I'd put a shaker motor in before a knocker. Unless knockers fire more often than free games and I missing something, but a shaker adds to game play much more rather than firing during a random match sequence or when you achieve a predetermined score... besides it always scares the heck out of me when it goes off ... I'll take the shaker.

Edit: also if you're going 8 contractors you might as well go 10 imo.

I use x360ce for button mapping on PinballFX2... I haven't had Pinball Arcade on my cab for a while, can't remember if I was using it for that too.

http://www.x360ce.com/

Are you talking about Freezy's dmdext? I run that for PinballFX2. Never really got back into PBA so I can't help you there. There is lots of support over at vpforums... http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=34468&hl=

Where abouts are you in your attempts to getting it to work?

Have you tried to get it working from the command line before trying to integrate it into PinballX (I'm guessing that is the front end you're using). I'll post the string I'm using to run it from command line when I get home... we can see if it matches what you're running.

Umm... I'm not thinking so... I'm not quite sure if the steps to get it working with a pinDMD2 are the same as a pinDMD3 as that is what I'm using. You have a current pinDMD.dll and it is unblocked?

This is what I can when I run dmdext test

d:\PinDMD\DMD Extensions v1.3>dmdext test
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.296 DEBUG | PinDMDv1 device not found.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.327 DEBUG | PinDMDv2 device not found.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.327 DEBUG | Checking port COM1 for PinDMDv3...
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.421 DEBUG | Error: The parameter is incorrect.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.421 DEBUG | Checking port COM3 for PinDMDv3...
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.530 INFO | Found PinDMDv3 device on COM3.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.530 DEBUG | Firmware: REV-vPin-01008
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.530 DEBUG | Resolution: 128x128
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.639 DEBUG | PIN2DMD device not found.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.639 INFO | Added PinDMDv3 renderer.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.827 INFO | Added VirtualDMD renderer.
[1] 2016/11/30 20:16:08.905 INFO | Press CTRL+C to close.

I actually don't even have a pinDMD.dll in that directory... I did for v 1.2.4... but 1.3 I just have 3 files, a NLog.config and ProPinballSlave.bat.

Thanks ronaldvg... but my pinDMD3 works fine... I was posting an example of what a good output should look like, Mudflaps is having the issue with his pinDMD2

I don't have any trouble running both... stop in over on the vpforums for support, freezy is active there.

I've read some threads over on vpforum's or vpuniverse I believe of people going larger than 46". If memory recalls I'd like to think they looked a little 'off' in that they were just too big. 46" fits in a modern widebody pin perfectly... well once you route a channel in it that is . I believe there are some older pins that were wider than the 90's Williams/Bally widebodys that may accommodate something a little larger but if you go 55" or 65" you are going full custom build with a custom lockdown bar and everything. I'm not sure about the 55" but unless you are over 6' tall with exceptionally long arms I'd have to guess the 65" screen would be down right uncomfortable to actually flip having the flipper button so far apart. A Hercules pin is 39" wide and a 65" TV would probably put you at about 35" wide... it wasn't any fun flipping a Hercules for any length of time.

That is plenty of power for VP... like plenty! I run a 960 video card on an i5 with no issues and I know others run with less than that without issue too. You will be in good shape with those specs.

I'm not dialing anything down. I do run in full screen with the Vsync set to 1 to get the smoothest peformance but I'm quite happy with it. I'm not sure if you'd need a beefier video card if you are planning on a 4K screen or not.

I've played the Pinball FX3 beta and it looks good on my backglass monitor, but with no cabinet support in the beta (yet?) I'm relegated to running it on the backglass so I can't fully judge how well it is playing yet.

Lots of great stuff coming out these days... New versions of Monster Bash and Medevial Madness as well as new VPX versions of Indiana Jones and WCS94. There are just a bunch of great games out there... The Metallica LE and Spider-Man VE are great and have colour roms as well as a fantastic AC/DC with a colour rom too. If you are looking for some older games there is a really great Fathom too... no colour rom there .

Are you running the latest vpinmame? Check in over at vpuniverse or vpinball.com for more support.

People do it both ways, personal preference. I prefer the look of it parallel to the ground, no slant to it.

The processor and ram should be adequate... the video card is well under powered for today’s VPX tables. I run a gtx960 and get along but most people are putting better than that in their cabs. Your tv is a lower resolution than most cabs too so expect some loss of detail for sure.

These are the other sites I visit daily to get my virtual pin fix:

http://vpinball.com/
http://www.monsterbashpincab.com/
http://vpuniverse.com/

Haven't spent any time on facebook groups.

The UI is not terribly intuitive as far as I'm concerned. Think "image maps", hover over the playfield on the pinball machine and that is the link for the table. Read the directions for everything else you need to aquire on your own... like mentioned above you need two files from the Steam version of Pinball Arcade

Not sure why I didn’t just link you directly to the download page last time...

http://www.monsterbashpincab.com/ghostbusters-le/

You do need an account and have to be logged in if you’re not.

Whoa... that's really weird... like your account isn't activated or something. This game is worth the effort of playing. Drop me a PM.

You don't need to pay for the game, the files are all included in the Steam download. Check the thread out at the forum, it says in there that once you grab the two files you need you can even uninstall The Pinball Arcade from your system. There are no links to all the files in one place, like anything else in the VP hobby it isn't plug and play type easy, you have to do a little work and a little reading.

For VP? I wouldn't bother with 4K if you can get a deal on a 1080p. There are 4K tables out there but personally I think it's overkill, I had a 43" 4K in mine a while back (Granted when there wasn't as much 4K table content) and the uptick in detail wasn't a game changer for me. I jumped up to a 46" 1080p when the opportunity presented itself and I'm happy there. 49" is too big of a TV for a bally/williams widebody cab, you'll likely have to go custom cab and custom lockdown bar if you go that large.

Ah... okay... older Bally, those can hold bigger. Lots of folks, like me, built a cab from scratch and built off the 90’s bally/Williams widebody plans.

Don't do it! You'll only sell it in a couple of weeks!

I was talking to Terry on the weekend at the Ottawa Pinball show and I believe he said it took him a better part of a month to do it. Tons of work.

You could get a parts list from him and still not get close to how good this looks... his wire management is on point! This is one impressive build!

I had a pretty great vpin that I sold (amongst several other things) for a Metallica... which shortly there after spawned a TWD which lead to a LOTR... i occasionally feel inspired to build another Vpin when I see the likes of the new releases like TAF but ultimately I just go turn on my TWD and the urge passes. I’m a big supporter of vpin and believe it has a place in a bigger collection... but for my dollars and space constraints I’d rather have one or two real pins than one pimped out vpin. Obviously just one persons opinion.

I’d say head to vpforums or vpinball.com. Lots more active support in those places, lots of build threads... including my own over on vpforums in the cabinet build forum.

I took a couple of steps myself... first was get the software running outside a cabinet... once I knew I could handle that I knocked up a proof of concept mini like cabinet/controller with all the buttons and solenoids working... once I knew I could handle that I dug into the cabinet build after picking up a trim kit from virtuapin (Paul from the owner of vpforums), side art followed and endless tweaking but you get the idea.

Obviously a lot more going on than that but those are the broad strokes. Pics are in my build thread same user name there.

Good work on the VP... I like your solution with the slots to fit the bigger screen, pretty cool.

I read Scott was potentially going to release/help with the assets once the TNA run was over... I've been away from the vpin community for too long, really hope this got his blessing.

Have you talked to NoahFentz from VirtuaPin? He won't sell you a VPin with all the tables already installed... he will do you one better though and help you figure out how to do it yourself on a rock solid cab he'll sell you. Virtual Pinballs need maintenance. Learning how to install tables is critical in keeping one running. I'd *highly* recommend buying from someone who will support you... or who owns and operates the largest virtual pinball forum around.

Last I remember reading is that yes, the software is installed... but the tables are not... but he will coach you through how to do that. That was my take on his services. The VP community very much frowns on people who sell virtual pinball machines with the tables included and they double down on their frowning when people sell discs or hard drive images with tables on them.

The exception of course is any virtual pinball manufactuers who have licenses PinballFX games... https://virtualpinball.com/ (He's a user here too but I forget his handle) used to offer licensed PinbalFX cabs, but not sure if that is still the case.

All great points... the virtuapin website would certainly suggest that his builds don't meet those requirements but I've always found him incredibly helpful and patient with all my questions. I built my VP ~5 years ago though, well before PinUp was a thing, though it did have a pinDMD3 in it, which I flipped to a PIN2DMD eventually due to the lack of support the pinDMD3 received. I'd certainly start with him with a conversation.

Thanks for chiming in NoahFentz

You'd be hard pressed to find a better person to buy a VP from.

I honestly don’t know why people in the states aren’t buying from Noah/VirtuaPin... he said he’d do anything custom you wanted... what’s the hesitation? Cost? Can he actually be that much more than having to get one shipped literally half way around the world? He will get on the phone with you and literally walk you through the process of adding tables... this is more than any other fly by night company offers as far as I know and he’s been in business doing this for years and years. He’s in the same time zone +/- 3hrs ans answers emails? I drove 8hrs return just to buy parts from him when I built my table. (Okay I also got to play one of the worlds greatest pinball collections when I did that so maybe that’s a bad example )

Hi hear you... but... From experience... it is my opinion... that buying from Virtuapin will result in a better, more long term experience as a buyer would actually know how to use the game they just bought.

VP’s are not set it and forget machines if you actually want to run the new VPX tables that get released.

If you literally never want to add another table I’d still recommend people in the states buy from VBCabs if they are still selling their builds with PinballFX preinstalled as that is the ‘easiest’ of the emulators to actually keep up to date.

Anyway... I know you’re skilled in the VP world, this isn’t a you challenge it is an a challenge for those looking for the easy way out when sometimes a little bit of effort will produce a better result.

I’d actually feel better if the answer was his cabs just cost too much, I just fear people buying these preinstalled cabs are being setup for disappointment in the long run.

there you go... that is a factor I can get behind. Hope the saved cash is worth it and the Retro Play meets expectations and he supports you.

There cabs really do look good, I agree very very stern like which is cool. I like the idea of bells and chimes, that adds a lot to the EM tables. I think an EM table really shines on VP, there is a really sweet Star Wars EM game, the creator made an EM styled wedge head cabinet for it too.

The Diner VPX is an incredible reproduction, top shelf. The Robocop is really great too... I don't remember a Popeye one.

What is the cost increase to come from 60 to 120? And what is your total expense looking like? Can't see the price difference being a back breaker on the deal, get the 120 would be my reco and don't look back!

I don’t know anything about ‘Cosmos’ Virtual pinball machines... but $1,500 seems like a real steal... https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cosmos-virtual-pinball#post-5873108

You need to hit up vpinball.com it vpforums.com for much better replies... this thread is serviceable but if you’re about to take the plunge I’d recommend going to a dedicated forum.

Mel is a good dude... he was super responsive back when they were implementing cabinet play on PinballFX2, yeesh, that was a long time ago, this project has been a real long time coming, glad they found a partner like Arcade1Up to work with, I hope they sell a bundle of them.

Really great job, the cab artwork looks amazing... I'd have to straighten out the Start and Exit buttons though, that would drive me crazy

edit: Noticed they were straight in the still pictures, but rotated in your video... so I know they can be straight you get one star back, 5 out 5!

Wow... this is a beautiful VP, I'm more than a little surprised it only lasted 3 months with you, hope it wasn't bad circumstances that require the sale, good luck with the sale though, it sure is a beaut!

Spectacular work!

Check with Paul @noahfentz, wouldn’t surprise me if he has Stern like cabinet.

People just don't give a shit about intellectual property do they... I'm not talking about the table creators in the VP scene, the righteousness they feel towards their own abuse of IP is one thing, I'm talking about ripping off Stern and AC/DC! At least the VP creators aren't profiting from their work. It is one fine looking VP though, no half way about it... but man... the blatant disregard for other people's IP never ceases to amaze me.