Need testers for LCD/LED plugin for GameEx

[headkaze]

Do you have BetaBrite, BPP-440, CrystalFontz, PJRC, ProLite or LEDWiz hardware, then please run this test for a plugin I'm writing and report back here.

To test it, just run LEDTest.exe and setup the COM port and enable the device, then select a game from the Controls.dat listbox. It should (hopefully) output game information to your LED/LCD Sign.

For a LEDWiz, select the LEDWiz tab, setup your inputs on your LEDWiz, then select a game from Controls.dat (hopefully) the buttons for that game will light up. Also try the "Start Attract Mode" and "Stop Attract Mode" buttons for the LEDWiz.

UPDATE: The LEDWiz code is confirmed as working. I'm looking at improving the LEDWiz dancing to music feature.

UPDATE 2: The dancing to music feature has been improved.

UPDATE 3: Bug fix. Fixed bit order for LWZ_SBA()

Thanks for your time!

LCDTest.zip

[LB11]

Ill be happy to test it, but my HTPC is in peices right now. I will have it back together in a week. The other thing is I have a home made LCD through the parallel port. not one of the names listed if that matters.

Actually now that I think about it, I have a betabrite at work that is unused and I can test also, but I think it needs a special cable to connect to the computer. Ill check it out.

[headkaze]

Ill be happy to test it, but my HTPC is in peices right now. I will have it back together in a week. The other thing is I have a home made LCD through the parallel port. not one of the names listed if that matters.

Right now I just need the ones listed tested. I may add the ability for you to define a custom device where you can specifiy the protocol info yourself. Also I don't have code to speak to the parallel port right now but I will look into it.

[headkaze]

Sorry I have to bump this.. still no replies!

[Time Pilot]

Looks cool. I'll try it on my cab tonight. I have LEDWiz modules...

-TP

[Ricci]

I will give it a try and report back in about a week or so..have to reassemble my system after switching to naked dsl..putting my lovely network back together....

[Time Pilot]

I ran the program as indicated and it crashed. The error givien:

Application has generated and exception that cannot be handled.

Process id=0xe04 Thread id=0xe08 (3592)

I tried registering again just to be sure, but that had no effect. I ran LEDWizLigher just to be sure the LEDWiz modules were working, and all 3 of them lit nicely...

I still can't get LEDWizLighter to work correctly from a batch file called from GameEx though (well, LEDWizLighter runs fine, but MAME can seem to execute correctly afterwards- just hangs a second and then pops back to GameEx...)

-TP

Do you have BetaBrite, BPP-440, CrystalFontz, PJRC, ProLite or LEDWiz hardware, then please run this test for a plugin I'm writing and report back here.

To test it, just run LEDTest.exe and setup the COM port and enable the device, then select a game from the Controls.dat listbox. It should (hopefully) output game information to your LED/LCD Sign.

For a LEDWiz, select the LEDWiz tab, setup your inputs on your LEDWiz, then select a game from Controls.dat (hopefully) the buttons for that game will light up. Also try the "Start Attract Mode" and "Stop Attract Mode" buttons for the LEDWiz.

You may need to run "Register LEDWiz OCX.bat" to register to LEDWiz ocx.. Sorry it's not my fault that Randy decided to write an Active X control instead of a DLL. Oh well...

Thanks for your time!

[headkaze]

I ran the program as indicated and it crashed. The error givien:

Application has generated and exception that cannot be handled.

Process id=0xe04 Thread id=0xe08 (3592)

I tried registering again just to be sure, but that had no effect. I ran LEDWizLigher just to be sure the LEDWiz modules were working, and all 3 of them lit nicely...

I still can't get LEDWizLighter to work correctly from a batch file called from GameEx though (well, LEDWizLighter runs fine, but MAME can seem to execute correctly afterwards- just hangs a second and then pops back to GameEx...)

-TP

Yeah, sorry about that were looking into it.

[ourgrace]

Awsome Idea headkaze, I am getting ready to build a new CP and I am lighting up every thing on the panel (LED's under the spinner knob too). I was debating on a ledwiz but now I am going to have to get one.

Thanks 'Kaze

[headkaze]

I wouldn't get excited just yet, it seems Randy's VB6 ocx has issues with .NET. It should be a matter of dragging the control onto a form. But since I don't own the hardware, only have one person with a LEDWiz who can test this right now (which is failing with an "Exception of type InvalidActiveXStateException"), Randy not willing to give me the protocol info so I can write a proper C++ dll (even though he gave it to Youki and donated a LEDWiz to him for testing with AtomicFE). I feel that I may not bother adding LEDWiz support to the Plugin.

[headkaze]

I ran the program as indicated and it crashed. The error givien:

Application has generated and exception that cannot be handled.

Process id=0xe04 Thread id=0xe08 (3592)

I tried registering again just to be sure, but that had no effect. I ran LEDWizLigher just to be sure the LEDWiz modules were working, and all 3 of them lit nicely...

I still can't get LEDWizLighter to work correctly from a batch file called from GameEx though (well, LEDWizLighter runs fine, but MAME can seem to execute correctly afterwards- just hangs a second and then pops back to GameEx...)

-TP

Thanks for testing TP. I feel like there is a major lack of people with the hardware to test on this board. Perhaps there is not enough interest?

Anyway can you download and run again. I just want to see if you get the same error as loadman (who BTW is a Mala user and is kindly helping by doing some testing for me - that is how lacking in testers I am!). Let me know if you get the error "Exception of type InvalidActiveXStateException was thrown". Damn VB6 ocx!

I'm also still looking for BetaBrite testers, and any other testers who have any of the devices listed. If you want support added to GameEx you need to help test, as I don't own any of the hardware myself (which makes testing very difficult!).

[Nologic]

headkaze give me a week and I'll see if I can't raise the funds to get you lined up with your own gear when dealing with LEDWiz.

I don't have a Cab yet...but this is support I would like to see come to GameEx.

So if you could get me a parts list, and I'll see what I can do.

[ourgrace]

Hiya Headkaze

As you can see from my last post I am a little hyped about the LCD/LED plugin you are working on. I know you don't know me from adam but I would like to help you on the LEDwiz side of this. If you let me know what you need to test this I will get a ledwiz and any other hardware you need to you.

Thanks

Bob

[lingpanda]

Hiya Headkaze

As you can see from my last post I am a little hyped about the LCD/LED plugin you are working on. I know you don't know me from adam but I would like to help you on the LEDwiz side of this. If you let me know what you need to test this I will get a ledwiz and any other hardware you need to you.

Thanks

Bob

I don't have the hardware but I'll do what I can to get this going. Donate to a paypal account?

[headkaze]

Thanks guys I appreciate it. There seems to be enough interest so I will go ahead with LEDWiz support. I just need some people with LEDWiz hardware to confirm they get the same problem as loadman. I can try an alternative way to communicate with the LEDWiz, but for now I'm going to try and get the ocx working (I've already written all the code to communicate to it).

[ourgrace]

Headkaze

I dont have my new CP cut yet but I will do some wiring so I can test this out for you, Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks

Bob

[swindus]

For a LEDWiz, select the LEDWiz tab, setup your inputs on your LEDWiz, then select a game from Controls.dat (hopefully) the buttons for that game will light up. Also try the "Start Attract Mode" and "Stop Attract Mode" buttons for the LEDWiz.

I get an exception 'InvalidActiveXStteException' when launching the LCDTest.exe application.

After that nothing happens when selecting controls or a game from the controls.dat.

[Time Pilot]

Confirmed, I get the same error.

Thanks for testing TP. I feel like there is a major lack of people with the hardware to test on this board. Perhaps there is not enough interest?

Anyway can you download and run again. I just want to see if you get the same error as loadman (who BTW is a Mala user and is kindly helping by doing some testing for me - that is how lacking in testers I am!). Let me know if you get the error "Exception of type InvalidActiveXStateException was thrown". Damn VB6 ocx!

I'm also still looking for BetaBrite testers, and any other testers who have any of the devices listed. If you want support added to GameEx you need to help test, as I don't own any of the hardware myself (which makes testing very difficult!).

[ourgrace]

I wouldn't get excited just yet, it seems Randy's VB6 ocx has issues with .NET. It should be a matter of dragging the control onto a form. But since I don't own the hardware, only have one person with a LEDWiz who can test this right now (which is failing with an "Exception of type InvalidActiveXStateException"), Randy not willing to give me the protocol info so I can write a proper C++ dll (even though he gave it to Youki and donated a LEDWiz to him for testing with AtomicFE). I feel that I may not bother adding LEDWiz support to the Plugin.

BTW who is Randy?

[Time Pilot]

Randy is the LEDWiz developer. www.groovygamegear.com

[headkaze]

Okay some good news, I decided to use MikeQ's LEDWiz dll instead of Randy's ocx and loadman has confirmed that it's working. Now I just need to do a bit more testing then merge it into LCDTest for more testing, then hopefully into the plugin template.

[Time Pilot]

Sweet!

[ourgrace]

HeadKaze

I got my ledwiz hooked up to a test board that I mounted some LEDs on, ( I'm still working on my new CP)

If you still need some testing done let me know what you need. I hope this plugin works out I think it will be a cool option.

Thanks again for everything you do for this community.

Bob

[Ricci]

Just got my Beta Brite..what the hell kind of cable does it need to go to the PC?? I will test once I get that figured out!

[headkaze]

I have uploaded the new version of the test program which should now have the LEDWiz working. So those with a LEDWiz please give it a try and let me know the results. You can get it from the first post.

I've also just added a test for a feature that will flash the LED's on a LEDWiz in time with music. So if that can be tested too. Make sure you set the Recording input of your soundcard to Stereo Mix Out. You may have to set the volume to zero on Stereo Mix Out as well.

I'm also waiting for someone to test the Beta Brite stuff.