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[Released] Open Source Neo Geo MVS Marquee Driver

Revision 1.2 build complete - please excuse my horrible photography

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With this revision I believe the NGMD is now feature complete. There are a few things I would like to adjust but nothing that should require hardware changes

Currently doing some testing and then will get the updated Gerbers, BOM and Arduino sketch uploaded to the GitHub
 
Hi, this is great I just got a multislot MVS that I would like to have the marquees lit up, just wondering if the 1.2V is now released or if would be soon
Thanks for sharing this amazing project
 
Doing some more testing today and for some reason the code is not working after running through attract mode a few times. Pulling down the code again until I can work this out and fix it. Hardware should be fine, looks like a code issue

Edit: I'm still having random issues and will need to build up a new harness. Until then if you build the unit it may not function correctly
 
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Just curious if the attract mode bug was resolved? I'm looking to order some PCBs shortly, so wanna make sure it's not a hardware issue before I order. :) Awesome project!
 
Oh I misunderstood what the attract mode thing was. That refers to its own built-in auto-cycle mode, not a bug that occurs during the attract loop when using 4 or 6 slot modes. Works absolutely perfect in manual mode, 4 slot, and 6 slot modes.

I used this to add EL panels to my U4, as it should have been from the factory :)

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When I find EL panels for sale on Aliexpress they come with a bug bulky box they arr supposed to be connected to. A driver of some sort. I assume this marquee driver still needs these drivers to sit between it and the panels, right?

Or can the EL panels be connected directly to the marquee driver making the ones they come with obsolete?

If the drivers they come with is necessary, which type do they work with? There is a USB kind and another that just ends in a set of cables.

Also the Aliexpress listings keep calling the panels LEDs, which cant be right and they seem to be some driven by 12V and some by 5V.

Some information in compatibility would be nice, in addition to perhaps some link to proper items for sale on Aliexpress.

is this the right type?

I just found this on AliExpress: DKK33.10 | 1pcs Panel Backlight Led Glowing 15*13.5cm Panel Backlight LED Electroluminescent El Backlight
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQBZoyg
 
I am bit confused about these EL panels they are selling on AliExpress. As usual they have just about everything there, but the information they provide falls horrendously short. The panels are often sold bundled with the starters, but also just by themselves. I purchased a few of the A6 type, thinking this project likely make the starters redundant. The panels I got are listed as 12V, but looking at other listings I am not sure whether the panels themselves have a specific voltage or it is the starter, which seems to come in two versions. One version that ends in bare wires, often said to be 12V and another one that ends in USB connectors, which has no voltage mentioned anywhere.

I wonder if the USB ones will work on the panels I already have, which are said to be 12V, I guess if the USB is 5V then it should not work. Thing is I cannot find any panels for sale advertised as 5V, at least not in the A6 size.

Also they keep writing that the EL panels are LED's, but that cannot be right, Electroluminescent paper is not LED technology, is it? Quite confusing.
 
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I bought 4 of the 5v version with USB inverters. In A6 size with a white backlight.

There’s EL panels and there’s also LED panels that look similar and will both function. I went with the more expensive EL panels as they are subtly lit like the original panels and don’t drown out the art by being too bright. Downside is they’re not very visible in a well lit room, but work beautifully in a dimly lit arcade space.

I think the sellers assume that it’s common knowledge that USB-A is 5v, so having the inverter brings the voltages down to that spec and the project is designed with that in mind. Originally there was a non USB version of the PCB but that was abandoned as it doesn’t make sense when it’s a simple plug and play with the USB panels.
 
Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates. Have had a lot happen over the last couple of months

I have resolved the code issue and will update the GitHub but it looks like @trashedcabs has already got one up and running which is awesome!

My own 4 slot has unfortunately developed an issue preventing me from fully testing but I’m fairly confident the issue is resolved

Awesome to see one in a U4 - thanks @trashedcabs !
 
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