OK, fine, seem finally everybody happy, and no problems. Like said my friend Barto all was a misundertanding.

At any rate if you may share if your new firmware version will modify pinout of DMD input/output ports and if you plan add WIFI or buttons. I have prepare already my new hardware version design (not yet manufactured) that add a WIFI (optional) with ESP8266 ESP12 in UART4 (PC10/PC11) and two new buttons in PE10/PE11 to may config device with a config menu in display (something similar to MM remake) instead of or besides to use USB. By WIFI also may upload config/palettes files to micro SD card or even upload new firmware if program a bootloader instead of directly a firmware. Will need develop an Android Cell phone App to upload files wireless.

Because of my board do not install programmer to save money, there is a jumper to use internal Bootloader of STM32F407 to upload any firmware by DFU USB with software provided by ST (for free). Also may use ST-Link programmer with JTAG SWD to program or to do Debug.

At any rate if need support to develop any hardware I may help about it, I have experience with PIC32, STM32, Freescale, Raspberry and Beaglebone black, tools Eagle, Altium and IDE/compilers Eclipse, XC32, QT Creator. Any PCB available in one week with professional look.

I hope assemble this week my first version of DMD ST32 board, and will test with my own firmware and with pin2dmd. If somebody want it, its an ALL in one board, connect direclty to led panel (do not need flat cable), load firmware and thats all, board provide empty no firmware pre-loaded, but very easy to load by USB.

My full assembled product also include power supply directly attached to frame plate with an Iron L shape and 4 screws, so do not need to think about where to put the power supply, product is full compact and clean installation. I will put pictures when available my board DMDST32, assembled and connected to led panels with power suply.

And like said Barto, Im not a company, I choose Pinballsp name to this activity about develop electronic devices.

Kind Regards.

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About WIFI, I plan use it first to upload wireless config and palettes from Cell phone and in next modification I will add option to upload also full firmware, but to do it I will must to add a bootloader to erase and write flash with new firmware and recompile firmware with special link script to relocate firmware to specific address in flash.

About PCB routing, some manually, some auto. I always route manual coupling capacitors 100nF for MCU and Quartz, rest auto. Yes manual routing is better, but when complex design require a lot of time, so only manual routing sensible components.

Yes its a vertical USB connector, but I put Mini USB type B, not micro USB. About USB cable, I use a 90 angle degree, so connect right for vertical USB connectors. I have put it because of if horizontal USB connector can not connect correclty standar USB cable because of cable connector contact with frame plate because of PCB is under frame plate. When I put pictures with all assembled will see what I mean.

My micro SD card socket is ok, no problem about it. I have use it already in many of my designs, may put SMD components in front and SD card connect perfecty, do no hit components. Attached pictures about this socket in one of my designs with GSM and ESP8266 ESP12.

About trace trough capacitor, I do not have send PCB yet to manufacture, I must check it and modify something to improve it, thanks I will put some restrict rules to avoid that autotrace place tracks close or through those components of oscillator.

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Thanks, today I will receive my first PCB version about DMDST32, will assemble it, test and will put pictures about it.

Yes, my firmware will support frame by frame colouring with keyframe and multiple palettes, and I think I will may provide already it in first version of product. Also I will add config with two buttons in board and config menu in display to select bright level and start mode instead of use USB and pc software. Next will be add WIFI support for config and update firmware, with an App in cell phone.

Also I want to test new Raspberry 3, to see if may even apply colouring to pixel level by frame, instead of replace bright level by color. This is a powerful board, 10 times faster than first Raspberry pi, so do not need FPGA to apply replacement of full frame by new colorized pixel by pixel. I will consult with my lawyers to see if some legal problems about patent, but I think no problem.

About ESP8266 I have use it with AT commands, but I want try also to program it with LUA, seem easy.
Hardware - software, I was first professional software programmer for about 22 years, and about electronic design I think all my life, and years ago mainly to design and program microcontrollers based circuits, also some with RPY and Beaglebone Black.

Well, today I have receive first version of PCB for DMD ST32 controller board, this do not include yet WIFI, buttons for config menu and boot option, but its ok for first tests, load firmware, connect to led panels and full assemble product. I will assemble it between today and tomorrow.

Also I have receive PCB boards I have design for an Autocalibrated Eddy sensor, main circuit and printed coil. This do not need adjust never, itself calibrate each time that connect power supply.

And third board is for a friend that need it to connect inside an Xbox gamepad to control a big electric motor and up to 12 microrelays according with several data signals from gamepad.

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I have two reflow oven, T962 and T962A and one stencil printer to apply solder paste. I order always stencil for each board, even some times I panelize boards to apply solder paste to several at time. So assemble prototypes is always very fast and easy. Also to solder THT I have a big solder pot. And some time I hope order a chinese Pick and Place machine, like this in picture attached, then will may even assemble some quantity of boards.

Last board has a special shape, because of its to put it inside an Xbox gamepad, and its the internal shape. I made so to may place all components, because of cliend added each time more and more components, last was a LIS331 accelerometer, more micro-relays and some SMD Leds.

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Final result with reflow oven is perfect if place correctly solder paste, its very important or will produce some shorts between pins in TQFP chips, though later may remove shorts easily with solder wick and soldering station. Also I check always TQFP chips with microscope.

To assemble prototypes and medium quantity of boards its perfect and cheap. For big quantities (more than 100 pcs) I send it to assemble to a company.

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Today board assembled, I add also pictures about full product assembled, only need add two small wires red-black from controller board to power supply. Tomorrow test firmware, and practically all is ok and ready.

Im preparing also a new version that add WIFI, two butons to config from display with config menu, one external SPI Flash memory 2 Mega to store config data instead of use SD card, though I will keep SD socket probably to update firmware with bootloader, remove reset button, keep only one LED (enough to check data), remove round jack (board get voltage supply with two wires directly to power supply), remove Jumper mosi-miso (do not know why is this jumper, so as soon as I know what is the correct position I remove it), add Boot jumper to load firmware, Keep St-Link connector to program directly and to do DEBUG, replace horizontal USB connector by Vertical USB connector.

About firmware I will test with pin2dmd, though Im developing my own firmware, its easy. I will add a new feature with random multiple palettes by time and I will see if add or not Keyframe because of somebody seem that get very NERVOUS when see the word "KEYFRAME" and then inmediately send private message about PATENTS. I have check patents with my lawyers and there is no problem about it, ALL I will do about firmware will be legal and without infringing the patent law. Though use Keyframe do not infringe any patent, there are another ways to add more colors to same game with good results, I must to check it yet, I think even will be better than Keyframe and mask to variable data.

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I do not know yet real maxim current that need those two led panels. I have ask to chinese distributor and they say between 7 and 10 Ampere. I thought that really do not need so big current.

When I connected Discovery and led panels to my power supply with voltimeter and amperemeter, current consumption was 500 mA with the main test screen. At any rate power supply must to may provide maxim current if some time all leds are on.

If we think that each led may need 20 mA, there are 128 pixels by row and 3 leds by pixel (red, green, blue), its 384 * 0.020 = 7.68 Ampere, really will be less by row because of work at 1/16 Scan, but if all rows are with all leds on, then really need more than 7 Ampere. So its possible that really need a power supply 10 Ampere. There are power supply of 7, 8 and 9 Ampere, but price difference is very low.

At any rate I will test it with my laboratory power supply with voltimeter and amperemeter, runing a game with virtual and real pinball.

Yes, my controller board DMD ST32 is already avaible, tested and working 100%. Pictures attached about product full assembled installing my controller board, its an ALL in one board, this include all and connect directly to led panels.

My controller board DMDST32 full assembled, price is 45 euros + shipping.
Display full assembled with power supply 10 A, 164 euros + shipping for one unit, 157 Euros + shipping for 5 units.

Display full assembled and controller board do NOT INCLUDE firmware preloaded, but its easy to load it, its compatible with pin2dmd open source version. At any rate Im preparing my own firmware with new features, and also a new version of my controller board that add WIFI to config wireless from cell phone, buttons to config with config menu in display (do not need PC software by USB), remove some leds, remove reset button, remove miso-mosi jumper. And about firmware, add new features like random multi palette by time and some more Im preparing.

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Hello Crash.
Its based in same microcontroller that install the Discovery board, the ARM STM32F407 TQFP100 pin. This can not run Linux, to do it need some powerful based SOC like Raspberry, Beaglebone Black or similar.

May install pin2dmd Open source, and because of sources are available may modify and compile it with Coocox, or better with Eclipse + GCC. About load firmware its very easy, Im preparing second version of my controller board with a boot jumper, then may enter in bootloader mode and load any firmware by USB. As soon as available I will put full instructions to do it, its very easy.

Yes, exactly.

Do not need to do it, pin2dmd sources are available, may modify it to avoid splash screen or even put your own splash screen.

No problem about it, I will modify current sources to provide new features, like Keyframe, WIFI, buttons to config from Display with config menu (do not need USB and PC), PC Soft. Editor to colorize frames by Keyframe, support for big displays SEGA 192*64 (with 1/32 Scan panels), etc...

Common Creative license allow that anybody modify sources, if provide sources modified, and I will do it, so no problem about closed official new versions, I will modify current open source version with no key code to activate it, so will be also free and open for everybody.

Add keyframe is very easy to colorize by frame, and I think add new features like random multipalette by time that may be even better than colorize by Keyframe and no patent problems.

Dont worry about it, new features will not be closed with key activation to current sources modified by me, and all legal and according with Creative Common License.

My new controller board version DMD ST32 is ready to send to manufacturer.

This add/modify/remove following:

1.- Add WIFI (optional) to config display wireless from Cell phone with App.
2.- Add two buttons to config display from controller board, show a config menu in display, do not need use USB and PC software.
3.- Only keep one Led for data transmit check, rest really do not need so remove.
4.- Remove RESET button, to reset board simply remove power supply.
5.- Remove MOSI-MISO jumper, do not need it.
6.- Remove round jack, get voltage with two wires directly to power supply.
7.- Add a 2 Megas Flash memory chip by SPI to store config, cheaper than use SD card though keep micro SD card socket to provide updates
8.- Add BOOT jumper in board to may load firmware or updates by USB with free software provided by MCU manufacturer, its mainly to install pin2dmd firmware if somebody want to do it, do not need a programmer

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Hello lucky.
About board with WIFI its already designed, I will send to manufacturer probably next week, and I will receive it in about 7 days. If you provide me your full address I will ship you one board for free.

About use 429 instead of 407, good idea, I will check it. I have here several samples I requested time ago to ST about 429, with 100, 144 and 176 pins. If 429 TQFP 100 is full compatible pin to pin with 407 I may solder a 429 in same board instead of 407, I will check it.

But about use Discovery 429, it install a 144 pin, I have one here, with touch screen, a 64Mb SDRAM, accelerometer, a lot of hardware that really do not need for this application but pay for it. It think its better a custom board with only hardware that really need, I think I may install a 429 in my current board and in next version with WIFI, so increase speed and RAM, but only increase a little price to replace 407 by 429, I test it as soon as possible and confirm.

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About freight cost to ship my products, controller board or full assembled display, I have check it with my courier company and these are my freigh cost. I think are really cheap, mainly to ship to USA, all by courier with tracking number and door to door service. Courier that ship in USA is TNT.

For example, one full assembled display has a weight of 1062 mg, must add weight of package, then take freight cost for 2Kg and its 39.5 Euros freight cost by courier with tracking. If some people in same country may mix orders to ship in one package will be cheaper than multiple shipments.

About payment its ok by TT or Paypal.

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There are led panels 64*64 1/32 Scan P2.5, I want to try it, with 3 panels P2.5 get a 192*64 led panel same dimensions that original SEGA.

And about replace 407 processor, I have check it and best option is replace 407 by 427 instead of 429. STM32F427 is cheaper than STM32F429, but both offer same speed 180 Mhz and same amount of RAM 256K. STM32F429 is more expensive because of include a TFT LCD controller that its not useful for this application.

So replace 407 by 427 mean increase speed from 168Mhz to 180 Mhz, and increase RAM amount from 196K to 256K. I have order several STM32F427 to test it with my controller board, I think bouth 407 and 427 are full compatible pin to pin, so do not need design a new PCB, simply replace each other. About price only increase it in about 1.4 Euros, so small increase of price but better performance and memory amount for future applications like support SEGA 192*64 displays or multiple color palettes. If all test ok I will install it in my new controller board with WIFI.

No, its not possible. This hardware do not has enough power to control a TFT LCD panel, to do it may use a SOC based like Raspberrry or Beaglebone Black with HDMI output.

5V 10A same price than 5V 20A ??, strange, probably its a mistake, for 20A its a good price, perfect for SEGA 192*64 display.

I do not know what is real power comsumption with all Leds ON, I always have think that 10 Ampere is too much, but until I check it with my amperemeter will not know. Currenly I install 10A power supply, but even if may work with 8A power supply, price difference between 8A and 10A power supply is very small, so finally install in any case a 10A power supply.

OK, if you check real current comsumption, warn about it, I will do too. At any rate I may modify sofware to play a test screen with all Leds ON, so will know real current comsumption, because of in a game screen its variable so will be hard to know when all leds will be ON and even if some time happen it, will be for a very short time, then hard to know the peak current consumption.

I only may suppose, if each led need 20mA, there are 128 leds by row, 3 colors Red, Green, Blue, then its 384 leds * 20mA = 7.68A.

Well this is my last design for controller board, I think ready to send tomorrow to manufacturer and get it in about one week.

According with lucky1 I have add 2 x octal buffer 74LS245 to avoid some random pixel problems when used with real pinball, finally keep all the 4 leds and add text for function of each one, so blue led print DATA, red led is ERR, Orange and Green are KEY1 and KEY2.

Board may install optionally a WIFI ESP8266 ESP12 module and a Flash Memory chip with 2Mega to store config. I have must to increase a little size of board to may add those new chips, and install small SMD leds 1206. USB now is vertical to connect a 90 degrees cable. The WIFI module is really a very powerful device than include an ARM processor that may be programmed in LUA, board include a jumper to program it by Serial UART. Board install an ST-LINK compatible connector to program or DEBUG MCU.

This board will may install several different ARM microcontroller:
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1.- STM32F405, 168 Mhz, 196K RAM, 1 Mega flash, cheaper than F407 and for current pin2dmd, full compatible.
2.- STM32F407 same that currently install Discovery, 168 Mhz, 196K RAM, 1Mega flash program.
3.- STM32F427, 429, 437 or 439, improve speed to 180 Mhz and RAM amount to 256K, 1-2 Mega flash program.
4.- Even may intall the Super Powerful STM32F7 that run at 216 Mhz with RAM 320K, 1-2 Mega flash program..

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Ok, I will receive it in one week.

Today I have receive 3 units about the microcontroller 427, I have install it in my current controller DMD ST32 and work perfect with pin2dmd. This is faster than Discovery 407 MCU and increase RAM to 256K. I will check also with the F7 at 216Mhz, faster than any F4 and with 320K RAM.

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I think will need a powerful system to apply keyframes and colorize with multiple palettes. At any rate board is always same, only that may install several different microcontrollers, 405, 407, 427, 429, 437, 439 and the fastest F7.

Even for current firmware, the 405 is better and cheaper than the 407, because of 407 install a Camera driver not useful for this application, and 405 fith same speed and RAM amount do not include it and so its cheaper.

Do not know, I frined mine has test it, I suposse he will have modify clock frequency in sources, but do not know. At any rate like I said, the good is with same board may install several diferent MCU according to the needs.

I have order already severa F7 and 405 to test it too.

Full assembled display for one unit price is 164 euros and freight cost to USA by Courier with tracking is 39.5 Euros. Current currency exchange Euros/USD is 1.11.

Only controller board with 407 processor (no wifi), is 45 euros + shipping.

Price will be similar to current 407, but may add options like WIFI, faster processor, Flas memory chip. Even with 405 processor will be cheaper for basic board. WIFI may be add 3-4 euros, Flash memory add 2 euros, faster 427 processor add 3-4 euros.

One board is very light, may be even may apply a freight cost for 0.5 Kg that is the cheaper by Courier, about 25 USD to USA with tracking and door to door service.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

No problem about it, these microcontrollers almost not heated. Only when start to use SOC based like Raspberry, Beaglebone or similar may need add some heat sink, and even for a SOC do not need a fan.

Yes, a 64*64 1/32 Scan, and its even cheaper than 64*64 1/16 that use for current 128*32.

Thank you.

Preparing my own firmware. Splash screen, next screen will display Firmware version, SD card status, Startup mode, WIFI status, Bright level, Palette and will allow enter in config menu with buttons in controller board or WIFI from cell phone, tablet or Pc computer with internet browser.

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I use a Nikon camera, and still am not very happy with the results, seen in person the colors, brightness and contrast are much better. At any rate with cell phone camera the results are worse.

First need my new controller board, just tomorrow I receive PCB by DHL. Assemble it and start with my firmware tests, also will try to update pin2dmd open source to add support for WIFI, Config Menu in Display, Store config in Flash chip (do not need SD card), Random Multipalette by Time, SEGA display (with 427 or F746 MCU), etc...

Also I have here already several microcontrollers 405, 427 and F746, I will assemble three boards each one with a different MCU to test it. Im also waiting for 160*160mm 1/32 Scan led panels for SEGA displays.

Sure, Im working about it.

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Today received PCB about new controller board with WIFI, config buttons, boot jumper, Flash 2Mb chip and two chip buffers to improve real pinball performance.

I will assemble and test new controller board along this week, with four microcontrollers, 405, 407, 427 and F746. Do not know why text "RGB LED Controller" is not printed, I have claim to manufacturer.

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I try to collaborate, but with closed sources its not easy. I will add updates to V1, then hope may get access to V2 sources. At any rate Im also developing my own firmware.

My updates will be add WIFI support, config buttons with config menu in display, option to store config and palettes in Flash chip (do not need keep connected a SD card), random multipalette by time, SEGA 192*64 support with 427 or F746 microcontroller in board and by hardware Boot option to upload firmware without programmer. Also I have an encrypted booloader to may provide updates encrypted so nobody may disassemble Hex file.

Also, great work. This looks like it's going to be the go-to solution.

Thank you.

Re: the gel film .. would probably be a good idea to offer it. It ought to improve perceived contrast quite a bit, depending on how effective it is at eating bleed and bloom.

Yes, good idea.

Well, its not indispensable develop an App to access via WIFI to this device. The module I have install may run like a Web Server, so may access from any internet browser to local IP by WIFI and config device or upload files, its easy develop an HTML web page for ESP8266 WIFI module, so in that web page may put buttons to select palette, slider to select bright level, buttons to upload updates, etc...

I must to check it yet, but this WIFI module may be programmed in his own LUA language, then do not need develop an App for cell phone, only open your internet browser, select the local IP of WIFI and access to a web page stored in controller board WIFI module.

I do not have experience developing JAva applications for cell phones, but I have develop many web pages in PHP and HTML, so program ESP8266 like server and store a web page to config controller board with any cell phone, tablet or PC computer with WIFI must to be easy.

Also may do live stream , though I do not have experience about it.

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Already assembled four prototypes for new DMD ST32 LED panel controller board. Two with WIFI and F427 microcontroller, one with F407 and not WIFI and one with F405 and not WIFI.

Tomorrow I will star to check firmware with these four boards, I want to see that F427 and F405 work fine, also this new version include two 74LS245 buffers to improve performance with real pinball, so I want check it too.

Current features of this controller board version of DMD ST32 are following:

1.- Ful compatible Discovery hardware based firmware.
2.- May install optional, WIFI module for wireless config, updates, palettes, new firmware versions, etc... This module may be controlled with AT commands or programmed in LUA language by serial port in board.
3.- Three Buttons for config in display with Menu.
4.- 2 Mega Flash Memory chip in board, to store config, palettes, keyframes, etc...
5.- Boot mode to load firmware by USB, with BOOT jumper in board
6.- St-link connector to program and DEBUG microcontroller with JTAG/SWD (may use ST-Link V2 programmer/debuger, its very cheap)
7.- Four leds, with print texts in board (ERR, DATA, Key1, Key2)
8.- Micro SD card socket.
9.- May install five different STM32 microcontrollers; F405, F407, F427, F429, F745/6. F427, 429 and 745 are the powerful to support future updates for SEGA 192*64 big displays, Colorize by Keyframe, Random Multipalette by time, etc...
10.- RC filters resistors/capacitors to improve pinball real data input.
11.- All in one board, connect directly to led panel input data, do not need add any additional board or flat cable.
12.- USB Mini B port VERTICAL, for config and updates from PC computer.
13.- Keep MISO-MOSI jumper, but like a solder jumper, by default solder in position 1.
14.- Optional, add two 74LS245 buffers to improve output data to led panel.
15.- Board protected against polarity inversion.

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Ok, thanks Jörg. Good if you have already wifi source code for this ESP-12.
Im testing boards now, as soon as all is ok, I will send three boards to Dominik, then he give two for you.

Yes, these are prototypes, but even so with an ultrasonic cleaner, board may look perfect. At any rate I do not solder it by hand, but in an oven reflow, and resins need to be cleaned with ultrasounds to offer a good look board though work perfect too.

Yes, probably all boards will install F427 microcontroller, because of I have get a very good price to order it in quantity. Price difference between F407 and F427 is only 1.3 USD, so I think will be better install only F427. At any rate I must test it yet to confirm its 100% compatible.

There is also a more powerful solution with F745 or F746 microcontrollers, but higher price difference. These are a very fast microcontrollers ARM 216 Mhz, 1Mb Flash Memory ,320K Ram. May be for future special features that require very fast and powerful processor. Current PCB may install also these microcontrollers without modify hardware.

F745 not available in China, they order to USA and resell. So price is same that order in Europe, and its double price than F427.

Finally I think I may offer board with two processors, F427 or F745/F746. With F745/F746 may increase price in about 10 Euros, but I must test it yet to see if its full compatible with current microcontrollers.

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Some more pictures, these about USB.

For this kind of Vertical USB connector, I suggest use this 90 degree cable. Mainly if you must keep it connected for long time, like happen in a virtual pinball, because of a standar USB cable may break the solder points of vertical USB connector.

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I have here one STM32F746 chip, I will assemble one Controller Board with it and will test.

Its a very powerful ST microcontroller, F7 compared with F4, double its performance, 462 DMIPS vs 225 DMIPS. This may be interesting to apply keyframes and colorize with real pinball.

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I suspected about that, if some software timings are calculated according with clock frequency, if modify clock will need modify source code or display will not work properly.

So for current firmware must keep same clock for F427 and F7 though microcontrollers may run faster until create new firmware version specially for F427 and F7 with properly timings and faster clock (180Mhz and 216Mhz).

4A is enough to provide power supply to two leds panels ??. Currently I install a 5v 10A power supply, and seem everybody suggest minimal 6-7 Amperes. Chinese provider replied to me that each panel need about 3-4 Amperes, so two panels will need 6-8 Amperes.

Microcontroller need a few mA, probably about 60-80mA, and WIFI about 300-400mA but only when active, can dissabled it from microcontroller with an AT command. Therefore when the controller board works to get the animations on the display, only need about 60-80mA. When microcontroller run faster will need a little more mA, but not much more.

Very interesting, I never thought that two led panels may require 10 Amperes, do not understand why all I have read suggest install a 10A power supply, when may work perfectly with a 5A power supply, that is cheaper.

I want test it, with ALL leds ON, probably this never happen with a real game, but in theory its possible all leds ON, and this will be the real maximum amperage that may require the led panels. I will modify firmware to run a test that put all LEDS ON to know about it.

At any rate, I have checked price difference between 5A and 10A commercial power supply and its only 2 Euros en Europe. And price from China for a 10A power supply is only 6 USD, so probably it is not important put 5A or 10A power supply because of price is very similar. I do not know how much is your cost, but if a full assembled power supply 5V 10A has a price of only 6USD, do not know if worth to manufacture and assemble by hand.

Certainly its hard work with FPGA, I have some experience with VHDL and Spartan based boards, but not so easy like work with C/C++ language.

There is an easier option with Raspberry or Beaglebone Black. I have do many developments wih Beaglebone Black, easy to program with QT Creator + GCC and with enough power to work with keyframes to replace frame by frame with new colorized pixel by pixel.

It is even possible to reuse part of the STM32 source code for new development with Beaglebone Black or RPY, both have also SPI and I2C ports, more I/O ports in BBB. At any rate, cheaper with STM32, and may be with F7 will may do advanced colouring.

Yes, I have order 3 panels 64*64 1/32 Scan, hope receive it in about one week, and then will start with firmware tests.

I think that pinout of data connector is same than 160*80 mm led panels, so probably will may connect same controller board, though the frame to fix the board seem has not same holes to fix them with screws.

This weekend Im testing controller board with F405, F407 and F427 MCU.

Most of led panels providers are chinese available in Aliexpress. Seem most of people order to Angela but I received several defectives and she is not so cheap like another providers.

And avoid the 64*64 1/16 scan because of though may split the led panels in 2 x 64*32, can NOT split the frame and if try to cut it the look is very poor.

Cheaper than FPGA are SOC like Raspberry or Beaglebone Black. And about MCU core for FPGA I think also its expensive, or may you try to develop your own MCU core.

I think the cheap and faster alternative to microcontrollers are Raspberry and Beaglebone Black SOC boards. Current Raspberry 3 seem very powerful, but even with before versions sure may run a very fast system to apply keyframes and advanced colouring.

May be I will try to do something with Beaglebone Black. Or try if STM32F746 has enough power to do it too, so keep current hardware, simply replace MCU and improve software.

Yes, you are right, all SOC boards like RPY are slow to boot.

I hope that my controller board with an F746 MCU has enough power to work with keyframes and pixel by pixel colorized pictures. And to store new colorized pictures to replace original, may use an external parallel eprom to get fast access, so may provide a cheap and powerful system to work with full and detailed colorized animations.

Also I want to check the Chrome-ART Accelerator and DMA2D system that include F427 and higher ST references, to control directly a TFT display, or even if may use it to improve LED panels control for advanced colouring.

At any rate a solution based on microcontroller, always will be cheaper than FPGA and faster to boot than SOC boards. I think with Cortex M7 microcontrollers like F746, F745, F756, F767, will may do a cheap and very powerful system.

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Testing new controller board with F427 microcontroller and pin2dmd v1. Do not have recompile sources, simply load firmware. I think that buffers improve stability of screen. But need check about USB why Windows say "Device Unknown".

About full assembled DMD and controller board prices, I will calculate again, because of now I have better prices about microcontrollers, power supply and led panels, so may offer cheaper price. Also I have a new frame laser cuted in black acrylic, so high quality.

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Thanks Joerg.
Unfortunately I made a mistake in the USB connector, it is wrong routed, all the 5 pins are inverted in PCB, so I must to do it again, I have send today new amend design to manufacturer, hope receive it in about 7 days.

At any rate I may load firmware with ST-Link Programmer by JTAG and work, but I can not config board because of USB do not work, so if activation key require USB then can not test it with this wrong board.

Yes, F405 board work very well too, exactly like F407, and its cheaper because of do not include Ethernet and Camera controller, not useful for this application. I think that buffers improve screen, seem its more stable, I like it, I think will install in all boards, I have get cheap price for 74HCT245 in quantity (TTL compatible 74LS245, but cheaper).

And I have get also very good price for F427 in quantity, so I think I will install only F427, because of price difference between 405 and 427 is only 1.4 USD. Probably only will be optional WIFI and Flash chip.

I thougth about it, but though I may modify cable to connect correctly D+, D-, ID and GND, there is one pin of microcontroller connected to VBUS in schematic but by mistake of USB socket its really connected to ground of PCB, so I can not amend it though I modify manually wires of USB cable.

May be USB work without connect this pin, but I have damage already one board because of wrong USB in PCB, now this board when connect, microcontroller get very hot, though firmware run.

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Just today I have receive LED panels, most 160*80mm to do standar 128*32 DMD, but also I have receive 3 panels 160*160mm 1/32 Scan to do SEGA 192*64 DMD.

I mut to check it yet, but surprise me that there are only 3 letters A, B, C to address rows, instead of four letters A, B, C, D, so understand that internally some lines are really split in 2 x 64 pixels but connected in same line for shift register. I must prepare some firmware test to see how this data bus scan rows-cols.

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Some people warn me that really SEGA displays are not P2.5 pitch, but smaller. I have ask about it to some friends that have original DMD to know real dimensions, board and visible area, because of if its true, then these P2.5 64*64 1/32 Scan panels are not useful. I think there are also available Led panels with lower pitch, I think P2.0 and even smaller.

Fort test I have here a video controller board from SEGA, that has given me a friend, now I have ask him that tell me dimensions of original plasma DMD, board and visible area.

About data from video board to DMD, I may record it with my Logic Analizer and provide it if need. I have two Hantek logic analizer, one MSO5102D with 16 chanels, and one LA5034 with 34 channels.

Im waiting confirmation from a friend about dimensions of a original plasma SEGA DMD, but I have edit a picture that Gregorie has put in my Facebook where he compare Led panels P2.5 and real SEGA DMD, and seem that pitch of original DMD is really 2.0mm instead of 2.5mm, so these P2.5 led panels seem not useful to do it. I wait now reply from provider about led panels P2.0, I think are available, and even small P1.9 or P1.85mm.

Im waiting reply from my led panels provider, I think there are P2.0 led panels, probably the right for SEGA DMD 192*64.

And just today I received new frame plate for my DMD, these are all in one piece black methacrylate laser cut for best quality, so all my DMD LEd will install this frame.

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Very small, I will try to locate it in several providers, I think sometime I have see advertised 64*64 led panels P2.0 mm pitch.

Confirmed with a friend that has send me pictures about a real SEGA DMD, pitch is 2mm, so visible area is about 390x130mm. And with P2.5 led panels, dimensions of visible area are 477x160mm for 192*64 pixels, so not useful.

Yes, I may use it for test purposes, but not to install in pinball. Seem its hard locate a 2mm pitch led panel, most are larger than 64*64 pixel and very expensive.

So finally I think solution will be develop it with TFT and Raspberry or Beaglebone Black, I know very well Beaglebone so I think I will use it.

P2.0 Led panels are very expensive, the cheapest price I have found up to now is 64 USD for 64*64 pixels 1/64 Scan Led panel. So this mean pay 192 USD + shipping for 3 panels to get 192*64 pixels DMD. That's almost double the cost I expected to pay.

It is cheaper then use TFT 18-20 inches + Raspberry Pi or Beaglbone Black solution. Hardware to develop is simply a board with level adapters 5v to 3.3v for Input GPIO ports and a DMD input connector.

I know time ago somebody developed already a Raspberry solution based, but I want develop my own product, but only for 192*64 SEGA displays, because of for 128*32 DMD is cheaper work with led panels instead of TFT.

Ok, I will see if finally I order 3 x P2.0 leds panels 64*64 1/64 Scan to test it, though final price of product will not be so good like I want. The cost of led panels must be added controller board, frame plate and power supply.

I know original plasma DMD is very expensive, and here in Spain even more expensive because of people must purchase it to USA, pay freight cost and high customs taxes, so final price of one 192*64 plasma DMD may be about 600 Euros or higher here. So finally nobody repair SEGA machines with DMD damaged, because of its very expensive, and also nobody buy these machines.

May be I may offer an RGB DMD LED 192*64 with price between 350 and 400 Euros. But with TFT probably between 250 and 300 euros full ready to work, or only adapter board + Sd card with program cheaper than DMD Extender.

I do not think may take power supply from 18v, 12v or 5v, because of need at least 4 Amperes, may be even more. And about take power supply from 100v or 80v AC or DC, will need a circuit to convert it to 5v 4/5A stabilized, and if you add cost of all components to do it probably will be more expensive than a chinese full assembled ready to work power supply 5V 10A.

My current price for full assembled power supply 5V 10A, is only 6 USD, I do not think anybody may assemble his own power supply or AC-DC converter 100VAC to 5VDC with lower cost.

At any rate I provide with my full assembled DMD LED, cables to connect power supply directly to 100VAC from video board in WPC or Stern, so its Plug and Play. For Data East or Gottlieb I think will need connect cables to start switch or solder it to power supply board, there is not direct connector to do a Plug and PLay.

Yes, power supply accept input 100 to 240VAC, so may take 100VAC from WPC video controller board (J605) or Stern Display power supply PCB (CN1), to do a plug and play. Data East and Gottlieb not available to plug and play, but only need solder two wires to 100VAC in power supply board (P1 Gottlieb, CN1 Data East).

Because of Led panels, probably need between 3 and 5 Amperes maximum, its between 15W and 25W, so 100VAC only need provide 150mA to 250mA, I think enough.

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Yes, it is possible price between 350 and 400 for product based on LED panels, but with Raspberry+TFT or Beaglebone+TFT always will be cheaper.

At any rate I understand that better brighness and contrast with Led panels than with TFT, so finally better quality. And size of display exactly like original.

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Well, I have found already supplier about P2.0mm pitch Led panels, 64*64 pixels, to do SEGA 192*64 DMD.

Are not so cheap like P2.5 but I think may offer a correct price. This next Monday I will order 3 panels to start to test it with new controller board. The main technical difference is that they work at 1/64 Scan.

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I thought about manufacture this PCB board to solve bleeding problem with LEd panels.

This board will be of a thick of 0.8mm or less, install 8 x Resistor Arrays each one with 4 resistors, so total 32 resistors 2k2. Simply must place this board in Led panel according to pictures, apply 2 solder points by FET, and one to GND in main power supply connector and thats all. So instead of having to place and solder by hand 32 resistors and 2 wires to ground, may do it faster, easier and safer.

I will send this week to manufacture this board, with two more boards, one printed coil for my Autocalibrated Eddy sensor design, and one reader/programmer for 2708 eproms, for old pinball machines that install it in CPU.

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All led panels I have test have some kind of bleed. In the begining I thought it was a defect of my controller board.

Solution with resistors is cheap and easy, so I created this board to apply it, easier, faster and safer, only need put this board on the Led panel board, apply two solder points by Mosfet and GND and thats all. For people that need assemble frequently led panels, I think is the faster solution.

I do not understand exactly what do you mean.

Only two contact points by Mosfet, and one for GND. Those are simply tinned copper pads in PCB, there are no mechanical parts, only the board that install 8 x resistor arrays (4 resistors by array, total 32 resistors) connected between mosfet points and ground.

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Today I have receive new controller board PCB with USB connector error fixed. Tomorrow I will assemble and test it, and hope product ready. Also in this version I have add holes to may install it with led panels with and without frame.

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Fine, I wil assemble tomorrow and I will test this weekend, I think now all will be ok then ready to ship.

Beauty playfield.

Four boards assembled, now testing. USB now work perfect, also tested BOOT with DFU USB to load firmware, at any rate I must to see how load it in an specific memory address or after load do not run. Program firmware by ST-LINK work perfect too.

Just a detail, board with WIFI need at least 210 mA when connect it, so because of USB port can not provide so high amperage must connect external power supply 5 volt to may load firmware. Without WIFI and without connect the led panels, may connect by DFU USB and load firmware with bootloader option (Jumper BOOT Off).

SD card tested, work fine.

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OK fine, thank you for your information, I did not know, then must work perfectly with WIFI, but not with led panels connected.

Tested board about Amperage:
Board without buffers, without WIFI ------------------ 80 mA
Board with buffers (2 x 74LS245), without WIFI --- 210 mA
Board with buffers (2 x 74LS245) + WIFI ---------- 260 mA

Well, all boards tested, all work fine:
Controller board with STM32F407 without buffers, OK
Controller board with STM32F407 with buffers, OK
Controller board with STM32F405 with buffers, OK
Controller board with STM32F427 with buffers, OK

Now only need check about BOOT jumper to load firmware by DFU USB, USB work and with jumper in BOOT option PC DFU software recognize it and allow upload firmware, but probably need config something in PC software because of though I may load firmware by DFU USB do not run it. At any rate may load firmware with ST-LINK programmer, and USB work fine to config board, so hardware is ok, none problem with it.

So, now I go to see about config DFU for BOOT option, and ALL ready, tomorrow I will start to assemble and ship controller boards and full DMD.

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I have already config DFU USB to upload firmware by USB with BOOT jumper in board, work OK. So product is ready 100%.

Well, I must test WIFI, but to do it need add source code to config Serial Port and send some AT commands, but hardware design is ok, simple two wires, TX and RX to UART or USART pins, so must to work. Also must to test the SPI flash memory chip in board to store config data instead of use SD card when small files.

I will do also a User Manual with instructions to update firmware, and will provide DFU software to do it, its an ST free software.

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Yes, seem its also available for Linux and Mac, though I only tested Windows version.
http://www.emcu.it/DFU-DfuSe/DFU-DfuSe.html
http://dfu-util.sourceforge.net/

Here Windows version with sources (seem now link fail, check later).
http://www2.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/development-tools/software-development-tools/stm32-software-development-tools/stm32-programmers/stsw-stm32080.html

User Manual to install and config it, very easy.
http://www2.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/user_manual/3f/61/72/ff/c5/5a/4a/7b/CD00155676.pdf/files/CD00155676.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.CD00155676.pdf

Ok, thanks Jörg. Good your news about WIFI.

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Here pictures about my final DMD Led Color full assembled, tested and working 100% with real pinball and virtual pinball.

Versions with F405/407 or the faster F427 compatible with future updates to support SEGA 192*64 displays (I have locate already P2 panels 128*128mm with very good price). WIFI optional.

For real pinball, include one power supply cable to choose from three options (Bally/Williams, Stern, Data/Gottlieb). Bally/Williams and Stern are Plug and Play, do not need cut or solder wires, for Data East and Gottlieb need solder two wires to power supply board in pinball head.

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Three panels P2 pitch, 128*128mm, 64*64 pixels are ok to do one SEGA DMD 192*64. I have got a very good price, so final price for a full assembled DMD 192*64 pixel I think will be good.

I have order 3 panels to test it, so with new F427 microcontroller I think will work perfect, but even if need may install the powerful F746 in same controller board, this is the fastest and with more RAM memory.

Hello.
I'm calculating new prices because of I have get cheaper prices for led panels and microcontrollers. Probably price will be cheaper for USA than to Europe because of freight cost is also more expensive. In a few days I post prices.

May order by private message, email to [email protected], Facebook messenger of pinballsp, Whatsapp (+34693344445), and payment by Paypal or TT. Shipping by courier with tracking number. Freight cost table attached.

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Yes, no problem, shipping to any country.
Though I must confirm freight cost to Australia, by Courier with tracking number for 2kg weight, may be between 39 and 43 Euros.

Hello Paul.

Im preparing four harness cables to connect power supply.
1.- Bally/Williams WPC, WPC-s, Plug and play
2.- Bally/Williams WPC95, Plug and PLay
3.- Stern, Plug and play. (I think SEGA is same than Stern)
4.- Data East / Gottlieb, need solder two wires to power supply board in pinball head.

About lenght, a friend has check it, and suggest 30cm for all plug and play and 65cm for Data/Gottlieb. I will assemble all these 4 cables this weekend and will upload pictures about it.

About machines where must connect power supply remotely becase of not space, I will think about it. In DMD there are two boards to connect to power supply, controller board and two led panels. I think I may provide a 2 teminal block with screws (picture attached), so easy to connect all wires (4 by led panel, 2 by controller board) and a long two wires cable with two crimped fork terminals (picture attached), to connect to power supply. Also will need input cable to power supply, same than plug and play if WPC, but probably longest.

May you tell me what is cable length needed to connect remote power supply ??

I will provide all options about cables to install it easily.

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