In this part, I will install the electronics in the main cabinet. this includes the computer, speakers, cabinet lighting, coin doors, in cabinet lighting, fans, power supplies, USB hub…
Tag: diy
CategoriesArduino
Upgrade Jukebox lighting with Arduino & WS2812 Adresable led strip
I cleaned my Kotronic jukebox and now it’s time to give this an upgrade. I will leave all of the original electronics intact and still working but I will add the WS2812 led strip inside the bezels, top and centerpieces. these will be controlled using an Arduino to simulate the “bubbler” bezels from the original wurtzinger/rock-ola jukeboxes from the ’50s.
CategoriesArcade
Build a Coctail Arcade Cabinet using Raspberry Pi
In this guide, I will build a small cocktail arcade machine based on RetroPie running on Raspberry Pi. It has an ‘old school’ look with original arcade controls, can be played with any USB controller you can find, is fairly cheap and easy to build and there is an unlimited amount of retro game ROMS available online.
CategoriesArcade
Virtual Pinball – Setup PinballX and Controllers
This part of the virtual pinball guide will cover the software. A visual pinball table requires a lot of software to work together to give a seamless feel when selecting and switching tables. the front end I’ll be using will be PinballX, which will basically show a list of all available pinball tables across all different games that are installed on your machine. Every platform installation is covered including the configuration of your cabinet special effects, buttons and graphics setup. This will be a large tutorial but I tried to cover all the steps as short as possible so you can just follow along on your own cabinet.
CategoriesArcade
Virtual Pinball – Installing Computer, Controls, Special Effects
This part will cover the wiring of your electronics, this includes the computer, DMD Screen, Audio, TV, buttons, plunger… It will take quite some time wiring everything up correctly and making sure everything is working as intended. But after this guide, it’s just software that remains.
CategoriesArcade
Virtual Pinball – Introduction & Design
This is the introduction to building your own Virtual pinball table. In here you will find everything you need to start building with all the items I bought for my build. There are other alternatives available but my guides will use the items described here. This part includes cabinet designs, special effects, information on the artwork, TV specifications and much more. This is a large project and I recommend to thoroughly plan your build ahead so you don’t run into troubles while building it.
CategoriesArcade
Barcade Arcade stand with storage space
In this guide, I will build a matching stand for the Bartop Arcade Cabinet I built earlier. This way it can be used as a regular stand-up arcade machine, also while I’m at it. I will add a storage compartment, LED strips, indoor lighting, and a coin door. The storage will be used to store all my retro USB controllers that can be used with the barcade itself.
Build a Bartop Arcade Cabinet using Raspberry Pi
In this guide, I will build a small bartop arcade machine based on RetroPie running on a raspberry Pi. It has an ‘old school’ look with original arcade controls, can be played with any USB controller you can find, is fairly cheap and easy to build and there is an unlimited amount of retro game ROMS available online.
CategoriesIX4-300D
Customize your IX4-300D’s LCD Screen
This guide will walk you through the basics of customizing the LCD screen on your Lenovo IX4-300d NAS device. By default, the display shows only limited information, but with a bit of creativity and some simple scripting, you can extend its functionality to show more relevant and useful data. This guide serves as a starting point — once you’re familiar with the process, the possibilities for customization are wide open.
Instead of displaying text directly, we’ll be working with BMP image files to show custom content on the LCD. At the time of writing, there is no known method to write plain strings directly to the screen, so images are the way to go. Whether you want to show system stats, network info, or even fun visuals, this guide will help you get started with building and displaying your own custom BMP images.
CategoriesGames
Update your CFW Playstation PS3
There are several reasons you might want to upgrade your device’s firmware or software. Maybe your current version is too outdated to run the latest games, or online features have become inaccessible because Sony requires a higher firmware version. Perhaps you simply want to improve your setup with new features and better performance. Whatever your motivation, upgrading is often necessary to keep enjoying your device to its fullest.
However, one major concern when upgrading is preserving your game progress and personal data. Losing saved games or settings can be frustrating and discouraging. That’s why this guide will walk you through the entire update process step-by-step, including how to safely back up your data before you begin. This way, you can upgrade with confidence and keep all your progress intact.
DIY PC PSU to Bench / Project Power Supply
Computer power supplies typically cost around $30, while dedicated lab power supplies often come with a much higher price tag—$100 or more. However, by repurposing inexpensive or even free ATX power supplies found in discarded computers, you can create a highly capable lab power supply without breaking the bank. These units offer impressive current outputs, built-in short-circuit protection, and surprisingly stable voltage regulation, especially on the +5V rail.
This makes converted ATX power supplies an excellent choice for hobbyists, students, or anyone needing a reliable bench power source on a budget. With a bit of modification and setup, you can turn a common computer PSU into a versatile lab supply that rivals many commercial options in both performance and safety features.
CategoriesHardware
FT_Prog fix your FTDI RS485 DMX Interface
FT_PROG is a free EEPROM programming utility developed by FTDI, specifically designed for use with their USB interface chips. It allows users to read, write, and modify the contents of the EEPROM on FTDI devices. This EEPROM stores configuration data such as USB device descriptors, serial numbers, power settings, and other parameters that define the behavior of the FTDI chip when connected to a system.
With FT_PROG, developers and hardware integrators can easily customize FTDI-based devices to suit their specific applications. Whether you’re changing a device name, enabling custom USB descriptors, or configuring advanced I/O settings, FT_PROG provides a user-friendly graphical interface for editing EEPROM values without the need for manual coding or programming expertise.
CategoriesHardware
DIY USB DMX Controller for under $10
The DMX protocol, widely used in lighting control systems, operates on the same communication standard as the RS485 protocol. This means that any RS485 USB converter can be repurposed to send DMX signals, allowing you to control DMX-compatible devices such as stage lights, dimmers, and other effects. By leveraging this compatibility, you gain a versatile and cost-effective way to interface your computer or lighting software with professional lighting equipment without the need for specialized, often expensive DMX hardware controllers.
Traditional DMX controllers tend to be costly, which can be a significant investment for hobbyists, small venues, or independent artists. This guide provides an alternative approach, showing you how to save money by using an affordable RS485 USB converter as your DMX interface. The money saved on expensive DMX controllers can instead be redirected towards enhancing your setup with additional hardware, such as a MIDI controller for your lighting software, offering more hands-on control and creative possibilities for your lighting projects.
CategoriesGames
E3 NOR Flasher Multiple PS3 consoles Samsung Firmware
The E3 NOR Flasher is a very easy tool to downgrade or dual-boot your PS3. However, your E3 hardware is limited to downgrading only 1 PS3 and was made for one-time installation. However, there is a firmware file that breaks this limit and allows you to downgrade unlimited consoles with only one E3 NOR Flasher.
CategoriesArduino
Arduino Composite TV output Shield
Shields are add-on boards designed to plug directly onto the Arduino’s main PCB, expanding its capabilities without the need for complex wiring or additional hardware. These shields can add everything from network connectivity and motor control to audio output and displays, making the Arduino platform incredibly versatile for a wide range of projects.
In addition to its usual input/output functions, the Arduino is also capable of generating a composite video signal, allowing you to display basic graphics or text on a standard TV using a simple yellow RCA video cable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I built my own composite video-out setup for the Arduino in under 15 minutes, using just a few basic components and minimal code.