# How to Install a ColorDMD in Your Pinball Machine **Source:** Cary Hardy **Type:** video **Published:** 2021-12-22 **Duration:** 7m 54s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXoheVDLLeE --- ## Analysis Cary Hardy provides a detailed technical tutorial on installing a ColorDMD (color dot matrix display) upgrade in a D&D pinball machine. The video covers hardware installation steps, power wiring configuration, and ROM file flashing procedures, while emphasizing that ColorDMD is a valuable mod that increases machine resale value by at least $400. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] ColorDMD installation increases a pinball machine's value by at least $400 — _Cary Hardy's stated opinion based on personal experience; claims no one has said ColorDMD devalues a machine_ - [HIGH] ColorDMD installation is easy and requires minimal components to unbox — _Direct observation during unboxing and installation demonstration_ - [MEDIUM] ColorDMD reduces electrical stress on original boards by eliminating high voltage requirements of factory DMD — _Cary Hardy's technical explanation of power architecture changes_ - [HIGH] ColorDMD is expanding its game library and now supports Gottlieb machines — _Cary Hardy's statement about ColorDMD's growing Rolodex and recent additions_ - [MEDIUM] LED version of ColorDMD is superior to LCD version based on personal preference — _Cary Hardy's personal choice and stated preference_ ### Notable Quotes > "Your typical D&D is nothing but orange dots that illuminate at different intensities to give the graphics depth. Whereas the colored DMD will give you the full RGB spectrum allowing for a much better experience." > — **Cary Hardy**, early in video > _Articulates the core visual improvement ColorDMD provides over monochrome DMD_ > "I don't believe I have met a single person that says that the Color DMD is a bad product or a bad mod or devalues your game. If anything, putting a Color DMD in your game increases its value by at least $400 upon installation." > — **Cary Hardy**, mid-video > _Strong endorsement claim about ColorDMD's universal acceptance and resale value impact_ > "By installing the Color DMD, you are now negating the fact that the machine requires the high voltage that it used to for the original dot matrix display which in turn puts less stress on your boards" > — **Cary Hardy**, late video > _Technical benefit explanation regarding power delivery and board longevity_ > "This is a company that I stand behind. I believe in their product." > — **Cary Hardy**, mid-video > _Explicit manufacturer endorsement from content creator_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Cary Hardy | person | Pinball content creator and tutorial producer; ColorDMD product advocate and Patreon-supported creator | | ColorDMD | product | Aftermarket color display upgrade for pinball machines; available in LED and LCD versions; supports increasing game library including Gottlieb titles | | D&D Pinball | game | Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine used as primary example for ColorDMD installation tutorial | | Gottlieb | company | Historical pinball manufacturer whose games are now receiving ColorDMD support | ### Topics - **Primary:** ColorDMD Installation and Hardware, Pinball Machine Modifications and Upgrades, ROM Flashing and Software Updates - **Secondary:** Product Value and Resale Economics, Display Technology (LED vs LCD) ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Cary Hardy is enthusiastically endorsing ColorDMD as a worthwhile mod, demonstrating the installation with clear technical steps, and emphasizing both practical benefits (value increase, reduced board stress) and aesthetic improvements. No criticism or reservations expressed. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** Content creator actively endorsing and educating community on ColorDMD implementation (confidence: high) — Cary Hardy claims universal positive reception: 'I don't believe I have met a single person that says ColorDMD is a bad product' - **[product_strategy]** ColorDMD presented as valuable aftermarket upgrade that increases machine resale value and reduces electrical stress on original boards (confidence: high) — Cary Hardy explicitly states ColorDMD adds at least $400 in value and reduces high voltage stress on boards - **[technology_signal]** Migration from monochrome DMD to color display technology in pinball restoration/modification market (confidence: high) — ColorDMD expanding library from D&D and other classic games to now including Gottlieb titles; LED vs LCD versions available --- ## Transcript In this video, I'm going to be showing you how to install the best mod for your D&D pinball machine. Not only does this mod enhance the visuals of your game, it also increases the game's value. Guaranteed. Your typical D&D is nothing but orange dots that illuminate at different intensities to give the graphics depth. Whereas the colored DMD will give you the full RGB spectrum allowing for a much better experience. Whether it's the LED version here or the LCD version here, the choice is up to you. I chose the LED version. Upon opening your box you will find that there really isn't much to unbox. That should give you a hint on how easy this thing is to install. With your game powered off, remove the trans light or back glass. Lower your speaker panel on the cabinet. Remove the power connector. Remove the ribbon cable. Remove the four mounting nuts and washers. Feel free to utilize your speaker panel display window Remove the factory spacers In the install package you will find the four spacers that should be used instead. Now you Now you can lower the color DMD into position while verifying the speaker wire placement. Time to reassemble. Start with the ground wire, followed by the factory spacer, washer, then nut. Tighten it down. After all four mounts are screwed down, you can plug the ribbon cable back. Orientation of this cable can be installed wrong though. If your ColorDMD doesn't show an image after install, then check this cable's orientation. Now it's time to tap into the five volt line to give this display power. Unplug the J116 on this system. Plug the provided Z connector onto the J116 Molex connector. Then plug the ColorDMD power Molex into the J116 socket. Connect the Z-connector to the secondary line on the provided power cable. Finally, plug the power into the display board. The factory power molex is no longer needed. You can tuck this away into the backbox. Upon receiving your color DMD, the ROM file that is installed will be their default sigma file. Let's go over how to install the appropriate ROM file using their website and an empty USB drive. Visit Colordmd Click on the support tab You will see two options to choose from If you are somehow using an older unit prior to May 2013, which is highly unlikely at this point in time, then your choice will more than likely be new display. So click on new display. Scroll down to the game you are wanting to colorize. Click on that game to download the chroma file. Place the chroma file onto an empty USB drive. The file only takes up around 5 megabytes. With the game power on you may plug in your USB drive. You should be able to see the drives activity LED light up. Hold down the USB button until the program and initialize LEDs stay lit. Then you can release the USB button. The board is now upgrading the unit's ROM file. This process only takes around 30 seconds to complete. When it's complete the done LED will light up. You then can safely remove your USB drive, reboot your game and the Color DMD is ready to go Congratulations And there you have it The instructions on how to install a color dmd into your pinball machine but by all means there are some caveats to this and that is the fact that different games sometimes require other procedures so by all means visit color dmd.com go through their hardware installation files. They have them all right there. Instructions to go through all the different systems, and as well as any other game that may require special treatment. Now, not every game is supported, but their Rolodex is currently growing every day. They are even putting out Gottlieb games now. I'm sporting my color DMD shirt, one of a few that I have for them. This is a company that I stand behind. I believe in their product. This product, when installed in your machine, ups the value of your game. I don't believe I have met a single person that says that the Color DMD is a bad product or a bad mod or devalues your game. If anything, putting a Color DMD in your game increases its value by at least $400 upon installation. By installing the Color DMD, you are now negating the fact that the machine requires the high voltage that it used to for the original dot matrix display which in turn puts less stress on your boards when it comes to lcd versus led it's all about personal preference me personally i lean towards the led version over the lcd a special thank you goes out to all my patreon supporters your monthly donations are greatly appreciated give me the thumbs up guys and if you haven't already smash that subscribe button down there ding my dong that way you can be notified of whenever i upload something for your viewing pleasure and until next time peace out _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: b72f6ceb-1e89-42f8-bf76-12ca2b64e9f7*