Skip to content

How to configure DMDs (Stern SPIKE)

Related Config File Sections:

Stern Spike 1 machines support a monochrome DMD. MPF can drive the DMD over serial but you have to make sure that your serial is fast enough to provide sufficient throughput (at least 1.5Mbaud). This can be configured using runtime_baud (as described in Config file reference):

hardware:
  platform: spike
spike:
  port: /dev/ttyUSB0
  baud: 115200
  runtime_baud: 2000000       # play with this setting
  nodes: 0, 1, 8, 9, 10, 11

Then configure your dmd like in this example:

displays:
  window:  # on screen window
    width: 600
    height: 200
  dmd:  # source display for the DMD
    width: 128
    height: 32
    default: true
dmds:
  my_dmd:
    platform: spike
    fps: 30
# some default slides (you don't need those but they are a nice start)
slides:
  window_slide_1:  # slide we'll show in the on-screen window
    - type: display
      width: 512
      height: 128
      effects:
        - type: dmd
  dmd_slide_1:  # slide we'll show on the physical DMD
    - type: text
      text: MPF
      font_size: 30
      color: red
      x: 0
      animations:
        add_to_slide:
          - property: x
            value: 250
            duration: 30
            relative: true
slide_player:
  init_done:
    window_slide_1:
      target: window
    dmd_slide_1:
      target: dmd
##! test
#! assert_text_on_top_slide MPF dmd
#! assert_text_on_top_slide MPF window

Note that the Using a traditional (single color) physical DMD guide has more details on the window and slide settings used in this machine config.

What if it did not work?

Have a look at our SPIKE troubleshooting guide.

Something missing or wrong? You can fix it!

This website is edited by people like you! Is something wrong or missing? Is something out of date, or can you explain it better?

Please help us! You can fix it yourself and be an official "open source" contributor!

It's easy! See our Beginner's guide to editing the docs.

Page navigation via the keyboard: < >

You can navigate this site via the keyboard. There are two modes:

General navigation, when search is not focused:

  • F , S , / : open search dialog
  • P , , : go to previous page
  • N , . : go to next page

While using the search function:

  • Down , Up : select next / previous result
  • Esc , Tab : close search
  • Enter : go to highlighted page in the results