FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
What's a ColorDMD?
ColorDMD is an LCD display designed to replace the traditional orange dot matrix displays (DMDs) used in pinball machines. Round dots are drawn to the LCD to emulate the original dots. Because it's an LCD, any color dot is possible. By adding in proprietary algorithms and hardware we are able to create a multicolor display to enhance older games designed originally with only one color.
How large is the LCD panel?
The LCD is a standard notebook display and is about the same height as a WPC-95 speaker panel. Only the center of the display is illuminated.
Is it difficult to install?
No. The ColorDMD is an easy replacement for the original DMD display. A custom mounting bracket mounts to the same holes on the speaker panel. The same 14-pin ribbon cable is used to connect the display to the DMD controller board. The only change is that the ColorDMD is designed to run from the low-voltage 5V and 12V supplies, and connects directly to the power driver board instead of the high-voltage controller board.
Do I need to replace the ROMs in my existing game?
No. The ColorDMD display works with your existing game ROMs and board set.
Will it work with any game?
The ColorDMD controller can be made to work with any game. However, custom color data files must be created for each game. Color data currently exists for Attack From Mars. We are currently working on Medieval Madness, and additional titles are planned.
If I buy a ColorDMD for Game X, can I later update it to work with Game Y?
The short answer is "no." The ColorDMD is configured during manufacture to colorize a specific game through a product key that is unique to each driver board and game.
We have added a feature that may be almost as interesting. Using the menu system, the ColorDMD can be set into a mode where it functions as a programmable single color display that can be used with any WPC/WPC95 game.
How does it work? Are you replacing dot intensities with colors?
The ColorDMD contains a proprietary engine for recognizing game-generated video frames and adding color to enhance the dots as they are generated and sent to the display. Color data is stored on the ColorDMD controller board and used to colorize the video frames in real-time. The original dot intensities are unmodified to preserve the artist's original intent. The effect is similar to viewing the original dots through a colored filter. A patent has been filed on the technology used to create the ColorDMD.
Is this for sale? Where can I buy one?
We're targeting sales at the beginning of 2012. The initial run is planned for 100 units and the price is targeted at $399. Units will be available for purchase through this website. The first run units will work only with Attack from Mars.
Is there a preorder list?
There is no preorder list. We decided to just release the displays once they are built and ready. To be notified about the release date, you can subscribe to the mailing list through the link at the top of our home page.
When will other games be available?
Medieval Madness is the next planned game and should be available in the first quarter of 2012. Other games are planned and we'll announce these when they are near to completion.
Can I get involved?
In the longer term, we hope to make our development tools available for artists to help colorize and create support for a large library of titles, but we're not there yet. Our total focus right now is on getting these first games out the door. Later, we'll be able to focus on improving and supporting the tools so that others can get involved.
What's a ColorDMD?
ColorDMD is an LCD display designed to replace the traditional orange dot matrix displays (DMDs) used in pinball machines. Round dots are drawn to the LCD to emulate the original dots. Because it's an LCD, any color dot is possible. By adding in proprietary algorithms and hardware we are able to create a multicolor display to enhance older games designed originally with only one color.
How large is the LCD panel?
The LCD is a standard notebook display and is about the same height as a WPC-95 speaker panel. Only the center of the display is illuminated.
Is it difficult to install?
No. The ColorDMD is an easy replacement for the original DMD display. A custom mounting bracket mounts to the same holes on the speaker panel. The same 14-pin ribbon cable is used to connect the display to the DMD controller board. The only change is that the ColorDMD is designed to run from the low-voltage 5V and 12V supplies, and connects directly to the power driver board instead of the high-voltage controller board.
Do I need to replace the ROMs in my existing game?
No. The ColorDMD display works with your existing game ROMs and board set.
Will it work with any game?
The ColorDMD controller can be made to work with any game. However, custom color data files must be created for each game. Color data currently exists for Attack From Mars. We are currently working on Medieval Madness, and additional titles are planned.
If I buy a ColorDMD for Game X, can I later update it to work with Game Y?
The short answer is "no." The ColorDMD is configured during manufacture to colorize a specific game through a product key that is unique to each driver board and game.
We have added a feature that may be almost as interesting. Using the menu system, the ColorDMD can be set into a mode where it functions as a programmable single color display that can be used with any WPC/WPC95 game.
How does it work? Are you replacing dot intensities with colors?
The ColorDMD contains a proprietary engine for recognizing game-generated video frames and adding color to enhance the dots as they are generated and sent to the display. Color data is stored on the ColorDMD controller board and used to colorize the video frames in real-time. The original dot intensities are unmodified to preserve the artist's original intent. The effect is similar to viewing the original dots through a colored filter. A patent has been filed on the technology used to create the ColorDMD.
Is this for sale? Where can I buy one?
We're targeting sales at the beginning of 2012. The initial run is planned for 100 units and the price is targeted at $399. Units will be available for purchase through this website. The first run units will work only with Attack from Mars.
Is there a preorder list?
There is no preorder list. We decided to just release the displays once they are built and ready. To be notified about the release date, you can subscribe to the mailing list through the link at the top of our home page.
When will other games be available?
Medieval Madness is the next planned game and should be available in the first quarter of 2012. Other games are planned and we'll announce these when they are near to completion.
Can I get involved?
In the longer term, we hope to make our development tools available for artists to help colorize and create support for a large library of titles, but we're not there yet. Our total focus right now is on getting these first games out the door. Later, we'll be able to focus on improving and supporting the tools so that others can get involved.