Won't launch cmd for dmdext after upgrade of PinballX

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 20, 2023

@Tom Speirs does this give you any directions for the dmd device in use ?

Looks like latest release has the dmd driver/hardware , without screensaver mode, still in use when launching an emulator.

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Sorry Mike, I didn't understand you. Can you clarify.

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 21, 2023

Sorry Tom

Not sure how I can explain it better (but I try)

The real DMD issue started first after screensaver mode. When doing a table launch before screensaver kicks in, it was working.

This issue is now even when pinballx just started. Xdmd shows the videos/images on the dmd, and when launching an fx3 table, a batchfile runs to launch dmdext to grab the fx3 dmd from memory.

But dmdext shows that the realdmd cannot be accessed ( and my assumption is that pinballx has it still in use)

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Please try 5.91 and let me know results.

**chadman** · April 21, 2023

Tom, It's still not working. Also in the past after I would exit a table PinballX would show the DMD display again. Now the DMD does not come back on at all after I quit a table. So currently I can start PinballX and the dmd works great. If I start a table the screen goes black and will not come back on until I exit PinballX and start it back up.

log.txt

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Is the DMD not coming back new with this version?

My main issue with all this is I'm completely blind. I don't have a PinDMD3 and it is impossible to buy one.

**chadman** · April 21, 2023

Correct. The last version I could load a table and the dmd would go out. Then when I quit the table, the DMD came back on with PinballX. With this last version the DMD comes on with PinballX. When I launch a table it goes out and does not ever come back on unless I exit PinballX and restart it. Seems like something its holding onto that connection. I don't envy that task of trying to fix something you can't test.

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Im trying. I just put out 5.92.

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Also try this:

XDMD.zip

**chadman** · April 21, 2023

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner! That seemed to do the trick. I loaded up a few VPX and FX3 tables and the DMD worked as expected. Great job! I attached the logs I see now. I did not try that XDMD file you just put up. Did not see that until after I posted this. The good news is that 5.92 is working.

DmdExt.log log.txt

**Tom Speirs** · April 21, 2023

Oh crap. Ive lost track of the changes I made since then.

Can you please just confirm the attached works too. You can just install again, if it doesnt work.

XDMD.zip

**Tom Speirs** · April 22, 2023

I know where the issue was so I went ahead and released with 5.93 with my other changes.

Lets see how Mike gets on.

**chadman** · April 22, 2023

Great news! I did just test that .dll and it worked fine. I can also confirm that your 5.93 version also works. Thanks again for the fix!

On a side note, is there any word on FX integration? I know it just came out and I'm not really sure if anyone has it working with a front end yet or if it's even possible at this time.

**Tom Speirs** · April 22, 2023

FX? Might be new to me.

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 22, 2023

1 hour ago, chadman said:

On a side note, is there any word on FX integration?

Not yet. Zen studios has a better cabinet mode with the steam version, but doesn't have direct launch implemented yet.

Its also impossible to identify new tables now, but hope they change that as well. @joyrider3774 made some scripting for direct launch a table

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 22, 2023

1 hour ago, Tom Speirs said:

Lets see how Mike gets on.

Just awake and very excited about this, but give me a couple of hours before I can check 😁

**chadman** · April 22, 2023

Thanks Mike! I figured it might be awhile until we see some options for direct table launch. Some of the tables are fun if you like FX2/3 style tables.

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 22, 2023

@chadman

Can you try to leave PinballX open for a while, so it is Going to screensaver mode.
When it is running in screensaver/attract mode do a quick launch (1 button launch) from the table that is highlighted

Is your DMD still running ?

@Tom Speirs
I can launch directly FX3 tables and it will show the DMD.
I must say, it takes more time to launch the batch file (8 seconds longer to shutting down XDMD ?)
See part of log :

06:42:01.97  22-4-2023:  Starting Real DMD Thread
06:42:11.06  22-4-2023:  Launch System
06:42:11.06  22-4-2023:  Not Hide Backglass!
06:42:11.06  22-4-2023:  Waiting for threads
06:42:11.11  22-4-2023:  Disposing display
06:42:19.24  22-4-2023:  Shutting down XDMD
06:42:19.51  22-4-2023:  Set Plugin data
06:42:19.92  22-4-2023:  D:\Pinball\Tools\PBX Tools\StartScripts\PinballX_FX3_start.cmd 
06:42:19.95  22-4-2023:  D:\Pinball\Tools\PBX Tools\Launchers\FX3Launcher\PinballFX3Launcher.exe "-table_TheWalkingDead"
06:42:31.09  22-4-2023:  Found Pinball FX 3 Process

When exiting the table, and leave PinballX untouched, screensaver mode won't start.
After (around) 6 minutes, I just press the launch table button. Screen goes to black for around 6 seconds, and my batch file is starting (and shows the loading video).

06:42:40.04  22-4-2023:  Exit System Control Pressed
06:42:49.06  22-4-2023:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
06:42:49.06  22-4-2023:  Real DMD Initialized
06:42:49.06  22-4-2023:  Main display running full screen windowed.
06:49:18.20  22-4-2023:  Launch System
06:49:18.20  22-4-2023:  Not Hide Backglass!
06:49:18.20  22-4-2023:  Waiting for threads
06:49:18.25  22-4-2023:  Disposing display
06:49:26.37  22-4-2023:  Shutting down XDMD
06:49:26.64  22-4-2023:  Set Plugin data
06:49:27.06  22-4-2023:  D:\Pinball\Tools\PBX Tools\StartScripts\PinballX_FX3_start.cmd 
06:49:27.08  22-4-2023:  D:\Pinball\Tools\PBX Tools\Launchers\FX3Launcher\PinballFX3Launcher.exe "-table_TheWalkingDead"
06:49:38.36  22-4-2023:  Found Pinball FX 3 Process

But I have the same as with the Vpinmame. The RealDMD is still in use according to the DMDdevice.log file

2023-04-22 06:49:28.5005|INFO|DmdExt.DmdExt|Launching console tool v1.10.2
2023-04-22 06:49:28.5410|INFO|LibDmd.Output.PinDmd3.PinDmd3|Checking port COM1 for PinDMDv3...
2023-04-22 06:49:28.5410|ERROR|LibDmd.Output.PinDmd3.PinDmd3|Error: Access to the port 'COM1' is denied.
2023-04-22 06:49:28.5410|INFO|LibDmd.Output.PinDmd3.PinDmd3|Checking port COM3 for PinDMDv3...
2023-04-22 06:49:28.6716|INFO|LibDmd.Output.PinDmd3.PinDmd3|PinDMDv3 device not found.
2023-04-22 06:49:28.6716|WARN|DmdExt.Common.BaseCommand|Device PinDMDv3 is not available.
2023-04-22 06:49:28.6716|ERROR|DmdExt.DmdExt|No output devices available.

Switching to my Visual Pinball System, screensaver mode is comming after the time I set up (didn't check the time exactly)
If I launch a Visual pinball table when it is in attract mode, I still have the same as when launching an FX3 table.
it takes 8 seconds before I see my launching video (I don't use any scripts), and DMD is not working within VPX

06:57:22.73  22-4-2023:  Exit System Control Pressed
06:57:32.05  22-4-2023:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
06:57:32.05  22-4-2023:  Real DMD Initialized
06:57:32.05  22-4-2023:  Main display running full screen windowed.
06:57:32.93  22-4-2023:  Starting Real DMD Thread
07:08:01.21  22-4-2023:  Launch System
07:08:01.21  22-4-2023:  Not Hide Backglass!
07:08:01.21  22-4-2023:  Waiting for threads
07:08:01.29  22-4-2023:  Disposing display
07:08:09.44  22-4-2023:  Shutting down XDMD
07:08:09.72  22-4-2023:  Set Plugin data
07:08:10.07  22-4-2023:  c:\Pinball\Visual pinball\VPinballX.exe -play "c:\Pinball\Visual pinball\Tables\VPX\Super Mario Bros Mushroom World (Premier 1992).vpx"  -ExtMinimized
07:08:10.12  22-4-2023:  C:\Pinball\PinballX\vpauto.exe 
07:08:14.01  22-4-2023:  VPX Full screen exclusive mode detected
07:08:14.01  22-4-2023:  VPX Full screen exclusive focus hack set
07:08:19.20  22-4-2023:  Found PinMAME ROM: smbmush
07:08:20.24  22-4-2023:  Visual Pinball Player window foreground: 10

and dmddevice.log :

[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.220  INFO | Successfully loaded config from C:\pinball\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME\DmdDevice.ini. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.325  INFO | Determined color path from assembly path: C:\pinball\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME\altcolor 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | Starting VPinMAME API 1.10.3-SNAPSHOT through VPinballX.exe. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | Assembly located at C:\pinball\Visual Pinball\VPinMAME\DmdDevice.dll 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | [vpm] Open(0) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | [vpm] Set_4_Colors_Palette(0,...) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | Setting palette to 4 colors... 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | [vpm] PM_GameSettings(0, smbmush, 1) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.346  INFO | Enabling game colorization 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.354  INFO | Loading Pin2Color plugin ... 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.385  INFO | Setting palette to 4 colors... 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.385  INFO | Setting game name: smbmush 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.385  INFO | Setting color: #FFFF5820 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.426  INFO | Checking port COM1 for PinDMDv3... 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.426 ERROR | Error: Access to the port 'COM1' is denied. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.426  INFO | PinDMDv3 device not found. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.441 ERROR | [PinUpOutput] Attempt to find PuP_Trigger function but dmddevicePUP.dll is outdated 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.441  INFO | PinUP DLL starting smbmush... 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.441  INFO | Added PinUP renderer. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.441  INFO | Transformation options: Resize=Fit, HFlip=False, VFlip=False 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.441  INFO | Applying palette to render graphs. 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.447  INFO | Setting up 2-bit VPM Graph for 1 destination(s) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.447  INFO | Connecting VPM 2-bit Source to PinUP Writer (Gray2 => Gray2) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Setting up 4-bit VPM Graph for 1 destination(s) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Connecting VPM 4-bit Source to PinUP Writer (Gray4 => Gray4) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Setting up RGB24-bit VPM Graph for 1 destination(s) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Connecting VPM RGB24 Source to PinUP Writer (Rgb24 => Bitmap) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Setting up colored RGB24-bit VPM Graph for 1 destination(s) 
[15] 2023/04/22 07:08:19.463  INFO | Setting up Alphanumeric VPM Graph for 1 destination(s)

returning to PinbalLX, results that my DMD doesn't show anything (in log, nothing found about 'Real DMD Initialized')

Attached, the PinbalLX log file, my config file and the last XDMDlog.txt and PinDMD_log.txt entries
I hope this helps.
I'm curious if Chadman has the same issues with his device as I have.

log.txt XDMDlog.txt PinballX.ini pinDMD_log.txt

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

Hi Mike,

I can see exactly what's happening I'm just not sure why.

Are video codecs good and firmware? What are the PC specs?

I think its directly a PinDMD3 issue or as I said before something with videos.

Ill add some logging to be sure its the PinDMD3 shutting down causing the delay.

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

hmm thats odd. Xdmd log should show "Initialized Real DMD PinDMD3". It would be why its not shutting down almost for certain.

I didnt get an xdmd log from anyone else. Can I have one please.

**Mike_da_Spike** · April 23, 2023

Hey Tom,

Pc specs are :

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core Processor

GPU : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

Mem: 32Gb

Os: w11 22h2

Need to check dmd firmwarfirme

not to blame you, but I only have issues with pinballx. I created a pinballx pluging based on flexdmd and that works perfectly. I could reproduce my issue also with png's.

if it just me, I'm ok with it, but if more people has the issue, I'm getting concerned.

if I recall correctly, the xdmd.log getting overwritten everytime it overwrites ?this was my latest, when I didnt have a dmd when exiting visual pinball. I will try to grab the logfiles from my backup at the moments as I did the above tests. (When I'm at a pc, can't get to my backup on phone or tablet)

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

Try this.

XDMD.zip

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

I hear you Mike. FlexDMD, greatest form of flattery really! Apple got no credit for Windows either and that wasn't even exactly the same1

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

Again, try that DLL. I wonder if somehow its using a rogue DLL. I know Scutters had this issue. That should confirm it.

**Tom Speirs** · April 23, 2023

This one should say "Developed by Spesoft" as first line in log.

XDMD.zip

Won't launch cmd for dmdext after upgrade of PinballX

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