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hardware:diy_zedmd [2024/06/12 20:47] – precision on the wire color / pin for USB power lbrpdxhardware:diy_zedmd [2026/01/30 08:13] (current) – nadenislamarre
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 {{:hardware:zedmd_result.jpg?400|}} {{:hardware:zedmd_result.jpg?400|}}
 {{:hardware:zedmd_result_back.jpg?400|}} {{:hardware:zedmd_result_back.jpg?400|}}
 +
 ===== Step 1 : purchase the hardware ===== ===== Step 1 : purchase the hardware =====
 The shopping list: The shopping list:
-  * 2 dmd panels (don't forget to choose 2 of them) [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32514844235.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.5.6c97f19cgde0fr&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt|DMD Panels]] +  * 2 DMD panels (don't forget to choose two of them) [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32514844235.html|DMD Panels]] 
-  * 1 ESP32 and its shield [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005626482837.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.22daf19cMnLRiS&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt|ESP32+shield]] +  * 1 ESP32 and its shield [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005626482837.html|ESP32+shield]] 
-  * 16 male/male 10cm jumpers [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/4000578173872.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.4c49f19cVvTj2x&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt|Jumpers]] +  * 16 male/male 10cm jumpers [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/4000578173872.html|Jumpers]] 
-  * 1 power supply [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005896562268.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.6d80f19cpzxZFO&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt|Power supply]] - **Note**: the power supply may be optional if you build a 32x128 DMD (but still required for higher resolutions). +  * 1 power supply [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005006189932540.html|Adjustable power supply]] or [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005896562268.html|Switch-mode power supply]] - **Note**: the power supply is optional if you build a 32x128 DMD (but is required for resolutions 256x64 and above). 
-  * 1 plug [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005029176614.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.4d04f19c5A190Y&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt|Plug]]+  * 1 plug [[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005029176614.html|Plug]] (only if you put a power supply)
  
 You probably already have a plug at home. You probably already have a plug at home.
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 The hardware part is the same for Batocera. However, the course of action for software configuration at the end is a little bit different. The hardware part is the same for Batocera. However, the course of action for software configuration at the end is a little bit different.
  
-=== Step 2.1 - Cut and prepare the power wire ===+=== Step 2.1 - Getting a power supply (for HD matrix) === 
 + 
 +Based on the display being used, some pixels may be too bright (causing glare and artifacts) or too dark (not visible), so it is useful to have a power supply with adjustable voltage. A power supply with universal terminals and an adjustable voltage is preferred, with the ability to use voltages near 5 volts at 2 amps. The more finely you can tune the voltage the better for adjustment. 
 + 
 +{{:hardware:615ewd8d68l._ac_sl1000_.jpg?direct&400|}} 
 +{{:hardware:61w9b_u4ryl._ac_sl1200_.jpg?direct&400|}} 
 + 
 +It's also possible to get a static power supply voltage and then reduce its voltage by use of diodes (be careful of heat if only using a small amount of diodes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-p5LYgdEu4 
 + 
 +== Cut your own power wire === 
 + 
 +As an alternative to using a wall-wart power supply as pictured above, it is possible to splice a regular high-voltage power cable and connect that to a switch-mode power supply. 
 + 
 +<WRAP center round alert> 
 +Incorrect wiring with power lines up to 240V can result in death by electrocution, exercise caution if choosing to go this route. If you have any concerns, use a universal power supply as specified above. 
 +</WRAP> 
 {{:hardware:dmd_power_wire_1.jpg?300|}} {{:hardware:dmd_power_wire_1.jpg?300|}}
 {{:hardware:dmd_power_wire_2.jpg?300|}} {{:hardware:dmd_power_wire_2.jpg?300|}}
 +{{:hardware:screen47.jpg?direct&400|}}
 +{{:hardware:dmd_power_3.jpg?400|}}
  
 === Step 2.2 - Plug LED matrices together with data and power wires === === Step 2.2 - Plug LED matrices together with data and power wires ===
 +
 The data and power wires for the matrices are usually bundled with the matrices. The data and power wires for the matrices are usually bundled with the matrices.
 Just plug them. Note that white arrows must go from left to right. Just plug them. Note that white arrows must go from left to right.
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 {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_1.jpg?300|}} {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_1.jpg?300|}}
 {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_2.jpg?300|}} {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_2.jpg?300|}}
- 
 {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_3.jpg?600|}} {{:hardware:dmd_matrices_3.jpg?600|}}
  
 === Step 2.2 - Plug the AC/DC power converter === === Step 2.2 - Plug the AC/DC power converter ===
-Plug the 220V power on the AC (if you live in a 110V country, make sure you have the right AC/DC converter, and obviously the right plug). **Be careful** with the color code of the wires: Phase (brown) / Neutral (blue) / Ground (yellow/green).+Plug the 220V power on the AC (if you live in a 110V country, make sure you have the right AC/DC converter, and obviously the right plug). **Be careful** with the polarity of the wires, not all regions will use the same color-coding to indicate their polarity. Generally, the color code of AC wires are Phase (brown), Neutral (blue) and Ground (yellow/green).
  
-Plug the 5V connector, and make sure you connect the right colored wires.+Plug the 5V connector, and make sure you connect the correct polarity.
  
 The orange screw on right of the AC/DC converter can be used to adjust the 5V voltage. It is necessary in case the image is not perfect, and the LEDs are "bleeding" a little bit. See the pictures below, in general, adjusting the screw to power down a bit the the voltage makes the image better. The orange screw on right of the AC/DC converter can be used to adjust the 5V voltage. It is necessary in case the image is not perfect, and the LEDs are "bleeding" a little bit. See the pictures below, in general, adjusting the screw to power down a bit the the voltage makes the image better.
  
 {{:hardware:dmd_power_1.jpg?400|}} {{:hardware:dmd_power_1.jpg?400|}}
- 
 {{:hardware:dmd_power_2.jpg?300|}} {{:hardware:dmd_power_2.jpg?300|}}
-{{:hardware:dmd_power_3.jpg?300|}}+{{:hardware:dmd_power_3.jpg?400|}}
  
 **Note**: If you build a 32x128 DMD (**not** a "DMD HD" with a higher resolution), you can skip the power supply, and use the ESP32 microcontroller to power the LED matrices. It will draw current from the USB connection to the PC, and if the PC provides USB 2.0 or higher, i.e. most PC built in the past 20 years, it should be sufficient to power both the microcontroller and the LED panels connected to it. **Note**: If you build a 32x128 DMD (**not** a "DMD HD" with a higher resolution), you can skip the power supply, and use the ESP32 microcontroller to power the LED matrices. It will draw current from the USB connection to the PC, and if the PC provides USB 2.0 or higher, i.e. most PC built in the past 20 years, it should be sufficient to power both the microcontroller and the LED panels connected to it.
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 Execute the following command, and don't forget to replace ''ttyUSB0'' by ''ttyUSB1'' if necessary, based on the previous explanation. Execute the following command, and don't forget to replace ''ttyUSB0'' by ''ttyUSB1'' if necessary, based on the previous explanation.
  
 +**For Batocera 42 and later** (ZeDMD version 5.x.x required)
 +<code>
 +wget https://github.com/PPUC/ZeDMD/releases/download/v5.1.7/ZeDMD-128x32.zip
 +unzip ZeDMD-128x32.zip
 +wget https://github.com/espressif/esptool/releases/download/v4.8.1/esptool-v4.8.1-linux-amd64.zip
 +unzip esptool-v4.8.1-linux-amd64.zip
 +chmod a+x ./esptool-linux-amd64/esptool
 +./esptool-linux-amd64/esptool --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --chip esp32 write_flash 0x0 ./ZeDMD.bin
 +</code>
 +
 +**For Batocera 41 and earlier** (ZeDMD version 3.x.x required)
 <code> <code>
 wget https://github.com/PPUC/ZeDMD/releases/download/v3.6.0/ZeDMD-128x32.zip wget https://github.com/PPUC/ZeDMD/releases/download/v3.6.0/ZeDMD-128x32.zip
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 The first line downloads the ZeDMD firmware for a 128x32 matrix. The first line downloads the ZeDMD firmware for a 128x32 matrix.
 +Note that batocera 42 requires ZeDMD 5.1.5 or over. And previous versions of batocera requires versions before 5.x.
  
 The second line unzips it. The second line unzips it.
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 {{:hardware:diy_dmd_mapping3.png?400|}} {{:hardware:diy_dmd_mapping3.png?400|}}
 {{:hardware:diy_dmd_mapping1.png?400|}} {{:hardware:diy_dmd_mapping1.png?400|}}
 +
 +{{:hardware:zedmd_wiring.jpg?1000|}}
  
 There are 15 pins to plug in total. There are 15 pins to plug in total.
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 {{:hardware:zedmd_result.jpg?800|}} {{:hardware:zedmd_result.jpg?800|}}
 +
 +===== ZeDMD configuration =====
 +If you've ZeDMD 5.x or higher (on batocera 42 or higher), by default, the rendering is not smooth.
 +You need to configure the minimal refresh rate and the USB package size via the command line tool zedmd-client.
 +You may need to configure the RGB order and the brightness.
 +
 +First, shutdown the dmd_real service, then use zedmd-client -i to list your current dmd settings.
 +After configuration, reboot batocera or just restart the dmd_real service
 +
 +A usb package size of 1024 and a refresh rate of 60 is good on my device. Depending on the esp32 hardware, you may adjust values to get smoother animations.
 +
 +<code>
 +# batocera-services stop dmd_real
 +# zedmd-client -i
 +
 +ZeDMD Info
 +=============================================================
 +ID:                         3904
 +firmware version:           5.1.7
 +CPU:                        ESP32
 +libzedmd version:           0.9.7
 +transport:                  0 (USB)
 +device:                     /dev/ttyUSB0
 +USB package size:           32
 +WiFi SSID:                  could only be retrieved via WiFi
 +WiFi port:                  could only be retrieved via WiFi
 +WiFi power:                 could only be retrieved via WiFi
 +WiFi UDP delay:             5
 +panel width:                128
 +panel height:               32
 +panel RGB order:            0
 +panel brightness:           2
 +panel clock phase:          0
 +panel i2s speed:            8
 +panel latch blanking:       2
 +panel minimal refresh rate: 30
 +panel driver:               0
 +Y-offset:                   0
 +
 +# zedmd-client --set-brightness=7
 +# zedmd-client --set-panel-min-refresh-rate=60
 +# zedmd-client --set-usb-package-size=1024
 +
 +# batocera-services start dmd_real
 +</code>
 +
 +Only the most common USB-to-serial chips used in various ESP32 boards supported by the auto-detection. Others are ignored to not break the communication to other devices, for example bluetooth headsets or game controllers.
 +But if your specific ESP32 is not recognized, you can explicitly specify the serial device in the settings.
 +
 +The best performance could be achieved by using an ESP32 S3 N16R8. Beside the fact that this one has more RAM which is actively used for rendering, it provides a native USB port. This native USB port supports much higher data transfer speeds.
 +
 +To increase the compatibility with some USB ports or hubs or low quality cables, the USB package size became configurable. The default value of 32 bytes for the original ESP32 is very low. If you notice stuttering of the DMD frames, try to increase this value.
 +If your hardware supports it, good values are 512 bytes for the original EPS32 and 1024 for the ESP32 S3. If ZeDMD doesn't work with these values, try a different USB port of your computer. In some cases not all of them and their driver chips are of the same quality.
  
 ===== Issues ===== ===== Issues =====
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 === Lines issues === === Lines issues ===
  
-Check the pins. Some bad quality pins may create interferences.+Check the pins. Some bad quality pins may create interference.
  
 {{:hardware:zedmd_issue1.jpg?400|}} {{:hardware:zedmd_issue1.jpg?400|}}
  
 {{:hardware:zedmd_noise.gif?400|}} {{:hardware:zedmd_noise.gif?400|}}
 +
 +=== Pannel driver issue ===
 +Depending on the hardware you bought, some settings on the dmd need to be changed.
 +One user having nothing displayed on the dmd (just the red squares) reported he had to change the panel driver to make it work.
 +(see https://github.com/PPUC/ZeDMD)
 +
 +<code>
 +zedmd-client --set-panel-driver=4
 +</code>
 +
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