007:Another thing to consider with space is that a lot of people getting this mod may have upgraded speakers and or lighted speakers which may compete for the same space as they add depth to the installed speaker panel. Cant wait for the finished product and would gladly take this over upgraded speakers any day if it came down to a choice !!
Thanks for suggestion about problem if somebody try to replace speakers or add some mod to front panel. I think finally I will do a universal board and will place, with adhesive spacers, on the left inner side of the pinball head, and will connect with two flat cables and two small board adapters. So also will may connect to any other pinball manufacturer and use it for other applications (next probably will be a topper or an interactive small display for pinball playfield)
Quoted from Fifty:One other thing to consider is Herg's LED OCD or GI OCD mounts on that exact same bracket. You need to make the install versatile as there are many other mods that might get in the way of the "ideal" install location.
OK, I will study the final details of the design, when the prototype is functional (firmware and videos working).
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Today I received PCB boards to do second prototype. I modified something (remove some chips, replace inductor THT by SMD), I have corrected some mistakes, I changed size and dimensions of board to connect closer to WPC CPU. With this board I may work already to develop software and videos.
At any rate, probably, this board will not be the final design. I must check yet if it's better do to a universal board to may connect to any pinball for another applications (topper, mini interactive display, multi light effects, etc...).
Now I start already to develop software, and I prepare a second prototype to send to my friend that has a Creature to test all I do here (I will send to him, firmware and videos by email to update and test kit).
Quoted from zr11990:This is coming along nicely. Any idea of a price yet so I can begin saving cash.
I do not have calculate yet final price, but suppose will be between 300 and 360, + freight cost. And I will try to offer a cheap freight cost by some special courier service like Packlink, mainly to USA.
Quoted from Toxteth:I can't wait, do I have to put my name down for one or will there be a big run of these?
Don't worry, do not need add your name to a waiting list yet. Now product is yet under development, as soon as it's close to be ready I will warn about it, I will fix price, and then anybody will may order or open a waiting list, but only when I'm sure product is practically ready and tested.
Quoted from pinballsp:I do not have calculate yet final price, but suppose will be between 300 and 360, + freight cost. And I will try to offer a cheap freight cost by some special courier service like Packlink, mainly to USA.
300 and 360 in what currency?
If this mod turns out nice it will sell a ton regardless--there is a lot of pent up demand since MikeD went on hiatus.
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Yesterday I assembled the second prototype, this is not yet the final product, but I may already start to develop software and test all. This weekend start with firmware.
Quoted from Robertstone0407:Any new developments
Hello.
Now I'm working with software development, I think soon will be ready a first firmware version, then I will start to do the videos, and finally I will do the final hardware version.
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I have think add to final hardware version, an output to may control digital leds, to apply special effects in playfield, speakers, under cabinet, etc... according with status of inputs/outputs.
Today I received the APA102 digital leds (5x5mm and 2x2mm), these allow connect hundreds or even thousands chained and control it with only 2 wires (and 5v supply). Leds in pictures are to solder in my board designs, but also available in strips.
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Quoted from john17a:hope to all creature owners this is promising looking forward to your progess
I plan on getting one John so you're welcome to come over and check it out 
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