ZeDMD - a cheap open-source and DIY real DMD aimed at vpins and perhaps real pinballs

[zedrummer]

 

 

Hello

 

I created some months ago a new real DMD with support for 4 colours, 16 colours, 64 colours and full RGB. It supports colorized ROMs.

 

It is 100% open source:

- The device code, highly optimized thanks to @mk47, is here https://github.com/zesinger/ZeDMD_ESP32/releases.

- The computer code is part of @freezy DMD-extensions available here https://github.com/freezy/dmd-extensions , it is not up-to-date, but you can download the latest one here https://mega.nz/folder/LBRBUbSB#a0jB-IWa1YU7Ck_rW8hlwQ

 

For the DIYers, you may have a full 128x32 pixel real DMD for the price of an ESP32 (less than 10€) and two 64x32 LED matrix panels (less than 25€ each). Add some cables and, if needed, a 5V/2A power supply and you may have it for less than 70€.

If you want it without the boring wiring step, some resellers are providing a shield for cheap.

 

A full tuto in English, with links for the shields resellers in France (but they certainly can send abroad) is available here https://www.pincabpassion.net/t14796-zedmd-installation-english

[zedrummer]

ZeDMD code for ESP32 and DLL has been updated with huge speed improvements mainly for ZeDMD HD.

ESP32: https://github.com/zesinger/ZeDMD_ESP32/releases/tag/v2.1

The DmdDevice.dll update should be available in the next release of @freezy 's DMDext, but you can already use this build: https://mega.nz/folder/LBRBUbSB#a0jB-IWa1YU7Ck_rW8hlwQ . If you download the files, don't forget to unblock them if you are under Windows 10 or more recent https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-unblock-app-or-file.html

[clemon79]

I’m building one of these using the instructions here:

 

https://www.pincabpassion.net/t14796-zedmd-installation-english

 

…and I notice in the part about the wiring harness between the ESP32 and the HUB75 cable, there’s no mention of what to do with the GND connections. Do I need to run a DuPont wire to GND on the ESP32 for those?

[clemon79]

The answer, because it’s not documented in the above article is: yes, you should run a DuPont wire from one ground on the HUB75 to a ground on the ESP32, or else you’ll be confused by the sparking on the ZeDMD. Once I did that my picture was clean as a whistle. All I have to do is figure out why color VNI/PAL isn’t working (haven’t tried SERUM yet) and I’m golden.

[zedrummer]

Sorry, @clemon79, I added it to the tuto to be sure it is clear enough, thanks for the suggestion!

For the colorization, did you follow the steps here

?

[clemon79]

So it occurs to me that I shouldn’t be expecting VNI/PAL combos to work natively on ZeDMD, maybe, I need to wait for people to convert them to SERUM (since I was watching your video earlier today on conversion)? SERUM colorizations work great, and of course all colorizations still work great through emulated DMD mode on my backglass screen. If that’s the case, then I think everything is working!

[zedrummer]

VNI/PAL should work if you follow the steps in the tuto. Only PAC doesn't. Hopefully, the number of Serum colorizations will rise quickly.

[clemon79]

Mmkay, I’ll double-check the tutorial, then. First time I set up for SERUM I ended up having to go back to that one Freezy post that has Everything You Need In One Zip File, but at the time I wasn’t setting up for a physical DMD because I didn’t have one yet. I’m guessing I just don’t have DMDExt set up to recognize the physical DMD.