I've heard so many people that have had issues with these new LED displays from Stern, myself included. I have a line that's always lit. I've talked to people that have had bad displays right out of the box and others that have gone through multiple displays. I'll be getting a replacement, but I've only had this game for 2 months. Something just isn't right with these if there are so many failures...

Anyone else have any issues with these?

2013-11-17 11.53.07.jpg

I'll be switching to plasma. It's not too difficult. The transformer is capable. Just need to run 3 wires up to the backbox and install a HV board.

I have to send the broken one back when the new one comes in. I've even heard, from an individual, that one of the replacement displays they received was a repaired unit!

Searching for 788BS reveals these 8x8 red LED modules for a couple bucks each. Might need to pick a few up to have to replace any bad ones down the road.

This is for (10) shipped from China:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-10-pcs-1-9MM-Red-dot-matrix-module-Model-788BS/605870_879528976.html

Based on the poll (unscientific), seems like about a 50% failure rate, at this point. I could understand issues at around the 5 year mark, but most seem to be from brand new to a few months. Not good.

Got the replacement DMD from Stern. It's a repaired board. It does work though.

2013-11-21 17.43.30.jpg

Converted my Met Pro over to plasma and have had no issues since.

I have my replacement red DMD display up for sale, if anyone is interested in it as a replacement or as a backup...

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/fs-stern-led-dmd

How many times will Stern keep replacing the same game's display? I'd assume the replacement will fail and then it's out of pocket at that point...

Below is Stern's warranty. Note that the warranty starts as soon as the game is shipped to the distributor, not when you take delivery. It also is just circuit boards and the DMD, nothing else (unless damaged in shipping).

--

STERN PINBALL INC. FACTORY LIMITED WARRANTY :

STERN PINBALL INC. SELLER WARRANTS ONLY TO THE INITIAL PURCHASER OF ITS
PRODUCTS THAT THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW ARE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL
AND WORKMANSHIP UNDER NORMAL USE AND SERVICE FOR THE WARRANTY PERIOD
SPECIFIED; WARRANTY PERIODS ARE EFFECTIVE FROM THE INITIAL DATE OF SHIPMENT
FROM SELLER TO DISTRIBUTOR.

1. PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND GAME LOGIC : TWO (2) MONTHS (60 DAYS)

2. DOT MATRIX DISPLAY BOARDS: NINE (9) MONTHS

NO OTHER PARTS OF SELLER'S PRODUCT ARE WARRANTED.

Here are some practical threads if you want to order and replace it yourself or have some replace it for you.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/where-to-buy-stern-dmd-8x8-block-for-acdc-display#post-1777579
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-stern-led-dmd-repairs#post-2708884

You can get a replacement in the interim and use your repaired one as a spare.

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=3008

I switched out my Stern display for a plasma. I may be the only one running a plasma in a Metallica.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/guide-for-converting-sterns-with-red-led-display-to-plasma